Bill > HB1020

This bill repeals the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program, which was a school choice initiative that provided public funding to help certain students attend private schools. The bill makes several key changes: First, it eliminates the entire educational freedom account program that would have allowed eligible students to receive state funds for private school tuition and educational expenses. Second, it creates a new funding category specifically for students with special education needs, establishing that these students will receive $3,862 per student for special education and related services. Third, the bill creates a new Community Schools Act Fund, which can receive public and private grants to support community school initiatives. The bill also modifies provisions related to foster children's educational placements, removing a previous provision that would have allowed state funding for foster children's nonpublic school placements through the now-repealed educational freedom account program. By eliminating the educational freedom account program and redirecting funds toward special education and community schools, the bill represents a significant shift in how Arkansas approaches educational funding and school choice.

Education

https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1020&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R