LEARNS Act Timeline
Education reform becomes key issue
Amidst a national conversation on teacher retention and education loss during the pandemic, then-gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders made education reform a key issue in her campaign as she formed her upcoming education omnibus bill.
Read MoreLEARNS Act introduced
Lawmakers file a bill incorporating Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ education overhaul for Arkansas. The bill encompasses several initiatives, including increasing teachers' salaries, literacy rate improvements, and school voucher programs.
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LEARNS ACT signed into law
Sanders signs the LEARNS Act into law following a three-week process where the bill was reviewed by the state Legislature. The governor describes the law as “a comprehensive approach to all education, from cradle to career." However, some critics argued that the process to pass the bill was rushed.
Read MoreWorking groups formed
The Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education forms six work groups to provide ideas, expertise and feedback to the state agency on how to implement the LEARNS Act.
Read MoreJudge blocks implementation of LEARNS
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herbert Wright blocks implementation of the LEARNS Act until Aug. 1.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin files an immediate notice of appeal over Wright's temporary restraining order to the Arkansas Supreme Court. The judge’s ruling blocks the failing Marvell-Elaine School District from entering an agreement with FEF-Arkansas to run its day-to-day operations.
Read MoreEmergency rules allow families to apply for vouchers
State lawmakers approve emergency rules to allow families to apply and access voucher funding for private schools while the state waits for the LEARNS Act to be formally implemented on Aug. 1st.
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LEARNS Act takes effect
Implementation of phase one of the LEARNS Act begins. While the law officially goes into effect, many of its key provisions will be phased in over the next three years.
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