This piece is more “academic” but worth the read for its overall conclusions, critique of oft-cited Hanushek and discussion of merit pay, class sizes and charters. “Many of the ways in which schools currently spend money do improve student outcomes. “When schools have more money, they have greater opportunity to spend productively. When they don’t, they can’t. “Arguments that across-the-board budget cuts will not hurt outcomes are completely unfounded. “In short, money matters, resources that cost money matter, and a more equitable distribution of school funding can improve outcomes. Policymakers would be well-advised to rely on high-quality research...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Hervey County perspective on district consolidation bill
“’Your big savings is consolidating buildings, and there is not a single building (in Harvey County) that can absorb everyone’s students at this time,’ Alstrom said. ‘… (With this proposal) Your savings will come in firing four superintendents. I am not sure the work can be done by the one that is left.’ “Miller challenged the idea of significant savings from a reduction in administrative staff statewide. “’I would like to see the data to support that statement,’ Miller said. “’It is making the assumption that you would not have to increase staff in the largest district in...
Read more
Leave a Comment Kansas poster child for ALEC agenda
Kansas’ leadership is doing a great job listening to ALEC. We wish they were listening more to Kansas parents, teachers and other concerned community members. “The poster child for the ALEC anti-tax, low-wage policy agenda is Koch Industries’ home state, Kansas, which has been plugged by Governor Sam Brownback as a real live experiment in supply side economics. But Brownback’s tax cuts have thrown the state into fiscal crisis, saddling the state with a projected budget deficit of $190 million for the next fiscal year, no reserves, slashed public services, and lagging job growth… “Sold to the press...
Read more
Leave a Comment School spending not immoral
We’ve had the pleasure of meeting Supt. Patton and visiting the Pratt school district. Thank you for sharing your insight! “In light of everything we have done in our district and how hard teachers have worked to provide Pratt kids top-notch academics and outstanding enrichment programs, I find it disheartening for the Kansas governor to accuse us of being ‘inefficient and immoral.’ “Our job is to prepare the future workforce for this county and state. We all take our jobs very seriously and want to do the very best for Pratt kids. Superintendents across the state have told...
Read more
Leave a Comment