In a surprising turn of events, the liberal education group CAPES has decided to break away from a coalition of nonprofits advocating for the Educational Rights Amendment in Arkansas. The proposed amendment would require private schools that receive state funds to adhere to the same regulations as public schools.
For AR Kids, the organization behind the Educational Rights Amendment, recently filed a new statement of organization with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, revealing that CAPES is no longer part of the coalition supporting the constitutional amendment. This decision comes after Steve Grappe, the former executive director of CAPES, stepped down last month due to differences with leadership.
Nancy Fancyboy, external communications director for CAPES, explained that the group now has a neutral stance on the proposed amendment, citing concerns that it could solidify state-funded private school vouchers in the constitution. The amendment is specifically targeting the LEARNS Act, a law signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders that includes a universal school choice program allowing students to use state funds for private or home school tuition.
Critics of the LEARNS Act argue that private schools should be held to the same standards as public schools if they are accepting state funds. However, For AR Kids Treasurer Bill Kopsky disagreed with this sentiment, stating that the goal of the amendment is not to give constitutional protection to school vouchers but to ensure equality in regulations between public and private schools.
If approved, the Educational Rights Amendment would also mandate universal pre-kindergarten education, establish new minimum standards for public schools, and provide additional support services for students in need. To make it onto the November ballot, the amendment must gather 90,704 signatures by July 5. Steve Grappe plans to lead a new nonprofit, Stand Up Arkansas, which will focus on promoting civic engagement and voter turnout in the state.