Read on Twitter
Before you decide whether or not to sign the petition to #SayNoToLEARNS, read this thread.
Zero spin. Just the facts on what choosing to sign (or not sign) means.
But first, some information about the LEARNS Act in case you don't really know.
A thread... 🧵 1/
Zero spin. Just the facts on what choosing to sign (or not sign) means.
But first, some information about the LEARNS Act in case you don't really know.
A thread... 🧵 1/
The LEARNS Act was Governor Sanders' landmark education reform legislation.
Here is a link to the full text of the 145 pg LEARNS Act:
arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocume…
Here is the approved ballot title (aka a 16 pg full summary of the LEARNS Act by topic): files.constantcontact.com/8f6756a9801/12…
2/
Here is a link to the full text of the 145 pg LEARNS Act:
arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocume…
Here is the approved ballot title (aka a 16 pg full summary of the LEARNS Act by topic): files.constantcontact.com/8f6756a9801/12…
2/
@arkcapes is a non-partisan citizen coalition who opposes LEARNS. They sought a referendum on law.
The image explains what is a referendum petition. If you want more details, you may consult the linked state handbook for initiatives and referenda.
3/
sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/electi…
The image explains what is a referendum petition. If you want more details, you may consult the linked state handbook for initiatives and referenda.
3/
sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/electi…
During the 2023 Arkansas General Assembly, #arleg rewrote the laws governing elections and referenda. Two prior times, Arkansans said no during state wide elections.
This time the legislature took matters into their own hands and changed the law to reduce ballot access.
4/
This time the legislature took matters into their own hands and changed the law to reduce ballot access.
4/
More than 20 new acts impact elections.
They increased the # of counties from 15 to 50 for signatures, gave the Attorney General 10 business days to review ballot titles, changed the required # of signatures for petitions, etc.
Learn more:
arkansashouse.org/news/post/2116…
5/
They increased the # of counties from 15 to 50 for signatures, gave the Attorney General 10 business days to review ballot titles, changed the required # of signatures for petitions, etc.
Learn more:
arkansashouse.org/news/post/2116…
5/
It took the Attorney General's office three times to approve the ballot title for the referendum petition.
Read Tim Griffin's responses:
1. Rejection 1: ag-opinions.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023-0…
2. Rejection 2: ag-opinions.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023-0…
3. Accepted: ag-opinions.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023-0…
6/
Read Tim Griffin's responses:
1. Rejection 1: ag-opinions.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023-0…
2. Rejection 2: ag-opinions.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023-0…
3. Accepted: ag-opinions.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023-0…
6/
Before I explain what a signature on the referendum petition against LEARNS means, I need to take a related tangent and talk about emergency clauses. This is important.
An emergency clause allows a bill to become law immediately instead of the normal 90 day waiting period.
7/
An emergency clause allows a bill to become law immediately instead of the normal 90 day waiting period.
7/
LEARNS has a few E. clauses to allow different parts of the Act to become law at different times.
Constitutional law requires E. clauses to be voted on separately from the bill itself. #arleg went w/ tradition and not the letter of the law.
law.justia.com/constitution/a…
8/
Constitutional law requires E. clauses to be voted on separately from the bill itself. #arleg went w/ tradition and not the letter of the law.
law.justia.com/constitution/a…
8/
Marvell-Elaine School District was being forced into a School Transformation Contract (a new provision in LEARNS to allow public schools to be taken over by charter schools), but they filed a lawsuit about the E. clause.
See the story for more detail: arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/…
9/
See the story for more detail: arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/…
9/
A judge issued a stay or temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent MESD from being immediately taken over by Friendship Education Foundation. The case is set for a decision on the E. clause on June 20th.
For more detail: kark.com/news/education…
10/
For more detail: kark.com/news/education…
10/
So how does this E. clause relate to the referendum petition?
If the E. clause is invalidated, it means LEARNS does not become law until August, 90 days after the end of the legislative session.
If it is validated, it is law immediately.
So...
11/
If the E. clause is invalidated, it means LEARNS does not become law until August, 90 days after the end of the legislative session.
If it is validated, it is law immediately.
So...
11/
CAPES has until the end of July to submit their petition against LEARNS with at least 54,422 validated signatures from at least 50 counties w/ diff numbers from each county.
If the E. clause is invalidated, that could be challenged and possibly reverted to 15 counties.
12/
If the E. clause is invalidated, that could be challenged and possibly reverted to 15 counties.
