CURRENT GRADE: B
Arkansas provides several different options for education choice, including an education freedom account that allows tax dollars to follow the student. This is a new program that only covers a small percentage of students, so it must be expanded but is heading in the right direction.
Homeschool laws are very parent friendly with no testing requirements.
Compulsory attendance is required from ages 5-17.
Education Options
- Public School Choice Act
- Permits parents to apply for admission to districts outside their zone.
- Education Freedom Account
- May be used by eligible families for private school tuition, fees, uniforms and some other required expenses.
- Funding is 90% of State’s prior year per-pupil funding amount–$6,600 in 2023-24.
- All students are eligible but there is a prioritization list:
- Returning students.
- Students with special needs.
- Students previously enrolled in a low rated school.
- Military, First Responders, and Law Enforcement.
- First-time kindergartener
- All other students.
- Any student receiving EFA funds must take a national, norm-referenced test each year.
- Homeschool students are eligible.
- 14,297 students participated in 2024-25.
- Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids
- Any student whose family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or about $60,000 for a family of four, is qualified to apply for the PIAK program. Students must have attended public school in the prior year, unless they have a disability or are new to Arkansas schools.
- Funded through individual or business contributions that may receive a state tax credit up to 100% of annual income tax liability.
- Charter Schools
- Open-enrollment charter school is a public charter school run by a governmental entity, an institution of higher learning or a tax-exempt non-sectarian organization.
- District conversion charter school is a public school converted to a public charter school–conversion schools can only draw students from within the school district’s boundaries.
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state requirements on the topic of homeschooling:
- A notice of intent to homeschool should be filed with the local district.
- No testing requirements.
- Home school students may participate in interscholastic public school activities—there may be a 1 year waiting period.
- Home school students may enroll in academic courses in public schools.
Religious Exemptions:
- There are no religious exemption specific laws in the state.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
