public schools

Supporters of Missouri House Bill 253, which proposes an open enrollment system in the state's public schools, say the legislation gives parents the right to choose where their students are educated. But critics on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns. They say open enrollment would shut down struggling districts and further segregate schools.

The Kansas House last week narrowly passed a "school choice" bill that would shift public tax dollars to private schools, much to the frustration of public school leaders and Gov. Laura Kelly. The Kansas State Board of Education opposes the bill, saying there's no way to track how students are doing.

Young people with intellectual disabilities often get placed in foster care because their challenges are more than their families can handle. Kansas lawmakers and foster agencies hope they can help keep some of those kids in their original homes. Plus: Teachers at Kansas City Public Schools will soon be paid the highest starting salaries in the region.

Any student enrolled in a public school could transfer out of their resident school district to anther participating school. State and federal dollars would follow the student to the new school, but local money would remain in the student’s home district. A max of 3% of a school population would be allowed to transfer out.

Jazz and Kansas City have been linked for more than half a century, but some say the art form has lost its luster over time — especially with young listeners. That’s why the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra embraces education and performance to raise the next generation of musicians.

Republican lawmakers in Kansas want to make it easier for parents to send their children to private schools, and they’re once again pushing for more parental control over what’s taught in public school classrooms. Plus: A look into the vision of Kansas City Artists Coalition's new leader, who took the position a few months ago.

Impact KCK in the Kansas City, Kansas school district is a national model for how communities can address student homelessness by bringing different organizations and resources together to connect families to stable housing, jobs and other services.

The district is hoping to keep people involved after a school closure plan drew widespread attention.

Kansas City Public Schools will close two of its elementary schools at the end of the academic year. It's says parents and community groups can play a part in ensuring more don't end up shuttered.

Hickman Mills has closed schools as it's lost 15 percent of its students in 5 years. Across the metro, North Kansas City is growing by as much as an elementary school worth of students per year and is opening schools and adding services in response.

Después de una serie de reuniones polémicas y de las intensas reacciones en la comunidad, las Escuelas Públicas de Kansas City están considerando reducir el número de cierres de escuelas.

After a series of contentious meetings and heated pushback, Kansas City Public Schools is considering dialing down the number of school closures.