LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) today announced that nearly $20 million, including fringe benefits, will be awarded to educators through the LEARNS Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program. This year, nearly 5,000 outstanding educators will receive up to $10,000 in merit pay – an increase of nearly 2,000 educators since the program’s first year in 2024.

“From day one, my administration has been committed to making Arkansas the best state in the nation to teach and learn,” said Governor Sanders. “Every student deserves a great teacher in the classroom, and every great teacher deserves to be recognized for the difference they make. Our educators are helping students reach higher standards, and this investment both rewards excellence and helps retain top talent in Arkansas.”

“The nearly 5,000 educators receiving merit pay this year represent the strength of the LEARNS Act,” Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva said. “High-quality teachers are the backbone of student success, and this program is one of the ways we are elevating and celebrating the profession. We applaud the educators who go above and beyond to make sure students are ready to enlist, enroll, or be employed after high school, and we look forward to recognizing even more exceptional teachers in the years ahead.”

The Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program was created under the LEARNS Act to elevate the teaching profession by rewarding excellence in the classroom. Eligible licensed educators include all classroom teachers, library media specialists, and school counselors recognized for exceptional student growth, mentoring aspiring teachers participating in yearlong residencies, or serving in critical shortage areas. 

The 2025-2026 school year’s average bonus is approximately $3,300, with nearly 900 educators earning more than $5,000 and 80 receiving the maximum award of $10,000. The bonuses will be available for districts to distribute by the end of the month.

Since Governor Sanders signed the LEARNS Act in 2023, Arkansas has increased minimum teacher pay from $36,000 to $50,000, provided every teacher at least a $2,000 raise, and become one of two states in the nation to expand paid maternity leave to 12 weeks. Over the last three years, the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program has awarded more than $50 million in merit pay for over 12,000 educators statewide. Arkansas now leads the nation in teacher satisfaction with a rate of 89%. This year, Arkansas students also posted gains in every subject and in every grade level on the ATLAS exam – real academic progress driven by the LEARNS Act’s focus on teacher excellence, accountability, and student achievement.

Learn more about the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program here.

Click here to hear more from a merit pay recipient.