Parents challenging Arkansas’ LEARNS Act are urging a federal judge to keep their lawsuit alive, arguing this week they have standing to sue and that the law’s school voucher program violates the U.S. and Arkansas constitutions.
The 2023 law raised teacher pay and created the Educational Freedom Account (EFA) program, which lets state funds cover private school tuition and other education costs. Four parents contend the program improperly funnels taxpayer money to religious schools, discriminates against low-income and rural families, and excludes students with disabilities.
Attorney General Tim Griffin has asked the court to dismiss the case, saying the parents haven’t shown they were harmed and that long-standing Supreme Court precedent allows public funds to reach religious schools when directed by parents.
In their response, plaintiffs say they are taxpayers and public school parents directly affected by the program, noting one parent has a child with disabilities who would have to give up federal protections to participate. They call the voucher system a misguided attempt to bypass constitutional bans on funding religious education and are asking the court to reject Griffin’s motion to dismiss.
The case is before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
For a more in depth analysis visit this original reporting from the Arkansas Advocate.
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