KU’s Center for Applied Economics is headed by a former Koch lobbyist who has written for KPI and ALEC. We are concerned about lobbyists masquerading as academics. “From 1997 to 2004, [Art] Hall was chief economist of Koch Industries’ lobbying subsidiary, Koch Companies Public Sector. Now heading an institution operating directly out of KU [the Center for Applied Economics], Hall is able to continue lobbying for the Kochs under the guise of an academician, streamlining their political agenda straight to Topeka. “Hall has worked in cadence with other Koch affiliates to advance policies in Kansas that reflect the...
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Wichita area schools increase in diversity and needs
Here’s another example of how the needs of our school districts have increased. English Language Learner programs and staffing are required to meet the needs of students in ways that didn’t exist in the past. “If current trends continue – and officials think they will – Wichita’s enrollment will rise again by at least 300 students, and Hispanic families will continue to drive that growth. This year or next, the number of Hispanic students could exceed the number of non-Hispanic white students and become the largest ethnic group in the district. “Over the past decade, the percentage of...
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Leave a Comment Rural Kansans see Brownback’s failure to support public education
“Rural voters shouldn’t be taken in by Brownback’s efforts to mislead or make us afraid. He is simply trying to divert attention from the fact he has failed to support public education and that will hasten consolidation. “Without adequate funding, small rural districts have no choice but to move faster to merge. “Next year at this time, the state budget will face a shortfall because Brownback slashed income taxes. Instead, he wants us to believe that rural schools will face funding troubles because of something a former senator said a few years ago. “Sorry, governor, we’re not that...
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Leave a Comment “Education Governor” halts early childhood education grant application
The self-proclaimed education governor has refused to support a federal grant application for early childhood education by the Children’s Cabinet. The grant would not require any cost-sharing or matching funds from the state. “’Kansas, with the help of the Children’s Cabinet and their multiple partners – KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research, the state Department of Education, the Department for Children and Families, Child Care Aware of Kansas, and the Kansas Head Start Association – would have made a dynamite team for putting together a quality and competitive application for bringing additional resources into Kansas,’ Erick Vaughn,...
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