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 Our legislature wants to change the constitution so courts can’t order the legislature to remedy unconstitutional school funding levels, but now wants to ignore the role of the state Board of Education when it comes to Common Core standards and Celebrate Freedom Week curriculum. The BOE is also concerned about their reliance on incorrect information. Apparently, the legislature’s power knows no bounds, but its understanding of separation of powers and other factual issues is unfortunately limited. Power + ignorance = a dangerous combination. http://cjonline.com/news/2013-03-12/boe-concern-lawmakers-infringing-its-authority...

“This [charter bills in the House and Senate] is good for all private and homeschool parents. It gives them more choices and options and they can access the state funds that they have been denied until now.” The Wichita Post, Week of March 11, 2013. At least they’re not pretending this is about helping Kansas public school children. Charter proponents are rarely so candid, though, so it’s important to contact legislators. Our schools do not have extra money to be handed over to current private and homeschool families....

“At the level of state and federal education policy, charters are providing a reform cover for eroding the public school system and an investment opportunity for those who see education as a business rather than a fundamental institution of democratic civic life.” Stan Karp in this well-written article: http://www.njea.org/news-and-publications/njea-review/march-2013/charter-schools-and-the-future-of-public-education. CONTACT KANSAS HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS TODAY!...

Achievement by fiat Speak out: The EAA is the wrong tool to help schools   Achievement by fiat   Well, it’s back. Last Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Lisa Lyons introduced the new version of the “EAA bill” – that is, a bill which would make the Educational Achievement Authority a permanent state school district and expand its authority greatly. Rep. Lyons (R-Alto), who also chairs the House Education committee, then scheduled hearings on the bill (HB 4369) for the following day. As a result, those of us who hoped to speak up about the bill had less than 24...