Public schools could soon receive Educational Freedom Account funds

(The Center Square) - The Arkansas Legislative Council will consider a rule allowing public schools to receive money from the state's Educational Freedom Accounts.

An ALC subcommittee recommended approval of the rule change after a comment made last year by Fouke School District Superintendent Jim Buie.

“When a public school develops and maintains supports and programs that are desirable products for parents/students, they should not be excluded from billing for those desirable services when a non-public school student (for whom we no longer receive funding) desires to participate,” Buie said. “I just want a more level playing field for public schools. A mechanism by which we can charge those who have elected to opt out of our public education system when they choose to utilize our supports and services seems like a fair way to give public schools a fighting chance in the competitive world of education.”

Andres Rhodes, chief counsel for the Arkansas Department of Education, said the law doesn't exclude public schools from participating in the program for educational services like tutoring when provided by the public schools to nonpublic students.

Also known as SB294, the Literacy Empowerment Accountability Readiness Networking School Safety, or LEARNS Act, was signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in March 2023.

For the 2024-2025 school year, eligible students can receive up to $6,856, according to the DOE's website .

ESA's are being implemented in phases. A maximum of 1.5% of the public school student enrollment was allowed during the 2023-2024 school year, the program's inaugural year. The allowable amount increased to 3% for the 2024-2025 school year. The limit for 2025-2026 is removed but will be determined by available funding, according to the website.

The ALC meets on Aug. 23.