Arkansas families deserve a K–12 education system that prepares students not just for tests or one narrow path, but for real life—work, business, citizenship, and opportunity.
That’s why I’ve drafted a new education reform proposal focused on more school choice within public education, stronger civic and financial instruction, and greater flexibility for local schools—especially small and rural districts.
This proposal is not about cutting standards or attacking teachers. It’s about modernizing how we educate so schools can meet students where they are and communities can prepare young people for the futures they actually face.
What’s the problem?
Right now, Arkansas schools are required to follow rigid, one-size-fits-all accreditation rules that:
- Force schools to offer low-enrollment classes just to stay accredited
- Crowd schedules with seat-time requirements that don’t fit every student
- Leave little room for trades, entrepreneurship, or workforce preparation
- Short-change practical instruction in civics, personal finance, and taxes
These challenges hit small and rural districts the hardest, where staffing is limited and every class decision matters.
What this bill does
This proposal expands school choice inside the public system by allowing schools to offer multiple legitimate pathways, rather than forcing every student into the same academic track.
Key reforms include:
✅ More school choice through pathways
Schools may offer multiple state-approved pathways, including:
- Postsecondary academic readiness
- Career and technical education
- Entrepreneurship and business
- Public service or military readiness
Students and families can choose the path that best fits their goals.
✅ Stronger instruction in what matters most
The bill strengthens—not weakens—core education by requiring more meaningful instruction in:
- Entrepreneurship and small business
- Arkansas Government and U.S. Civics
- Personal finance, taxes, and economic literacy
These subjects are already required in some form today—but often only briefly. This bill ensures they are taught with the depth students need to succeed as adults and citizens.
✅ Real civics, not just theory
Students will have opportunities to learn how Arkansas laws are actually made, including optional exposure to the legislative process through:
- Classroom visits (in-person or virtual)
- Recorded explanations from legislators
- Legislative simulations or Q&A sessions
This is nonpartisan, process-focused civics, not political advocacy.
✅ Protection for small and rural schools
The bill allows flexibility so schools are not punished for being small. Districts may:
- Combine or integrate instruction
- Share teachers regionally
- Use virtual or cooperative models
- Substitute high-value career instruction for low-enrollment courses
Schools remain accredited while gaining the freedom to serve students better.
What this bill does NOT do
- ❌ It does not eliminate college preparation
- ❌ It does not lower graduation standards
- ❌ It does not reduce instructional time
- ❌ It does not tell students what path they must choose
College remains an option—but it should not be the only option.
Why this matters
At its core, this bill is about more school choice, stronger preparation, and local flexibility.
It recognizes that:
- Not every student has the same goals
- Not every community has the same workforce needs
- And not every successful future requires the same path
Public education should reflect that reality.
Read the full bill
If you’d like to review the full legislative text, you can read the complete bill below.
I welcome feedback from parents, educators, administrators, and community members. Good policy is built by listening—and that’s exactly what this proposal is meant to do.