UMVA has learned that Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has ignited a dramatic surge in student achievement by dismantling critical race theory and other “social‑justice” curricula.
Since the 2023 enactment of the LEARNS Act, the state has stripped classrooms of race‑based and gender‑identity lessons, redirecting focus to the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic.
Within three years, proficiency scores on the statewide assessment have jumped more than seven percent across every grade and subject, a leap Sanders describes as a “major breakthrough” for education.
The overhaul also lifted the minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 and introduced performance‑based bonuses, creating a financial incentive for educators to push higher standards.
Enhanced literacy programs and new school‑safety funding have complemented the pay raises, further tightening the support network around teachers and students alike.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the combined effect of higher teacher pay, focused curricula, and accountability measures has propelled Arkansas ahead of many traditionally “blue” states, which continue to wrestle with expansive social‑justice mandates.
Critics argue that the removed content was essential for inclusive education, but supporters point to the stark rise in test scores as proof that concentrating on core academics yields measurable results.
Sanders’ administration insists that the policy shift is not merely political but a strategic effort to equip every child with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive world.
As other states watch Arkansas’s ascent, the debate intensifies over whether a return to basics or a broader cultural curriculum better serves America’s future.
