The Republican majority on the Kansas House K-12 budget committee bundled into one bill controversial diversion of state tax dollars to private schools with an expansion in state aid for special education in public schools and a mandate half of public school budget increases tied to an inflation index be devoted to raising teacher salaries.
Kansas government officials clashed this week over education, with Gov. Laura Kelly promoting the full funding of special education and other politicians emphasizing private schools as a way to educate Kansas youths.
The Kansas House passed parental rights legislation and a controversial transgender student athlete sports bill following months of debate and pushback from public education officials and advocates.
Gov. Laura Kelly renewed her emphasis on fully funding special education services in Kansas as she toured a Topeka school Tuesday.
Conservatives want to make it easier for Kansas families to send their children to private schools, and they’re once again pushing for more parental control over what’s taught in public school classrooms.
The Kansas Senate has passed a bill requiring the state Board of Education to approve gun-safety curriculum standards tied to a National Rifle Association initiative and hunter education program of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
A modified form of parental rights legislation would require school districts to create an online portal for parents and publish district curriculum yearly.
Kansas Democrats in the House said a hearing Monday, on an attempt to ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports, marked the start of “hate week,” a reference to planned discussions on multiple bills attacking the LGBTQ community.
Between voucher programs and new parental rights legislation, education officials say public schools are having a rough time.
Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, said the Kansas Legislature should put politics aside and pass a bill requiring the Kansas State Board of Education to approve curriculum on gun safety incorporating the National Rifle Association’s trademarked Eddie Eagle program to broaden gun safety efforts in K-12 public schools. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
