Arkansas School Voucher Program Surpasses 47,000 Students in 2025-26

In 2023, Arkansas Republicans enacted a major overhaul of the state’s K-12 education system, with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signing the Education Freedom Accounts law to expand school choice for parents. The program initially limited school vouchers—state payments for private schools or homeschooling—to 1.5% in the first year and 3% in the second year of total government school enrollment, translating to approximately 7,100 students in 2024 and 14,000 in 2025.

By the 2024–25 academic year, participation surged to 14,256 students, according to a University of Arkansas report cited by The Washington Times. This figure rose sharply in the 2025–26 school year, with nearly 47,000 students—10% of K-12 enrollment—approved for program funding. Dr. Patrick J. Wolf, a Distinguished Professor of Education Policy at the University of Arkansas and co-author of the report, stated that the initiative provides families “meaningful educational options.”

Each student receiving a voucher can access up to $6,994 annually, covering private school tuition, books, or homeschooling expenses. In 2024–25, 76% of recipients—10,834 students—used funds at private schools, while 3,442 opted for homeschooling costs.

Patrick Graff, legislative policy director for the American Federation for Children, highlighted the program’s “rapid student growth, high retention rates, and academic outcomes that outpace the national average.” He emphasized that parents are increasingly seeking alternatives to public education.

The law has expanded access for families, allowing them to avoid dual financial burdens—paying property taxes for schools their children do not attend and private tuition fees. Critics argue that competition could pressure underperforming public schools to improve or face decline.