Gov. Hutchinson signs Succeed Scholarship Program into law

Creating Arkansas’ first school choice program serving special needs students

Washington, D.C. (April 8, 2015) – The American Federation for Children, the nation’s voice for educational choice, applauds the Arkansas legislature and Governor Asa Hutchinson for creating the state’s first private school choice program.
“We applaud Arkansas’ leaders for their commitment to providing children with special needs access to a quality education that suits their individual needs,” said Betsy DeVos, Chairman of the American Federation for Children. “We look forward to seeing this program grow and serve those who especially need a customized education.”
With the signing of this bill, Arkansas becomes the 20th state in the nation to offer a private school choice program, which is the nation’s 42nd such program. The Succeed Scholarship Program provides special needs students currently enrolled in public schools the opportunity to receive a scholarship to attend a private school of their parents’ choice.
An estimated 13% of Arkansas 483,114 public school students are eligible for scholarships, which will be worth up to $6,646 in the program’s first year.

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American Federation for Children is the nation’s leading school choice advocacy organization and works in states across the country to help secure additional, high-quality educational options for families.