Report: Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts students test well in ‘fiscally modest’ program

Scores for math, language outdo nationwide averages, UA Department of Education Reform says

By Josh Snyder of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Excerpts:

"Arkansas students who participated in the Educational Freedom Accounts program last school year outperformed on average 57% of students nationwide in math and 59% of students in English language arts on nationally norm-referenced exams, a new report indicates.

The figures are part of a 92-page report on the Educational Freedom Accounts program for the 2024-25 school year that was published Wednesday by the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform"

"The program significantly expands state taxpayer funding of student tuition and other costs related to private schools and some homeschool expenses. While it is often referred to as a voucher program, some advocates argue it works differently than traditional vouchers. The 2025-26 school year is the first in which the program is open to all Arkansas students; during the initial 2023-24 school year, enrollment in the program was capped at 1.5%, while in 2024-25 enrollment was capped at 3%."

""The program remained fiscally modest relative to the state's K-12 budget while continuing to build operational capacity and provider choice statewide," it states."

"Of those participants in the 2024-25 school year, 76% attended participating private schools, while 24% used program funds to support their homeschooling."

"Students completed a total of 5,317 tests using the NWEA Measure of Academic Progress. Those students outperformed 58% of students nationwide in math on average and 60% of students nationwide in English language arts" 

"A total of 2,380 tests were completed using the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. On average, students who took that assessment outperformed 62% of students nationwide in math and 64% of students nationwide in English language arts.

Homeschool students outperformed 63% of students nationwide in math on average, and outperformed 68% of students nationwide in English language arts."

"a greater percentage of students participating in the accounts program demonstrated mastery in English language arts, math and science than the statewide aggregate for the exam" 

"The report also argues the Educational Freedom Accounts program saved the state as much as $22 million."

"Students receiving an account get 90% of what public schools get per student in state funding from the previous school year."