Education

Critics Of Education Standards Voice Concern

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:58:02 +0000

Critics of the Kansas Board of Education's decision to adopt national standards for math and reading urged the board to reconsider its decision Tuesday.

Kansas is among 46 states that have adopted the national standards; they set academic expectations for students from kindergarten through high school.

The state adopted the standards in 2010, and school districts have begun implementing them in the classrooms and in teacher training.

Education Department Seeks Guidance On Innovative Districts

Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:37:01 +0000

Kansas education commissioner Diane DeBacker says the department will seek an attorney general's opinion on implementing a new law that would allow school districts to be named innovative districts.

Critics To Voice Concerns Over Common Core Education Standards Tuesday

Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:44:47 +0000

Critics of the Kansas Board of Education's decision to adopt the Common Core Standards for math and reading will voice their concerns Tuesday's at the board's meeting.

Kansas is among 46 states that have adopted the Common Core Standards; they set academic expectations for students from kindergarten through high school. The state adopted the standards in 2010 and school districts have begun implementing them in the classrooms and training teachers.

Brownback Wants Sales Tax Extended

Bryan Thompson — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:08:34 +0000

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback wants lawmakers to extend a temporary sales tax hike as a way to fund the state's universities.

The governor says cuts to higher education would be a momentum-killer at a time when he thinks a lot of positive things are happening in Kansas.

Wichita Middle School Students Get Chance At Flight Over Wichita

Associated Press — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:43:09 +0000

A group of middle school students will get a chance to fly over Wichita this week to mark the end of their mentoring program.

The Flying Challenge program ends Thursday at the National Center for Aviation Training.

The program matches Airbus and Wichita State University engineering students with 80 students at Brooks Middle School in Wichita.

The students participate in a robotics lab, a paint lab, a radio-controlled airplane demonstration and this flight over Wichita,

Schools Receive $83,000 For Recycling Projects

Associated Press — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:34:43 +0000

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has awarded grants totaling nearly $83,000 to 27 of the state's public schools for recycling-related projects.

The department the grants were awarded for the next school year and will help pay for recycling bins, composting programs, programs for handling cafeteria waste and field trips to recycling centers. Schools from across the state won grants from $750 t0 $4500.

Nearby schools that won grants include:

Maize Schools End Random Drug Tests For Students In After-School Activities

Kate Clause and Associated Press — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:13:21 +0000

The Maize School District has decided to stop doing random drug tests on students who participate in extra-curricular activities.

Maize's School Board recently voted to eliminate the testing after hearing reactions from school administrators and students. The suburb just west of Wichita had conducted the random tests on students from grades 7 through 12.

A spokeswoman says the district has spent almost $31,500 on the program since it began in 2007.

Analysis: Kansas Higher Ed Budget Tied To Sales Tax

Associated Press — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:02:36 +0000

Kansas higher education officials are depending upon Gov. Brownback to convince lawmakers to preserve money for public universities and colleges.

Brownback toured university and community college campuses last week to highlight education's importance to the state economy.

The governor and other Republicans want Kansas to phase out individual income taxes over the next few years.

To replace that lost funding, Gov. Brownback wants to make a temporary sales tax that's set to expire in July permanent.

WSU Unveils New Plan For Its Future

Carla Eckels — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:11:52 +0000

After nearly eight months of meetings with staff, students and community members, Wichita State University has developed a new plan that will be used to shape the future of the university.

On September 5, 2012, WSU President John Bardo kicked off a campus and community-wide strategic planning process. He appointed a steering committee made up of WSU personnel, community and business leaders, plus others with a stake in the future of WSU and the region.

Brownback Wants Higher Education Funding Left Uncut

Carla Eckels — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:50:47 +0000

Gov. Sam Brownback met with leaders at Wichita State University Monday to solicit support for his funding proposal that would help maintain state dollars for higher education.