In response to Governor Sander’s Omnibus Executive Order, students expressed their disapproval, through an open letter and two organized and peaceful demonstrations, one of which was a 1000 student walkout of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 3, 2023 [1].
Problems and Purpose
The students of Central High School found an Executive Order, issued by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, problematic, as it included language that: eradicated Advanced Placement (AP) African American History and Critical Race Theory (CRT), opposed free expression of sexual identity, and provided educational vouchers to private schools [3]. The intent of student civil action, in the forms of a hand-delivered and web-published open letter to Governor Sanders and two well-organized and peaceful student demonstrations, where to send their dissenting opinion of the legislation to the Arkansas State leadership [4].
Background History and Context
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued an Executive Order, on her first day in office, January 10, 2023, to prohibit indoctrination and the teaching of critical race theory (CRT), citing a main purpose as, Prohibition Indoctrination Defined, citing precedence of Title IV, Title VI, and the Civil Rights of 1965 (P.L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241) [5]. Arkansas lawmakers took in hours of testimony on the LEARNS bill since it was filed, February 27, 2023 [3]. State representatives voted on an amended bill 78 to 21 [6], to send it to the State Senate, where it passed 26 to 8 [7], and was signed into law on March 8, 2023 by Governor Sanders, as she was surrounded by students from Calvary Academy, a religious-based charter school [4].
Critics have drawn parallels between the school choice policies to the Little Rock School Board actions in the wake of the 1957 desegregation crisis at Central High [3]. “The Lost Year,” as it is called, occurred due to: the shuttering of all four of Little Rock’s public schools, the firing of forty four teachers the school board felt supported integration, and the creation of, so-called, “attendance zones” that allowed, mainly white, students to transfer to schools of their choice [8].
Preceding the Lost Year was the 1954 unanimous Supreme Court Decision of Brown vs. Board of Education, which made it unlawful to segregate schools in the United States. Central High, a previously all white school, selected nine black students to integrate; they became known as The Little Rock Nine. Matching the Arkansas Governor, Orval Faubus’, disapproval of the integration, angry mobs such as the White Citizens’ Council, attempted to prevent the Nine from entering the school. A governor-sanctioned ordering of the National Guard enhanced these efforts to diswage integration. President Dwight Eisenhower interceded, gained control of the national guard, deployed federal troops, and ensured school entry of these black students. The black students were harassed throughout the attempted first integration year. At the end of the school year, in defiance of Federal pressure to integrate the school, the governor shut down all public schools in Little Rock for an entire year, hence the labeling of the Lost Year [9].
The fight to walk into Central High, by these nine brave students, matches the four pillars carved into statues at the front of the gothic-style educational building. These statues mark the inspiration for students the school founders intended in its 1927 dedication. The Little Rock nine strongly influenced the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. and is appropriately matched in symmetry, by the current students, employing their right to free speech and freedom of expression, to walk out of the same school, honoring the same ideals [10].
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Youth activism, in this instance, was sparked and carried out by the student leaders of four collaborating student groups of the Central High Student Council, Little Rock High’s Chapter of the NAACP, and the Young Leftists of Central High. Student leadership co-penned the open letter to Governor Sanders, planned two demonstrations (one on the steps of the Capitol, on the day the letter was delivered, and the 1000 student walkout), and disseminated content and information through one-to-one discussions and on social media [1].
School Administrative figures, Dr. Jermall Wright, Little Rock School District Superintendent, and Principal of Central High School, Nancy Rousseau, joined numerous teachers at the approved demonstration and reflected that it was peaceful and important, serving as a singular and unique educational opportunity. The school administration took steps to increase police presence and security of the event, securing the entire front lawn and monitoring the entrances and exits to the school [3]. No information was available on funding; it is assumed that the students were funded by their student organization budgets.
By disseminating content, context, and action purposes on their social media platforms, various community driven organizations, aiming to foster quality education for Arkansas students, supported the student driven endeavor. The leading organizations have been identified as: Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES), Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF), Little Rock County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Little Rock Education Association (LREA), and For AR People [Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok].
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Of the 2500 students that attend Central high, all were openly invited to participate through one-to-one conversations and sharing of concern, content, and event details across social media. Student social media accounts reach across various platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. Generative hashtags, such as #SAYNOTOLEARNS, attracted national attention to the issue. Though not participants in the demonstration: journalists, interested stakeholders, curious community members, and concerned parents attended the event [11]. No information was available on if students were offered any type of enticement for participation.
