LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – yes. every kid. foundation. (Yes Foundation) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) – Arkansas today filed an amicus curiae brief with the Arkansas Supreme Court in support of the Attorney General of Arkansas’ motion for stay of a restraining order that put a hold on the LEARNS Act.
“The LEARNS Act empowers Arkansas families with more educational opportunity and must be implemented without delay,” said Yes Foundation Vice President Michael Donnelly. “We are pleased to support the Attorney General’s appeal of the circuit court’s overly broad restraining order. We hope the Arkansas Supreme Court will act swiftly to correct the ill-founded circuit court order that snatches hope and opportunity from Arkansas families.”
The Circuit Court of Pulaski County issued a temporary restraining order on May 26 preventing the entire LEARNS Act from going into effect. The Arkansas Attorney General filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Arkansas.
“Gov. Sanders’ LEARNS Act is a transformational piece of legislation that has the power to impact students for decades to come,” said AFP Foundation Arkansas State Director Ryan Norris. “The delay in implementing this law is a disappointment to the thousands of Arkansas families who have been looking forward to educational freedom. We strongly support the Attorney General’s action to allow this law to move ahead.”
Background
The LEARNS Act was passed in March 2023 by the Arkansas General Assembly and signed into law. The program creates a statewide education freedom account program, empowering families with decision-making over their child’s education funding. By 2023, families will be able to access $6,600 per child for educational expenses, including textbooks, speech or occupational therapy, tutoring and more. The LEARNS Act also opens up public school access, allowing students to attend the school that best fits their needs, regardless of their family’s ZIP code or income. Additionally, the LEARNS Act establishes a Transportation Modernization Grant.
About yes. every kid. foundation.
yes. every kid. foundation. promotes a bold vision of transforming education in America with a family-first approach, advocates for families in policy implementation and design, and defends families and innovative education entrepreneurs. We believe every kid is capable, is worthy of respect, and deserves educational opportunities that treat each kid with dignity, fosters the free movement of ideas and promotes self-actualization.
About Americans for Prosperity Foundation
Americans for Prosperity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a state chapter in Arkansas committed to educating and empowering Americans to be courageous advocates for the ideas, principles, and policies of a free and open society. One of those principles is the advancement of educational freedom, recognizing that students deserve individualized education and parents have the right to choose the best education that meets their students’ needs. As part of its mission, AFPF appears regularly as amicus curiae before federal and state courts.
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