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Arkansas Committee Proposed School Funding Increases

Arkansas families may see new special needs and dyslexia resources if these proposed funding increases are passed.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Special Education

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The Arkansas Joint Education Committee has proposed a 2% increase in public school funding, earmarking $40 million for specialized dyslexia interventions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Arkansas Joint Education Committee recently approved recommendations to raise per-student public school funding by more than 2% over two years. The plan includes $40 million in dedicated special needs funding to address dyslexia interventions and high-cost cases.

Why it matters

The proposal follows a months-long adequacy study conducted in response to school funding litigation, potentially shifting budget allocations for student services statewide. Families could see changes to available resources if the state legislature adopts these recommendations.

The committee recommends increasing per-student funding to $8,239 in 2027-2028 and $8,431 in 2028-2029, up from the current $8,037 rate. This includes $26 million for dyslexia intervention and $14 million for high-cost special education students.

The players

Arkansas Joint Education Committee

A state legislative body responsible for conducting adequacy studies and setting public school funding guidelines.

Rep. Keith Brooks

A state representative planning to sponsor legislation to enact the proposed public school funding adjustments.

The details

The committee finalized these recommendations following a months-long study mandated by ongoing school funding litigation. Lawmakers are expected to use these findings to draft formal legislation that will be debated during the session starting in January. The plan earmarks $1,000 per student specifically for dyslexia services for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Timeline

  1. Monday: Committee approved the per-student funding recommendations.

  2. Nov. 1: Committee deadline to report recommendations to legislative leaders.

  3. January: The legislative session begins.

  4. 2027-2028: Proposed academic year funding of $8,239 takes effect.

  5. 2028-2029: Proposed academic year funding of $8,431 takes effect.

The Home Front

This proposal follows a mandatory adequacy study triggered by Arkansas school funding litigation. It represents a significant state-level shift in budget prioritization for special education and early intervention services.

Families with students in kindergarten through 3rd grade should monitor upcoming legislative sessions for potential changes to dyslexia screening and support services. If you have a child receiving high-cost special education services, keep these proposed budget shifts on your radar for future planning.

The takeaway

These funding recommendations prioritize early dyslexia intervention and high-cost special education cases across Arkansas. Parents should track the legislative session starting in January to see how these proposals impact specific school programs in their local districts.

Further reading

For more background on how the state supports students with unique needs, read our guide on Special Education.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Hot Springs Village Voice.

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