Thread by @ForARPeople1

Good morning, fam. Today's the big day: LEARNS will be heard in a few minutes at 9am in Senate Education.

You can follow along with this thread for live updates or watch via the link below! #arpx #arleg #LEARNSact #NoVouchers

sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00284/Harmony/…

per our friend @gelderbailey, there are five pages worth of people signed up to speak on #LEARNSact. #arpx #arleg

We're off to the races. Chair of cmte, Sen Jane English, warns that folks in audience will be booted if they talk #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sen. Davis begins intro'ing the bill. "Let's take this courageous step in the right direction to create better lives and opportunities for AR's children" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis said AR has failed our students, saying it's one of the worst places in US to educate kids. The Learns Act is the solution, she says #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis goes after opponents, saying they've flooded AR with lies about the bill. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Seems like opposition to LEARNS is really making an impact! PEOPLE POWER. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis asks us to trust her, she has teachers' backs and is for them. Says groups are spreading lies about this bill. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says they've been listening to teachers. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis puts a lot of emphasis on starting teacher salary. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis's tone is indignant, almost hostile. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Which demonstrates how effective it is when lawmakers get pushback from the public. Leaders do not like it when we pay attention and weigh in — b/c it works. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Can't wait till Sen. Davis gets to the part about all the red tape they are adding for our teachers, who she says deserves support and praise. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis fervently touches on maternity leave, tutoring, literacy coaching, etc. "We are ensuring we are supporting students for a successful education" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

"It's about time we empower parents... and stop forcing kids into a one size fits all approach" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sec. of Ed, Jacob Oliva up now #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hope he says Arkansas instead of Florida! #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says SHS admin met with stakeholders across the state, developed the priority to fix education in AR. How many times will we hear "bold vision" this morning? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Bold can also mean risky. Bold didn't play out well in Arizona: #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg
forarpeople.org/is-arkansas-th…

Oliva focusing a lot on the literacy and coaching; calls it a safety net for kids. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says one size fits all approach (in other words public education) is "archaic" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says bill supports local decision making #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says bill empowers local school boards and admin. Says the bill "takes the moral high ground" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Now q's from committee members #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: since everyone is making speeches, let me make mine... #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield thanks SHS and Oliva for listening to her concerns, says Pre-K transportation is one of them #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Says she sees they care enough to increase salaries #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

but Chesterfield says she was taken aback from the lack of inclusion of Senators, calls it discriminatory. "We wanted to be able to talk to our people, read the bill, so we could see what was in it." #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield rails on lack of inclusion of dem senators, feels very disrespected. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield says she is just now seeing cost breakdown for the plan. Asks, "what is critical race theory? when you say it should not be taught, what does you think is taught?" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: coming up w definition of CRT is challenging #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: language of bill mirrors SHS executive order; preventative in nature and ensures history is taught in proper manner. Students deserve the right to be taught history, the good bad and ugly #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Says it's up to educator to share both points of view and not include personal opinions on history #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says FL had challenges w teachers saying the Holocaust wasn't real #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says we will teach our standards, which reflect accurate history #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: we want to make sure this history of this country is marked w racism and sexism... if we teach the trail of tears, we're not gonna lose our job? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: yes, we should teach those and require those topic #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: why was salary schedule removed? what about teachers who have never earned 50K? despite test scores, a lot of teachers do a fantastic job. how will these teachers be rewarded? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis blames districts for salary schedule, talks about pots of money and where different funding will come from, so far hasn't answered the question about rewarding tenured teachers. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says classified staff salaries aren't law but part of adequacy study, says staff pay will be raised but doesn't say when/how. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis seems a lot less confident answering questions than presenting the bill's intro #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: we have to look at the totality of all the costs, including adequacy.

Davis: we do not have the numbers yet of what we are proposing

💀

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: We value people w years of experience and advanced credentials. Says veteran teachers are a value. Says min salary will recruit and retain talented people. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says removing salary schedule is to allow for local control, to allow local admin to address individual needs of teaches -- this is what we should celebrate about this salary proposal, he says. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: I was part of the group to set the state law for salary schedules. If we do not mandate it, some will not implement it. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield says only bumping seasoned teachers up 2k undercuts collaboration among teachers. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says this is opportunity to have "conversations" with local admin. "shame on them" he says re: districts that don't set good salary schedules. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Budget rep says they don't know the full cost for adequacy yet #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Budget rep: 100% salary increase goes to teachers #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield asks why a public school can't take over a failing charter but charters can take over public

Davis: we thought people would be pleased with that

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis: I think it's good b/c it's a buffer to the state taking over schools

Chesterfield: when do they exit the contract w the charter school? it's not in the bill.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: that would be part of the contract between the charter and the school

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: we want to get into the business of local education

keyword: business

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Friendly reminder! public schools are not businesses 😘

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: one of the districts I rep was under state control for 6 yrs. It came out of state control in fiscal distress and more school in academic distress than when they entered #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Dotson: I've heard this bill will defund public schools

Davis: nothing about this bill defunds public schools. section after section supports our public schools.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis believes the bill answers the problem of teacher shortages, says it's important that we support and educate kids. laughs off the suggestion the bill defunds schools. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Dotson says constitution requires AR fund public schools.

