by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

A quarter of registered voters in Arkansas with K-12 students living in their homes said they would change their children’s learning environment if provided state funding for non-public school options. More than 61% had favorable opinions of those education freedom accounts.

The survey measured those two key facets of the LEARNS Act, the expansive education reform law passed by Gov. Sarah Sanders and legislators earlier this year.

Eight hundred registered voters were surveyed by telephone Aug. 24 through Sept. 8. The margin of error was plus-minus 3.94%.

You can access the survey results at this link.

Survey: A quarter would change schools with education freedom accounts

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

What would be the financial effects on public school districts if Arkansas lawmakers approved Gov. Sarah Sanders’ school choice law, and then students started transferring to other options?

It would depend on how many students transferred, and also on the district, said Dr. Greg Murry, former Conway School District superintendent.

Sanders’ Arkansas LEARNS education package will include what she calls “education freedom accounts.” These would provide parents access to the state per-pupil foundation funding that goes to public schools that they could use for other options, such as private schools. In the current year, that funding is a little over $7,000 per student.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/02/how-arkansas-public-school-funding-works/