Bill No. SB294
Bill ID
1715618
State
AR
Title
To Create The Learns Act; To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code
Description
PFPS Summary: SB 294 creates a new voucher program called the "Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program." The voucher is paid from state funds and is equal to 90% of the annual per-student public school funding rate for use on allowable education expenses. For the 2023-2024 school year, qualifying expenses include tuition, fees, testing, school supplies and uniforms. In 2024-2025, qualifying expenses expand to include tutoring, curriculum, course fees, college admission exams and other nontraditional education expenses. Program eligibility expands each year until the 2025-26 school year. The first students eligible for the program next school year will be those with disabilities, homeless students, foster children, children of active military members, students enrolled in an “F”-rated school or a school in need of Level 5 support, and students enrolling in kindergarten for the first time. 2023-24 participation in the program is capped at 1.5% of the current total public school enrollment in the state. In 2024-25, student eligibility will expand to include those at “D”-rated schools and children of veterans, military reservists or first responders. Program participation will be capped at 3% of the current total public school enrollment. In 2025-26, all students will be eligible to participate in the program, and there will be no caps on participation so long as the program is fully funded. The bill requires random annual audits of individual accounts and participating schools, and requires participating schools to administer an annual, state Board of Education approved assessment.
Bill Type
Bill
Category
Virtual Learning, New Program, ESAs, Income Eligibility
Session
94th General Assembly (2023 Regular)
Special Session
No Data Available
Current Status
Passed
Status Last Updated
2023-03-14
Pending Committee