Friendly reminder that last session, GOP sponsored a constitutional amendment to remove the provision to fund public schools.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: my superintendent asked if it's possible an entire district can be taken over by a charter school

Davis: yes, contracts w charters can be for district.

Leding: can public schools take over charters?

Oliva: failing charters should be closed.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: 75 hrs community service, what about smaller communities w/o volunteer opps?

Davis: the components of this are later in the bill. there are exemptions.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis: the 75 hrs is important for getting students invested in community, ensures disenfranchised students can get a mentor and develop relationships.

this drips of privilege 😳

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: I like 60-70% of this bill. but if the last 30% of a cheeseburger will poison you, it's not a good cheeseburger.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding asks how districts will fund maternity leave

Davis said it's an op-in, and state will provide 50% of funding, district other 50% #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding says he'd love to work on expanding paid maternity leave to other industries.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Budget rep says $3 million will be for paid maternity leave for the state's share, says it's an inexpensive program and districts should be able to afford their portion

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding says removing fair dismissal act is problematic

Davis: will still be due process under federal labor laws

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says teachers will still be able to have a hearing if fired

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

oh here we go! Davis throwing Superintendents under the bus! #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis is indignant again, very frustrated w superintendents and says they are misleading the public, teachers, and public. says they are lying at worst. WOW.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Very clear admins are the enemy to the #arleg majority

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

We know of tons of great superintendents who have been on the frontlines of teacher pay advocacy, who want success for their schools, teachers, and students. Teachers and admin are not misaligned. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

sorry, got on the wrong thread!

Hammer: concerns I have include page 3 line 27; would this bill restrict a district from hiring more than one superintendent or not hire one at all?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says this is clean up language

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

(meaning there is language in another portion that clarifies)

Hammer asks about page 5, teacher dismissal/hiring based on performance and effectiveness. This removes school board from Involvement of termination and moves to super?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis: school boards have final approval; this empowers principals and creates buy-in, which many school already use

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says the intent of section Is to ensure many voices are heard in the process, at the local level.

Hammer: what about schools w diff definitions of standards, will that create disparity?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: that's the superintendent's job.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer literally going through each page and line he has concerns with. Said earlier these are small details but "small details are what get you sued."
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: who will bear liability for school safety requirements?

Davis: that's up to school boards; certain certified groups do this.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says a school's safety plan is not public, school boards do get to review it

Hammer: then how do school boards to this if they can't meet w/o it being public?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva says school safety plan meetings with school boards are exempt from public record #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: please don't take my Qs in the wrong context

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: where are the requirements for charter and private schools that this bill places on public schools?

hoo! 🔥

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: I want the same level of accoutability. Where is this same standard expressed throughout the bill?

Oliva: it's not addressed

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Wow, Sen. Hammer low-key public school hero this morning #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chief counsel of dept. of ed says there is code already for charters that has this language

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: re public school transformation portion of bill, where do we hold charter and private schools and homeschool to same level of standards as public school?

Dept of Ed: charters has to get authorized

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Heavy lift for Courtney with Dept of Ed legal to equate non-standards for private to helluva lot of standards for public.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer re: maternity leave, is this for full or part time employees? can each district develop own policy? partial benefits?

Davis: yes, up for district to determine. partial or full can be decided and state will match 50%

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer re: sex ed (p 22) what's absent in bill that after 6th grade, could be interpreted that these things shall be taught or could be taught.

Oliva: each course has standards; biology talks about repro concepts. the bill prohibits concepts prior to middle school

Oliva: if concepts align w standards, they are not prohibited starting in middle school

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: who determines what is allowed?

Oliva: local level

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Dept of ed says language already exists for parents to be notified of sex ed material and provides option for student to op-out.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer's last concern is students being booted from voucher program for low academic achievement

Davis: this is an accountability metric

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: if student takes money, do I have ability to dismiss student based on my standards of academic failure?

Dept of Ed: yes, a private school can dismiss based on their criteria.

