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Little Rock Launches Campaign to Erase Student Meal Debt as Academic Gains Continue

The Little Rock School District and city officials are seeking public donations to address unpaid meal balances, following notable improvements in elementary school performance under a revised grading system.

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Overview

  • The Little Rock School District (LRSD) and City of Little Rock have initiated a public donation drive to pay off students' unpaid meal debts.
  • Officials confirmed that LRSD students have accrued significant meal debt, prompting the collaborative fundraising effort.
  • Nearly 23% of LRSD schools improved their state-assigned letter grades between 2023 and 2024 under Arkansas' updated grading formula.
  • Elementary schools in the district have shown measurable growth, attributed to instructional adjustments aligned with the new accountability measures.
  • The initiative highlights a joint effort by district and city leaders to address financial barriers while sustaining academic progress.