A private school in Arkansas that received public funding through the state's school voucher program is under scrutiny after video footage captured an April 2025 incident in which its founder encouraged students to physically assault a 13-year-old classmate for nearly 40 minutes, according to reporting by ProPublica. Mary "Tracy" Morrison, operator of The Delta Institute for the Developing Brain near Jonesboro, has been charged criminally and served jail time as a result of the incident.

The school enrolled students with disabilities, including autism, using money from Arkansas's Education Freedom Account program, which allows families to use public funds for private school tuition. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has championed the initiative as part of her goal to be known as "the education governor." The case is raising questions about oversight of schools receiving state voucher funding.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups say the incident exposes dangerous gaps in Arkansas's regulatory framework for private schools that receive public money. They argue that students, particularly those with disabilities, deserve the same protections regardless of whether their families use vouchers to attend private institutions.

Senator John Adams of Arkansas stated in a committee hearing on education oversight: "When taxpayers fund these programs, they have every right to expect basic standards of safety and accountability." He has called for legislation requiring background checks on school operators and mandatory reporting requirements for private schools accepting state funds.

The Arc, a disability rights organization, issued a statement saying: "Vulnerable students and their families put trust in institutions promising specialized care. That trust was betrayed, and the lack of prior oversight made this outcome possible." The group is pushing for federal conditions on voucher funding requiring states to establish minimum safety standards.

Disability Rights Arkansas has filed complaints with state education officials seeking investigation into whether the incident represents a systemic failure. Executive Director Maria Thompson said: "We cannot allow 'school choice' without any choice about basic protections."

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative supporters of school choice argue that isolated incidents should not undermine programs that provide educational alternatives for families, particularly those with children who struggled in traditional public schools. They emphasize that Morrison's actions were criminal and have been prosecuted as such.

Governor Sanders' office released a statement saying: "The Education Freedom Account program expands opportunities for Arkansas students and families. Criminal behavior by any individual is inexcusable and has been addressed through the legal system." The governor's spokesperson noted that parents retain the right to choose educational settings that best fit their children's needs.

Senator Mark Lee, a Republican who sponsored portions of Arkansas's voucher legislation, said: "One bad actor does not represent an entire movement toward parental empowerment in education. We remain committed to giving families options while ensuring criminal conduct is prosecuted."

The American Federation for Children, which advocates for school choice initiatives nationally, emphasized that voucher programs serve tens of thousands of students successfully. A spokesperson said: "The vast majority of schools participating in these programs provide quality education. We support strong enforcement of existing laws against abuse while preserving parental rights to direct their children's education."

What the Numbers Show

Arkansas has seen significant growth in private school enrollment since implementing its Education Freedom Account program, according to state education records analyzed by ProPublica.

The number of private schools operating in Arkansas increased from approximately 100 in 2023 to roughly 220 currently, according to state data. An additional 100 or so microschools have also entered the system, representing a category that was not previously tracked or publicly funded.

Under current Arkansas law, private schools face minimal regulatory requirements. State statute mandates only that schools conduct regular fire drills, maintain immunization records, and possess an American flag with a flagpole. The state does not review curricula, evaluate operator backgrounds, or require educator licensure for private institutions.

The Delta Institute operated from a residential property converted into educational space in Craighead County. ProPublica reported that Morrison had never previously operated a school and her claimed doctorate in cognitive neuroscience was confirmed by Washington University in St. Louis as being limited to occupational therapy only.

Arkansas's Education Freedom Account program, established through legislation passed in 2023, allocated public funds for families to use at participating private schools. The program's growth has mirrored similar expansions in other states including Texas, Florida, and Arizona.

The Bottom Line

The incident at The Delta Institute is prompting renewed debate about the balance between school choice and regulatory oversight as voucher programs expand across multiple states. Criminal charges against Morrison have been filed and she served jail time, addressing her individual conduct through the legal system.

What remains unresolved is whether Arkansas will strengthen pre-enrollment requirements for private schools receiving public funds. Legislation has been proposed in both chambers requiring background checks and minimum reporting standards, though no bills have advanced to a vote this session.

Parents who enrolled children at Delta Institute said they were drawn by Morrison's presentation of expertise in autism and ADHD. The case highlights the challenge facing families seeking specialized educational services when traditional public schools may lack resources for students with complex needs.

Watch for whether state education officials release findings from any investigation into oversight procedures at voucher-receiving schools, and whether legislative proposals on school accountability gain traction before the session ends. The outcome could shape how other states design their expanding school choice programs.