LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Tuesday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva announced that 3,000 teachers will be the recipients of the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, giving up to $10,000 in bonuses to these educators. The bonus program was established through the LEARNS Act and awards educators with bonuses ranging from $1,500 all the way up to $10,000 and will be made available for distribution by the end of the month. Qualifying teachers demonstrated outstanding growth in student performance, served as a mentor to aspiring teachers who participated in yearlong residencies, and/or taught in a subject, geographical, or designation area experiencing a critical teacher shortage. 

Governor Sanders signed the LEARNS Act into law last March, raising starting teacher salaries from $36,000 to $50,000 – from 48th in the nation to first when adjusted for cost of living – providing up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for teachers, and launching the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program. 

“Great education starts with great teachers. That’s why one of my first acts as governor was to raise teacher pay across the board and reward our best educators,” said Governor Sanders. “This year’s merit bonuses will incentivize teachers to continue tackling our state’s toughest assignments and help every Arkansas student thrive.”

“We know for a fact that the teacher in the classroom has the biggest impact on student learning,” Secretary Oliva said. “The best educators deserve recognition for their excellence, and we are proud to recognize these educators for demonstrating a commitment to learning and ensuring their students succeed in the future.”

To identify recipients, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education used data collected through the Statewide Information System, the Educator Effectiveness System, the Arkansas Educator Licensure System, and student state assessment data.

For more details regarding districts where teachers received merit pay bonuses, please visit learns.ade.arkansas.gov.