Education Archives - Kansas Policy Institute

National study’s evidence of structural segregation in public education also true in Kansas 0
- Education, Education Research
- November 28, 2021
Information from the Urban Institute, in a research project titled Dividing Lines, reveals how gerrymandering of attendance zones within school districts reinforces and perpetuates segregation along racial lines in public schools in urban areas across the country. The Urban Institute analyzed student populations in which there was a substantial difference in the racial make-up of adjoining
READ MORE
Lower state assessment results more than just a function of COVID 0
- Education
- October 31, 2021
The 2021 state assessment results have been released, and to no one’s surprise, the scores are lower. Due to pandemic-related school closings, there was no testing in the spring of 2020. Given the interruption in teaching and learning across the entire country, state assessment scores were expected to be lower than 2019. The statewide percentage
READ MORE
State board chairman needs refresher course in education funding, board responsibilities 0
- Education
- October 25, 2021
At the October state board of education meeting, the board invited six members of the Legislature – the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate education committees and the House K-12 budget committee – to discuss education issues in which both bodies have both concerns and responsibilities. The joint meeting was held on
READ MORE

Blue Valley high schools top Niche state rankings 0
- Education, Education Research
- October 15, 2021
The five Blue Valley high schools (USD 229) topped the latest public high school rankings from Niche. Blue Valley North earned the top spot, followed by Blue Valley High, Blue Valley West, Blue Valley Northwest and Blue Valley Southwest. On the private schools side, Wichita Collegiate is ranked number one followed by Bishop Seabury Academy
READ MORE
Kansans Can – hardly an “ambitious overhaul of Kansas schools”0
- Education
- September 29, 2021
The Kansas City Star published an article entitled “High grad rates, flat test scores: Is an ambitious overhaul of Kansas schools working?” In the piece the authors claim that KSDE’s signature initiative, Kansans Can– now five years into implementation – is “transforming education across the state.” Is Kansans Can really “transforming” Kansas schools? No. The
READ MORE
KSDE’s Kansans Can awards are mostly participation ribbons 0
- Education
- September 14, 2021
For the past several decades, schools have been (accurately) accused and rightfully chastised for practicing an “everybody wins!” approach to any kind of competition and academic achievement. At the very least, all “competitors” receive participation ribbons, as an indicator that, indeed, everybody wins. The 2020 Kansans Can awards, announced at the August state board meeting
READ MORE