The 65% policy has been refuted over and over (including by the 2 most recent legislative appointed committees tasked with studying school efficiency) yet it continues to be used by those who know or should know better to rally for cuts in education spending and promotion of school “choice” aka privatization. The Kansas Chamber of Commerce is no friend of public education, and Kansans who care about our public schools should be concerned that O’Neal is getting standing ovations for his misstatements. “O’Neal’s speech drew two standing ovations for the former House Speaker, who also endorsed expansion of...
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SMSD cites crippling losses due to funding crisis in Gannon brief
“The funding crisis has led to a crippling loss of teachers, loss of foreign language programs, larger class sizes, closure of neighborhood schools, and loss of property values,” it said. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article38258241.html...
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Leave a Comment Education Commissioner talks about recent survey of Kansans
Education Commissioner Randy Watson has been touring the state with the results of recent discussions about what Kansans want from their public schools. Here’s a recap from a recent meeting in Olathe. “‘What we know Kansans are telling us is that, yes, students have to have good academic skills, but they also have to be able to apply those skills,’ Watson said. ‘It is about not being out of balance.’… “That message, he said, is far from the No Child Left Behind model that schools have operated under for the last decade, where states set academic benchmarks related...
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Leave a Comment Moody’s school district warning no surprise
“It wasn’t surprising that Moody’s Investors Service issued a ‘credit negative’ warning for Kansas school districts last week. Despite claims to the contrary by GOP lawmakers and Gov. Sam Brownback, the new block-grant funding system is inadequate and inequitable. “What’s more, continued state revenue shortfalls raise concerns about the stability of school funding… “When it was proposed, GOP legislative leaders claimed that it would be good for schools. Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said that no school should have to cut a planned expense, arguing the block-grant system gives districts the flexibility to cover their expenses. “But districts throughout...
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