Education officials, lobbyist weigh impact of funding on schools

State educators said increases in school funding have brought about desirable results for Kansas schoolchildren. A lobbyist says otherwise.

December 1, 2021 - 10:15 AM

The Kansas education department’s Brad Neuenswander said increased funding for public school instruction has led to improved post-secondary successes, higher graduation rates and a narrowing proficiency gap among at-risk students. Photo by Noah Taborda / Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — State education officials and lobbyists clashed Tuesday in a debate over whether improved school finance creates positive trends in Kansas student achievement.

As a product of the Gannon lawsuit and legislation approved by the Legislature and the governor earlier this year, Kansas is currently fully funding the state’s 286 local public school districts at an annual rate of $5.2 billion. Education advocates argued the law meets the needs laid out in the school finance plan to restore equitable funding to public schools.

While a lobbyist for the Kansas Policy…

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