Arkansas School Choice Program Surpasses 47,000 Students in 2025–26 Academic Year

By Michael Reagan with Michael R. Shannon
Tuesday, 28 October 2025 12:57 PM EDT

In 2023 Arkansas Republicans enacted a sweeping reform of the state’s K-12 education system, which Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law. The Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) initiative introduced school choice for parents, allowing them to direct state funds toward private schools or homeschooling.

The program initially expanded gradually, with school vouchers limited to 1.5% of total government school enrollment in the first year and 3% in the second. This translated to 7,100 students in 2023–24 and 14,000 in 2024–25. However, participation surged dramatically, with 14,256 students receiving EFA funds during the 2024–25 academic year—a 157% increase from the first year.

The Arkansas Education Department recently approved nearly 47,000 students, or 10% of K-12 enrollment, to access the program in 2025–26. Dr. Patrick J. Wolf, a University of Arkansas professor and co-author of a recent report, highlighted the initiative’s impact: “Arkansas’ program is providing families meaningful educational options, particularly for the most vulnerable.”

Each student can receive up to $6,994 annually, with funds applicable to private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, or related costs. In 2024–25, 76% of recipients—10,834 students—used the money at private schools, while 3,442 opted for homeschooling.

Critics argue that the program undermines public education systems, but proponents emphasize its role in empowering parents to escape what they describe as “government-controlled” schools. The expansion has been credited with driving demand for alternatives, particularly after the pandemic exposed perceived flaws in traditional schooling models.

Patrick Graff of the American Federation for Children praised the growth, noting “academic outcomes that outpace the national average, especially among homeschool students.” The report underscores a broader shift toward school choice, driven by parental dissatisfaction with public education systems.

The initiative has sparked debate over the future of public schools, with advocates claiming competition will force improvements or obsolescence. As Arkansas’ program demonstrates, the push for educational freedom continues to gain momentum.