More Federal Flexibility in Education Funding Should Also Require More Transparency
Public education is funded by federal, state, and local money. Approximately 20% of Arkansas’s public education is federally funded, which is higher than the national average of 12.9%. States have […]
AACF Public Comments on Head Start
On October 6, AACF submitted public comments urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw its proposed rule that would erase roughly 90% of the current […]
2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book: Education
Arkansas children have the best chance to thrive when they have quality education, including during their early years. Education is one of the four KIDS COUNT Data Book domains in […]
Third Grade Retention — A Policy with Purpose, Just Not the Purpose You Think
Most Arkansas students recently wrapped up their school year. Their end-of-the-year ATLAS test results mean more for some than for others. Third graders who do not meet the state’s reading standard by scoring a Level […]
Exploring Recent School Readiness Assistance Changes in Light of Federal Rules Meant to Prioritize Needs of Families
Access to safe and high-quality child care is critical for families. Recent changes to the voucher program are negatively affecting Arkansas families.
AACF Statement on ADE Changes to School Readiness Assistance Program
AACF calls on the Arkansas Department of Education to delay implementation and consider community input.
Even Public Education Not Safe from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
While we have frequently highlighted how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act slashes funding for health care and food assistance, another provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act stands […]
The Kids Count Data Book: Education
What will change going forward to improve opportunities for students in our state?
Cutting Medicaid is Equivalent to Cutting School District Budgets
As members of Congress work through the budget reconciliation process, deep cuts to Medicaid, among other programs, continue to loom. Reductions in Medicaid would be devastating to Arkansas where almost […]
AACF Testimony against HB1916
This bill unnecessarily targets Arkansas’s transgender children.