Arkansas Committee Approved School Funding Increases

The Joint Education Committee recommended raising per-student funding to support special needs and dyslexia programs.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Special Education

Isometric editorial illustration of textbooks on a school desk, symbolizing state educational funding structures in Arkansas. — The Arkansas Joint Education Committee has approved a proposal to increase per-student public school funding and allocate $40 million for special education services. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Arkansas Joint Education Committee approved a proposal to increase state per-student public school funding by more than 2% over two years. The plan also introduces $40 million in new dedicated funding for high-cost special education cases and dyslexia intervention services.

Why it matters

These recommendations follow a months-long adequacy study conducted in response to ongoing school funding litigation. The state aims to adjust base support levels to ensure educational requirements are met for all students across Arkansas.

The proposal includes $26 million for dyslexia intervention, providing $1,000 per student for kindergarten through 3rd grade, alongside $14 million for high-cost special education cases.

The players

Arkansas Joint Education Committee

This is a legislative body responsible for overseeing public school funding and adequacy in the state.

Keith Brooks

He is a state representative who plans to sponsor the legislation based on the committee's new funding recommendations.

The details

The recommendations were developed through a comprehensive adequacy study meant to address legal mandates regarding state education spending. Rep. Keith Brooks intends to sponsor the legislation, which will be formally presented to legislative leaders before the committee's Nov. 1 deadline.

Monday: The committee approved the funding recommendations.
Nov. 1: The committee must submit its final report to legislative leaders.
January: The legislative session begins to review the proposals.
2027-2028: The proposed $8,239 per-student funding takes effect.
2028-2029: The proposed $8,431 per-student funding takes effect.

Roadmap

This proposal represents a structural adjustment to the state education budget to satisfy long-standing requirements from school funding litigation. It follows a pattern set by previous adequacy studies meant to modernize how the state manages public school resources and legislative fiscal obligations.

The proposed funding increases aim to provide schools with more resources for dyslexia intervention and high-cost special education support. These changes are designed to improve long-term educational outcomes for students, though the specific rollout depends on final legislative approval next year.

The takeaway

These funding recommendations highlight the state’s effort to address academic needs through legislative adjustments to per-student spending. Parents and educators should monitor the January session to see how these proposals impact specific classroom resource allocations.