Seven Kansas school districts freed from some state rules now say getting that special status isnt worth the effort.
Those districts are part of the Kansas Department of Educations Coalition of Innovative School Districts program that started in 2013. Districts that join have the freedom to ignore state oversight on some of the ways they run their schools in exchange for pursuing novel approaches for improving student achievement.
The coalition uses the program to loosen teacher licensure and state assessment requirements. The relaxed rules for hiring teachers and instruction has come under criticism from some unions and education advocates who argue that the regulations are needed to maintain high standards.
