Distinguished Professor Patrick J. Wolf has been selected to serve on a working subgroup to assist in implementing the Arkansas LEARNS Act.

Wolf, Twenty-First Century Endowed Chair in School Choice and interim head of the U of A Department of Education Reform, will participate in the "Parental Empowerment – Charter School Subgroup," led by Darrell Smith, assistant commissioner of school choice and parent empowerment. Wolf will provide ideas, expertise and feedback regarding the development of rules and policies for LEARNS, which stands for literacy, empowerment, accountability, readiness, networking and safety.

After teaching at Columbia and Georgetown universities, Wolf joined the U of A College of Education and Health Professions in 2006. The mission of the Department of Education Reform is to advance education and economic development by focusing on the improvement of academic achievement in elementary and secondary schools.

Secretary Jacob Oliva wrote in a letter to Wolf that the Arkansas Department of Education received more than 1,200 applications to participate in the working groups.

The group will meet approximately three to five times over the next three months, starting in June. "I'm honored to have been selected to serve on the charter school work group to help implement the governor's historic LEARNS Act. I'll do my best to ensure that the act is carried out in ways that support children, families, schools and communities," Wolf said.

In addition to Wolf's group, there are five others: school safety, early learning, teaching and learning, educator workforce and career readiness.

The working groups also include representatives from area businesses and public, charter, private and parochial schools.

The LEARNS Act, or Act 237 of 2023, became law on March 8.

About the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform: The mission of the Department of Education Reform is to advance education and economic development in Arkansas and nationwide by focusing on the improvement of K-12 schools. The Department of Education Reform is committed to producing and disseminating high-quality research that will inform policymakers, scholars, parents, teachers, administrators and the general public about policies and practices that could improve the performance of schools in Arkansas and nationwide.