THERE YA GO.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: where does that student go?

Dept: they can go back to public school

Hammer: they demonstrated they failed in public school, choose a diff option, then have to go back to public school?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: they will still have options; if student can't succeed, it's not the right program.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Stone: many educators reached out about parental empowerment re homeschool parents and funding distribution

Davis: no parent will get a check

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

homeschool funding can be used for reimbursement via a "provider"

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says this homeschool voucher system is delayed for a couple years b/c they don't know how to implement it yet.
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Stone: spending $150 mill new money first year, $250 mill new money next. can we take on this debt and cut taxes and remain financially solvent?

Davis: SHS is education gov; we'll figure it out as legislators

😳

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

(nice to see conservatives asking questions about big spending)

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: you eliminated just cause as needed for dismissal, referred to federal law but we are a right to work state. no just cause is needed, or am I incorrect?

Dept legal: contracts w teachers include property right which requires a hearing

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: so amendment 5 and 14 of constitution gives this right

Legal: this only applies to public employers, not private.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield asks about 3rd grade reading req. to move to 4th

Davis: parents notified if student is on track or not to pass 3rd, given tutoring if needs support

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says 3rd grade reading requirement is
"not forced retention" #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says it's a safety net. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield asks why we can teach sexual assault but not sex ed concepts #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield says students are becoming pregnant earlier and earlier, says students shouldn't be ignorant in a world that's not always kind. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding re early intervention program moving to department of education: does this include speech and hearing and physical services for kids birth-3 years of age?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis said dept of health still manages it, works collaborative with dept of ed

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding asks about accountability for private schools

Davis says schools have to go through accreditation process

(If we remember correctly, schools have up to 4 years to get accredited...)

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Dept of ed legal looking into accreditation requirements for private schools... #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Dept of ed listing off requirements, does say schools can get pre-approved for four year accreditation process #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer says homeschoolers not necessarily in agreement with bill. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: where in the bill does it say they can't take the money and use it despite not meeting requirements? how do we have accountability with this money?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva: they have other options, and they can still homeschool but not receive funds

Hammer: any accountability from money they already received to determine academic success?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis: there is a section that lists qualifying expenses

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says state will develop audit process for schools and providers for vouches #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Would love to have a member ask about what the penalty is for defrauding the voucher program
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Do they have to pay it back? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: who will audit the voucher program?

Dept of ed: dunno yet

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: what's been done to verify Dept of ed financial figures for this bill?

Budget rep: BLR and education has looked at these numbers

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

a quick aside: big props to all the people sitting and waiting to speak who took time from work or home to be at education committee today. Democracy is beautiful!

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield to budget rep: what will year 3 cost with full blown school choice?

Budget: projecting $175 million

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Voucher cost projection per budget rep:

yr 1 $46 million

yr 2 $97 million

yr 3 $175 million

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says language of bill protects from spending money state doesn't have (so not quite universal)

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

If the state cannot pay for every student that applies for a voucher, who gets first dibs?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield: how many D schools are in charter category

dept of ed: Don't have that info

Chesterfield says D charter schools have been renewed for 7 years

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Chesterfield would like something to address D or F rated Charter schools, not renew them w those scores

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Oliva agrees with this #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: what's up w replacing the word "audit" w "assessment"?

Dept of ed: didn't want it misconstrued as financial audit

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: are we assigning D and F grades to districts?

Dept of Ed: typo, should say school, not district

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: can high growth schools showing success in some ways still be taken over by charters?

Dept of ed: up to school district

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: we tabled classified staff raises last week b/c last week (Sen Davis) said LEARNS will address it. have we missed it?

Davis says she misspoke, apologized, and it's a separate process

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer says they're getting slammed with q's from public b/c this is first public discussion on LEARNS

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Are people gonna be mad that they were promised universal vouchers but the state won't be able to pay for it so they won't get it? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: what about waitlist? lottery?

Davis: no lottery

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

[we are 2+ hours in and still doing committee discussion; public has yet to speak]

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis says if more students than funds, funds are prorated based on number of kids wanting to participate. so maybe just a few hundred bucks here and there for everyone if demand is higher than $ supply #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer says there is concern about groves of students leaving districts. What safeguards are in place to address this #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis: if schools are at capacity, they won't have to take kids

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

(this means that those likely to get vouchers ARE ALREADY IN PRIVATE SCHOOL RIGHT NOW)

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer: where is funding for kids w/ special needs?