Methods and Tools Used
The student organizers utilized social media to spread their message, recruit support for the Capitol demonstration and the student walkout, and encourage parents, students, and alumni to sign onto the open letter. Fifty students were recruited for the demonstration on the steps of the Capitol, 1000 students for the seventeen minute walk out, and over 2000 signatures were added to the letter to the governor.
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
In response to the initial Executive Order, furthered to State Bill 294, hereafter referred to as the LEARNS Act, the students of Central High expressed their strong disapproval of the omnibus legislation. The legislation limited the educational opportunities of students studying Advanced Placement (AP) African American History, as it was suggested to indoctrinate students with the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Further, it prohibited student free expression of gender. The language also limited teachers’ abilities to prepare them for real world interactions and solution creation. Finally, it also included a voucher system that would challenge equal opportunity and access to quality education in public schools [12].
Their disapproval was communicated, in the spirit of participatory democracy, by outlining the reasoning of complaints in a student-written letter to the governor. In the web-published letter to Sanders, on Action Network, were embedded links to student, community action organizations, and parent social media accounts, hosting information regarding the upcoming demonstrations and actions. The platform of Action Network allowed them to gather 2000 signatures from parents, alumni, and students in opposition to the LEARNS Act [18]. Following the hand delivery, March 3, 2023, to the governor, fifty Central High students gathered in demonstration on the steps of the Capitol, physically demonstrating dissent [4].
The walk out, on March 3, 2023 at 10:00am CT [10], was well-organized, peaceful, and approved by the Administration of Central High. Dressed in all black, the students demonstrated their opposition to the bill. Their intent to uphold the four main ideals of Central High, Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ alma mater, drew direct comparison and contradiction to the legislation. Speaking to the press and through student-led speeches, student leaders reflected upon Central High’s place in history and its importance to the Civil Rights movement, as it famously integrated black students into a previous all-white school [2]. One Thousand students participated in the unpunishable student walkout. They observed seventeen minutes of demonstration, one symbolic moment for each member of the Parkland shooting; during which they offered speeches, lead chants, and spoke to the press. At the end of their time, before returning to their classrooms, seventeen white balloons were released [10].
The open letter and demonstrations connected their content directly to the governor, state and local legislators, and the public at large [17]. These events were widely covered across Arkansas media outlets and made national U.S. news. A Google search, conducted on November 20, 2023 by Shannon Kenney, using “Arkansas’ and “LEARNS Act” in the search generated over 221,000,000 results; the search displayed national, state and local media pieces, opinion pieces, websites, blogs, and links to social media content on the topic [22].
Though student recommendations were hand-delivered to the governor’s office, they were not accepted by the Sanders’ administration, the dissent sparked leaders, such as former gubernatorial challenger, Chris Jones, as well as community education organizations (Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES), Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (AACF), Little Rock County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Little Rock Education Association (LREA), and For AR People) to continue the debate about the LEARNS Act [18].
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Strong student interest and participation was evident: a student leader reflected that he expected a strong turn out for the event, as 700 students had RSVP’d online via social media invitation. In reflection, he was pleased to experience nearly 50% more than expected participation [2].
The event had no immediate influence over legislation alteration; however, the national attention triggered significant political and judicial discourse on its validity as law and debate over its merit [22]. After the demonstration, efforts were made, by organizers from Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES), to stop the LEARNS Act from going into effect; a June 30, 2023 ruling, by the Pulaski County Circuit Court, declared the LEARNS Act invalid, due to the manner in which the emergency clause was passed by state legislature. However, the effort to stop the Arkansas LEARNS Act was dismissed by the Arkansas Supreme Court on October 12, 2023 [21].
The written dissent and demonstrations reached beyond the students of Central High: the student civil action reached Arkansas citizenry, state leadership, as well as citizens and policy makers across the nation. Kenney suggested that legislative outcomes, due to citizen engagement, may be difficult to measure in the short term and more visible in the long term changes in leadership. She furthered the point, by positing that the student action may have more long term influence on the policy by its spurring of political and judicial debate. Further, as high school students, they are approaching voting age; their civil engagement may inspire them to participate in future local, state, and federal elections: beyond theory, this process of civil action may have taught them that elections have consequences. In addition, Kenney reflected on the influence wide national media may have had on and given traction to the attempted legal appeal of LEARNS, by drawing significant attention and spurring conversation [22]. More Democratic challengers entered races in Arkansas, with qualified candidates, than any year previous to when Arkansas Democrats held the majority. These challenges included seven senate races, enough to break the supermajority [19]. In addition, one Central High student, Grant Smith, was inspired to be the Democratic candidate for Arkansas State Representative, District 77 [13].
