Category: Wichita and Kansas schools
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In Kansas, public school establishment attacks high standards
When a Kansas public policy think tank placed ads in Kansas newspapers calling attention to the performance of Kansas schools, the public school establishment didn’t like it. The defense of the Kansas school status quo, especially that coming from Kansas Commissioner of Education Diane DeBacker, ought to cause Kansans to examine the motives of the…
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In Kansas, school reform not on the plate
Conventional wisdom this year is that Kansas is struggling with a plan for school reform. The reality, however, is that the state is merely considering a change in how to pay for its schools. No actual reform is contemplated.
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Wichita school board meeting: Not for the public
Wichita school board president Betty Arnold said “This board meeting is held in public, but it is not for the public, or of the public.”
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Solution for empty Wichita school buildings
In Wichita, empty school buildings could be used to expand educational opportunities for Wichita children.
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Kansas education data collected but not shared to inform policymaking
Would you purchase a refrigerator without comparing models and reading reviews? How about buying a car without a test drive or a home without an inspection? If you’re a taxpayer or parent of a school-age child in Kansas, that’s what your elected representatives have done with public education that spends more than half of the…
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Kansas teacher quality policies ignored
In Kansas, the Brownback school reform plan bypasses an area in which Kansas needs improvement: teacher quality policies.
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Kansas school spending: the complete picture
In an effort to drum up support for school spending in Kansas, advocates seize on a partial picture of school spending to make their case.
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Kansas school spending facts ignored by many
A recent Lawrence Journal-World editorial that was repeated in the Wichita Eagle made several claims about Kansas schools that don’t hold up under scrutiny. Unfortunately, the editorial is an example of how difficult it is to have a reasoned discussion of Kansas school issues.
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Focus on Kansas school funding formula is a distraction
As Kansas struggles with a formula for financing schools, we’re losing an opportunity to examine our schools and see if they’re performing as well as they should, both financially and academically
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School choice savings not being considered in Kansas
According to the reporting surrounding the revision of the Kansas school finance formula, Kansas is overlooking a sure way to save money and improve Kansas schools: widespread school choice.
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Kansas schools need diversity and dynamism to engage students
Kansas schools need to be much more dynamic and diverse in order to meet students’ needs and effectively engage them in learning. But the lack of school choice and charter schools in Kansas means that Kansas children are missing opportunities for learning that are present in some states. Until Kansas changes its educational policies, it…
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Kansas school funding formula is badly broken
If the school funding formula is consistently providing more money than necessary to operate schools, we should put the money where it’s really needed or give it back to taxpayers.