LEARNS Act
Coverage of LEARNS Act in the Nexus archive.
- JONATHAN TURLEY: Arkansas schools teachers unions and proves education can be improved
Arkansas improved educational outcomes through reforms like the ATLAS system, which included teacher pay increases, performance bonuses, and a voucher system. Proficiency scores in math, science, and English rose significantly between 2024 and 2026, with Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders attributing success to the 2023 LEARNS Act. Teachers unions opposed the voucher system as part of broader resistance to the reforms.
- Gov Sanders reveals 'major breakthrough' on education as red state positions itself as 'blueprint' for nation
Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a major education breakthrough under the LEARNS Act, which raised teacher salaries and banned critical race theory, leading to a 7% rise in student proficiency across all subjects in three years. The reforms also improved literacy, school safety, and third-grade reading performance, with proficiency rates exceeding 50% in kindergarten through second grade.
- Gov Sanders reveals 'major breakthrough' on education as red state positions itself as 'blueprint' for nation
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders highlights significant improvements in student proficiency rates following the implementation of the LEARNS Act, a Republican-backed education overhaul. The law includes teacher salary increases, performance-based bonuses, literacy support, and bans on critical race theory and related classroom teachings. Proficiency rates rose across all grades and subjects, with mathematics and science seeing over 7-8% gains in three years.