Governor Sanders launches ACCESS plan to overhaul higher education in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Governor Sanders unveiled her new plan to reform higher education in Arkansas today.

It is a comprehensive piece of legislation that she says will make college more accessible and affordable.

This announcement comes just two years after Governor Sanders introduced the LEARNS Act, which overhauled the state’s K through 12 public education system.

Her plan for higher education is called ACCESS, and the hope is that it will make higher education more attainable.

“We all see the same issues, the system has become too complicated, too woke, and far too often doesn’t fully prepare students for the jobs of the future,” says Governor Sanders.

ACCESS stands for Acceleration, Common Sense, Cost Efficiency, Eligibility, Scholarships, and Standardization.

Lawmakers say it would help streamline the education system and would address funding, course credit admission policies and scholarships.

The goal is to make sure students are prepared for the real world.

“When a child leaves high school, are they ready for the three E’s – are they ready to either be employed, enlisted or enrolled. And what ACCESS does is it compliments the work that we’ve done with Arkansas Learns to make sure that transition into post secondary attainment is achievable,” says Education Secretary, Jacob Oliva.

Senator Jonathan Dismang highlighted the bill’s focus on reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and says this legislation has a student-centered approach.

“We’re creating more pathways beyond just the ACT for people to be able to qualify for scholarships and get into schools. There will be some other provisions that will make it easier,” says Dismang.

The bill also includes what lawmakers call “Common Sense” measures, including banning the use of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in accreditation standards, and prohibits professors from “indoctrinating students with forced statements in support of DEI.”

“DEI itself in this bill, we still want to make sure that we have a robust discussion in classrooms. That is still something that we’re going to encourage what we don’t wanna do is make someone profess something that’s against their particular beliefs because they feel compelled to because of professor or maybe even employer. That’s what this is looking at striking,” says Dismang.

The bill would prevent schools from granting excused absences for attending protests, and would require students who vandalize property to pay for damages before earning a degree.

Lawmakers say they are working through minor edits with the bill with the hopes to push the bill through on Monday.