Arkansas House Bill HB1990

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/3/25
• Refer: 4/3/25

Caption

To Amend The Law Concerning Higher Education.

Impact

This proposed legislation would initiate a comprehensive study of all courses offered at state-supported institutions of higher education. The objective of this study is to gather critical data on various factors such as the relevance of specific courses to designated majors, student enrollment numbers, production costs, and the overall impact on job placement and earnings post-graduation. Such an approach is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of higher education, ensuring that the resources invested yield tangible benefits for students and the workforce.

Summary

House Bill 1990 aims to amend existing laws related to higher education funding in Arkansas. The bill's primary goal is to ensure that public funds dedicated to state-supported institutions of higher education are utilized efficiently and that they align with the educational objectives outlined in the Arkansas ACCESS Act. This legislative intent highlights the necessity for fiscal responsibility and accountability within the higher education sector, in order to better serve students and the state's educational framework.

Contention

Although the bill presents a pragmatic approach to evaluating higher education, it may raise concerns among educators and administrators regarding the methods of assessment and the potential implications for course offerings. Critics may argue that focusing too heavily on job placement statistics could devalue the importance of liberal arts and other disciplines that do not have a direct economic impact. Moreover, there might be apprehensions about how the findings of the study might influence funding allocations or lead to cuts in programs that are not perceived as economically beneficial, potentially undermining academic diversity.