Category: Wichita and Kansas schools
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School choice would save, not cost, Kansas
As reported in my post Moving Kansas schools from monopoly to free choice, the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy has recently reported how school choice programs could give Kansas a better return on its education dollar. Here’s some additional evidence that Kansas is missing out on an opportunity.
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Moving Kansas schools from monopoly to free choice
Paul Soutar of the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy has released a report that tells how Kansas could get better value for the money the state spends on K-12 education. Charter schools and school choice programs could — if not for opposition from the existing public school lobby and teachers unions — provide flexibility…
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Wichita school informational forums could help increase understanding
At Monday’s meeting of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district, board president Lynn Rogers said he wants to have a discussion about ending balances, in particular unencumbered funds. He said there is misunderstanding in the community, during the bond issue campaign last year, and now with a state school board member.…
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Wichita student/employee ratio tells a story
If you’re looking for part of the reason why spending on public schools, in particular USD 259, the Wichita public school district, is increasing so fast, look at the number of students for each employee.
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Kansas NEA questions legislative candidates, reveals agenda
In Kansas, as across the nation, the teachers union is an important political force. Using a powerful message that no one can oppose — the welfare of schoolchildren — teachers unions press their real agenda.
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Are Kansas school test scores believable?
Kansas public school officials are proud of the achievement of Kansas schoolchildren on state tests. We need to ask, however, whether this accomplishment means that Kansas children are really learning. In the document Kansas Education Summary: A Snapshot of Kansas by the Numbers from January 200, Alexa Posny, Ph.D.. the Kansas Commissioner of Education, wrote…
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Kansas teacher may face firing for political views
In Lawrence, a Kansas high school teacher may be fired for his political views. The Kansas Meadowlark reports in his post “Save Mr. Latham,” Lawrence High School History and Government Teacher.
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Kansas school spending lobby pot calls kettle black
After the 2009 Kansas Legislature ended its session in May (notwithstanding the formal closing in June), the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA, the teachers union) produced a document wrapping up the session and setting the stage for the future. Kansans need to be aware of the agenda of this organization and its allied school spending…
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$29 cut marks end of Kansas school spending rise
Paul Soutar of the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy reports on the rapid rise in Kansas school spending, and what may be in store for the future.
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The effectiveness of court-ordered funding of schools
As the school spending lobby in Kansas beats the drums of a new school funding lawsuit, we ought to consider whether these lawsuits have any merit. That is, have they produced positive results in the classroom? Or do these suits serve only to increase spending?
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Markets could guide Wichita school district
Reduce either the number of administrators or their salaries, and that would make more money available for other things, such as teachers. Currently the district needs to cut its budget, however, so the savings would more likely be used to meet that demand. This brings up the broader question of staffing in the Wichita public…
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Winston Brooks a bully in Albuquerque, too
Albuquerque blogger Ched MacQuigg has discovered what many Wichitans have known for a long time. His post Winston Brooks mad dogged me! tells the story.