Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students
Arkansas CAPES
In Arkansas, public education as we know it is on the verge of collapse. The Arkansas LEARNS Act (SB294) has been signed into law. This law will lead to the consolidation of schools throughout our state, and it will further lead to the defunding and privatization of public education.
Who We Are
About
Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES) is a broad, nonpartisan movement of public school advocates. Over the past decade, teachers have borne the brunt of budget cuts, a pandemic, and the politicization of their classrooms. Instead of elevating teachers that need our help, the Arkansas legislature has chosen to defund them. This cannot stand.
The stakeholders of CAPES are invoking a “Citizens’ Veto” of the LEARNS Act. In Arkansas, citizens can take any bill that was passed in the current legislation and conduct a referendum petition across the state. When it comes to signatures, our number has to be 6% of the amount of people that voted in the previous election for governor in our state. 6% of 901,813 is (rounding up) 54,109. You cannot tell us that there aren’t 55,000 Arkansans that support public education!
Our Vision
CAPES believes that the education of our children is best suited in environments where their unique skills and gifts are cultivated, and they are mentored to be the leaders of tomorrow. We also believe that the quality of that education should not be reduced to a commodity to be traded in vouchers to educational entrepreneurs.
Our Mission
CAPES is committed to building a statewide volunteer base to educate and engage everyday Arkansans about the damages that the LEARNS Act will do to rural economies, public school districts, and state budgets. Our goal is to mobilize citizen volunteers to overturn or veto the LEARNS Act before public school closures and consolidations become the norm.
Call to Action
CAPES calls out to fellow teachers, parents, students, former students, and concerned citizens to join us in building a grassroots movement to save Arkansas public schools and ensure a brighter future for our children and future generations.
Why CAPES? Why now?
Mission Statement
The Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES) is a nonpartisan movement of teachers, parents, students, former students, and concerned citizens interested in preserving public education in Arkansas. We believe that Arkansas public schools are an integral part of our communities that should be nurtured and adequately funded. The LEARNS Act would prioritize the spending of public funds of more than $500 million (estimated) in the first three years ($50 million year 1, $85 million year 2, and $350 million after year 3, respectively) to startup education businesses in the form of charter and private schools, quickly reaching billions of dollars over a few short years.
1. A higher failure rate, greater turnover, and fewer requirements than public school districts.
2. Lower bars for teacher qualification.
3. Less spending per child on nutrition, transportation, extracurriculars or advanced placement, special needs, and a litany of other services that makes public schools a bedrock of support for hardworking Arkansas families.
4. No accountability during the first four years of their existence while under initial accreditation.
The funding for the LEARNS Act comes directly from the budgets of public-school districts into the pockets of private educational companies through the school voucher program.
Want to help?
Volunteer
Signatures
We need volunteers who are willing to gather signatures for the referendum vote.
Phone Banking
We need volunteers who are willing to reach out to people by phone in order to spread awareness.
Other
Do you have other capabilities or skills that you can contribute to defend public education?
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