Student Achievement Archives - Kansas Policy Institute

Cato study disputes claims of Kansas education efficiency 0
- Education, Education Research
- December 31, 2018
One of the findings in the 2018 WestED K-12 cost study is a high level of efficiency in school spending, with efficiency in case meaning ‘bang for the buck.’ However, a study just released by the Cato Institute says 30 states do better than Kansas when spending is adjusted for cost-of-living variances. Dr. Lori Taylor,
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Latest Governor’s Education Council will do nothing to help prepare Kansas students and boost the state’s economy 0
- Education
- December 20, 2018
The governor of Kansas has virtually no role in public education in the state. The only mention of the governor in the state constitution is the authority to appoint members of the state board of regents. There is no mention of the governor in K-12 education. So why do Kansas governors keep creating committees to
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State assessment scores drop again despite infusion of court-ordered money 0
- Education
- December 6, 2018
Now that the 2018 state assessment scores have finally been released by KSDE, this statement by the Kansas Supreme Court can be, pardon the expression, put to the test. That is because K-12 spending in the 2017-18 school year increased by more than $400 million, a 6.7% increase, to $13,620 per pupil. Despite the spike
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ACT results for class of 2018: lower overall scores and curriculum-based achievement gaps 0
- Education
- November 5, 2018
ACT results for the 2018 graduating class show the slow but steady achievement descent continues for graduating Kansas seniors. The overall average composite score of 21.6 is down from 21.7 in 2017 – the third decline in the last four years. Not only is the overall composite score lower, but virtually all sub-indicators also declined.
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KC Star made false accusations about school funding 0
- Education
- October 26, 2018
A recent Kansas City Star editorial said, “when adjusted for inflation, spending per-pupil in 2018, at $8,771, is right about where it was in the 1990s.” No explanation was provided for that obviously false claim, but it was attributed to a school lobbyist. Data from the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE), however, says school funding
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Kansas Freedom Index provides legislative transparency 0
- Tax & Spending
- October 22, 2018
Speaking at a gathering of legislators and policy experts from multiple states recently, I was asked why the Republican-dominated Kansas legislature raised taxes last year instead of making government more efficient. In response, I asked, “What’s a Republican?” We all had a good chuckle, but the sad truth is that party labels don’t mean much
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