Fewer Arkansas schools received D or F ratings for the 2025-2026 school year, although the latest results also show setbacks at some campuses.
The Arkansas Department of Education released school and district letter grades September 17. The ratings measure academic achievement, student growth and readiness for life after high school.
According to the Arkansas Advocate report, 109 schools previously rated D or F improved to at least a C. A total of 350 schools earned a B, an increase of 58 over the previous year.
However, improvement was not universal. Among schools previously rated B or C, 68 dropped to a D or F. Another 12 schools fell from a D to an F.
The report also found that 39 schools moved from a B to an A, while 79 declined from a B to a C. Nearly 45% of the 1,047 schools included in the analysis retained the same letter grade.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK AMONG DISTRICTS SHOWING GAINS
Education Secretary Jacob Oliva highlighted North Little Rock, Crossett and Fordyce as examples of districts making progress. Each improved from an F to a C, according to the report.
Oliva credited focused instruction and support, including literacy coaches and access to high-impact tutoring for schools receiving D or F ratings.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and education officials described the results as evidence that initiatives associated with the LEARNS Act are helping students. The department’s announcement cited literacy support, individual reading and math plans, and tutoring among its school-improvement efforts.
EDUCATORS QUESTION RATING SYSTEM
Arkansas Education Association President April Reisma questioned whether the A-F system adequately reflects the full work of public schools and the challenges they face.
According to the Arkansas Advocate report, Reisma also raised concerns about differences in accountability requirements between public schools and private schools receiving funding through the state’s voucher program.
Oliva said the state’s student-growth model accounts for differences in student circumstances and measures whether students are making academic progress.
HOW SCHOOL GRADES ARE DETERMINED
The ratings incorporate Arkansas Teaching, Learning & Assessment System testing, known as ATLAS, along with student-growth measures and high school readiness indicators.
The state revised its accountability formula following the LEARNS Act. This is the 2nd year Arkansas has assigned district letter grades.
Families can review school and district results through the Arkansas Department of Education’s My School Info website at myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov.
The results provide a statewide picture of progress and continuing challenges, with some schools improving, others declining and many maintaining their previous ratings.
Sources: The Arkansas Advocate article you supplied; Arkansas Department of Education release listing, which identifies the September 17 release as corrected; My School Info reporting tools.
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https://myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov/search
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