Education funding

Missouri legislators recently approved the use of millions in state funding for MOScholars, a K-12 school scholarship program that had previously been supported by tax-deductible donations. But an investigation found that nearly all of those state-funded vouchers were used for religious schools.

The U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold federal funding from four Kansas school districts last month over their policies for transgender students. The school districts are seeking support as they navigate a federal investigation.

Four Kansas school districts say they haven’t received any complaints about their gender identity policies. But the federal government is investigating them anyway — and it has threatened to withhold federal funding from them.

One ballot campaign hopes to amend the Missouri constitution to declare education a “fundamental right.” The other would prohibit most public funding of nonpublic schools, including charters. Both accuse the state's top election official, Denny Hoskins, of trying to mislead voters.

The 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.

The governor signed legislation about religion in public schools, using cellphones during the school day and protections against discrimination related to hair style or texture.

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.

The governor's office cited some unexpected budget items, and a recently passed bill eliminating Missouri's capital gains tax, as reasons for reducing spending. His largest veto was over $1 billion for a road construction program.

Free school lunch is a life-changing resource for kids in Kansas City. But for many families, potential federal budget cuts threaten to take the vital service away.

In mid-Missouri, many rural school districts rely on Title Ⅰ grants for low-income schools, which are currently distributed through the U.S. Department of Education.

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson urged districts to cancel breaks or extend the school year to make up for snow days. He is also proposing half-day summer school for young students who are struggling in reading and math.

The nonprofit says staff and students are still reeling from a federal decision to fire 35 employees at Haskell Indian Nations University.