Rural and low-income schools

The Department of Education Arkansas received a $3.49M formula grant from the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Rural Education program (CFDA 84.358) effective July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award supports the Rural and Low-Income School (RLIS) program, which provides financial assistance to rural school districts to improve teaching and learning quality. As the state educational agency (SEA), Arkansas will distribute these funds to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) that meet specified rural and low-income criteria, supporting activities designed to enhance educational resources, infrastructure, and instructional capabilities in underserved communities.

Under the RLIS program parameters, Arkansas must allocate the grant funds to LEAs where at least 20 percent of school-age children come from families below the poverty line and schools meet designated rural locale classifications. The state may distribute funds through either formula-based or competitive mechanisms to support direct educational services, professional development, instructional materials, student support services, and infrastructure improvements benefiting rural and economically disadvantaged student populations across Arkansas.