Point: Gov. Sanders’ reform plan will empower choice, benefit Arkansans

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

The Reform Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every Arkansas student has equal access to a quality education, saying, “We understand that each child has individual needs, so we strive to raise public awareness of all educational options for every family. Our team is committed to assisting Arkansas families with finding the best option for their child. In addition, we are proud to partner with the Arkansas Department of Education to promote and assist in the implementation of the Succeed Scholarship Program.”

Last week, the Reform Alliance issued a press release lauding Gov.

Sarah Sanders’s plans for education in Arkansas after the governor told the nation last night that, as Arkansas Governor, she was going to execute “the most far-reaching, bold, conservative education reform in the country.”

Said Sanders: My plan empowers parents with real choices.” last Thursday at a press conference she unveiled specifics on her omnibus education plan that will implement her Arkansas LEARNS initiative, which stands for literacy, empowerment, accountability, readiness, networking and safety.

These robust reforms will make significant progress toward improving the lives of students and the entire education system of Arkansas, according to The Reform Alliance.

“We are ecstatic to hear details of Gov. Sanders’ decisive reform initiative,” said Laurie Lee, chairman of The Reform Alliance. “Not only do we see a sharp focus on early childhood education to give our students a strong start, but there are tools here to empower parents to make sure their child is enrolled in an educational environment that meets their individual needs.

“Traditional public schools are the backbone of our educational system, but we meet parents and students every day who, for whatever reason, find the school they’re assigned to based on their ZIP code simply doesn’t work for their child, and they don’t have the resources to consider an alternative.”

Lee said Sanders’ passion to empower Arkansas parents, focus on students and support teachers is evident in the details of the Arkansas LEARNS proposal, the details of which include:

• Universal school choice for all families by school year 2025-26, with expansion of high quality charter options. This includes the creation of Education Freedom

See REFORM, page A2 REFORM

From page A1

Accounts for all families to choose the best environment that meets their children’s needs.

• Resources for transportation and tutoring, making choice available for all families.

• Support for struggling readers in grades K-3, including a $500 literacy tutoring grant.

• Minimum salary for all new teachers at $50,000, immediately increasing the salary of current teachers, and creating training and mentoring programs to attract new teachers.

“The work our teachers do is among the most important in our society, and they’ve long been undercompensated for it,” Lee added. “We need teacher salaries that will attract the best talent and retain them as educators for their entire career.”

Lee has chaired The Reform Alliance since its founding in 2014, but has worked to improve school choice options in Arkansas for more than two decades.

“I’m delighted our governor has chosen to make education a priority and, along with her tremendously experienced staff, is building robust choice tools for parents in Arkansas,” said Lee.