Arkansas School Voucher Program Faces Funding Crisis
Arkansas’s ambitious school voucher program, officially known as "Education Freedom Accounts," teeters on the brink of financial collapse, despite a recent $90 million allocation from state lawmakers. Implemented in 2023 through the Arkansas LEARNS education reform, the program allows public funds to support private school and homeschool tuition costs. However, participation is currently limited and is set to expand universally to all K-12 students starting in the 2025-26 school year.
As it stands, the Arkansas Department of Education has indicated that only a few hundred additional vouchers can be issued, raising concerns about how to manage demand. The projected cost for the coming school year is already set at $277.4 million, significantly pressuring state finances amid declining revenue. Lawmakers have recently approved the $90 million, which was pre-allocated during the spring legislative session as a safety net; however, the reality is the existing funds could quickly run dry.
The number of voucher applications has skyrocketed, with over 44,573 submitted and 39,256 approved, leaving more than 5,000 awaiting decisions. The state typically allocates up to 90% of its foundation funding per student, which translates to approximately $6,994 per voucher. Notably, existing applicants include only 445 students previously part of the Succeed Scholarship program.
With the current cap on funding nearing its limit, the Arkansas Education Department may have to prioritize applicants based on established criteria to allocate remaining funds effectively. Legislators are expected to scrutinize the program’s financial sustainability, raising questions about whether further funding requests from Governor Sarah Sanders will be warranted in the future. As the situation develops, the fate of educational opportunities for Arkansas families hangs in the balance.
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