A proposed ballot initiative could significantly restrict access to private education in Arkansas, including the Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) that have expanded school choice for families across Northwest Arkansas and the state.
The initiative, which aims to repeal a 2023 law establishing EFAs, has sparked concern among private school leaders and parents who rely on the state-funded scholarships. Misty Newcomb, founding head of a PK-12 private school in central Arkansas and an advocate for school choice, said the program has helped integrate students from different economic backgrounds in ways traditional public schooling often does not.
EFAs allow families to use state funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses. Unlike residential zoning in public schools or income-based federal programs, Newcomb said EFAs give lower-income students access to the same learning environments as their more affluent peers. That integration, she argues, builds social capital and leads to better long-term outcomes, including higher graduation rates and greater civic participation.
“These programs aren’t just about academics,” Newcomb wrote in an op-ed published by the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “They offer opportunity through exposure to different social networks—something that often determines a child’s future trajectory.”
The Arkansas Education Freedom Account program was passed in 2023 with broad bipartisan support. It provides up to $6,000 annually per student, with higher amounts available for students with disabilities or those from low-income households. As of early 2025, more than 3,700 students statewide were enrolled in the program, according to the Arkansas Department of Education.
In Benton County, where private school enrollment has grown steadily over the past decade, EFAs have become a critical support mechanism for families seeking alternatives to their assigned public schools. Several schools in the region, including those in Rogers and Bentonville, have seen increased interest from families using EFA funds.
Opponents of the ballot initiative, which would effectively end the EFA program if passed, argue that it undermines legislative intent and restricts parental choice—particularly for low-income families. They also warn that eliminating EFAs could lead to further segregation within the K-12 system, reversing progress made in economically diverse private school settings.
Supporters of the initiative frame it as a measure to protect public education funding, arguing that diverting resources to private schools weakens the overall system. However, data from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shows that EFA expenditures represent less than 1% of the state’s total education budget.
Newcomb, who has led her school for 15 years and offers need-based scholarships to dozens of students, said EFAs have made it easier to serve children from lower- and middle-income families. Prior to the program, fundraising and tuition assistance were the only pathways to inclusion for many students—a model that often limited access.
“Before EFAs, we had to cobble together scholarships from donations and tuition payments,” she said. “Now, families can apply directly through the state, and students join classrooms where zip code or parent income doesn’t determine opportunity.”
The initiative is backed by a coalition of public school advocacy groups and teachers’ unions. If approved by voters in November 2026, it would repeal the EFA law and halt new applications immediately. Existing account holders would be allowed to finish the school year but would not be eligible for renewal.
For Northwest Arkansas families already using EFAs, the potential repeal raises uncertainty. Many say the program has allowed them to find educational environments better suited to their children’s needs—whether due to learning differences, safety concerns, or philosophical preferences.
As the debate continues, private school administrators and parents are organizing to inform voters about the consequences of the initiative. Some plan to launch voter education campaigns in the coming months, emphasizing the program’s impact on educational equity and economic mobility.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
