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Education March 19, 2025 - 1:24 pm

Kansas education commissioner: Kids need more time in school

by Suzanne Perez, Kansas News Service

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson urged districts to cancel breaks or extend the school year to make up for snow days. He is also proposing half-day summer school for young students who are struggling in reading and math.

Education April 12, 2022 - 4:19 pm

Kansas education commissioner publicly apologizes for racist story about Native Americans

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

The Kansas commissioner of public education apologized Tuesday for telling attendees of an online education conference that when growing up he attempted to convince people visiting the state they should be more afraid of dangerous American Indians than violent tornadoes.

Community Voices February 25, 2022 - 11:37 am

Letter to the Times: Education commissioner’s remarks compound grief Indigenous children are feeling

by Carole Cadue-Blackwood, LMSW

“Now is the time for the State of Kansas to act and invest in our educational systems. Our communities of color deserve better,” Carole Cadue-Blackwood writes in this letter to the Times.

State News February 25, 2022 - 10:20 am

Kansas Board of Education rejects resignation of state education commissioner

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

The Kansas State Board of Education rejected the resignation Friday of the state education commissioner following evidence he said during a video conference that during his youth he tried to persuade children to fear for their safety among American Indians.

State News February 24, 2022 - 4:18 pm

‘Worry about the Indians raiding’: Kansas education commissioner under fire for conference statement

by Sherman Smith and Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson said during a conference earlier this month that as a child, he convinced his out-of-state cousins that American Indians posed a bigger threat to their safety than tornadoes.

State News February 24, 2022 - 9:50 am

Kansas governor calls on education commissioner to resign for discriminatory remark

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday the state’s education commissioner must resign after making a discriminatory remark and urged the Kansas State Board of Education to work on addressing problems raised by the comments.

State News February 23, 2022 - 6:12 pm

Kansas education board to meet over commissioner’s ‘inappropriate’ comment about American Indians

by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

The Kansas State Board of Education plans to meet Friday behind closed doors to discuss an “inappropriate” comment education commissioner Randy Watson made earlier this month regarding American Indians.

Education October 12, 2021 - 6:18 pm

Academic achievement measures at Kansas schools drop during pandemic

by Noah Taborda, Kansas Reflector

In the first year and a half of the pandemic, Kansas schools have seen a decrease in enrollment and attendance and an increase in truancy and chronic absenteeism.

Education September 15, 2021 - 12:36 am

Four Kansas school districts temporarily close as COVID-19 outbreaks hit 31 schools

by Noah Taborda, Kansas Reflector

Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson says at least 31 Kansas schools are reporting outbreaks of COVID-19, forcing more school districts to close temporarily.

Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector
Education September 5, 2021 - 1:12 pm

Kansas education officials celebrate graduation rates but say work is far from over

by Noah Taborda, Kansas Reflector

Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson says graduation rates are at an all time high, including gains in every category of at-risk students, but there is still room for improvement.

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Current Top Posts

  • Lawrence City Commission approves agreement as part of $130M municipal services campus
    Lawrence City Commission approves agreement as part of $130M municipal services campus
  • Graduations for Free State, Lawrence High, KU and more coming up
    Graduations for Free State, Lawrence High, KU and more coming up
  • Lawrence school district names next assistant principal of Billy Mills Middle School
    Lawrence school district names next assistant principal of Billy Mills Middle School
  • In Kansas, a county jail carries out the majority of ICE detentions
    In Kansas, a county jail carries out the majority of ICE detentions
  • Lawrence high schools will return to MacBooks next year
    Lawrence high schools will return to MacBooks next year
  • Kansas Legislature’s auditors point to inconsistency in awarding economic relief funds
    Kansas Legislature’s auditors point to inconsistency in awarding economic relief funds
  • Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 13, 2025
    Lawrence City Commission general public comment for May 13, 2025

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