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State underfunds special education by $173 million; Kansas districts transferring millions to cover state shortfall

“The Legislature’s own research department said that in the current fiscal year, schools are being shorted $173 million from covering the 92% of statewide excess costs as the law calls for. That was also the figure cited by the Kansas State Department of Education. SPED services are mandatory, and the federal government and Kansas legislature need to fund it. Underfunding SPED hurts all students. #fullyfundsped Districts are sharing information on SPED costs. Click on the link below to see the real impact of special education funding and shortfalls for multiple districts in the state: https://www.facebook.com/reel/787833249837327 Use the search...
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Action Alert- Tell Kansas Senators to Vote Against Harmful Voucher Bill

Contact your Senator and urge them to oppose SB 509! The Senate Tax Committee lightly amended and passed out SB 509, a per child refundable tax credit (meaning you can get more in the credit than you pay in taxes). Game On testified against this bill last week. (See Game On testimony in comments below.) This bill could get incorporated into the Senate budget or go to the Senate floor any time. Talking points you may wish to use: *People may choose not to send their children to public schools but they are not entitled to a rebate...
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Idaho rejects private school tax credit; Kansas tax committee instead approves similar policy

This Idaho tax committee had the good sense to vote down a tax credit for private school families. We wish the Kansas Senate tax committee had rejected SB 509. “Robert Sanchez, a vice president with Idaho Business for Education, said he anticipates most people who would apply for such a tax credit would already be sending their kids to private school. “‘This would have the effect of forcing Idaho taxpayers to fund a new and private school system,’ Sanchez said. “Data from states that have similar tax credit or school voucher systems bears that out. “A study from...
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Exploding Costs of Voucher Programs for State Budgets

From Josh Cowen: It’s simple: states can’t afford to pay for budget-busting school vouchers. Don’t buy industry-funded reassurances or the short-term gimmicks put in by voucher lobbyists to push bills through. With vouchers it’s always over-cost, under-deliver. Originally published on Facebook on March 13th, 2024....
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