The Education Committee of the Arkansas Senate convened on January 8, 2024, to discuss an emergency rule governing tutoring grants aimed at improving literacy among students. The meeting featured presentations from Andrea Rose and Courtney Salas Ford, representatives from the Department of Education.

The proposed emergency rule outlines two distinct tutoring programs. The first program focuses on assisting struggling readers in kindergarten through third grade. It allows families to invoice up to $500 per year for tutoring services for children reading below grade level. Funding for these services will come from a designated account managed by the Department of Education, with payments made directly to approved tutoring providers. Priority for these funds will be given to students who have been retained from the previous year, those in the lowest 15% of the K-3 reporting category, and then to students in descending order of grade level.

The second program aims to facilitate high-impact tutoring within public school districts during the school day. The Department of Education will cover the costs of tutoring services provided by approved providers who meet specific criteria, including demonstrated experience and training in the science of reading. These tutoring sessions are designed to occur at least three times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes each time and are intended to supplement, rather than replace, core subject matter instruction.

The committee's discussions highlighted the importance of these tutoring programs in addressing literacy challenges among students and ensuring that struggling readers receive the necessary support to improve their reading skills. The meeting concluded with a focus on the implementation of these programs and the anticipated positive impact on student literacy outcomes across the state.