A report from the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy suggests that the state's teacher retention rate for the next school year has remained below pre-pandemic levels. About 87% of teachers remained in the profession for the second consecutive year, a decrease from 89-90% before the pandemic. The report suggests that this may be the "new normal" as fewer teachers are leaving schools and increased teacher salaries may increase retention rates in rural areas. The LEARNS Act of 2023 raised the minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000, and larger districts have since paid more based on experience and education.