The "Raising Arkansas's Investment in Schools and Educators (RAISE) Act of 2023" is a legislative measure aimed at increasing funding for teacher salaries and educator compensation in Arkansas for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The bill appropriates $350 million for raises for all teachers and an additional $30 million for grants to support school districts that are currently below the statutory minimum salary schedule. The act mandates that all full-time equivalent teachers receive a raise of $10,000, and it establishes a sub-fund to ensure that all educators achieve a minimum annual salary of $50,000 by June 30, 2024.

In addition to the funding provisions, the bill amends existing definitions and salary schedules within Arkansas law. It expands the definition of "teacher" to include curriculum specialists and instructional facilitators, while also updating the minimum salary schedule for teachers to reflect new compensation levels for the 2023-2024 school year. The act includes an emergency clause to ensure its immediate implementation, recognizing the urgency of providing these funds for the effective operation of educational programs in the state.

Statutes affected:
HB 1268: 6-17-2403(b), 6-17-2402(3), 6-20-2210