Jodi Fortino
Education ReporterAs KCUR’s education reporter, I cover how the economy, housing and school funding shape kids' education. I’ll meet teachers, students and their families where they are — late night board meetings, in the classroom or in their homes — to break down the big decisions and cover what matters most to you. You can reach me at jodifortino@kcur.org.
I'm a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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The Springs Aquatic Center isn’t just a public pool. Kansas City families say it’s where their kids can cool off, take a dive or even slide down — and more importantly, be adventurous. -
Kansas City's streetcar has been under construction for years, frustrating some business owners across midtown. The 3.5-mile extension between Union Station and UMKC will begin service on Friday, Oct. 24. -
A Shawnee Mission teacher says kids learning English won't get 'fair education' after funding freezeThe Trump administration withheld billions of dollars for schools, including funding that Kansas City area schools rely on to support students learning English as a second language. A local teacher says that will cause "an ache" for schools and some may have to cut roles or programs. -
School districts in the Kansas City area are holding hiring fairs and offering incentives for hard-to-fill roles before students head back to school next month. -
Schools in the Kansas City area and across the country have already earmarked the nearly $7 billion of federal grants to programs supporting teacher training, before- and after- school programs, and English language learners and immigrant students. -
An Overland Park high schooler traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for cancer research funding after the Trump administration proposed slashing the National Institutes of Health budget. -
The annual child wellness report Kids Count found child poverty has improved in Kansas and Missouri compared to the years before the pandemic. But federal budget cuts could threaten access to food and health assistance for families in need. -
A new report shows Missouri's teacher retention slightly improved after the pandemic drove more educators out of the field, but is still at record highs. -
A fifth grader from Lee's Summit is one of 243 competitors in this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee. She's been studying every day — even through recess — to learn hundreds of words. -
Summer break can be difficult for students who rely on schools for free meals, mental health services and other support. Kansas City area schools are trying to bridge that gap.
