Arkansas Teachers’ Salaries and LEARNS Act
Teacher salaries in Arkansas have witnessed significant changes with the implementation of the LEARNS Act, which increased the minimum salary for teachers across the state from ,000 to ,000. This change has put Arkansas among the top states in terms of teacher pay when adjusted for cost of living, according to a study by The New Teacher Project.
Governor Sarah Sanders’ LEARNS Act aimed to improve teacher salaries, particularly for those in high-need areas and low-performing schools. The act also provided for a guaranteed minimum raise of ,000 and relaxed or removed salary schedule requirements in some districts. This move has helped to reduce salary disparities across different districts throughout the state.
Competitiveness and Pay Gap
Despite these improvements, there are concerns about the ongoing salary gap between more seasoned teachers and those with less experience. The lack of comprehensive data makes it difficult to assess the full impact of LEARNS on teacher recruitment and retention. Additionally, research suggests that this gap may still have an effect on the overall quality of education across the state.
Comparative data from neighboring states shows that Arkansas now ranks higher in teacher salaries. For instance, Mississippi increased its starting salary to ,500, while states like Oklahoma and Texas are also considering major increases. The nationwide average teacher salary is significantly higher than Arkansas’, indicating there is still room for improvement.
Urban vs. Rural Districts
Another factor affecting teacher salaries is the distinction between urban and rural districts. While the LEARNS Act aimed to bridge this gap by setting a minimum salary, larger, more urban districts still maintain their advantage of higher salaries for more experienced teachers. This disparity may continue to impact the quality of education, as more experienced teachers may tend to stay in urban areas.
Administrative Spending
An additional issue is the distribution of funding within the education system. Critics argue that a significant portion of the budget is being spent on administrative costs instead of going towards teacher salaries. The average superintendent salary in some districts is as high as 2,000, while teachers in those same districts earn much lower average salaries.
