Why does Arkansas need school choice?
Approximately 48 percent of Arkansas children live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Arkansas has a long way to go toward ensuring that all students can read at proficient levels. • 71 percent of Arkansas students in 4th grade are not ranked “proficient” in reading • 74 percent of Arkansas students in 8th grade are not ranked “proficient” in reading Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2007 Arkansas has a long way to go toward improving student math performance. • 63 percent of Arkansas students in 4th grade are not ranked “proficient” in math • 75 percent of Arkansas students in 8th grade are not ranked “proficient” in math Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2007 Arkansas can do better toward ensuring that students graduate from high school. • 28 percent of Arkansas children never graduate from high school. (Source: Education Week, Quality Counts) Yet, Arkansas spends approximately $6,482 to educate each student, every year.
