Take Your Legislator to School Month

About

Each fall, as Arkansas students prepare to return to the classroom, members of the General Assembly reach out to their local school districts in an effort to build better communication between educators and legislators.

Fast Facts

  • 1054 — Total number of schools in Arkansas
  • 238 — School Districts
  • 479,432 — K-12 Student Enrollment
  • 33,399 — Number of Teachers

Goals

  1. Allow districts to showcase their success
  2. Allow faculty & staff to discuss challenges
  3. Find Solutions

Event Ideas

HCR1008 encourages public school districts to plan special events with their local legislators, such as:

  • Allowing legislators to visit classrooms
  • Inviting legislators to read to students or present as guest lecturers
  • Hold school-sponsored panel discussions in which administrators, teachers, and students discuss issues facing their schools

Find the Legislators Representing Your School District

The Arkansas School Board Association's website provides phone numbers & active emails to: 

  • Arkansas State Representatives
  • Arkansas State Senators
  • Education Committee Members
  • Judiciary Committee Members
  • Revenue & Taxation Committee Members
  • State Agencies & Government Affairs Committee Members.

Meet Your Legislators

History

In the 2015 Regular Session, the Arkansas General Assembly passed HCR1008, the resolution designating September as annual “Take Your Legislator to School Month”.  This bipartisan initiative was motivated by a need for members of the General Assembly to fully understand the issues and challenges facing public schools in their districts, as well as the innovative solutions our educators are developing. 


Frequently Asked Questions

Bills are introduced every session that began when an Arkansan approached their legislator.


In fact, some laws even began as ideas from students.  This video shows a recent example:

Permalink for this answer

Resources

Can you make a difference? It's Recess Time!

Video: Watch how legislation affects everything from highways to recess!

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Can you make a difference? Take a look!

Video: Take a quick look on how an idea can become a bill and then a law.

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Civic Responsibility: Powerpoint

Our Civic Responsibility: Not Doing Anything, Does Something

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Educating Arkansas 2023: PDF

Educating Arkansas 2023: From school lunch to teacher salaries, see how legislation of the 94th General Assembly changes the classroom.

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Educating Arkansas 2023: PowerPoint

Educating Arkansas 2023: From school lunch to teacher salaries, see how legislation of the 94th General Assembly changes the classroom.

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General Assembly of Arkansas: Directory

Directory of Members of the Arkansas General Assembly, 94th Session

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How a Bill Becomes Law - PDF Slides

All bills start as ideas & anyone can have an idea. Use this PDF from the PowerPoint as a handout or for a presentation.

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How a Bill Becomes Law: PowerPoint

All bills start as ideas & anyone can have an idea. Use this PowerPoint for a presentation.

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How a Bill Becomes Law: Video

All bills start as ideas & anyone can have an idea. Use this PowerPoint for a presentation.

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How To Read a Bill with Matthew Miller

How To Read a Bill with Matthew Miller

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Infographic: Arkansas General Assembly

The Arkansas General Assembly is made up of two houses, the House of Representatives (100 members) and the Senate (35 members).

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Infographic: How a Bill Becomes Law

All bills start as ideas & anyone can have an idea. Follow the path from idea to law.

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Infographic: Interim Activities

Every piece of legislation starts with an idea. The interim period between sessions allows legislators to devote their time to research major issues.

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Learn the Terms: Pocket Glossary

The words we use to describe public service may not be in every text book, but they can be found in this easy to print pocket glossary.

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Learn the Terms: Word Search

Constituents are all around us, but can you find one in this word search? Find the terms used every day at the Capitol.

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Learn the Terms: Work Pages

The words we use to describe public service may not be in every text book, but they can be found in this easy to print worksheet glossary.

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Meet Your Arkansas House 94th General Assembly

Find out who makes up your Arkansas House 94th General Assembly

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Quiz: Do you know the Arkansas state symbols?

test your knowledge on some of the Arkansas state symbols.

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Quiz: How well do you know the AR General Assembly?

Test your knowledge of the Arkansas General Assembly.

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Quiz: Pocket Glossary Terms

How many of the terms do you remember from the pocket glossary? Test your knowledge in this quiz.

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Revenue Stabilization Law - PDF Slides

The budget itself is guided by the revenue stabilization act. Use this PDF of the PowerPoint as a handout or for a presentation.

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Revenue Stabilization Law: PowerPoint

The budget itself is guided by the revenue stabilization act. Use this PowerPoint for a presentation.

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State Symbols of Arkansas Coloring Book

You'll need more than just your red, white, and blue crayons to color Arkansas beautiful. Enjoy these easy to print coloring sheets of our state symbols.

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State Symbols of Arkansas: PowerPoint

Enjoy viewing this PowerPoint of Arkansas State Symbols!

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Take Your Legislator to School

In the 2015 Regular Session, the Arkansas General Assembly passed HCR1008, the resolution designating September as annual “Take Your Legislator to School Month”. This bipartisan initiative was motivated by a need for members of the General Assembly to fu

View
The Arkansas Legislature: Black History Month 2022

Celebrate Black History Month 2022 and learn about the former and current members of the Arkansas Legislature who are paving the way for future generations.

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Trailblazers: Black History Month 2022

Celebrate Black History Month and learn about the former and current trailblazers in Arkansas History

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Who Makes Up the 94th General Assembly Arkansas House of Representatives?

Who are the 100 members that make up your Arkansas General Assembly Arkansas House of Representatives?

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Women of Arkansas Coloring Book: #ARgirlslead

Learn about the amazing women who've been trailblazers in Arkansas and across the world!

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Write Your Own Bill

Use the bill template to write your own bill

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News Articles

VIRTUAL OPTIONS FOR “TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO SCHOOL MONTH”
VIRTUAL OPTIONS FOR “TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO SCHOOL MONTH”

Little Rock, Arkansas (August 31, 2020) –As school policies may limit visitors this year, the Arkansas House of Representatives is finding alternate w...

Take Your Legislator to School Begins

Arkansas Legislators to Participate in 4th Annual "Take Your Legislator to School Month"See full News ReleaseLittle Rock, Arkansas (August 8, 2018) –...

Take Your Legislator to School Begins

NEWS RELEASE For more informationCecillea Pond-Mayo (501) 537-9303cecillea.pond-mayo@arkansashouse.org ARKANSAS LEGISLATORS TO PARTICIPATE I...

Take Your Legislator to School Begins

Arkansas Legislators to Participate in 3rd Annual "Take Your Legislator to School Month"See full News ReleaseLittle Rock, Arkansas (August 15, 2017) –...

Take Your Legislator to School

As Arkansas students prepare to return to the classroom, members of the 90th General Assembly are reaching out to their local school districts in an e...