Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council meets to discuss education-related rules on July 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)
Arkansas public schools will soon have an opportunity to collect money from the state’s new school voucher program, according to a rule passed out of a state subcommittee Tuesday.
With minimal discussion, the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council unanimously reviewed and approved a permanent rule governing Education Freedom Accounts, which included a “substantive change” from previously approved emergency rules .
Under the revised rule, public schools will be listed as “education service providers” and will be eligible to receive funding reimbursements for services given to non-public school students. Public institutions were previously excluded from this distinction.
Created under the LEARNS Act , the Educational Freedom Account program provides up to 90% of the annual per-student public funding rate for use on allowable education expenses, including private school tuition. The EFA program is being phased in over three years, at which time it will be available to all students. The program enters its second year with this school year.