FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

Media Contact: Spencer Watson

Communications Director

(501) 944-0156 

Educational Freedom Programs

Popular Among Parents in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – With the new school year underway across Arkansas, families throughout the Natural State have embraced programs that allow them the freedom to choose an educational environment that will best meet their child’s specific needs.

These programs in Arkansas include the Educational Freedom Account (EFA) program and the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids (PIAK) scholarship program. The programs differ significantly, particularly in how students qualify, but both empower parents to make decisions about what works best for their child.

“Polling continues to indicate that Arkansas parents support the idea of choice in education,” said Emmy Henley, managing director for The Reform Alliance. “Unsurprisingly then, polling also shows a majority of parents, regardless of politics, are interested in the EFA program created by LEARNS. And that’s been proven by the surge in EFA enrollment.”

Indeed, to date more than 17,000 applications have been submitted to participate in the EFA, which provides $6,856 for educational needs of qualifying K-12 students during the 2024-25 school year. To qualify this year, students must have a disability, have ever been in foster care, be homeless, be the child of active duty or reserve military, or of law enforcement or a first responder, have attended a D- or F-ranked school or a district classified as Level 5 by the state accountability system, or be a first-time kindergartner or first grader this year. Funding can be used for private school tuition and fees or, as of this fall, for homeschooling or microschooling expenses.

According to the Arkansas Department of Education, around 13,500 applications have been approved. Participation in the program is capped at 3% of the total public school enrollment statewide, or just over 14,000 students.

“It’s an exciting time for these students and their families,” said Henley. “We get calls all the time from parents with specific concerns about class size and individual instruction, or about supportive programs and therapy, or general safety concerns, among many other issues. But until now, they’ve not had the financial resources to address those concerns and find an environment where their student can thrive. That this program can provide that, and at a savings to taxpayers, is really tremendous.”

Based on the participation cap, the budget for the EFA program for 2024-25 is about $98 million. However, Arkansas K-12 public schools spend an average of $13,260 per pupil, according to EducationData.org. Thus, the same 14,000 students attending public school would on average cost taxpayers around $186 million, or $87.6 million more than is budgeted for the EFA program.

Meanwhile, in the PIAK scholarship, more than 600 applications have been submitted, while approximately 250 have been approved. Funding, which is provided by donors who receive a tax credit to match their donation, continues to be available and applications remain open on The Reform Alliance website. To qualify, an applicant’s household family income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Additionally, students must either have a disability or have been in public school last year, just starting school, or transferring from out of state. The scholarship provides up to $6,800 to attend a participating private school.

Generally, the LEARNS Act specifies that students cannot participate in both the EFA program and the PIAK scholarship simultaneously. However, the legislature made an exception in the case of students with disabilities who qualify for the EFA and also have a family household income that qualifies for the PIAK. These students are allowed to participate in both programs.

“These are truly the most vulnerable students in our communities. Families who already have limited means face tremendous costs to accommodate a child’s special needs: medical care, therapy, transportation, tutoring or supplemental instruction, assistive devices such as for speech or mobility, and much more. These families are able to receive support from both programs to help offset some of these costs and make sure their child can access an educational environment where they can learn and grow,” Henley said.

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The Reform Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every Arkansas student has equal access to a quality education. We understand that each child has individual needs, so we strive to raise public awareness of all educational options for every family. Our team is committed to assisting Arkansas families with finding the best option for their child.