Budget: not here, different bill (adequacy)

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

for those in the back:

⛔️vouchers are not for all kids

⛔️vouchers are not empowerment

✅vouchers are taxpayer funded forgivable loans for those who can already afford private school.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: could schools under desegregation orders accept transfers?

dept of ed legal: dependent on order

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Leding: what transportation costs are approved in the voucher program? do parents have appeal process if costs are denied?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Either vouchers are:

for everyone, empower students, provide choice

OR

not for everyone, subsidize the wealthy

If there aren't spots for reg kids in private schools, it's not the first one

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

If private schools can deny any kid admission, it's not the first one

If private schools can kick out kids for any reason, it's not the first one

If private schools aren't subject to public school standards, it's not the first one

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Many of us screaming about vouchers *know* that hardworking families will apply for this program, w hope for their children's success.

They won't get it. Their hearts will be broken. It's a scam.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Every time it seems like we're getting closer to public testimony, there are more committee member Qs. glad to see folks reaching out to members over text in real time. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Public testimony next! packed house

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

limit of two minutes per person from public
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer asks # signed up, English says 40-50 ish
Hammer moves up to five min each instead of two

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer says public should also get 2 hours + to speak since committee did 😊 motion carries

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Matt Granden (against): family full of teachers, good things he likes, but irresponsible to tie them together

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Granden likes school safety, teacher raises, and tutoring. Doesn't like that there is no salary schedule. Schedule exists for a reason.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Granden doesn't like tax credits for private school tuition. "IMO the state has no business funding a private school." #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Mike Hernandez, speaks on behalf of public school administrators, says bill has potential. Says the do need clarification on some things. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hernandez: pub school administrators still want to know what the clear picture is for financial support and sustainability esp. in rural districts #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Devin Tubbs, science teacher at Two Rivers (💚🐊!)
says bill puts his small district at risk, especially the voucher program

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Tubbs: this program affects poor schools the most b/c voucher do NOT fix poverty

we love the Two Rivers Gators!

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Yall be sure to go back and watch Devin Tubbs w/ Two Rivers Schools at the 11:35 am mark b/c he is KILLING it!

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

crowd erupts with cheers and applause! gets scolded from chair, says not acceptable, asks them to behave.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Kevin Tipton (for): likes that the bill prepares students for workforce, which AR needs.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Tipton has served on Cabot school board #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Allison Grigsby Sweatman (against): disability advocate and social worker. Sweatman has a daughter with Down Syndrome and another med condition. Has a son also with Down Syndrome.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sweatman became fierce advocate for disability rights in public schools, sped policy, and mental health. "Disability is a natural part of the human experience." #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sweatman: disappointed and concerned that assurance for the rights of students with disabilities under the disability rights act are NOT addressed in the bill at all

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sweatman "I've worked w professionals to plan to meet the needs of these kids only to find a scarcity of resources in public schools for special education... the disparity is bc the funding, resources and support for sped has been starved and ignored."
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sweatman is cut off before she can finish. Hammer asks if Sweatman can share her notes with members. Chair allows it. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

CJ Jacoby: he and wife are educators, live modestly and thoughtfully with money to make ends meet. Considering part time jobs or leaving education. But we stay b/c we care about our students.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Jacoby says teacher salary raises are very important to addressing this #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Jacoby makes $50k at a 6 A school #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer asks about salary increase experience in his school

Jacoby: I'm surrounded by younger teachers who are concerned b/c their expenses are so high

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Kaitlyn Hodges: first grade teacher at Two Rivers, says raise will her family, but afraid of how the bill will bleed public schools dry

💚🐊💚

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Tech difficulties with the live stream on our end. please hold.

We're back.

Next teacher says he taught in Sen. Davis's district. Has taught students with addiction, who are English learners, and a myriad of other kids. "You have failed to do anything to help my students," he says. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

[We have just under an hour before Sen. Ed will have to adjourn so members can attend Senate floor session] #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Teacher Chad teaches comp I and has students from all around AR at Arkansas Tech. Previously taught as intern at Dover HS. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

[gonna do our best with spelling these names of folks giving public testimony] #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Amanda Escue: for the bill, has a hybrid program. Oh! and writes for the reform alliance:
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

thereformalliance.org/2021/04/29/esc…

Escue also makes appearances on the hyper-extremist "news" channel for conduit news: facebook.com/watch/?v=31308…

Bill Kopsky (against): Dir. of Public Policy Panel, likes several components of bill. Kopsky says data from other states show voucher programs do undermine public ed and student outcomes #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

a student from Ozark Catholic Academy testifying now
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Dr. Steve McKee, LRSD graduate, concerned parent, & pediatrician speaks on the bill. McKee has issue with "should" language of bill. How will the state enforce and verify these shoulds?

