KPI’s fifth annual Public Education Fact Book is a one-stop shop for data on public school information from The Sunflower State. Numerous scientific surveys show that citizens are grossly misinformed on many pertinent facts of public education in Kansas. Aid and spending per-pupil are much higher than many Kansans believe, and student achievement is lower than understood. This fact book … Read More
Market-based solutions – the best approach to an overstated teacher shortage
This is the best time of year to discuss the issue of teacher shortages. Emotion is removed from the equation because classrooms have been staffed and the school year is rapidly reaching the half-way mark. Without the pressure of a looming new school year, a more rational analysis of the issue can be offered. The media has painted a panic-driven … Read More
KASB’s State Education Report Card – using facts to mask the truth
Truth is, after all, a moving target Hairs to split and pieces that don’t fit How can anybody be enlightened? Truth is, after all, so poorly lit – Neil Peart There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth. – Maya Angelou You gotta hand it to ‘em. The Kansas Association of School Boards … Read More
Kansas Legislature introduces transformative new school funding system
To the surprise of many legislative observers, a brand new school finance system was proposed last week in House Appropriations with an effective date of July 1, 2017. The unique approach set forth in HB 2741 includes a new method of equalizing capital outlay aid and eliminates the need for Local Option Budget equalization by providing all funding needed to … Read More
Innovative School Districts – falling short of expectations
In April of 2013, Governor Brownback signed into law the Coalition of Innovative Districts Act. When originally passed, the law allowed up to ten percent of the state’s school districts (29) to become an innovative district, the purpose of which is to allow them to “opt out of most state laws and rules and regulations in order to improve student … Read More
KPI Paper – At-Risk Funding: Increased Money Fails to Increase Achievement
At Risk Funding – increased money fails to increase student achievement.
KPI Analysis: Top Ten School Funding Points
An updated analysis of 10 leading trends and facts within the Kansas K-12 education debate.
2014 Public Education FactBook
This pocket-sized reference guide is loaded with facts on spending, aid, carryover cash, enrollment, employment and student achievement, at both the state and district level. All of it comes from official government sources.