An Op-Ed in the Kansas Reflector by Liz Meitl asks why the Legislature is advancing neovoucher schemes at this time. What would seem reasonable, then, would be for Kansas’ elected leaders to take this moment to celebrate the amazing, inspiring work of educators, and to help us support our students as we exhaustedly stumble towards the last phase of this horrible time in our country’s history. But that is not what the Kansas legislature is doing. In fact, they have chosen this moment, when school districts all across the state are trying to figure out how to bring students...
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HB 2119 – Ed Savings Accts – Who Supports and Who Opposes?
This photo is from our last walk to Topeka in 2016 when Kansans sick of years of legislators who listened to Koch-funded lobbyists more than their own constituents on education and tax policy made their voices heard. Yesterday, we were reminded of those days as we testified against HB 2119, an ESA (voucher) bill that has no academic standards for the schools and vendors receiving money under the program. Take a look at the lists of proponents and opponents of the bill. We’ll be watching to see whether this bill passes out of committee. Proponents Kansas Policy Institute...
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Leave a Comment Controversial ESAs Considered by KS House K-12 Education Budget Committee
Kansas Reflector Article Discusses Hearing of HB 2119 “Opponents also expressed concerns with a lack of data about how students who use school choice programs fare in private schools. They also worried about the fiscal and academic standards private schools are held to. Under the legislation, participating schools are not required to be accredited, hire certified teachers or use a standard curriculum, said Erin Gould, of Game On for Kansas Schools.” Kansas Reflector, Noah Taborda, February 9, 2021. Originally posted to Facebook 2/9/2021....
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Leave a Comment HB 2119 – Education Savings Account Hearing
You can watch and/or listen to the House K-12 Education Budget Committee meeting. After getting an update on CARES Act funding, the House K-12 Education Budget Committee had a hearing on HB 2119, an expansive Education Savings Account bill we oppose. We testified against the bill. Watch the Hearing: Or listen to the audio here: http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20210208/-1/10541?fbclid=IwAR0omQEvvDU0x784A5FB38irdy8yAT1xT8O3B6et71FFq7L6YQUTqV1xhZ4 Our full, written testimony can be downloaded: Originally posted to Facebook 2/8/2021....
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