National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Kansas
Looking at Kansas school test scores as compared to the nation. (more…)
23
Mar
06
Sep
Wichita economic development examined
"What may look like economic growth on the surface ends up being, upon closer scrutiny, an expensive exercise in the rearrangement of existing business activity." Kansas Policy Institute has released a report examing economic development in Wichita. Titled "Perspectives on Economic Development Incentives and Economic Growth in Wichita," it presents much information specific to Wichita, and specifically two STAR bond districts: Riverwalk and K-96/Greenwich Road. There is also material on economics and economic development in general. The main takeaway, according to KPI, is "... two of Wichita’s leading development projects, driven by economic development incentives, did not improve job creation."…
28
Apr
Regulation reform could jump-start Kansas economy after COVID
Regulation reform could jump-start Kansas economy after COVID By Michael Austin. The COVID-19 outbreak has not only posed a severe public health risk, but actions to combat it now risk a global economic collapse. With nearly half of all Kansas hourly jobs gone, the Kansas Department of Labor is overwhelmed processing unemployment claims. Roughly 40 percent of Kansas small businesses are shuttered, with more than half of them saying they are weeks away from closing permanently. Kansans need a pathway through this economic disaster. Will we come back stronger than ever before, or fall deep into an economic depression? To…
22
Dec
Kansas tax credit scholarship program
An op-ed in the Wichita Eagle regarding school choice prompts uninformed and misinformed comments. An op-ed written by James Franko appearing in the Wichita Eagle explains the importance of the Kansas Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program. This is a program that awards scholarships to students to attend schools of choice. It is a small program. For the school year ending in 2018, 292 students received scholarships totaling $675,892.63. This represents one of every 9,606 dollars spent on Kansas schools. For each group of 1,632 Kansas students, one received a tax credit scholarship. Yet, this program is seen…
10
Nov
Kansans voted for growth, not stagnation
Kansans voted for growth, not stagnation By Michael Austin Director, Sandlian Center for Entrepreneurial Government With a new Kansas Governor-elect and State Legislature, Kansans voted to make a change. Despite many elections however, the Kansas economy has been slowing for the past 40 years. While the new administration cites government as the solution to this problem, history shows that government is primarily the cause. Kansans need of a new way of thinking. They won't get that from a Democrat or Republican as governor. Kansas has had a storied life in celebrating freedom and improving its quality of life. Through our…