Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has introduced Arkansas ACCESS, a higher education reform bill designed to modernize the state’s college and career training systems. Sponsored by Senator Jonathan Dismang and Representative Matthew Shepherd, the legislation aims to ensure that students graduate with the necessary skills, education, and training to succeed in the workforce.
“After months of work with stakeholders around the state, I’m proud to announce Arkansas ACCESS, a targeted overhaul of our higher education system that will help every Arkansan get the education they need and prepare for the in-demand careers of the future,” said Governor Sanders.
The initiative builds on the success of Arkansas LEARNS, which reformed K-12 education by increasing teacher pay, improving literacy programs, and expanding school choice. ACCESS stands for Acceleration, Common Sense, Cost, Eligibility, Scholarships, and Standardization, representing the core priorities of the bill.
Aiming for a Stronger Workforce and Economy
Representative Matthew Shepherd emphasized the economic impact of the initiative, stating, “Arkansas students should graduate with more than just a degree—they should have the education, skills, and training necessary to thrive in the real world. The ACCESS initiative will help create stronger career pathways, grow our economy, and ensure a brighter future for the next generation.”
Senator Jonathan Dismang highlighted the importance of removing bureaucratic hurdles, adding, “One of the things I am most excited about is the slashing of bureaucratic red tape and arbitrary roadblocks that have long hindered student achievement in our state’s higher education system. Much like the LEARNS Act, ACCESS is squarely focused on the student and prioritizes their individual success.”
Transforming Higher Education for Arkansas Students
Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva noted that standardization and acceleration would be key elements of the plan. “For far too long, Arkansas’ higher education system has not been standardized. Through ACCESS, the system will be streamlined to focus on enrollment, enlistment, and employment to ensure students have high-quality affordable options to enhance their education and training.”
The Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner, Dr. Ken Warden, welcomed the proposed changes, emphasizing how they will make the system more accessible and efficient. He stated, “From streamlining the application process and making college credits more accessible for high school students to expanding scholarship opportunities and standardizing the course code numbering system, this legislation places students at the center.”
University leaders echoed their support for the initiative. Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jay B. Silveria, President of the University of Arkansas System, praised the bill’s commitment to strengthening education and the economy. “We understand our obligation to provide the state with a strong return on its investment in our programs. Governor Sanders and her team have approached Arkansas ACCESS with a spirit of open dialogue, and we look forward to continuing that conversation as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.”
Dr. Brendan Kelly, Arkansas State University System President, also expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The Arkansas State University System is more interested in the future of higher education than in the way we’ve always done things. We look forward to advancing the conversation about deploying and implementing initiatives that result in positive outcomes and returns on investment for Arkansas.”
Key Components of Arkansas ACCESS
Acceleration
- Expands accelerated coursework in high schools beyond AP to include IB and other programs
- Standardizes course weight for concurrent credit, AP, and IB classes
- Establishes grading policies for individual schools and districts
- Shortens waiver timelines from five years to one year for K-12 schools out of compliance
Common Sense
- Removes DEI as a factor in accreditation standards
- Prohibits mandatory DEI-related statements from professors
- Stops excused absences for protests or disruptive behavior
- Requires students who vandalize school property to pay damages before earning their degree
- Allows institutions supporting military families to earn “Purple Star Campus” designations
- Ensures tenure review includes professor performance evaluations
Cost
- Updates the productivity-based funding model to support workforce-oriented credentials
- Provides funding for concurrent higher education credits for high school students
- Considers return on investment in determining funding levels
Eligibility
- Expands college admission exams beyond ACT and SAT to include CLT and other qualifying tests
- Grants provisional admission to students meeting state baseline admission requirements
- Establishes a universal college application to simplify the admission process
- Offers in-state tuition for military families
Scholarships
- Expands merit-based scholarship opportunities
- Expands the Workforce Challenge Scholarship to benefit more students
- Establishes the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship for Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients
- Doubles the first-year Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship from $1,000 to $2,000
- Creates the Governor’s Higher Ed Transition Scholarship Program for disabled students
Standardization
- Implements uniform course numbering across all state-supported higher education institutions
- Increases the number of general education and career technical education (CTE) courses in the Arkansas Course Transfer System
Moving Forward with Arkansas ACCESS
The bill is expected to streamline higher education, remove barriers to scholarships, and improve career pathways for students. University presidents and education leaders have shown strong support, signaling that the changes could enhance workforce development and economic growth across the state.
Governor Sanders reaffirmed her commitment to modernizing Arkansas’ education system, stating, “We are making sure every Arkansan has the tools they need to succeed. ACCESS will open doors for students, strengthen our economy, and position Arkansas as a leader in workforce development.”
As the legislation moves forward in the General Assembly, stakeholders remain hopeful that it will reshape the future of higher education in Arkansas, providing students with greater opportunities while ensuring a high return on investment for the state.
