Together We Can Move Kansas Forward
Where do we have Common Ground?
Can we agree that:
- All Kansas children deserve an equal opportunity for a solid education.
- Educating our children is important for our future.
- Public schools are a good investment in the Kansas economy.
Schools Caught in the Middle
Be Informed
Only public schools educate all Kansas kids and serve all Kansas families. But each year national groups like Goldwater Institute, ALEC, Alliance for Free Citizens, and the American First Policy Institute, push model legislation to divert public money to private schools. Legislators often defend these voucher schemes by stating that our public schools are failing our students and comparing state assessment scores to those of other states, like Florida. However, states write their own assessment tests, making such comparisons irrelevant and misleading. Kansas has enjoyed a long tradition of strong public schools, and our citizens wish to continue to support them with their tax dollars.
Facts about Public Education in Kansas
Public Money for Private Schools
- In 2016 the Kansas legislature passed a low income ‘student scholarship’ bill allowing businesses and individuals to contribute to a scholarship organization and receive a tax credit. The organization, or wealthy individual, gives the money to a scholarship organization, who in turn gives it to the private school. This takes money out of the general fund and is essentially a voucher program. Since that original bill was passed the program has expanded to allow for larger contributions and increasing eligibility.
- During the 2023 Legislative Session, lobbyists and legislators introduced bills that would support an Education Savings Account program in Kansas. ESA’s transfer funds into an account for students not attending public schools and allow them to use the funds for education-related expenses. Ultimately, the ESA legislation passed the House but died on the floor of the Senate. With elections occuring in 2024 ESA legislation saw little action, but depending on who is elected they may be in our future.
- Programs that transfer public money to private schools are often referred to as ‘vouchers’. They divert funding from public schools, and have no oversight or accountability, leaving students, families, and the state vulnerable.
- Vouchers are rooted in segregation and racism, but also allow schools to descriminate in their admissions practes by ability – even requiring entrance exams to gain admission.
Kansas School Funding Still A Challenge
- Kansas schools were underfunded for years, leading to a lawsuit in which the Kansas courts mandated that the legislature increase funding. Kansas public school funding is now back on track; but not in full. The federal government gives states funding for special education and the states are obligated to pay matching funds. The Kansas legislature passed legislation mandating that the state of Kansas pay 92% of the excess costs of special education, with local districts picking up the rest. But the Kansas legislature has funded these costs well below 92%. For instance, during the 2022 school year schools received approximately 76.4%, leaving a deficit in school funding of over $155 million. After a tumultuous session legislators added funding for special education into a budget bill, but did not meet the 92% obligation or make it a permanent fix.
Public Education Needs Your Vote
Vote for Candidates who support Public Schools,
not Vouchers