Former Democratic state Sen. Linda Chesterfield spoke to lawmakers about the sweeping higher education legislation known as Arkansas ACCESS Monday.
Chesterfield, who previously served as a state lawmaker for over two decades, re-introduced herself as the Education Liaison for Pulaski County. She said her new responsibilities include establishing relationships between public schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the county, in order to “take advantage” of new funding provided through ACCESS.
Chesterfield told members of the Legislative Black Caucus she has concerns about parts of the 122-page higher education bill, but first addressed parts of ACCESS she said could offer a significant boost to students.
Section 11 of the bill increases the weight of concurrent courses, which are college-level classes taken alongside high school classes, in a student’s GPA. Under ACCESS, these concurrent courses would be comparable to advanced placement (AP) courses. That change is important, Chesterfield said, and would allow students to earn college credits earlier.
“So many of our children when they're in their senior year won’t take any course at all because they don’t want their GPA impacted one way or another. But by increasing the weight for the concurrent course you’ll allow more of our students to finish college,” Chesterfield said. “And it is our great hope that they’re going to finish [high school] with an associate's degree or a certification.”
She added, if students are motivated to get a certificate or degree before they graduate from high school, more industries will be attracted to the state.
Chesterfield said she is fighting for Pulaski County to be one of the most “workforce-ready” counties in Arkansas and the United States.
Chesterfield then praised ACCESS’ increase in funding for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, which would raise the initial award from $1,000 to $2,000.
“I think it’s important that we continue to emphasize the need for our children to continue to take advantage of the monies that are there,” said Chesterfield, noting the state has multiple scholarship programs that are under-utilized by eligible students.
Chesterfield called higher education funding one of the “best-kept secrets in the world.”
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Chesterfield said the funding in ACCESS could give HBCU’s a chance at more financial security.
“To me it is important that those concurrent courses be taught through some of these institutions, which would allow them to be more economically stable and also allow our children to get what they need as far as certifications or associate’s degrees,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is get the word out.”
Chesterfield also addressed section 23 of ACCESS which forbids public schools to excuse absences for students who miss classes to participate in protests, advocacy work, or to “influence legislation or other governmental policy-making.”
Chesterfield reflected on her days as a social studies teacher, saying she encouraged her students to get as much information as possible. She said this part of the bill could have a chilling effect on students’ political engagement.
“We have young people who have the audacity – and I think that’s a good word, the audacity – to come to us and say ‘this is what’s troubling us, this is what we would like you for you to do,’ and their voices ought to be heard,” Chesterfield said.
“By saying that in essence they will be punished if they walk out, if they decide they are going to peaceably assemble, if they’re going to petition, if they’re going to engage in free speech, that’s a problem for me.”
Arkansas ACCESS was filed as Senate Bill 246 in mid-February. As of Monday evening, it has yet to be scheduled for discussion on a committee agenda.
