The move follows calls by lawmakers from both parties to raise the starting pay, which is one of the lowest in the country. Sanders’ proposal calls for raising starting teacher salaries in the state from $36,000 a year to $50,000.

“The longer we wait to reform our failing schools, the more future generations we’re condemning to a lifetime of poverty.”

“This is the most substantial overhaul of our state’s education system in Arkansas history, and frankly, it couldn’t come soon enough,” Sanders said at a news conference at the state Capitol with Republican lawmakers. Sanders outlined the details of the legislation a day after the former White House press secretary delivered the Republican rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address. Sanders also said the bill, which she’s called her priority in this year’s legislative session, will include limits on how race and sex are taught in schools. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed on Wednesday an overhaul of the state’s schools that will pair a 39% raise in starting teacher pay with a new voucher program that will direct public money to pay for private and homeschooling.

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