Highlights:
Sanders Told A Rally With School Choice Advocates, That She Would Push For A School Voucher Plan. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told supporters Thursday that education will take priority in her administration, saying she will push for a school choice plan for Arkansas. School choice advocates held a rally Thursday at the state Capitol to help push lawmakers to pass an education voucher program. To loud echos of cheers, Sanders told supporters Arkansas' schools will ‘educate, not indoctrinate,’ emphasize literacy, improve school security and empower parents with vouchers. ‘We have to make sure we are focused on parental empowerment,’ Sanders said. ‘Empowering our parents is one of the most critical things that we can do when it comes to a child's success in education. This is not about school choice, this is about parental choice.’ Since taking office last week, Sanders has signed three executive orders aimed at banning what she called ‘indoctrination’ and emphasizing her Arkansas Learns initiative, which calls for improving literacy, empowering parents, accountability for educators, improving student readiness, improving high-speed internet and school safety.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/20/23]
Sanders Called School Choice “The Civil Rights Issue Of Our Day.” According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Sanders said school choice was ‘the civil rights issue of our day,’ with her plan for education savings accounts being phased in over three years and with every student in the state being eligible by the 2025-2026 school year.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2/9/23]
Sanders Called Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s School Choice Program Part Of “An Absolute Conservative Education Revolution In Our Country.” According to the Tennessean, “Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proposed Tuesday a new statewide school choice program that would provide 20,000 students up to $7,075 each to attend private or home schools, with a plan to expand to universal eligibility in 2025. Lee outlined his Education Freedom Scholarship Act at the Tennessee State Museum alongside Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose state adopted a universal school choice policy earlier this year. […] Sanders applauded Lee's proposal as part of ‘an absolute conservative education revolution in our country.’ ‘Tennessee is joining Arkansas to say yes, individual students need individual education,’ Sanders said. ‘A student’s ZIP code shouldn’t be the only thing that determines where they go to school.’” [Tennessean, 11/28/23]
March 2023: Sanders Signed An Educational Overhaul Bill Into Law. According to the Associated Press, “Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an education bill Wednesday that creates a new school voucher program, raises minimum teacher salaries and places restrictions on classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Republican governor and former White House press secretary, who took office in January, signed into law the 145-page measure that she's called her priority in this year's legislative session. ‘We've seen how the status quo condemns Arkansans to a lifetime of poverty,’ Sanders said in a signing ceremony in the state Capitol rotunda, surrounded by GOP lawmakers. ‘We're tired of sitting at the bottom of national education rankings.’” [Associated Press, 3/8/23]
The LEARNS Act Included A Voucher Program Known As “Educational Freedom Accounts.” According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 294, also known as the LEARNS Act, into law March 8. […] The new voucher program the law creates, called Educational Freedom Accounts, ties state funding for public schools to students. Students who receive an Educational Freedom Account will get 90% of what public schools get per student in state funding from the previous school year. The per-student funding for the 2022-2023 school year was $7,413.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
The Voucher Program Would Tie State Funding For Public Schools To Students. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 294, also known as the LEARNS Act, into law March 8. […] The new voucher program the law creates, called Educational Freedom Accounts, ties state funding for public schools to students. Students who receive an Educational Freedom Account will get 90% of what public schools get per student in state funding from the previous school year. The per-student funding for the 2022-2023 school year was $7,413.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
The Voucher Program Would Give Students 90% Of What Public Schools Got Per Student The Year Before To Attend Private Or Charter Schools. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 294, also known as the LEARNS Act, into law March 8. […] The new voucher program the law creates, called Educational Freedom Accounts, ties state funding for public schools to students. Students who receive an Educational Freedom Account will get 90% of what public schools get per student in state funding from the previous school year. The per-student funding for the 2022-2023 school year was $7,413.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
Thirty-Nine Percent Of Charter Schools In Arkansas Received A “D” Or “F” Grade In 2021-2022. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Arkansas' Charter Authorizing Panel on Tuesday worked through a review of 37 open-enrollment and district-operated conversion charter schools that had received state-imposed letter grades of D or F for the 2021-2022 school year. Ten schools had F grades and 27 had Ds, according to the report that was requested late last year and accepted Tuesday by the panel that is made up of Arkansas Department of Education staff and interested citizens. The A-to-F letter grades, which are applied to almost all state-supported schools, are based on the federally required Every Student Succeeds Act numerical scores. The numerical scores are calculated largely on the state-required ACT Aspire tests given every spring in literacy, math and science. The numerical scores, and the letter grades, also take into account factors such as year-to-year achievement growth on the Aspire tests, student attendance and high school graduation rates. The 37 D and F charter schools reviewed by the charter panel make up 39% of the total 95 charter schools that are either operated by traditional school districts or by not-for-profit organizations other than traditional school systems.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2/15/23]
