Arkansas education secretary Jacob Oliva announced that the state is awarding nearly $20 million in extra pay to select teachers statewide. This is made possible through the LEARNS Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, which is a component of the LEARNS Act.

Merit Pay Program Details

This year, roughly 5,000 Arkansas teachers are eligible for merit pay, with an average bonus of $3,300. However, 900 educators will earn as much as $5,000 in extra pay, and 80 teachers will be awarded $10,000 each. Oliva stated that many of these teachers mentor aspiring teachers, have outstanding student performance, teach in critical shortage areas, or work in hard-to-staff areas.

Arkansas first started distributing merit pay for teacher excellence in 2024, with roughly 3,000 teachers receiving the award. This number has now increased to 5,000 this year and could grow even more in the future. Oliva expressed his desire for every teacher to qualify, but noted that the criteria are strict, recognizing only the top 5% of teachers.

Impact on Education

With the start of the new school year approaching, districts across Arkansas are working to ensure there are enough teachers in place. The state’s education secretary emphasized the importance of acquiring talented educators, citing the investment in teacher preparation programs and loan forgiveness opportunities for future students who want to become teachers.

Since Governor Sarah Sanders signed the LEARNS Act in 2023, which increased starting teacher pay from $36,000 to $50,000, districts across the state have received a greater number of teaching applications. Arkansas districts that border neighboring states have even received an influx of applications, providing greater hope for the future of education in the state.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.