The coalition backing an education-focused constitutional amendment for the 2026 ballot resubmitted its proposal Tuesday after its initial submission was rejected in August for failing to include the measure’s full text.
A ballot question committee called For AR Kids is backing the proposed constitutional amendment, which would require public and private schools that receive state funding to meet the same standards. For AR Kids submitted an identical measure for the 2024 ballot, but failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the November election.
Attorney General Tim Griffin has already certified two other measures for the 2026 ballot. The proposals, which target government transparency and eliminating the sales tax for feminine hygiene products, also failed to qualify for the 2024 ballot.
Arkansas AG rejects proposed education constitutional amendment for 2026 ballot
For AR Kids Treasurer Bill Kopsky said Thursday that they expect Griffin will approve their 2026 ballot language because it’s the same as what he approved in 2024. Kopsky said For AR Kids wanted to start the approval process now, but don’t plan to launch the campaign to support it for a few more months.
The proposed Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2026 would amend Article 14 of the Arkansas Constitution to require “identical academic standards and identical standards for accreditation including assessments of students and schools based on such standards” for any schools that receive local or state funds.
The ballot measure was prompted by concerns about the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made sweeping changes to the state’s education system, including increasing the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 and creating a voucher program that provides state funding for allowable educational expenses, such as private school tuition.
Critics have argued the Educational Freedom Account program is unfair because private schools receiving state funding don’t have to follow the same requirements as their public counterparts, such as admitting all students, providing transportation and administering certain standardized tests.
The LEARNS Act does require private schools to administer approved annual exams for EFA students.
The LEARNS Act has faced a number of lawsuits, including one that argues the voucher program violates a provision of the Arkansas Constitution that prohibits “money or property belonging to the public school fund” from being used for other purposes.
Griffin on Tuesday filed an appeal with the Arkansas Supreme Court in response to a judge’s rejection of his motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
In a similar case, the South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled its state’s new voucher program is unconstitutional because it violates the state constitution’s prohibition against public dollars directly benefiting private schools, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette.
In addition to equal standards, the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2026 would guarantee voluntary universal access to early childhood education for students three years old until they qualify for kindergarten, and after-school and summer programming.
The proposal would also require services for students with disabilities and assistance for children in families within 200% of the Federal Poverty Line ($62,400 for a family of four).
Griffin has until Sept. 24 to approve or reject the proposed amendment.
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Publish date : 2024-09-13 09:14:00
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