Proposed education amendment to Arkansas Constitution gains support at town hall

TEXARKANA, Ark. ( KTAL/KMSS )—Political activists held a town hall to discuss a proposed amendment to the Arkansas constitution and what that change could bring.

For AR Kids hosted The town hall at the New Walk Christian Church.

They wanted to drum up support for the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment that could be on the November ballot.

“First, it provides universal access to four of the most proven education strategies we know to boost learning,” said Bill Kopsky with the Arkansas Public Policy Panel.

It would mean guaranteed access to strategies like pre-k for children as young as 3 years old, after-school and summer programs, support for kids experiencing poverty, and quality special education.

Second, it would force every school that receives public funding to follow the same standards.

“So that would mean charter schools or private schools that accept state vouchers would need to follow the same standards as public schools,” said Kopsky.

Finally, it would enshrine existing state minimum education standards in the Arkansas Constitution.

They say that now that the Arkansas LEARNS Act has made it easier for some students to attend private schools, they want to ensure that the quality of education stays consistent.

“And so part of what we’re trying to accomplish by equal standards for everybody and requiring them all to take the same test and report the same scores is a parent will be able to know, this is a high-quality public school, this is a low-quality public school, this is a high-quality private school this is a low-quality private school.” said Kopsky, “It lets everybody have, basically a level playing field so they can choose what’s the best educational option for their child.”

Before this happens, their petition needs 90,704 signatures, which must come from all parts of the state.

“But in addition to that, they put the caveat that we have to get at least 5% from a minimum of 50 of those. So it’s not like you can just get all of your numbers in Pulaski or Washington County,” said Steve Grappe with For AR Kids.

Town hall events like this are proving to be a way for the group to get signatures while making sure people know exactly what they are being asked to support.

“If people understand what they are actually signing, what’s actually going to be on the ballot, they are more apt to sign than they would be if they did not understand,” said Doronda Williams with Concerned Citizens of Prescott.

They have until July 5th to gather enough signatures.

There will be petitions available to sign at Cooper Tire in Texarkana on Tuesday, June 24, from 6:00 a.m. until 7 p.m.

You can visit forarkids.org to learn more about the proposed amendment, opportunities to sign the petition, and ways to help get the word out.

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