Arkansas’s Paid Maternity Leave Expansion for Teachers Earns National Recognition from NCTQ
The National Council on Teacher Quality applauds policy in latest study
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 12, 2026) – Today, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) released a case study highlighting Arkansas’s expanded paid maternity leave policy for public school and charter school employees. The study, titled “The Natural State Delivers: How Arkansas Turned a Quiet Provision into a Landmark Paid Leave Policy,” showcases how bipartisan, pro-family policymaking helped Arkansas strengthen support for teachers and their families.
Originally introduced as a provision within the 2023 LEARNS Act using an optional cost-sharing model, Arkansas’s paid maternity leave for teachers was significantly expanded in 2025 through Act 904. Championed by Representative Andrew Collins (D) and co-sponsored by Senator Breanne Davis (R) with the support of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), the updated law transformed the previous model into a fully state-funded benefit available to all eligible full-time public and charter school employees.
“Paid maternity leave was one of the best outcomes of the LEARNS Act, and when we looked at the numbers, it was clear this was a smart investment,” said Rep. Collins. “With bipartisan support and a responsible design, Arkansas created an affordable, scalable policy that helps keep great educators in our state.”
“We were able to create a fully state-funded benefit that gives teachers the time they need to recover, bond with their children and return to the classroom ready to succeed,” Sen. Davis added. “Giving them real time with their newborns is one simple way we show that Arkansas is committed to teachers, families and work-life balance.”
Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM), a supporting advocacy partner, applauded the case study for highlighting how maternal health, workforce stability and family-centered policies intersect to strengthen Arkansas communities.
“We were proud to support policymakers on this effort and are grateful to see Arkansas recognized as a national example of family-first policy done right,” said Ashley Bearden Campbell, executive director of AIM.
The NCTQ case study emphasizes that Arkansas’s approach is both affordable and scalable. The Arkansas Department of Education determined the program could be fully supported with existing resources, given the limited participation under the original cost-sharing model.
“As states across the country explore ways to strengthen their teacher pipelines and better support working parents, Arkansas’s experience offers a compelling roadmap: family-first policy, bipartisan collaboration and fiscally responsible design can deliver tangible and lasting change,” said Bearden Campbell.
About AIM
Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM) is a nonprofit organization that strives to raise public awareness, cultivate champions for change and spur action around the issue of maternal health in Arkansas. The organization advocates for policies to address existing gaps in maternal health care – before, during and after pregnancy – and create an environment where every mother and baby have the opportunity to thrive. AIM believes that strengthening maternal health care in Arkansas will have long-term benefits for Arkansas families, communities and the economy. For more information, visit AIMforArkansas.org.
About the National Council on Teacher Quality
NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. The organization believes a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities. For more information visit NCQT.org.