Analysis and Lessons Learned
Student action, written and physical disapproval, drew national attention; as such, it spurred debate over the Executive Order and subsequent LEARNS Act [22]. Sponsored by the NAACP, former Democratic candidate for Arkansas governor, Chris Jones, and State Representative, Denise Garner, spared in a September 2023 forum on state education, focusing on the LEARNS Act. Jones spoke in support of the student walk out, demonstrations, and open letter; he cited that their actions were in peaceful opposition to legislation that would harm their educational experience. His analysis continued with debate over the LEARNS Act’s non-transparent appearance; he argued that it was posed as a law to improve educational standards, by requiring schools to compete for funding via an educational ranking system: however, he clarified that LEARNS actually offers more barriers than opportunities for students in economically disadvantaged areas, urban and rural. He furthered his point by noting that many barriers to opportunity exist because of financial disadvantage: this legislation promotes charter institutions, which advances white-economically advantaged students, versus prompting universal improvement. He argued that students are more prepared for real life when they are given the opportunity to freely express themselves, interact with students and educators from various economic and racial standpoints, and learn from teachers who do not have their voices stifled by policy [23]. Finally, the debate over AP African American History remains ongoing, AP program syllabus and course materials have been demanded by the Arkansas Department of Education, for review, out of concern that they are in opposition to the law [15]. We will learn more as outcomes become public [20].
See Also
March for Our Lives: Washington D.C., 2018, https://participedia.net/case/12302.
White Citizens' Council (Council of Conservative Citizens) https://participedia.net/organization/310.
University of Arkansas Town Hall on Race Relations https://participedia.net/case/7996.
Twitter Campaign Successfully Removes Confederate Statues in Memphis Parks https://participedia.net/case/8114.
George Floyd Protests https://participedia.net/case/6590
References
[1] Vrbin, T., (March 3, 2023). Little Rock Central students protest alumna Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ legislative agenda. Arkansas Advocate. https://arkansasadvocate.com/2023/03/03/little-rock-central-high-students-protest-alumna-sarah-huckabee-sanders-legislative-agenda/#:~:text=Students%20published%20an%20open%20letter,the%20school%20and%20its%20students.
[2] Bailey, A., & Coop, G., (March 3, 2023, 3:18 pm CT). More than 1000 Students Poured Down Central High’s Front Steps. Arkansas Times. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/03/03/slideshow-more-than-1000-students-poured-down-central-highs-iconic-front-steps-to-protest-arkansas-learns-bill.
[3] Breen, D., (March 3, 2023)., Arkansas Learns Bill, UALR Radio, KUAR. https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-03/little-rock-central-high-students-protest-arkansas-learns-bill.
[4] Lenora, J., (March 9, 2023, 6:32pm CT). Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs LEARNS bill into law students protest, UALR Public Radio, KUAR, https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-09/gov-sarah-huckabee-sanders-signs-learns-bill-into-law-students-protest
[5] Arkansas Governor’s Executive Order to Prevent Indoctrination and Teaching of Critical Race Theory (January 12, 2023). EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROHIBIT INDOCTRINATION AND CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN SCHOOLS - Arkansas Governor - Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
[6] Eichkohn, P., (March 3, 2023 at 4:17pm CT). Over 1,000 Little Rock Central High students walk out to protest LEARNS bill. Arkansas Democrat Gazette. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/mar/03/over-1000-little-rock-central-high-students-walk-out-to-protest-learns-bill/.
[7] Earley, N., (March 7, 2023, 4:11pm CT). Senate approves Sanders' Arkansas LEARNS Act; education bill on its way to governor's desk Plan to overhaul education nears finish line. Arkansas Democrat Gazette. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/mar/07/sanders-amended-education-bill-heads-back-to-full/#:~:text=The%20Senate%20voted%2026%2D8,the%20House%20made%20last%20week.
[8] Logan, E., (February 28, 20183:30 PM ET). From Little Rock to Parkland: A Brief History of Youth Activism, NPR ED, https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/02/28/587933123/from-little-rock-to-parkland-a-brief-history-of-youth-activism
[9] Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, (2023). Central High School, 1927 to today. https://www.nps.gov/chsc/index.html.
