Arkansas Schools See Big Drop in Students
Arkansas public schools are experiencing a notable decline in student numbers, reaching a two-decade low. The state's education department reports that the number of K-12 students in public schools has dropped to 465,421 this year, marking a decrease of nearly 9,000 students from the previous year.
Statewide Decline
The reduction in enrollment is not isolated to a few districts but is widespread across the state. Some of the largest school districts have seen significant drops:
- Springdale: Lost 559 students
- Little Rock: Saw 600 students leave
- Conway: Experienced a 3.7% drop in enrollment
Factors Contributing to the Decline
Voucher Program
One of the primary reasons for the decline is the state's voucher program, which provides families with approximately $7,000 per student to use for private school or homeschooling. The program's impact has been substantial:
- Last Year: About 14,256 students used vouchers
- This Year: Nearly 47,000 students are utilizing vouchers
Critics argue that the voucher program primarily benefits families who were already considering private school or homeschooling options. However, the exact number of students who left public schools to use vouchers remains unclear. Even if all 9,000 fewer students were due to vouchers, it would represent less than 20% of the voucher program's participants.
National Trends
The decline in public school enrollment is not unique to Arkansas. Nationwide, public school enrollment has been falling for years due to:
- Lower Birth Rates: Resulting in fewer children overall
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Many families who left public schools during the pandemic did not return
Arkansas' Unique Situation
Arkansas has seen a smaller drop in enrollment compared to the national average. This might be attributed to former Gov. Asa Hutchinson's efforts to keep schools open as much as possible during the pandemic. However, the state is now experiencing a more significant decline in enrollment. The future of this trend remains uncertain.
