For years, the decline of public education in the United States has been a pressing concern. Despite massive budgets, scores of students in major cities have continued to plummet or remain at the same dismal levels.
However, Arkansas has shown what is possible if officials put education first. Scores in the state have soared after the implementation of reforms that prioritize educational advancements over ideological agendas. The state's new program and testing protocol, called the "Arkansas Teaching, Learning and Assessment System," or ATLAS, has been instrumental in this success.
The ATLAS program combines higher pay for teachers, performance-based bonuses, and a voucher system for families. The result has been increasing proficiency scores across every major area, with mathematics increasing from 36.4% to 44.2%, science from 35.6% to 44%, and English language arts from 33.8% to 39.5%. Overall proficiency increased from 36.9% last year to 42.2% in 2026.
Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has heralded the success of the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made sweeping changes to the state's education system. The use of voucher systems has been fiercely opposed by teachers unions, but the results speak for themselves.
A shift in perspective is necessary, as the decline of our educational standards has led to a change in view on vouchers. Once considered a threat to public education, vouchers are now seen as a necessary step to giving families alternatives and creating choices for excellence in education.
In Arkansas, the voucher system has allowed families to send their children to schools with core educational priorities, rather than those focused on advocacy. This approach has shown that state governments, not the federal government, are critical to reversing the slide in educational performance.
The success of Arkansas' education reforms is a stark contrast to the continued decline in educational standards in other states. In cities like Chicago, teachers unions have used their power to demand increased spending and benefits, while ignoring the needs of students and families.
It is time to break the cycle of failure in public education. By giving families alternatives and creating choices for excellence, we can ensure that students receive the education they deserve. The success of Arkansas shows what can be done by focusing on creating incentives for educational prioritization, rather than ideological agendas.
The hold of teachers unions on education policies is a major obstacle to reform. Their influence and spending have allowed them to maintain a stranglehold on education, despite the devastating consequences for students. It is time to give families a voice in their children's education and create a more equitable and effective system.
Arkansas' success serves as a beacon of hope for the future of public education. By putting education first, the state has shown that it is possible to create a system that prioritizes the needs of students and families, rather than the interests of politicians and special interest groups.
