2014 was a year of progress that led to renewed efforts to inform lawmakers, engage parents, and connect with communities and their leaders about education in Arkansas. As always, AACF worked hard to improve access to high-quality education for all students.

The Arkansas General Assembly opened the year with its Fiscal Session. AACF led an effort to find increased funding for pre-K, which has not had a dime of new money since 2008. The effort came up short with 20 of the 29 votes needed in the Joint Budget committee.

During the following months AACF prepared reports on pre-K and the Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading for the House and Senate Education Committees. We testified on the need for education adequacy including funding for after-school and summer programs and modifications to facilities that would make schools more equitable.

AACF started a new effort to educate parents about the Common Core State Standards. We developed three briefs and an infographic. We worked with our partners at the Arkansas Public Policy Panel to share this information with lead organizers in Little Rock and parent groups in Star City, Strong, and Monticello.

The Kellogg Foundation provided AACF with a grant to start the Good to Great initiative in Prescott and Marvell. The state also received a federal grant for pre-K expansion.

We led sessions at the Arkansas Symposium on Closing the Achievement Gap in Springdale and the Arkansas Opportunity to Learn Summit in Little Rock. We visited schools in Helena-West Helena, Marvell, Marianna, and Springdale. The AACF staff shared policy news and heard local views at Policy Cafes in Malvern, Jonesboro, Northwest Arkansas, and Little Rock.

During the Fall budget hearings, AACF worked to educate legislators about funding needs for low-income students. Leading up to the November elections, we worked to make the needs of Arkansas children a higher priority among voters and candidates during the campaign season. After the elections, we began meeting with legislators and Governor-elect Hutchinson’s staff about important education issues facing low-income and disadvantaged students. To close out the year, we held regional pre-legislative conferences to educate advocates and other concerned Arkansans about the important issues facing children and families heading into 2015.

There is much work ahead. Our Hopes for 2015 include:

1. Children in ABC pre-K programs have the funding they need to have high-quality, enriching experiences.
2. Students have the resources they need to be successful with high standards prescribed by Common Core.
3. All areas of the state provide students with first-class school facilities, including broadband access, such as those seen in the most prosperous areas of the state.
4. Students have access to high-quality after-school and summer learning opportunities.
5. All students have access to equitable resources from top-notch teachers to rewarding career program opportunities.
6. All schools develop better school discipline policies that focus on engaging students, restorative justice, and providing professional support through mental health and counseling when needed.
7. All children read at grade level by the end of the third grade.
8. Arkansas provides high-quality opportunities to learn for all students and closes the achievement gap for low-income and minority children.

Working together in 2015, Arkansas can and must make improving education for all students a top priority. Stay tuned for updates on the 2015 legislative session, which begins in January.