House Education Committee Chair Brian Evans Said All Students Would Be Eligible For Vouchers By The Third Year Of The Program. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Rep. Brian Evans, chairman of the House Education Committee, said in the first year students in schools rated ‘F’ by the state, children of active duty military, low-income students, those in foster care and students with special needs would be given ‘the first priority’ for school vouchers. In the second year, students who attend ‘D’ rated schools would be phased in, and the third year would be open to every student in the state, Evans said.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 2/9/23]
Sanders Said Her Education Package Would Cost $300 Million In The First Year. According to the Associated Press, “Sanders said the package will cost $300 million in the first year, with half of that new spending.” [Associated Press, 2/8/23]
Sanders’ Education Overhaul Would Cost About $343 Million In Its Second Year. According to the Associated Press, “The Department of Education has estimated the legislation will cost more than $297 million to implement the first year and about $343 million the following year.” [Associated Press, 3/3/23]
Arkansas Allocated $46.7 Million To The Voucher Program For Its First Year. According to the Arkansas Times, “For this year, $46.7 million in state funds have been allocated to the program. Eligible families are served on a first-come, first-served basis up to the enrollment cap as long as funding is available.” [Arkansas Times, 8/19/23]
Arkansas Projected The Voucher Program Would Cost $97.5 Million In Its Second Year. According to the Arkansas Times, “State officials project the cost next year will be $97.5 million, in order to cover up to 14,000 students. Priority will be given to those already enrolled in the program the previous year.” [Arkansas Times, 8/19/23]
The Voucher Program Was Projected To Cost $175 Million In Its Third Year. According to the Arkansas Times, “In addition to the cost estimates provided by the state for the first two years of the program (see above), Robert Brech, deputy director of budget at the Department of Finance and Administration, testified to the legislature on Feb. 28 that it is projected to cost $175 million in its third year, once all students become eligible to apply.” [Arkansas Times, 8/19/23]
Sanders Would Not Answer How Much The State Was Budgeting Towards Vouchers In The Arkansas LEARNS Act. According to the Arkansas Times, “All journalist Roby Brock wants is the year-three budget amount on those Education Freedom Accounts, arguably the most controversial part of the Arkansas LEARNS Act. ‘Education Freedom Account’ is just another name for a voucher toward private, church or home school expenses, and starting in the 2025-2026 school year, every Arkansas student will be eligible for one, regardless of need. How much will all that cost? Despite Brock’s best efforts, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders didn’t oblige when she sat down with the journalist in a recent interview. Incoming kindergartners, some students with learning challenges and a few other groups were eligible for vouchers this school year. Year three is when these Education Freedom Accounts go universal, with presumably more people accessing the funds. Arkansas’s vouchers are currently set at nearly $7,000. Sanders said that as of right now, she sees no reason to adjust the amount. Money has been allocated for years two, three and beyond, she said, and she feels comfortable where it’s at. ‘Obviously we’re constantly watching budgets,’ she said. ‘We have teams that look at the numbers all day, every day, and they live and die by the spreadsheets that they’re putting together. So we’re constantly monitoring if we have to adjust at some point.’ Brock told Sanders that he asked for the budget or even just the amount, but received no answer. ‘Could you give me that number now?’ Brock asked. ‘What are you expecting it to cost when it goes universal?’ The answer isn’t hard and fast, Sanders said. ‘The big thing, though, at the end of the day, while we want people to be able to be empowered to make decisions about where and what is best for their kids and how they should be educated, at the same time, we’ve invested heavily in public education,’ Sanders said.” [Arkansas Times, 1/16/24]
The Arkansas Department Of Education Canceled The Bid Process For Picking A Vendor To Handle School Voucher Finances For The Arkansas LEARNS Program. According to the Arkansas Times, “The state Department of Education on Wednesday canceled the bid process to pick a vendor to handle school voucher finances in the second year of Arkansas LEARNS. The contract is currently held by Kleo Inc., a Florida-based company that does business as ClassWallet. The state put the job for the coming 2024-25 school year out for bid in mid December. By Jan. 12, five out-of-state companies, including ClassWallet, had submitted bids. Those bids are now null and void. Neither the Department of Education nor the state Department of Transformation and Shared Services gave a reason as to why the bidding process was abandoned.” [Arkansas Times, 2/7/24]
ClassWallet, Which Was Awarded The Contract For The First Year Of Arkansas Learns, Stood To Make More Than $1.1 Million. According to the Arkansas Times, “ClassWallet was given an initial $49,000 service fee for setting up the voucher and tutoring program, and charges 2.5% on each transaction. That means the Florida company stands to make more than $1.1 million, based on an estimated $46.7 million in vouchers distributed in the current school year.” [Arkansas Times, 2/7/24]
