school choice

The Missouri National Education Association is suing to stop the state from using general revenue to fund private school scholarships. A new lawsuit says the Missouri legislature "far overstepped its authority" in appropriating general funds to MOScholars.

Johnson County school district leaders worry a federal school voucher program would divert much-need funding from the public school system.

Gov. Mike Kehoe and the Missouri House have pushed for $50 million in state funds to go toward scholarships for homeschooled and private-school students. But opponents say that may be illegal under the Missouri Constitution.

Kansas City is asking voters to buy into its public school system for the first time in nearly 60 years. Even after Kansas City Public Schools regained accreditation and turned the tide of student performance, crumbling buildings offer a persistent reminder of the city's disinvestment. It's a relationship strained by decades of racism, a history-making desegregation case and plenty of internal turmoil.

Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin has proposed giving families a direct refund for expenses related to educating their children at home or private schools. Public educators raised multiple concerns about the plan.

The bill would boost minimum teacher salaries from $25,000 to $40,000 a year. It also greatly expands Missouri's tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 students to attend private schools.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s likely doomed push for Medicaid expansion is aimed at setting the table before this fall’s election. But Republican leaders want to focus on other ideas, like cutting taxes.

Missouri Republicans and Democrats both expressed concern that election year pressures, especially with multiple members running for statewide office, may make it difficult to pass significant legislation. Several conservative lawmakers also signaled that they plan to scrutinize bills more closely.

A legislative committee on education offered a glimpse at what Kansas lawmakers could propose during the 2024 session. The Legislature hinted at changing the formula for funding special education and pushing more school choice measures.

A bill advanced by the Kansas House expands the state’s tax credit scholarship program — something supporters see as a school choice and detractors frame as diverting money away from public schools.

Conservatives want to make it easier for Kansas families 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.

Kansas lawmakers are on the verge of letting students attend public schools outside the districts where they live. That push to open enrollment pits conservative school-choice advocates against school administrators. Plus, America’s entire fleet of long-range stealth bombers are based at Whiteman Air Force Base 60 miles east of Kansas City.