Public education ballot group continues signature collection

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

For AR Kids says they are almost halfway to collecting the amount of signatures they need to put their proposal on the ballot.

It's called the “The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024.” The proposal comes after the passage of Arkansas LEARNS last year, which allows for public tax money to go to private schools through a voucher program. The amendment would add requirements for private schools accepting tax money. The group says this will equalize education in Arkansas, though they are short on funding.

To get their proposal on the ballot, For AR Kids needs more than 90,000 signatures from over 50 counties, with a deadline of July 5. Group leaders say they will have to collect 1,000 signatures a day for the next 45 days. For AR Kids says they have more than 1,000 volunteers collecting signatures.

Public education ballot group continues signature collection

Megan Prettyman

The 11th grade social studies classroom of Megan Prettyman at Little Rock West High School of Innovation.

Supporters of education amendment say signature gathering strong, cost estimates forthcoming

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

For AR Kids, a ballot question committee supporting changes to Arkansas education policy, says their kick-off for signature gathering is off to a great start.

Appearing on this week’s Capitol View and Talk Business & Politics TV program, leaders of the group said they are confident they will meet the threshold of more than 90,000 signatures to get the “Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024” on the November ballot.

“We had our kickoff last week at the [state] Capitol and even though it’s early on – it’s only been two weeks – we are blaring. I mean, it is crazy how many signatures we have,” said April Reisma, President of the Arkansas Education Association and Vice-president of the For AR Kids coalition.

Supporters of education amendment say signature gathering strong, cost estimates forthcoming

Arkansas public education coalition again revises proposed ballot measure targeting voucher rulesV

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

An Arkansas coalition attempting to amend the state Constitution’s education clause submitted its fourth proposal to the attorney general Thursday.

The goal of the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 is to require the same academic and accreditation standards for public and private schools that receive state funding.

The most significant change to For AR Kids’ proposed ballot language is defining receipt of state or local funds as the school, a student attending the school or the student’s parents or guardians receiving “any State or local funds, property, or tax credits to cover or defray, in whole or part, the costs of any student attending the school.”

Arkansas public education coalition again revises proposed ballot measure targeting voucher rules

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

For AR Kids Vice President April Reisma presented the bill on Dec. 21, 2023, now the Attorney General is being asked to approve it for the 4th time.