The 2015 legislative session is coming, and with it we expect to see the continuing claim that our Kansas schools are failing. So, in addition to pointing out why we need more funding, and the dangers of the education “reforms” that will be pushed, we will also highlight some of the ways our schools are rising above their challenges. Here’s one. “The Lawrence school district is shrinking the graduation rate gap among the highest and lowest achieving groups of students, thanks to an emphasis on fine-tuning classes and curricula so the needs of disadvantaged students and students of...
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Education cuts feared after revenue forecast
“State Board of Education member Janet Waugh expressed concern about the possibility of cuts in education ahead of a Wednesday meeting of the board where she expects some discussion of the state’s fiscal situation.’We just don’t have (anything) frivolous anymore. We’re down to the bare bones,’ Waugh said of Kansas schools. “Board member Carolyn Wims-Campbell also feared cuts. ‘I’m afraid they’ll look at us again for another cut since the predictions are so sad for the state of Kansas. I guess we just have to wait and see what our legislators will be able to accomplish,’ Wims-Campbell said.”...
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Leave a Comment Kansas Budget blog reports sad situation for KS advocates
“Here’s the saddest part: Everyone is now on defense. Advocates for public education, higher education, human service programs, public safety, and highways will all be working hard to defend what they have. “All of the state’s political energy will go toward figuring out how to constrict and pull back. No one will be thinking about things like offering a world-class education to Kansas students or otherwise investing in the state’s future.” http://www.kansasbudget.com/2014/11/now-its-official-kansas-budget-is.html...
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Leave a Comment Budget reality emerges after election
“During this past election, Gov. Sam Brownback told Kansans that job growth would prevent budget shortfalls. “’The sun is shining in Kansas and don’t let anybody tell you any different,’ he said in one campaign commercial. “His budget and tax officials downplayed growing revenue shortfalls, arguing that spending cuts wouldn’t be needed in the current fiscal year and that “efficiencies will take care of shortfalls next year.” “Yet less than a week after the election, new official revenue estimates exposed the ugly truth: The state needs to cut at least $280 million in planned spending before next July,...
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