Education

Public schools were established in Arkansas by legislation passed in 1868. The state department of education is headed by a director, appointed by the state board of education and approved by the governor. School attendance is compulsory for children aged 5 to 17.

The University of Arkansas, a land-grant institution, was founded as Arkansas Industrial University in 1871. The present name was adopted in 1899. The main campus is at Fayetteville. There are branch campuses at Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Monticello. Also at Little Rock is the Medical Sciences Campus. The Graduate Institute of Technology is on the Little Rock campus.