© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Talk Show
Central Standard

Seg. 1: Pre-K Update | Seg. 2: Realistic Homework Expectations

By Gina Kaufmann,
Noah Taborda
Published January 21, 2020 at 3:01 PM CST

Segment 1: Where do efforts towards improving pre-K access and quality in Kansas City stand?

In early 2019, a big controversy was Mayor Sly James' push for universal pre-K through a sales tax. Kansas City voters didn't go for the plan on the ballot, but a year later, many people still want something to fill in the gap.

  • Annie Watson, senior associate, School Readiness Consulting

Segment 2, beginning at 21:22: Does homework have value? If so, to whom?

It's been a cornerstone of education since as long as anyone can remember. As schools trend towards more homework at younger ages though, public opinion on its value is shifting. Lots of parents and researchers don't think it makes sense. How much homework is too much and at what age?

  • Gus Jacob, assistant teaching professor, UMKC School of Education
  • Harris Cooper, psychology and neuroscience professor, Duke University
Tags
Central Standard Talk ShowCentral Standardearly childhood educationeducationKansas City SchoolspreschoolchildrenUMKCteachersSly JamesTurn the Page KC
Gina Kaufmann
People don't make cameos in news stories; the human story is the story, with characters affected by news events, not defined by them. As a columnist and podcaster, I want to acknowledge what it feels like to live through this time in Kansas City, one vantage point at a time. Together, these weekly vignettes form a collage of daily life in Kansas City as it changes in some ways, and stubbornly resists change in others. You can follow me on Twitter @GinaKCUR or email me at gina@kcur.org.
See stories by Gina Kaufmann
Noah Taborda
As KCUR's health reporter, I cover the Kansas City metro in a way that reflects our expanding understanding of what health means and the ways it touches different communities and different areas in distinct ways. I will provide a platform to amplify ideas and issues often underrepresented in the media and marginalized people and communities in an authentic and honest way that goes beyond the surface of the issues. I will endeavor to find and include in my work local experts and organizations that have their ears to the ground and a beat on the health needs of the community. Reach me at noahtaborda@kcur.org.
See stories by Noah Taborda