14-02-2025
Working 4 You: Equestrian, martial arts on list of approved vendors for Education Freedom Accounts
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In just a few weeks, the application portal for the state's Education Freedom Accounts will open, giving all parents in Arkansas the option to choose where their kids go to school.
Education Freedom Accounts or EFA's were a big portion of the Arkansas Learns Act, allowing parents to use state money to pay for private school tuition, home school curriculum, and any other educational activity or supplies needed.
Lawmakers have debated the use of EFA's for well over two years now, but conversations came to a head just a few months ago when an equestrian company posted to social media that they were accepting EFA funds.
Lawmakers against Arkansas LEARNS are now questioning what else parents can use EFA's for.
Working 4 You: How are some recipients of Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts spending the money of Natural State taxpayers
Working 4 You obtained a list of more than 500 approved EFA vendors in November. The list includes private schools, online schools, therapy organizations, tutors, and homeschool curriculum.
There are also gymnastics, martial arts, batting cage facilities, baking box subscriptions, personal training, and horseback riding lessons on the list.
'I think a lot of people were surprised to see some of the things that they could be spent on,' Arkansas State Senator Greg Leding said.
Leding said the extra curriculars on the list are questionable.
'To some extent, I suppose there is a defense in that home school children might not have access to physical education, but I don't think these are the kind of activities Arkansans thought they'd be supporting if they supported school vouchers,' Leding said.
In its first year, the state spent more than $34,000 on EFA's or what some are calling 'school vouchers.'
New lawsuit claims Arkansas LEARNS Act vouchers violate state constitution
Next school year, the program goes universal, opening up applications to all school-age children in the state.
'Let's let parents decide what's best for their kids in education,' Arkansas State Senator Bart Hester said.
School choice is becoming a widely popular idea across the nation, mostly led by the Republican Party.
Hester has been a supporter of school choice and Arkansas LEARNS since the beginning. He said parents should have the option to choose where their children go to school and not be confined to a certain school district or type of school.
'I think if you ask parents, [the EFA program] is going very well,' Hester said.
In past stories, Working 4 You talked to parents using EFA funds for private school, tutoring, and homeschool co-ops.
'For me, it was like this is it,' said Ginny Heisler, who has moved her daughter into a micro school this year. 'I don't worry about her learning anymore and I don't worry about her socially anymore.'
Heisler said Arkansas Learns, and more specifically the EFA program is a blessing for her family.
More than 20K school choice applications submitted in Arkansas in 2024
Its not necessarily stories like these though, that have lawmakers like Leding concerned.
'A lot of [approved vendors] are out of state, out of the country. Some places [listed] in the U.S. are as far away as San Francisco,' Leding said.
Leding went on to say activities like horseback riding and martial arts seem excessive and should not be approved as vendors in the EFA program.
Working 4 You took these concerns to State Senator Hester.
'Look, I hear those arguments all the time. I hear, 'Is it really necessary that we have big football stadiums for football on Friday night?' At the end of the day, everyone's not going to agree. That is why it's important to let parents choose what is best for their child's education,' Hester said.
The application process to become an EFA-approved vendor is briefly outlined on the Arkansas Department of Education website.
Below are the qualifications for vendor complete background checks for all student-facing employees
Provide education in ELA, math, social studies, and science
Administer assessments to participating students
Must not discriminate on any basis prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Cannot employ anyone who may pose a risk to EFA funds
Provide a list of all goods and services offered with corresponding prices or rates
Provide proof of credentials to demonstrate that relevant staff meet at least one of the following:
Hold an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Training License or qualify through an ADE-recognized Alternative Route ProgramMeet the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited/recognized by the State BoardAre employed in the teaching/tutoring role at an accredited high education institutionHold a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject they teachHave at least three years of prior teaching experience demonstrating special skills, knowledge, or expertise qualifying them to provide instruction
Provide evidence of subject matter expertise in their fieldMust complete background checks and fingerprinting
Meet additional requirements based on service type:
Tutors: Provide proof of credentials meeting at least one of the following:
Hold an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Teaching License or qualify through ADE-recognized Alternative Route Program
Meet the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the State Board.
Are employed in a teaching/tutoring capacity at an accredited institution of higher education
Hold a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject area for which tutoring or instructional services are provided
Have at least three years of prior teaching experience demonstrating special skills, knowledge, or expertise qualifying them to provide instruction
Provide evidence of subject matter expertise in their field
Therapists: must hold an active state license
Transportation providers: Must hold an active state driver's license
The Department of Education's website has little information about vendor qualifications so Working 4 You asked both state senators.
'I think they just have to prove to the Department of Education that they're a real business, that they're really functioning and that they are providing some service,' Hester said.
'There are some requirements and so you would go through the Arkansas Department of Education,' Leding said.
Working 4 You: Are Education Freedom Accounts truly available to families of all backgrounds?
State lawmakers say they are planning on adding $90 million to the cost for Arkansas LEARNS next school year. Opposers say now is the time to put in more regulations.
'The chief concern for most of us is the voucher program and its cost and so maybe making sure they are going to students who actually need them, not subsidizing families who are already able to send their students to private schools,' Leding said.
We asked Hester if there is a concern with the cost of Arkansas LEARNS as it becomes universal next year.
'There certainly is a concern but we're committed to it,' Hester said. 'The more the cost goes up the more we have to say why are parents choosing this? Why are so many parents choosing to leave their public schools?'
Hester said the state is expecting a $250 million to $300 million surplus this year, and they will likely pull the money from that to help fund Arkansas LEARNS.
Democrats say at this point there is not enough support against the bill to make any changes right now but are expecting conversations to increase after Arkansas LEARNS is fully operational next school year.
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