Rewind

from Arkansas Educator Volume 41, No. 3

Legislative Update: Coronavirus

In January 1991, thousands of public school educators and supporters rallied on the Capitol steps in Little Rock to call on lawmakers to support public schools with a substantial investment. The rally was part of a larger effort to influence state policy called Project ACE, or Adequate Compensation for Education. AEA members planned the strategy and worked to build support among education partners to call on lawmakers to do something positive for education.

Then Governor Bill Clinton, a parade of state legislators, education partners and presidents from other state associations spoke to a cheering crowd of 2,000 in support of better education funding. Just days after the rally, the Arkansas general assembly passed an education funding package to provide for $4,400 pay raises for teachers on average over two years. AEA President Sid Johnson said, “This victory was achieved due to the tremendous efforts of AEA members across the state with the support of a coalition [of public education partners].” “This marks an historic milestone in the annals of Arkansas education.”