Here in Arkansas, many parents, educators, and business leaders agree that pre-K is a valuable and effective strategy for preparing children for the future. Students who participated in the Arkansas Better Chance program scored 11 percentage points higher in Math...
Arkansas took in more tax revenue than expected last month. October general revenues came in over 8 percent (or $30 million) higher than last year, and 4.7 percent (or $18.2 million) above forecast. Two categories accounted for most of...
A COLA is more than a tasty soft drink. In policymaking and economics, COLA stands for “cost of living adjustment.” Prices of goods (like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, electricity, etc.) and services (like haircuts, teaching, legal services, car maintenance,...
Last week, the joint legislative education committee met to make spending recommendations in education. The committee made a few recommendations that involved more spending. They suggested putting more money towards technology, substitute teachers, and English language learners (ELL). Alternative...
Imagine coming home after working a ten hour shift at a minimum wage job. Its pay day, but you’re stuck having to make a tough decision for your family. Your rent is due, you’re running low on groceries for...
Children who participate in pre-K, particularly low-income children, are better prepared for kindergarten.
The uncertainty and instability of foster care can take an emotional toll on children, one that grows with time. Approximately a quarter of the children who entered the foster care system over a fi ve-year period stayed in foster...
Mandatory retention policies without significant resourcing are often ineffective, financially draining, and damaging to student’s emotional health. Since 2002, 15 states have implemented grade level retention policies as a means to combat “social promotion.” States typically focus retention efforts...
Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families is very proud to announce that Kerri Michael Sernel will be joining the AACF staff as our new outreach director. Sernel will help AACF develop and implement strategies to educate and engage citizens...
A coalition of health organizations has announced a joint effort to promote enrollment in health coverage in Arkansas. Arkansans For Coverage (AFC) will educate Arkansans about their health coverage options and make it easier to navigate the system and...