SWARK Today

November 26, 2024

Trending

Contact Advertise Newsletter

Tue May 14, 2024

By Press Release

Statewide petitioning reaches south Arkansas: Accountability in education standards for all schools receiving public funds is a goal

Education Standards Statewide Petitioning Accountability Public Funds

ROSE BUD, ARKANSAS – May 14, 2024 Concerned citizens across the state, including the Arkansas State Conference NAACP, have formed an alliance of organizations to create a new ballot question committee called ForARKids. NAACP 6012-B, Hope-Hempstead County Unit and the Hope Education Association are the lead organizations for Hempstead County. The goal of ForARKids is to give Arkansans the choice to vote on an amendment to the Arkansas State Constitution this election that would establish equitable, high quality, accountable standards for education when public, private, homeschool and charter schools receive state education dollars. A permanent petition collection location for Hempstead County is at 109 S. Walnut Street, Hope. The location is a block away from the Hope Public Schools Administration building. Text 870-826-8774 for more information and to join the local efforts. Steve Grappe, ForARKids’ lead organizer, shared, “No matter where we come from, we all want our children to have access to quality education. But the Arkansas State Legislature has not increased the budget to support this goal. These groups came together because too often our children are not represented in policy decisions. If folks claim to want the best for all students from pre-k through high schools, here's your chance to show it.”

The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment, if passed, will provide free, voluntary access to high-quality pre-K programs, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to start their educational journey on the right foot. The Amendment also establishes minimum academic standards to ensure that every elementary or secondary school that receives any State or local funds meet the identical Academic Standards and the identical Standards for Accreditation set forth by the General Assembly. Grappe continued, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of this effort. You are a credible or trusted messenger and we need you! Join our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/forarkids. ”

SHARE