Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the largest organizational changes we can expect from this bill?
ACCESS created the most comprehensive higher education overhaul by enhancing opportunities for acceleration, utilizing a common sense approach, ensuring costs are aligned, simplifying eligibility for admission, broadening scholarship opportunities, and standardizing processes for institutions across the state.
What are some of the most impactful ways ACCESS will improve the education system?
It will improve the system by aligning the system with the governor’s goal for every high school student in Arkansas to be either employed, enrolled, or enlisted.
What parts of ACCESS will take effect immediately and what will require rules and regulations? What timeline can we expect?
Much of the act will require the Division of Higher Education to promulgate rules. Where there is ambiguity, the division will be required to update coordinating board policies. Some changes will be immediate; others will take time. Throughout the next year, rules will be fully implemented, and policies should reflect the necessary changes.
Will ACCESS help align industry and education? How does this bill address the skills gap that many Arkansas businesses have identified?
Yes, Arkansas is one of only a handful of states that offer scholarships to students seeking a skilled credential that is not for academic credit. This gives not only traditional students a chance to gain valuable skills necessary for today’s workforce, but also for adult learners to return for upskilling.
Through the improvements created by ACCESS, students will be encouraged to accelerate their path to enrollment, enlistment, or employment, and institutions will be encouraged to offer degrees that ensure the highest chance of postgraduation success and prosperity for students and families.
How might ACCESS affect enrollment across different types of higher education institutions in the state?
By expanding scholarship opportunities and implementing a direct admission program, the governor aims to enhance transparency, streamline the enrollment process, and increase participation rates.
How do you anticipate this affecting Arkansas’ ability to retain college graduates within the state workforce?
By making higher education more accessible and affordable, Arkansas can encourage more students to continue their studies, increasing the likelihood that they will build careers and lives here after graduation. With clearer pathways from education to employment, including scholarship incentives and direct admissions, the state can better align workforce needs with local talent, ultimately strengthening its economy and retaining skilled professionals.
Additionally, Arkansas offers a high quality of life, affordable living costs, and growing industries, making it an attractive place for graduates to establish long-term careers and families.
How would you describe ACCESS in simple terms for someone who is not familiar with it?
ACCESS is a common sense approach for improving the entire education and employment ecosystem. It aligns K-12 districts, higher education, and employment and military opportunities.
Why is ACCESS important for the state?
Arkansans need more opportunities to prosper. A more highly educated population increases economic prosperity, but it also has societal benefits such as citizens who are living happier and healthier lives.
Have there been any concerns about ACCESS and how those concerns will be addressed?
There were a few concerns at first, which is to be expected. Fortunately, Governor Sanders and the bill sponsors met with constituents to hear their issues and made modifications that ultimately made the bill what it is. The bill has changed some expectations for our institutions of higher education. They are ready to accept the challenge and realize once ACCESS is fully implemented, it will be a huge win for Arkansas.
How will ACCESS affect university funding?
ACCESS will impact university funding by introducing a metric to assess the return on investment (ROI) of academic programs. This means funding decisions may increasingly consider factors such as graduate employment rates, post-graduation earnings, and workforce alignment to ensure state higher education resources are directed toward high-value programs.
Additionally, ACCESS expands the focus on non-credit workforce training, encouraging institutions to track the success of these programs based on metrics like job placement rates, industry partnerships, and enrollment growth in short-term credential programs. While overall funding structures remain intact, these added performance measures could influence program development and resource allocation over time.