Arkansas needs to focus its state poverty (NSL) funding where it belongs: in education programs that are proven to remove barriers for kids living in low-income families. The way to do this is by investing in the “Golden Three:”...
A new national report shows that Arkansas met 8 of 10 new benchmarks for having high quality standards for its pre-K programs. However, state investment is not keeping up with our children and families’ needs. In The State of...
Taxes allow us to invest in public programs that help everyone, but recent federal tax cuts are shifting those dollars to the Arkansans who need it least. Those tax cuts are expensive–to the tune of $1.5 trillion dollars over 10...
An overwhelming majority of Arkansans support a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit and greater state investment in afterschool and summer programs, according to a new poll released today by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF). The poll found...
Chronic absences add up—and school discipline practices can make the problem better, or worse. Chronic absenteeism is defined as students missing 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason, excused or unexcused, including suspensions. That means...
The Arkansas General Assembly wrapped up its fiscal and special sessions in March with little to no new funding for priority education needs for children in Arkansas, especially for low-income children and those with special needs. The following education bills...
Fourteen years ago, in August 2004, the Jonesboro, Arkansas, School District launched its first pre-K program. The Jonesboro Pre-K Center was licensed for 186 early learners and was housed in the newly renovated Jonesboro Administration Building on Flint Street....
The tax task force focused on sales taxes again this week. They were visited by two national tax experts* who both agreed on some key points for tax change in our state: Broadening the sales tax base is a good...
Before age 3, 85 percent of a child’s core brain structure is formed. This “wiring” shapes infants and toddlers’ ability to learn to read and think critically. Early learning experiences also influence health, social, and economic outcomes. The Arkansas...
When do children begin to learn? Believe it or not, school readiness begins in the womb. Research shows the first few years of life, including the prenatal months, are the most important for healthy brain development. Unfortunately, too many...
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