Dear Stakeholders,

On March 8, 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 237, known as the Arkansas LEARNS Act, into law. The Arkansas LEARNS Act is bold and comprehensive and will transform education in Arkansas.  Arkansas LEARNS focuses on these critical areas for student success:

• Improving literacy for all;
• Ensuring students come to kindergarten ready to learn;
• Empowering parents;
• Promoting accountability:    
• Strengthening career and workforce readiness programs;
• Improving access to broadband;
• Focusing on school safety; and
• Moving teacher starting salaries to the top five of the nation.

The next step is a call to action, and we invite Arkansans statewide to engage with us in the implementation of LEARNS.  We are seeking volunteers to become part of working groups to provide ideas, expertise, and feedback to the Department of Education in the development of rules and policies.  The work groups will submit recommendations to the ADE secretary for consideration.

If you are interested in participating in one of the volunteer work groups listed below, please complete the form and upload your resumé using this link: dese.link/work-group .  The deadline for submission is March 31, 2023. 

Meetings will be both virtual and face-to-face, and those selected must agree to commit the time needed over the next few months.

Work Groups will be organized by the following topics:

• School Safety
• Early Learning
• Parental Empowerment
• Teaching and Learning
• Educator Workforce
• Career Readiness  

To review the law, please visit Arkansas State Legislature, Act 237.