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Strong Schools - Strong Wichita
2010 Wichita Public Schools Legislative Platform
The Kansas educational system is the underpinning of our state's economy. Quality education for an increasingly diverse student body is essential to maintaining Kansas' competitive advantage. Higher educational levels improve our community through better jobs, higher wages and healthier families.
The Kansas legislature has increased the investment in Kansas schools. Those targeted dollars have increased test scores for all students including those with disabilities, non-English speaking and economically disadvantaged. The recent economic downturn has jeopardized this long-term investment. As a result, Wichita schools have increased class sizes, reduced before-and-after school learning, reduced professional development for teachers, and fewer programs to increase student learning.
These reductions will have a negative impact on students. Ultimately, gaps in education for the current generation will manifest itself in a future economy which is not as competitive. The state's school finance formula should provide an adequate education suitable for each student - regardless of the student's circumstances - to achieve expected outcomes. Legislative Post Audit's "Cost Study Analysis" 2006 outlines the funding differences required to meet increasing achievement standards.
On December 14, 2009, the Wichita Board of Education approved a six-point legislative platform for the 2010 legislative session. The areas of focus include:
1) Funding our schools
2) Protect weightings for special populations
3) Special education
4) Operations
5) Additional mandates
6) Vouchers and charters
For a copy of the complete legislative platform in PDF format, click here. |
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