The Vendor Who Would Be Awarded The Contract For The Second Year Stood To Make $2.4 Million. According to the Arkansas Times, “The second year of the ‘Education Freedom Accounts’ program is expected to cost $97.5 million as the voucher program expands to cover up to 14,000 students. At the current rate of 2.5%, the third-party vendor is set to make upwards of $2.4 million.” [Arkansas Times, 2/7/24]
ClassWallet Employed A Lobbyist Who Also Represented Mike Huckabee’s Political Action Committee. According to the Arkansas Times, “The news of the canceled bids comes after we reported Tuesday that ClassWallet employs a lobbyist who also represents a political action committee for former Gov. Mike Huckabee, the father of current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.” [Arkansas Times, 2/7/24]
Up To 7,000 Students Could Participate In The Voucher Program In Its First Year. According to the Arkansas Times, “LEARNS sets caps for the first two years on the number of students who can participate in the voucher program. This year’s participation is capped at 1.5% of the total student enrollment in public schools, around 7,000 students. As of mid-August there were still slots and funding available for additional applicants for this school year.” [Arkansas Times, 8/19/23]
Only 4,795 Students Were In The Voucher Program In Its First Year. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “In all, as of Sept. 20, there are 4,795 students statewide using what is projected to be $32.5 million this school year in public funding for private school costs. ‘The Office of School Choice and Parental Empowerment is thrilled to announce a successful launch of Education Freedom Accounts, evidenced by the 4,795 (and counting) participants who have been empowered by EFAs,’ the 21-page ‘Education Freedom Account Annual Report’ to lawmakers states. The document, dated Sept. 30, was first reported on Thursday night by the Arkansas Advocate online news organization.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/7/23]
Sanders’ $6.3 Billion FY 2025 Budget Included A $65 Million Increase For Private School Vouchers. According to the Arkansas Advocate, “Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday proposed a 1.76% increase to next year’s state budget, a significantly smaller percentage jump than what has been proposed in recent years. Sanders in a letter to state lawmakers said the $6.3 billion general revenue budget proposal puts ‘an end to government’s spiraling growth.’ The proposed fiscal 2025 budget keeps funding levels largely flat across most state agencies, with the largest increase to education, including a $65 million bump to the state’s private school voucher program. Sanders said she asked her cabinet secretaries to submit agency budgets that did not include funding increases. ‘Upon taking this office, I made a promise to the people of Arkansas,’ Sanders wrote to the Joint Budget Committee. ‘I told them I would limit the growth of government and improve efficiency at state agencies while still investing in the areas of greatest need. Achieving all those goals in one budget is a complicated balancing act. After months of hard work, though, I am confident we have made meaningful progress on each one.’” [Arkansas Advocate, 3/6/24]
Sanders Announced Additional Families Would Be Eligible For Vouchers For The 2024-2025 School Year. According to KTHV, “Additional families in Arkansas will now be eligible for the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, including children of veterans, military reserve members, first responders, and law enforcement officers, plus students who previously attended D-rated schools. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that they will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year on April 1.” [KTHV, 4/1/24]
Sanders’ Budget Cut $4.3 Million In Funding For Arkansas’ 15 Educational Service Cooperatives. According to the Arkansas Advocate, “The Sanders administration’s proposal to reduce funding for Arkansas’ 15 education service cooperatives has co-op directors concerned about the impact on students, especially those in smaller school districts. Fourteen cooperatives would receive $4.3 million less in state funds next fiscal year under the Department of Education’s 2025 budget proposal, according to estimates provided to the Advocate by co-op directors. The Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative did not return requests for comment, and ADE did not provide a funding total. Created by Act 349 of 1985, cooperatives support school districts by providing a variety of services, including special education, professional development and technology.” [Arkansas Advocate, 3/18/24]
The LEARNS Act Required Individual Districts To Create Their Own Pay Scales For Teachers. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 294, also known as the LEARNS Act, into law March 8. […] The law repeals the state's salary schedule for teachers, instead requiring each school district to come up with its own pay structure for educators. Districts must decide for themselves to what degree they can reward educators' experience and education, state officials and lawmakers said.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
Some Education Leaders Said This Initiative Could Leave Districts Struggling To Pay Teachers Fairly. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Some education leaders have said their districts will struggle to fairly compensate teachers for their experience or education levels as a result of the law. As a result, they worry educators will leave their districts for others that can afford broader pay scales.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
Superintendents Said The Law Could Cost Schools Millions To Maintain The Previous Pay Schools. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Some superintendents have pointed out that if they wish to maintain a scale similar to the one they used before LEARNS, the cost to their districts could be in the millions.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