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

McKee: If we implement vouchers, we will worsen inequalities in our schools #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

McKee: most students will not able able to attend private schools; the bill will however subsidize wealthy families already attending private schools #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

McKee: Why not invest $300 million into public schools instead of creating a new system? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Sen. Hammer asks for Copy of Mckee's notes #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Everyone remember to hydrate! (we prefer coffee and diet dr pepper but we hear water is good too)
#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

More testimony from students in what looks like the same private school in ozark? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Didn't catch his name, but says he likes private school b/c it combines spiritual and academic life. That's great! Public taxpayer dollars shouldn't fund this, however. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Barry Jefferson, member of NAACP, asks if we are focusing on education reform the right way? no, he says. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Jefferson: "When you take funding away from schools, I have an issue w that. Vouchers don't work...It makes private institutions richer."

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Mark Brayden (?) came with two Catholic school students from Ozark; in favor of bill, says will help kids who get lost in the shuffle

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Tonya Williams, SPED teacher from south AR, says all AR students deserve world-class education. A rammed-through 144 page bill over 2 days is not how we do it, says Williams. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

LOVE hearing that Tonya is testifying w the support of her superintendent 👊 #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Williams says there should be a process to engage the public on education reforms, not hiding the process behind closed doors among leaders #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Miranda Canavas (?) from Paragould: son is on Autism spectrum and attended pub school but moved to homeschool, and is now thriving. Says they help parents find access to these services; she owns private school now. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Per Chair, five minutes left and then committee will recess, then resume testimony after Sen floor finishes.

Good on Sen. English for ensuring everyone will be heard today.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Committee in recess. See you back here on this thread post-Senate floor. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

The #arleg Senate has adjourned, so the #arpx Senate Ed committee will begin shortly. We left off with public testimony, still quite a few people left to speak on the #LEARNSact. Watch along with us:

sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00284/Harmony/…

Just a quick update, we’re still waiting for the meeting to get started. Watching from home, so not sure what’s taking so long.

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

More testimony from teachers “if it’s not broke, why fix it? What public schools need is to let teachers teach. We need our legislators to come to us.”

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Davis continues to be defensive while people point out flaws in is #LEARNSact. #arpx #arleg

Arkansas Education Association calls out bill sponsor for not including them in the discussion.

Davis says she’ll pull phone logs to prove she called them 😳

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

AEA was told they were in the “scheduling queue” to have a conversation with the Governor.

Hammer says the AEA should have reached out to Davis as soon as it was known she’d be the sponsor… but that’s not really how that works, right? #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

“I have a problem with using public funds for private schools… We’re already underfunded, our students are hurting… the teachers are not failing our students, it’s the system. You’ve made it nearly impossible to reach every child.”

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Do you think 40 hours is enough time to fully understand and digest the #LEARNSact? #arpx #arleg

Several people are asking the #arleg to pause on #LEARNSact until we can iron out all issues that have been discussed today. We’ll see what happens #arpx

Public testimony is over. Davis and Oliva now back for closing statements. #LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer lists all of the amendments he wishes to be added to #LEARNSact, saying they can amend it on the #arleg House side. Basically he’s asking for assurance that these issues will be dealt with before he votes “yes” today #arpx

Davis says that she will “take comments” and is anticipating one large amendment on the #arleg House side. #LEARNSact #arpx

Chesterfield says she needs to know what happens to the voucher money when a child is kicked out of a charter school and sent back to public.

Oliva says it’s not addressed in the #LEARNSact but would warrant another conversation. #arpx #arleg

Leding: We should send them the legislation in the best possible form

Davis: This is so we can include everyone’s feedback

Leding: The Senate has a responsibility to make sure the #LEARNSact is in the best possible place… that’s the process, that’s how it works #arpx #arleg

Davis: Contrary to what you’ve heard today, this is the largest investment in public schools in #arpx’s history. This is a public school bill.

The lies just come so easy, don’t they? The #LEARNSact, in fact, is not a bill for public school or #arpx students. #arleg

Davis makes motion for Do Pass on the #LEARNSact.

Leding: there is bipartisan agreement that we should fix the bill before sending it to the House #arleg #arpx

Chesterfield: When you shove a bill down our throats and say “take or it leave it,” it leads to confusion

#LEARNSact #arpx #arleg

Hammer talks about using #LEARNSact as a test of trust… yeah, let’s bet our public education system on the #arleg House and Senate. We’d rather not but okay #arpx

With that, the #LEARNSact is voted out the #arleg Senate Ed committee–and the members are well aware it needs to be amended. Gotta love it here in #arpx