We are pleased to report the Kansas Supreme Court has issued its Gannon VII decision this morning and has held the latest state funding plan is constitutional. The Court will retain jurisdiction to ensure that we don’t have to go through another 10 years to try to enforce this decision as when the legislature reneged on the promises of Montoy, starting during the recession but then continuing for years after. From the decision: “With that imprecision in mind, we hold the version of KSEEA in place with the adoption of S.B. 16 substantially complies with our orders expressed...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Bad education policy bill advances
Update at 11:40 pm Monday, March 25th: Despite the fact that 0 districts and 0 education advocates voiced support of the bad education policy bill (House Substitute for SB 16), it has gained favorable approval 63-60. Final vote tomorrow. This is a narrow margin, so if you haven’t contacted your legislator yet, do so tonight or tomorrow morning. They’ll also probably take up the funding bill (which we also oppose) when they resume at 11 am tomorrow....
Read more
Leave a Comment Oppose bullying voucher bill
The House K-12 Education Budget could be working on the actual education budget. (The attorney general has suggested enactment of legislation by March 15.) Instead today they had a hearing on a bill to create a voucher for students who report bullying. While we agree bullying is a serious problem, we note this bill was an ALEC model bill and is promoted by school choice organizations, not anti-bullying organizations. We submitted written testimony. We particularly object to this bill being a voucher bill and allowing public funds to go to private schools. We note no finding of bullying...
Read more
Leave a Comment Bullying voucher bill in OK too
Oh, look, Oklahoma has a bullying voucher bill, too. The Kansas House K-12 Education Budget committee heard a bullying voucher bill last week. Why is such a bill up in 2 different state houses at the same time? Because it’s an ALEC bill being promoted by people who oppose funding public schools and support funneling money to private schools under whatever pretext they can. Game On has submitted testimony against the Kansas bill. We’ll be watching for committee action but it is being reported that Republican leadership is pushing this bill. Editorial of the Week on bullying voucher...
Read more
Leave a Comment