As Arkansas Education Changes, How Should Families Evaluate School Options? 

This op-ed from Arkansas Virtual Academy Executive Director Amy Johnson originally appeared in the September 28, 2026 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. 

Over the past three years, Arkansas has fundamentally reshaped its K-12 education system. The full implementation of the LEARNS Act — with its universal school choice, new literacy standards, updated curriculum, workforce reforms, technology restrictions, and graduation mandates — has altered what the school experience looks like across Arkansas. Together, these changes have prompted many families to pause and ask: Is our current school still the right fit? 

Parents across the country are grappling with this question. Last year, a National School Choice Awareness Foundation survey found that 60% of parents have considered switching schools for their children, with many exploring models beyond traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Twenty-seven percent of those parents considered full-time online school. 

While school options in Arkansas may vary, all families can begin at the same place, by taking an honest look at their child’s day-to-day experience. Are they keeping pace academically? Do they receive individual attention when they struggle — or when they need to be challenged? Is the learning environment structured in a way that supports focus, safety, and confidence? And does the school’s schedule, culture, and expectations align with their family’s needs? 

These questions matter more now because Arkansas no longer operates under a single default model of education. Traditional public schools remain a strong option for many students. At the same time, alternative models, including online schools, have become increasingly visible as families seek flexibility, personalization, and stability amid system-wide change. 

Arkansas Virtual Academy, for example, has been educating Arkansas students fully online since 2003. It is not a pandemic-era experiment, but a long-standing model that has evolved alongside state standards and accountability. 

For families considering an online option, the evaluation process should be rigorous. Look for live, teacher-led instruction rather than self-paced coursework alone. Ask whether teachers are fully licensed in Arkansas and accessible to students on a daily basis. Strong virtual schools prioritize consistent one-on-one and small-group interaction, ensuring students are known and supported. 

Social development is another key consideration. Quality online schools intentionally build opportunities for connection, offering clubs, collaboration, and in-person events such as field trips, regional gatherings, and graduation ceremonies. These experiences matter just as much as academics. 

Families should also think beyond graduation requirements to long-term readiness. Does the school offer career exploration, technical education, or dual credit opportunities? As Arkansas increasingly aligns education with workforce outcomes, schools that help students connect learning to real-world pathways may offer added value. 

Ultimately, the expanded choices created by recent education reforms come with a responsibility to choose thoughtfully. There is no universally “best” school — only the environment that best fits your child. 

As Arkansas families navigate a new education landscape, asking the right questions can help ensure that choice leads not just to change, but to growth, stability, and opportunity for the students who matter most. 

Author Bio  

Amy Johnson, Executive Director of Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA), has been an educator for 28 years. She began at ARVA in 2015 and today leads the K-12 open-enrollment public charter school. She graduated from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., with a B.S. in secondary education and later completed her masters in curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Walden University.  

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