LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A group hoping to change the education system across the Natural State has begun an effort to get its policies in front of voters.
The Group for AR Kids began work with a rally Thursday after Attorney General Tim Griffin approved the ballot title last week. However, not everyone agrees with this measure.
Kymara Shields, policy director for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, said the ballot measure would improve 3- and 4-year-old preschool, after-school and summer programs, high-quality special education, and services for children in poverty. , and said it aims to provide access to services. more.
“When it comes to education, it would literally change the constitution of the state of Arkansas,” Shields said.
The group plans to collect signatures over the next four months.
“We can get signatures, and if we can get signatures, we will. The people can vote, the people can decide,” Shields said. .
As people lined up to sign the petition, April Reesma, president of the Arkansas Education Association and vice president of For AR Kids, said the measure would allow schools that receive any amount of public funding to do the same as traditional public schools are required to do. It said it would also be mandatory to follow standards. to follow.
“We are ready to do everything in our power to get signatures on the petition,” Reesma said.
FOX 16 News contacted the Arkansas Department of Education, which released a statement in response.
“The Governor is proud to have implemented innovative reforms that will provide every child in Arkansas with a quality education and lifelong opportunities,” the statement said. “It's sad that there are people who don't want to give our children every opportunity to succeed.”
The group needs to gather just under 91,000 signatures over the next four months to get the amendment on the November 2024 ballot.