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Kansas Board of Education gripped with controversy, dissension

Chairman Steve Abrams, left, votes to adopt new science standards while Education Commissioner Bob Corkins monitors the vote during a recent meeting of the Kansas Board of Education.
Charlie Riedel / AP
Chairman Steve Abrams, left, votes to adopt new science standards while Education Commissioner Bob Corkins monitors the vote during a recent meeting of the Kansas Board of Education.

By Ben Embry

Kansas City, MO – The debate over education in Kansas has deepened the divide between state Board of Education members as moderate Republicans and Democrats clash with conservatives over a number of volatile issues. The hiring of education commissioner Bob Corkins, the recent decision to inject criticism of evolution into science classrooms and the battle brewing over charter schools and school vouchers has caused intense division between the two camps and put the board under intense public scrutiny. As next year's elections loom, the state of Kansas could be facing an especially hard fought election. KCUR's Ben Embry reports.

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