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BLR outlines adequacy options, flags preschool accounting and matrix limits
Summary
The Bureau of Legislative Research presented an overview of national funding approaches and Arkansas’ adequacy matrix, highlighted issues with preschool ADM accounting and the 500‑student matrix baseline, and summarized new LEARNS Act funding that sits outside the adequacy matrix.
The Bureau of Legislative Research told the Joint Committee on Education that Arkansas uses an evidence‑based adequacy study and a foundation (per‑pupil) distribution model but faces specific implementation challenges.
Julie Holt, a BLR analyst, summarized national shifts that put states — not localities — primarily responsible for funding public education, and she cited landmark court rulings used in Arkansas’ funding history (Alma v. Dupree and Lakeview). In national comparisons using NCES data adjusted for cost of living, Holt said Arkansas had about $13,000 per student — roughly in the 40th position among…
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