Arkansas Legislative Council OKs $32M more for EFA program as debate grows

February 3, 2026 - 02:53

The Arkansas Legislative Council has greenlit a significant $32 million funding increase for the state's Educational Freedom Account (EFA) program, fueling an already intense debate over school choice. This latest infusion of cash comes as demand for the program, a cornerstone of the LEARNS Act, continues to outpace initial projections.

The funds are intended to cover the costs for thousands of additional students seeking to join the program this fall. EFAs allow families to use state funds, equivalent to roughly 90% of the per-student foundation funding that would go to a public school, for approved expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, and homeschooling supplies.

Proponents hail the expansion as a victory for parental rights, arguing it gives families, especially those with lower incomes, the freedom to choose the best educational setting for their children. They contend that empowering parents with options fosters healthy competition and improves outcomes for all students.

Opponents, including many public school advocates, criticize the move as a continued diversion of crucial public funds away from the state's traditional school districts. They warn that siphoning resources will inevitably harm public schools that serve the vast majority of Arkansas children, potentially leading to program cuts and larger class sizes in communities across the state.

This approval ensures the program's immediate financial stability but guarantees the philosophical and fiscal debate over the future of education funding in Arkansas will only grow louder.