Leaders Said They Worried Teachers May Leave Their Districts For Others That Can Afford More. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Some education leaders have said their districts will struggle to fairly compensate teachers for their experience or education levels as a result of the law. As a result, they worry educators will leave their districts for others that can afford broader pay scales.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
The LEARNS Act Made It Easier To Fire Teachers. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 294, also known as the LEARNS Act, into law March 8. […] Arkansas LEARNS also repeals the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act, a law that requires school districts to notify teachers of changes in their employment status before May 1 each year. The move is meant to make it easier for school districts to fire teachers for poor performance, something Sanders hinted at when she campaigned on accountability for teachers. Teachers will still have the ‘opportunity for a hearing’ and notice before they can be fired.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
Applicants For Arkansas Teacher Of The Year Were Required To Answer How Sanders’ New LEARNS Act Would Positively Impact Students. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Though educators and advocates say they believe the Arkansas Teacher of the Year award is an ’esteemed’ program meant to showcase the state's best educators, many, including several former winners of the award, recently expressed criticism and confusion over changes to this year's application process. Two revised prompts in the 2024 state application require teachers to write about Arkansas' sweeping education package, the LEARNS Act, including how their platform will relate to the law and ‘what positive impact they expect’ the law to have on Arkansas students. They read: How will you implement the LEARNS legislation into your classroom practice? What positive impact do you expect LEARNS to have for Arkansas students? As the 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, you serve as a spokesperson and representative for teachers. If selected, please describe your proposed platform and how it relates to the Arkansas LEARNS law. What will you communicate to your profession and to the public? Please include a personal narrative that reveals why this platform is important to you.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/7/23]
Sanders’ Spokeswoman Said That Having The Arkansas Teacher Of The Year Explain How Their Platform Aligns With The LEANS Act Was Part Of The Expectations Of The Role. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Arkansas Department of Education spokeswoman Kimberly Mundell, in an email response to questions from the Democrat-Gazette about the prompts, wrote, ‘The LEARNS Act is law, and the ATOY serves as an ambassador for education. Asking applicants to explain how they will implement the law in their classrooms and how their platforms will align with the LEARNS law is well within the expectations of the role of the Arkansas Teacher of the Year.’ The statement matches one previously given to other news agencies by Alexa Henning, spokeswoman for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/7/23]
Sanders Signed An Executive Order Banning Critical Race Theory In Arkansas Schools. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “‘As long as I am governor, our schools will focus on the skills our children need to get ahead in the modern world - not brainwashing our children with a left-wing political agenda,’ she said. At a news conference in the governor's conference room, Sanders signed seven executive orders, including one aimed at prohibiting indoctrination and critical race theory in schools. Critical race theory ‘is antithetical to the traditional American values of neutrality, equality and fairness,’ and ‘emphasizes skin color as a person's primary characteristic, thereby resurrecting segregationist values, which America has fought so hard to reject,’ according to Sanders' executive order.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/11/23]
Sanders’ Executive Order Said Teaching Critical Race Theory The Indoctrination Of Students With Ideologies. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Among other things, the executive order directs Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva to review the rules, regulations, policies, materials and communications of the state Department of Education to identify any items that may, purposely or otherwise, promote teaching that would indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as critical race theory, that the order says conflict with the principle of equal protection under the law or encourage students to discriminate against someone based on the individual's color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability, religion, national origin or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. The executive order states that if any items are found to conflict with the principle of equal protection under the law, then Oliva is instructed to amend, annul, or alter those rules, regulations, policies, materials, or communications to remove the prohibited indoctrination.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/11/23]
Sanders Signed An Executive Order That Removed Any Requirements To Attend Training Or Teachings Based On Indoctrination Or Critical Race Theory. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “As it relates to employees, contractors and guest speakers or lecturers of the Department of Education, Oliva is directed to review and enhance the policies that prevent prohibited indoctrination, including critical race theory, and Oliva shall ensure that no school employee or student shall be required to attend trainings or orientations based on prohibited indoctrination or critical race theory under the executive order.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/11/23]
The LEARNS Act Made It Easier To Fire Teachers. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Senate Bill 294, also known as the LEARNS Act, into law March 8. […] The law also includes codification of Sanders' executive order on Critical Race Theory, which requires the Department of Education to review policies and materials that ‘promote teaching that would indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory.’” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/10/23]
