Kansas City charters outpace public schools

By Nomin Ujiyediin,

Published December 8, 2021 at 4:00 AM CST

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Kansas City charter schools have surpassed public schools in K-12 enrollment for the first time ever. Why are more parents sending their students to charter schools, and how do they work? Also, Kansas utility companies give away millions in charitable donations every year, but residents are paying for most of it.

Charter schools — which are publicly-funded schools that operate outside the Kansas City district's control and free of many regulations followed by traditional public schools — have seen a higher enrollment rate compared to their counterparts. Kansas City Beacon reporter Maria Benevento explains why some parents say that charters give them and their children more options for education.

Utility companies in Kansas, such as Evergy and the Kansas Gas Service, choose charities every year they think are worthy of millions of dollars — and charge customers for much of it. Brian Grimmett of the Kansas News Service investigates why consumer advocates say the practice is problematic.

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Kansas City Today is hosted by Nomin Ujiyediin. It is produced by Byron Love and edited by Gabe Rosenberg & Lisa Rodriguez

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