LITTLE ROCK — Parents now have additional access to tutoring services for their children thanks to the Arkansas Department of Education’s Literacy Tutoring Grant Program. Because of the LEARNS Act, qualifying families can access up to $500 in literacy tutoring services from state-approved providers.
More than 20,000 Arkansas students in grades K-3 are eligible for the program. Students are eligible if they are at risk of reading difficulties, did not score well on state assessments, or were retained in third grade. Districts will notify parents of eligibility by February 26, 2024.
"Before the third grade, kids are learning to read,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “After that, they’re reading to learn. If Arkansas students aren’t meeting that critical benchmark, we are setting them up for failure. I’m proud Arkansas LEARNS is giving us another tool to raise early literacy in our state, and I know Arkansans will see the benefits of this program for years to come.”
“The educational status quo just hasn’t worked, and a comprehensive change was necessary,” ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. “Because of LEARNS, parents are empowered to choose schools that are best for their children, and they now have an opportunity to pick tutoring providers to assist their children who are struggling academically. We are confident we are moving in the right direction, and with this program, we are giving students the opportunity to excel.”
To ensure students receive high-quality tutoring services, ADE reviewed applications from tutoring providers. An approved list of providers is available at https://dese.link/literacy-tutoring-vendors. Parents of eligible children will select a vendor from the list, with ADE issuing payment directly to the provider.
The Literacy Tutoring Grant Program is one of several literacy strategies ADE is implementing to improve student learning. Efforts include the following:
● placement of literacy coaches in "D" and "F" schools that have grades K-3;
● ensuring teachers are using high-quality instructional materials aligned to the Science of Reading;
● developing a universal high-quality literacy screener for students in grades K-3;
● empowering families with individualized reading plans and data about their child’s literacy journey; and
● ensuring educator preparation programs prepare educators to teach reading aligned with the Science of Reading standards.
To learn more about the tutoring program, visit https://dese.link/COM-24-032.