Although efforts to rework the school funding formula have failed in the past, we suspect they will be “successful” this year. Why? There simply isn’t enough revenue coming into the state, but legislators know Kansans won’t be happy about cuts to education so they won’t “cut” funding, they’ll just “rework the formula” which will just happen to result in less funding for our schools. We can see the 2016 and 2018 campaign postcards already. “That claim has been the source of considerable dispute, both in the Statehouse and among the general public. Overall, total state funding for K-12...
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Kansas schools report rise in student homelessness
“Kansas schools are reporting a rise in child homelessness, a trend that advocates say has implications for the ability of children to learn in school. “The number of homeless children attending Kansas schools has nearly tripled since before the recession, according to data from the Kansas State Department of Education.” http://cjonline.com/news/2014-12-27/child-homelessness-kansas-schools-report The rise in homeless children also has implications for funding needs, test scores and diversion of funds to charters and private schools that will never serve these children....
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Leave a Comment Eagle editorial reports education in the crosshairs
Every Kansan should read this article and understand that the three efforts outlined are related and part of a game plan playing out in several states. We note that the removal of Representative Rooker from the House Education Committee and the attacks on the teachers unions are both efforts to silence education advocates. “Statehouse leaders aren’t reserving judgment on education issues until the courts decide on the constitutionality of K-12 state funding. “Instead, conservative legislators and others in Topeka are signaling through their comments and actions a keen interest in curbing spending, weakening teachers unions and using public...
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Leave a Comment Boldra concerned about rural Kansas education issues
“The Hays High School government teacher turned lawmaker [Sue Boldra] notes one of the biggest issues within this battle is education. As local school bond issues fail and some rural populations continue to shrink, Boldra said school consolidations aren’t necessarily the answer and some urban legislators just don’t understand the associated hardships. She also said she would like legislators to revisit the idea of implementing all-day kindergarten. “’We can’t ask our children to stay on the bus for long amounts of time just to go to school each day,’ Boldra said. ‘They don’t understand the concept of driving...
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