12/
But the REALLY important point isn't the number of counties, but what actually happens to LEARNS depending on the state of the E. clause, assuming enough signatures are collected.
With the E. clause in effect, LEARNS will remain law pending the 2024 election results.
13/
With the E. clause in effect, LEARNS will remain law pending the 2024 election results.
13/
Without the E. clause, LEARNS will be put into abeyance (paused) pending the results of the 2024 election.
This will give Arkansans a voice to choose if we really want LEARNS to become law or not. Many people, myself included, feel our voices were ignored by #arleg.
14/
This will give Arkansans a voice to choose if we really want LEARNS to become law or not. Many people, myself included, feel our voices were ignored by #arleg.
14/
It seems like a simple choice then...
If you like the LEARNS Act, don't sign the petition.
If you don't like the LEARNS Act, sign the petition.
But decisions are rarely that simple. Let me explain...
15/
If you like the LEARNS Act, don't sign the petition.
If you don't like the LEARNS Act, sign the petition.
But decisions are rarely that simple. Let me explain...
15/
Teachers have signed contracts based on the raises included in LEARNS.
The fund to pay for these raises is created in the LEARNS Act.
If LEARNS is in abeyance, the fund does not exist, districts don't get the money for the raises, & districts can't pay for the new raises.
16/
The fund to pay for these raises is created in the LEARNS Act.
If LEARNS is in abeyance, the fund does not exist, districts don't get the money for the raises, & districts can't pay for the new raises.
16/
Translation: If you are a teacher and sign the petition to #SayNoToLEARNS, you are also saying no to your raise.
If you like LEARNS, don't sign. Simple.
If you dislike LEARNS, it's not as simple.
Schools could face fiscal distress or contracts might have to be rewritten.
17/
If you like LEARNS, don't sign. Simple.
If you dislike LEARNS, it's not as simple.
Schools could face fiscal distress or contracts might have to be rewritten.
17/
Governor Sanders could call a special session to create a fund to guarantee the raises remain intact, but would she be motivated to if her landmark piece of legislation is rejected by the people?
The money is there. It's been appropriated, but only LEARNS funds the raises.
18/
The money is there. It's been appropriated, but only LEARNS funds the raises.
18/
Superintendents & school boards already feel rushed & uncertain about the funding because of LEARNS. Many have said the state isn't providing enough $$$ to cover the mandates already.
Imagine the chaos in districts if this funding is pulled out from under them in August.
19/
Imagine the chaos in districts if this funding is pulled out from under them in August.
19/
If enough signatures are collected, without the E. clause, this could happen in August, right as school starts back. With the E. clause, this could happen in Nov 2024 pending the election results...but still in the middle of the school year.
But there is a reported plan...
20/
But there is a reported plan...
20/
CAPES has mentioned they will be working on an amendment to replace LEARNS on the 2024 ballot, and not just eliminate LEARNS w/ the referendum. They want to replace it with something better...something built on feedback from Arkansans from across the state.
21/
21/
There are no details on what that new plan will look like, but the goal is NOT to eliminate LEARNS and leave a void. CAPES wants to offer a different option for improving public education in the state. They want to make it work for ALL students and not just a select few.
22/
22/
I have tried my best to stick to the facts and to clearly explain the situation in regards to the petition to #SayNoToLEARNS.
I believe all Arkansans should have a voice and be heard. I will not attempt to sway you one way or the other. It is up to you if you will sign.
23/
I believe all Arkansans should have a voice and be heard. I will not attempt to sway you one way or the other. It is up to you if you will sign.
23/
If you like LEARNS, DON'T SIGN.
If you don't like LEARNS, but want to keep teacher raises, DON'T SIGN.
If you think getting rid of LEARNS at all costs is the best thing for public edu. in the state, SIGN THE PETITION.
Only you can decide if you should sign though, not me.
24/
If you don't like LEARNS, but want to keep teacher raises, DON'T SIGN.
If you think getting rid of LEARNS at all costs is the best thing for public edu. in the state, SIGN THE PETITION.
Only you can decide if you should sign though, not me.
24/
I promised I would keep this thread to the facts with no spin, which I tried to do.
But...
If you want to learn about the various research and thoughts I have shared about LEARNS, look below. I link to all my major threads about LEARNS in it.
/end
But...
If you want to learn about the various research and thoughts I have shared about LEARNS, look below. I link to all my major threads about LEARNS in it.
/end
https://twitter.com/Mr_McGarrah/status/1641234429279453185?s=20
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
