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 Our governor wants to proceed with third grade retention for non-proficient readers, despite evidence that holding kids back often does more harm than good, as part of an initiative to raise fourth grade reading scores, and he’s going to fund it by cutting . . . early childhood education programs. Here’s a new entry in the “we can’t make this stuff up” file. This is another Florida Reform initiative we’d like them to keep in Florida. http://www.khi.org/news/2013/feb/04/brownback-reading-initiative-questioned-education/#continued...

“We are going to try to cover your back . . . [i]t is just the beginning of a lot of tough votes.” House Speaker Pro Tem Peggy Mast urging freshman legislators to vote with them on the so-called Payroll Protection Act. But aren’t they supposed to be accountable to their constituents? Aren’t they supposed to be covering our backs? Which other tough votes do you think they’re talking about (maybe a couple of consitutional amendments)? Something is terribly amiss when our legislators are being told, vote the party line and we’ll try to protect you from “them”...

 Here’s more info for Sen. Smith and others who think funding doesn’t matter. This piece points out that in NJ, MD, CO, MA and elsewhere, “increased spending on basic educational resources has led to demonstrated improved achievement. Despite vast differences among states, courts enumerated a remarkably consistent list of necessary inputs, including: high quality preschool, small class size, additional services for at-risk students, supports for teachers such as professional development, curriculum supports, supplies, equipment, adequate facilities, and adequate books and other learning tools.”  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2012/11/25/how-grossly-underfunded-are-public-schools/...

  “Where is the hard data?” Sen. Greg Smith R-Overland Park during committee review of school finance litigation claiming the recent court ruling provided no evidence that increased school funding will increase student performance. People in the East Antioch, Overland Park, Comanche, Rising Star, Mill Creek, Sunflower, Rosehill, Christa McAuliffe, SMW/Westridge, and SMS/Indian Woods attendance areas, SEN. SMITH NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU. You can remind him all the things SMSD has cut over the last few years. You can also remind him that we haven’t been able to show that increasing funding raises scores in Kansas, because...