As you begin another school year we want to thank you for all you do. Thank for for helping our children discover a love of reading, unlock the mysteries of math, find the wonder in science and learn to play well with others and be good citizens whether they’re in kindergarten or seniors in high school. We know there is a great deal of negativity and uncertainty right now and that demands on our schools are high, but we believe in you and we believe in Kansas public schools. We believe you deserve better and our children deserve...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
KASB statement on school efficiency
From KASB: KASB Statement on State Efficiency Study Kansas school districts are committed to operating both effectively and efficiently, which means using resources to maximize student success and serve the needs of our diverse state communities. We understand the Legislature’s interest in studying school funding as part of a study of efficiency in state government. We urge them to focus the study on improving results, not just cutting spending. From extensive research, we know that Kansas has one of the most efficient school systems in the nation, ranking in the top ten for overall educational achievement. Kansas spends...
Read more
Leave a Comment Courts called cause of problem on spending
Education advocates beware of characterizations of court rulings on school funding as “activist” rather than appropriate and necessary interpretations of constitutional provisions on public education. We also note education spending is called “unnecessary” by Kobach. “Kobach characterized the issue of balancing the state budget — which he noted was dominated by spending on public schools — as being as much about the judiciary as the legislature’s allocations. ‘Activist’ judges have twisted the meaning of the constitution to force the legislature to spend an unnecessary amount on education, he said. If Republicans want to address the budget issues, they’ll...
Read more
Leave a Comment Michigan charters failing and unaccountable
We know there are political forces in Kansas that want to implement ALEC “free-market” type changes to Kansas education, including expansion of vouchers, “education spending accounts” and charters, and we continue to closely monitor states where these changes have been implemented. We see over and over again that they have failed. Here’s a new story out of Michigan. “A year ago, the Free Press published an eight-day series that documented the tragic missed opportunities of Michigan’s charter experiment. Charter schools began with the promise that privately operated public schools would provide quality options for parents in cities where...
Read more
Leave a Comment