schools

The University of Kansas is refusing to answer questions over how much it pays student-athletes and where that $20.5 million comes from, even though salaries are public for every other university employee. That's raising concerns over transparency and financial priorities.

Researchers say early academic results from Missouri's voucher program are encouraging, but missing test scores and income information limit what can be learned. The findings don't establish whether the program has improved academic outcomes or whether its students outperform those in public schools.

Keri Ingle, who has represented in the Missouri House since 2019, is running against outgoing Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson to represent Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and other cities in eastern Jackson County in the state Senate. Democrats are targeting the seat in hopes of breaking the chamber’s Republican supermajority.

Schools in the U.S. serve almost 30 million lunches every day. But rising food costs, regulations and cuts to food assistance mean school kitchens have to do more with less.

The legislature has yet to pass Erin’s Law, mandating child abuse prevention education, and other laws advocates say could strengthen protections for children.

Since a 9-year-old girl was struck and killed by a car while riding her bike to school in Kansas City one year ago, city leaders, local organizations, and families have been trying to improve traffic infrastructure and car culture to make streets safer.

Some kids with mobility challenges are missing out on playing with peers and siblings. Thanks to a partnership between Variety KC and The Barstow School’s robotics team, seven Kansas City toddlers received modified ride-on cars to give them more independence and a new chance to play with others.

In one of the state’s few competitive Senate races, the candidates draw contrasts over public schools, taxes and abortion.

Kansas State Board of Education District 1 covers all or part of a dozen counties in northeast Kansas, including northwest Wyandotte County and northern Leavenworth County in the Kansas City area. Republican Amy Cawvey and Democrat Jennifer Lloyd are both running for the seat on Nov. 3.

Citing declining enrollment and chronic underfunding by the state, the Olathe school board voted 7-0 to close five elementary schools and Indian Trail Middle at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

The Kansas City Council approved new traffic restrictions to keep children safer on the roads after a driver hit and killed a child last fall. KCUR wants to hear from families about whether their kids walk or bike to school, and whether they feel like the recent safety measures are working.

Missouri legislators passed a law in 2022 making it a crime for school employees to provide students with what was defined as explicit sexual material. Last year, a judge ruled the law unconstitutional.