Arkansas Students Show Major Academic Gains As LEARNS Act Delivers Results

Arkansas students posted significant academic gains across every grade level and subject area on the 2026 Arkansas Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System, or ATLAS, exam, according to results released Thursday by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Education.

State officials say the results demonstrate continued improvement since the implementation of the LEARNS Act, the statewide education overhaul signed into law by Governor Sanders in 2023.

Across all subjects and grade levels, student proficiency increased from 35% in 2024 to 42% in 2026, representing an increase of more than 20%.

Mathematics proficiency increased from 36.4% to 44.2%, science proficiency rose from 35.6% to 44%, and English language arts proficiency improved from 33.8% to 39.5%.

The percentage of students performing at the lowest achievement levels declined from 27.9% in 2024 to 23.1% in 2026, a decrease of approximately 17%.

One of the most significant improvements occurred in 3rd grade reading, where proficiency increased from 35% in 2024 to 43% in 2026. State education leaders consider 3rd grade reading a critical indicator of future academic success.

Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade also showed strong gains. Kindergarten English language arts proficiency increased from 50.2% to 66% in just 1 year.

Governor Sanders said the results confirm that Arkansas LEARNS is helping students succeed by focusing on foundational academic skills and classroom achievement.

Education Secretary Jacob Oliva called the LEARNS Act a comprehensive plan built on research and feedback from educators, administrators and parents, adding that the latest scores show Arkansas students are benefiting from those reforms.

The LEARNS Act increased starting teacher salaries from $36,000 to $50,000, deployed literacy coaches to struggling schools, expanded tutoring opportunities, improved school safety initiatives and created new education options for Arkansas families.

Districts across Arkansas are now reviewing their ATLAS results and planning next steps with support from the Arkansas Department of Education.

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