Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021
Arkansas highlighted at national ed conference
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, ExcelinEd hosted the 2021 National Summit on Education in Buena Vista, Florida, on Nov. 18-19.

The conference kicked off with a keynote speech from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Arkansas's own Gov. Asa Hutchinson attended the conference and was a panelist for a strategy session entitled, “Silicon America: How Ed Policy Can Build a Diverse Workforce Pipeline for the Tech Industry.”

He spoke about our state’s computer science school grant program to the breakout of 50 attendees, highlighting the importance of committing resources for our students to become proficient in high-demand skills.

In the photo to the right, Dr. Cornel West and Robert George led a lively discussion during a lunch keynote. Click here for more information about the conference.
Education Headlines
EdFreedom Pledge
Lawmakers across the United States are committing “to support policies that promote parental rights in education and educational freedom.” Arkansas ranks in the top five states with most signers with 15 legislators who have signed the pledge!
Spoiler alert: Ed choice doesn't destroy public education
Although the opposition often claims that ed choice programs will harm public schools, research has shown that the states with the most robust choice programs often show static or improved academic performance and increased spending on public schools rather than them receiving less funding.
Are you interested in partnering with us to help improve education in Arkansas? Contact us at (501) 244-9028 or info@thereformalliance.org for more information on how you can make a difference with education reform.
Educational Choice Glossary
When it comes to support for families seeking financial aid for K-12 education, there are a variety of types with overlapping characteristics. EdChoice does an incredible job of defining each of the forms of financial support for K-12 education.

The funding mechanisms may differ, but the goal of each program is to help families afford whichever school is the best fit for their children. 
Tax-credit Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) allow taxpayers to receive full or partial tax credits when they donate to nonprofit organizations that fund and manage parent-directed K-12 education savings accounts.

Families may use those funds to pay for multiple education-related expenses, including private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, community college costs, higher education expenses, and other approved customized learning services and materials.

A tax-credit scholarship is funded in the same way, but the scholarships are only available for private school tuition and fees. Click here to learn more about our new tax-credit scholarship program.
Faces of Freedom
"We both had given up, especially since she was over 15 years old and just knew there was no school that could help her catch up since she was so far behind. But, that one last ray of hope made all the difference in her life! I gave it my last shot and told myself as a parent, I am prepared to go anywhere in the United States where God led me for her! Arkansas had one of the best schools just for her and with children with the same learning aspects she had! She didn’t have to feel ostracized!

Thank you Succeed for giving my child a future. Without it, she’d struggle for the rest of her life without a real education for her noted disability of a written and oral expression.

You literally saved her life from struggle and defeat!!!” – Missy, parent (Click here to read the full story.)

We are proud to administer the program for the state with 100% of all state funding going directly to scholarships. All administrative costs of managing the scholarship for the state is paid for through a private philanthropic grant. 
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every K-12 student in Arkansas has equal access to a world class education. Our mission is to create a network of parent and community leaders so every policy decision and every conversation about education starts and ends with how it impacts our kids.