We testified in the K-12 Education Budget Committee hearing yesterday on a bill (HB 2594) to create a new task force to study education funding in preparation for the sunset of the current formula in 2027 and to abolish the current special education task force. We and other conferees opposed abolishing the SPED task force and supported adding other people with more expertise in school finance and different perspectives. Rep. Estes asked a follow up question bristling at the implication that the legislators, some of whom are former teachers, school board members and administrators lack expertise. We think...
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Public education advocates oppose elimination of special ed task force
“Public education advocates on Monday voiced their opposition to a proposal that would eliminate a task force charged with studying how special education can be better funded. “The special education task force, created by the Legislature last year, met once but only after there was an effort undertaken to force a meeting. “Under the bill, the special education task force would be replaced by a new panel that would be required to review the current state school finance formula and make recommendations before it lapses in January 2027. “The House K-12 Education Budget Committee heard testimony on the...
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Leave a Comment Tell Congress to Vote No on Tax Credit Vouchers
We focus on state issues, but federal issues affect Kansas school funding and policy. Make sure our US Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and your US Representative Sharice Davids, Ron Estes, Tracey Mann or Jake LaTurner )depending on which district you’re in) hear from you. Here’s an alert on vouchers like our current tax credit “scholarship.” The federal shortfall on funding special education is also a problem. You can send this form, or draft your own email and send. They all have email forms on their webpages. Follow link here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-no-federal-vouchers-not-now-not-ever?fbclid=IwAR3ogUQYH6wq30k1KSX_FjxC6Y_te1Az8bTHenEfxC8eimPLactCLkfvQ0Y Published on Facebook on Jan. 29th,...
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Leave a Comment Tax dollars are wasted in states with school vouchers
Look at the reality, not the talking points. Multiple Kansas legislators and the dark money that funds them want to bring these deeply flawed voucher programs here. “Indiana is a tragic example of a state that started a voucher program aimed at low-income families, but now gives vouchers worth about $6,000 per child to families with incomes up to $220,000 per year. Most voucher recipients were already attending private schools before government swooped in and forced taxpayers to cover those costs. “Likewise, Florida now offers taxpayer-funded $8,000 private school vouchers to every school-aged kid, regardless of family income....
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