[10] Wren, I., (March 15, 2023). Central High School Walked Out in the Footsteps of the Little Rock Nine, NPR. https://www.npr.org/2018/03/15/593753335/central-high-school-walked-out-in-the-footsteps-of-the-little-rock-9
[11] #SAYNOTOLEARNS. (April 27 at 6:00 PM CT). https://x.com/ErnieQuirk2/status/1649175174363619331?s=20
[12] Millar, A., (March 1, 2023, 10:47 am CT), Central High students ask Gov. Sanders to stop invoking school in political speeches. Arkansas Times. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2023/03/01/central-high-students-ask-gov-sanders-to-quit-invoking-school-in-political-speeches
[13] Smith, G., @grant4arkansas. Democratic candidate for AR State Representative District 77. https://twitter.com/grant4arkansas.
[14] Williams, A., (May 9, 2023). The Ramifications of the Arkansas LEARNS Act for Public Schools in Poor and Rural Counties. The Arkansas Journal of Social Change and Public Service. https://ualr.edu/socialchange/2023/05/09/the-ramifications-of-the-arkansas-learns-act-for-public-schools-in-poor-and-rural communities/#:~:text=At%20first%20glance%2C%20the%20legislation,from%20poor%20and%20rural%20communities.
[15] Field, H., (August 22, 2023). Arkansas Ed secretary raises concerns, requests AP African American coursework, UALR Radio, KUAR. https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-08-22/arkansas-ed-secretary-raises-concerns-requests-ap-african-american-coursework
[16] Cathey, L. (2023, March 3). Little Rock Central students walk out in protest of Gov. Sarah Sanders education bill. ABC News. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rock-central-students-walk-protest-gov-sarah-sanders/story?id=97589399
[17] Jackson, B., McCuien, A., & Quirk, E. (2023, March 3). Little Rock Central High Students, Alumni, Teachers, and Parents Stand Against Governor Sanders' Invocation of Our School. Action Network. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://actionnetwork.org/forms/little-rock-central-high-students-alumni-teachers-and-parents-stand-against-governor-sanders-invocation-of-our-school?source=direct_link&
[18] Norvell, M. (n.d.). Chris Jones (@JonesForAR). X.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://twitter.com/JonesForAR
[19] Jones, C., & Watson, W. (2023, November 14). Chris Jones on X: "Let’s go! 🐝🦾". X.com. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://twitter.com/JonesForAR/status/1724480344609399190
[20] Jackson, B., McCuien, A., & Quirk, E. (2023, March 3). Little Rock Central High Students, Alumni, Teachers, and Parents Stand Against Governor Sanders' Invocation of Our School. Action Network. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://actionnetwork.org/forms/little-rock-central-high-students-alumni-teachers-and-parents-stand-against-governor-sanders-invocation-of-our-school?source=direct_link&
[21] Ryan, M. (2023, October 12). Arkansas Supreme Court dismisses LEARNS Act lawsuit. Little Rock Public Radio. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-10-12/arkansas-supreme-court-dismisses-learns-act-lawsuit
[22] Kenney, S. P. (2023, November 20). Civil, Civil Action - Students of Central High Demonstrate in Opposition to Sanders' Heavy Hand on Their Books. Unpublished Manuscript. Last Modified November 20, 2023. Microsoft Word File.
[23] Gaspeny, A. (2023, September 1). Garner, Jones address forum on LEARNS Act | Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved November 20, 2023, from https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/sep/01/garner-jones-address-forum-on-learns-act/
External Links
Arkansas Governor’s Executive Order to Prevent Indoctrination and Teaching of Critical Race Theory https://governor.arkansas.gov/executive_orders/executive-order-to-prohibit-indoctrination-and-critical-race-theory-in-schools/
LEARNS Act https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2023R%2FPublic%2FSB294.pdf
Open Letter to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders from the students of Little Rock Central High, (March 1, 2023) https://actionnetwork.org/forms/little-rock-central-high-students-alumni-teachers-and-parents-stand-against-governor-sanders-invocation-of-our-school?source=direct_link&
Footage of orderly student walkout at Central High https://twitter.com/search?q=Central%20High%20Walk%20OUt&src=typed_query&f=top&lf=on https://twitter.com/SwaimLauren videographer
Chris Jones Twitter Feed https://twitter.com/JonesForAR
Garner, Jones address forum on LEARNS Act https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/sep/01/garner-jones-address-forum-on-learns-act/
Notes
The first version of this case entry was written by Shannon Kenney, a Master of Public Service candidate at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, and then edited. The views expressed in the entry are those of the authors, editors, or cited sources, and are not necessarily those of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.