Teachers set for $10 million in bonuses through Arkansas LEARNS program

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Qualified Arkansas teachers will receive nearly $10 million in bonuses by the end of June as part of the state’s overhauled education plan.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Tuesday that 3,000 teachers will receive $1.500 to $10,000 bonuses through the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, a component of the Arkansas LEARNS Act passed in March 2023.

Funds will be available for distribution by the end of June, the governor said.

The governor’s office said that to qualify for the bonuses, teachers must demonstrate outstanding growth in student performance, serve as mentors to aspiring teachers who participate in year-long residencies and/or teach in a subject or region with a critical teacher shortage.

Sanders said the bonuses were part of the plan to motivate Arkansas teachers.

“This year’s merit bonuses will incentivize teachers to continue tackling our state’s toughest assignments and help every Arkansas student thrive,” Sanders said.

Officials said bonus recipients were identified using data from the Statewide Information System, the Educator Effectiveness System, the Arkansas Educator Licensure System and student state assessment data.

Additional information on the bonus program, including a map showing bonus distribution, may be found at LEARNS.ADE.Arkansas.gov .

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