Arkansas Students Show Measurable Gains Following LEARNS Act Reforms
LITTLE ROCK, AR — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that public school students in Arkansas have demonstrated increased proficiency on a new statewide exam, attributing the progress to the comprehensive LEARNS Act implemented in 2023.
The LEARNS Act at a Glance
The landmark legislation included a range of reforms:
- Raising the minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000
- Creating performance-based bonuses for educators
- Expanding literacy support programs
- Funding school safety initiatives
- Banning critical race theory and classroom instruction related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexually explicit materials
Key Data Highlights
According to the governor's office, student proficiency across all grades and subjects increased by more than 7% between 2024 and 2026, and by more than 5% between 2025 and 2026 alone.
In 2026, 42.2% of students met proficiency standards, up from 36.9% in 2025.
The percentage of students performing at the lowest levels fell from an average of 27.3% in 2025 to 23.1% in 2026.
Early Literacy and Grade-Level Progress
- Reading proficiency among third-graders increased from 36% in 2024 to 43% in 2026.
- Students in kindergarten through second grade—the first cohort to learn under the reforms—exceeded 50% proficiency in nearly every subject and grade level.
Official Statements
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "The thing we're most excited about is the fact that so many Arkansas students are doing better now than they would have been doing pre-LEARNS legislation."
She expressed hope that other states, both red and blue, would use Arkansas's approach as a model, noting the reforms reflect a "comprehensive, aligned approach."
Jacob Oliva, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education: "These scores prove that listening to teachers, administrators, and parents wasn't just valuable but also essential. The plan is working."
Broader Context
Sanders emphasized that "every single kid can learn when given the right environment," framing the results as evidence that the state's investment in teacher pay, literacy support, and classroom standards is yielding tangible outcomes.