newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The growing importance and leadership of the Republican Party in education has been a major development for American students and parents. This trend is really accelerating.
For example, Glenn Youngkin, formerly running for governor in blue Virginia at the time, was aware of this anxiety. He was elected in his November 2021 election to the frustration of suburban parents whose children were struggling with prolonged classroom lockouts due to COVID.
Now we have Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former governor’s daughter and presidential spokesperson. She was elected Arkansas’ first female governor, and it was only natural that Governor Sanders, who had young children at home, would run for office on the educational platform. She delivered on that promise in her first few months in office, describing her new education reform bill as “the greatest overhaul of the state’s education system in Arkansas’ history.”
Her new law has four main elements.
Arkansas sues social media giant for ‘addictive’ effects on children: ‘Rewiring kids’ mindsets’
First, the bill is a big win for teachers. Yes you read that right. This new Republican governor is a big win for teachers.
The current minimum salary for a teacher in Arkansas is $36,000, just below the national average of $42,000. Governor Sanders demolished that low bar. He raises the minimum by nearly 40% to $50,000. it’s huge. As the late-night TV commercial says, “But there’s more.”It’s not just new teachers and her under-$50,000 teachers that are on the rise. Teachers above this amount will see a $2,000 pay raise and get a $10,000 bonus. Ask any teacher and they’ll tell you: This is real money.
It also includes 12 weeks of paid maternity leave and scholarships worth up to $6,000 for would-be teachers. At the same time, the new law empowers local school districts by firing bad teachers and ending outdated rules that made it difficult to pay based solely on experience. I expect many new applicants will be attracted to a leave of absence for school and the removal of union rules that protect bad teachers.
Second, the law codifies Governor Sanders’ previous executive order banning classroom indoctrination. Progressive critics are forever arguing over the protection of their rights, but this new Governor’s Act will ensure that all educators “comply with Titles 4 and 6 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” increase.
Click here to get the opinion newsletter
If a Republican governor refuses to believe that he supports the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 16(c) removes all doubt and states that the law “does not prohibit the discussion of: (1) subsection (b) in this section; or (2) related to public policy issues of the day and that individuals may find unwelcome, offensive, or offensive Thoughts.” More simply, get ahead of your educators and tell them real history.
Third, the law provides funding for parents to send their children to private schools under a graduated system beginning with students enrolled in F or D-rated public schools. Who wants to argue that kids forced to attend terrible schools have a fair chance? Or parents who want to see their kids grow up send their kids elsewhere Shouldn’t we have opportunities? Ultimately, the law recognizes that all children have the same opportunities.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fourth, and finally, the new law doubles down on the science of literacy and proven reading approaches, provides funding for more reading coaches, and subsidies for parents to hire tutors. increase. Also, don’t let your kids navigate the system unprepared for the future. Children who cannot currently demonstrate 2nd grade reading comprehension will be maintained so that they can acquire the foundation they desperately need.
Arkansas is one of the smallest states in the nation, but Gov. Huckabee Sanders is upending the status quo to become a national model. Politicians and education policy experts take note.
Click here to read more about William Bennett