The LEARNS Act Tasked The Education Department Secretary With Identifying Materials Or Policies That “Would Indoctrinate Students With Ideologies, Such As Critical Race Theory.” According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, “In Arkansas, Sanders’ executive order and the LEARNS Act task state Education Department Secretary Jacob Oliva with reviewing and identifying any rules, policies, materials and communications that ‘promote teaching that would indoctrinate students with ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory.’ They both require the secretary and his agency to ‘amend, annul or alter’ offending rules, policies, materials and communications.” [Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 9/3/23]
The Arkansas Department Of Education Changed Or Removed Materials From Their List Of Recommended Social Studies Resources Following Sanders’ Executive Order Than Banned “Indoctrination,” Critical Race Theory, And “Latinx.” According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “In the month after Sarah Huckabee Sanders was sworn in as governor, the Arkansas Department of Education began changing materials or, in many cases, removing them from its list of recommended social studies resources for teachers. The agency made the changes to fall into line with executive orders that banned ‘indoctrination’ and critical race theory in schools, and banned the term ‘Latinx’ on state documents. The directives were among seven issued by Sanders on her first day as governor. Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request give insight into some of the changes spurred by the orders to what social studies resources the state recommends for use by teachers. All of the changes listed in the emails were made because they purportedly contained at least one of two elements that clashed with the bans: critical race theory or use of the term ‘Latinx.’” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/17/24]
The LEARNS Act Included A Prohibition On Discussing Gender Or Sexuality With Students Below Fifth Grade. According to the Arkansas Advocate, “The LEARNS Act is a 145-page piece of legislation signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Wednesday. The broad bill makes changes to multiple aspects of the state’s education system, including teacher pay, per-student funding, graduation requirements and annual student testing. […] Before grade 5, teachers shall not provide instruction on sexually explicit materials, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, gender identity or sexual orientation.” [Arkansas Advocate, 3/8/23]
Axios Said The Legislation Was “Similar” To Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law. According to Axios, “Part of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' sweeping education bill enacted March 8 prohibits classroom instruction on reproduction, gender identity or sexual orientation before fifth grade — similar to Florida's law that opponents have dubbed ‘Don't Say Gay.’” [Axios, 3/30/23]
Sanders Signed Legislation That Banned Transgender People From Using Restrooms At Public Schools That Matched Their Gender Identity. According to the Associated Press, “Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday signed a law prohibiting transgender people at public schools from using the restroom that matches their gender identity, the first of several states expected to enact such bans this year amid a flood of bills nationwide targeting the trans community. The bill signed by the Republican governor makes Arkansas the fourth state to place such restrictions at public schools, and it comes as bills in Idaho and Iowa also await their governor's signature. And it might be followed by an even stricter Arkansas bill criminalizing transgender adults using public restrooms that match their gender identity. Arkansas' law, which won't take effect until later this summer, applies to multi-person restrooms and locker rooms at public schools and charter schools serving prekindergarten through 12th grade. The majority-Republican Legislature gave final approval to the bill last week. ‘The Governor has said she will sign laws that focus on protecting and educating our kids, not indoctrinating them and believes our schools are no place for the radical left’s woke agenda,’ Alexa Henning, Sanders' spokesperson, said in a statement. ‘Arkansas isn’t going to rewrite the rules of biology just to please a handful of far-left advocates.’” [Associated Press, 3/21/23]
Sanders Called The Biden Administration’s Efforts To Cancel Student Loans “Unfair, Unwise, And Unlawful.” According to Fox News, “Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, R-Ark., blasted the Biden administration's ‘unconstitutional’ student loan handout and ‘functionally nonoperational’ revisions to the college financial aid application process ahead of a top official's trip to Arkansas. In a fiery letter sent to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Tuesday, the Republican Governor charged that the Biden administration's ‘gleeful disregard for our nation's highest court should appall every American.’ Biden has made various attempts to forgive student loans throughout his presidency, most recently proposing the cancelation of student debt for more than 30 million Americans which Sanders called out in her letter, which was first obtained by Fox News Digital. ‘The Biden Administration's forgiveness of certain student loans is unfair, unwise, and unlawful. Not only does it force Arkansans who chose not to attend college to pay for others' education, not only does it offer forgiveness for past loans with no plan to address the future growth of college tuition expenses, but it has also been declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court,’ Sanders wrote. ‘This administration's gleeful disregard for our nation's highest court should appall every American.’” [Fox News, 4/23/24]