schools

State tax dollars have already started flowing out of the Missouri Treasurer’s Office to fund private-school scholarships. Missouri teachers are suing to stop the payments, calling it an unauthorized use of taxpayer dollars.

Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick criticized the Independence school district for spending money on a lawsuit attempting to overturn a requirement for a public vote on the four-day school week.

Shawnee Mission, Olathe, Topeka and Kansas City, Kansas, public school districts allegedly allowed students to participate in sports and use restrooms that align with their gender identity. The districts also permitted teachers to maintain confidentiality with transgender students.

Missouri is the only state that still operates separate day schools for special education. But the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled are struggling with declining enrollment, with 36% fewer students over the past 16 years.

Missouri students won't be able to send texts or check social media during class after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a law banning cellphones during school — although there are some important exceptions. School leaders tend to agree that phones are disruptive, but they worry about enforcement of the law.

The tax-free holiday weekend in Missouri, which runs August 1-3, is scheduled during the prime time for back-to-school shopping. But you don’t have to be a student, parent or teacher to benefit from tax-free clothing, computers and more.

The grants fund a wide range of education programs, including migrant education, services for English language learners and adult education. Kansas City area school districts were hit hard by the grant freezes.

Missouri law previously allowed school districts to choose if they wanted to allow homeschooled students to participate in school teams or other activities. Under a new law signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe, districts must allow athletes to try out without taking classes.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe also signed a bill that seeks to support victims of college hazing, and a bill expanding the use of baby safe boxes.

High schools in Kansas are graduating a higher percentage of students than ever before. But some people worry that the growth of credit recovery could be lowering standards and allowing students to get a diploma without the skills they need.

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.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach alleged that the Olathe, Shawnee Mission, and Kansas City, Kansas, school districts are violating federal law by not properly notifying parents of their students’ gender identity.