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Analyzing School District Cash Reserves in Kansas
During the first few meetings of the Kansas Education Funding Task Force, both policymakers and district leaders have raised a familiar question: how much money are school districts keeping in reserve — and why? It’s a fair question, with both practical…
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Supporting Educators Beyond Teacher Appreciation Week
As Kansas and Missouri celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, educators across both states and the nation are sounding the same alarm: appreciation is welcome, but action is essential. Recent survey data show a profession under strain, with many teachers questioning whether they…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – As Kansas and Missouri celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, educators across both states and the nation are sounding the same alarm: appreciation is welcome, but action is essential. Missouri Update – Where Aligned priorities stand heading into the…
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Supreme Court Weighs Religious Charters
A closely watched U.S. Supreme Court case could open the door for religious organizations to operate publicly funded charter schools. The outcome could have sweeping implications for charter school governance, religious liberty, and state education policy nationwide. In 2023, Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – U.S. Supreme Court hears case on religious charter schools Missouri Update – Open enrollment bill heard, a new workforce effort launched, and two new education leaders announced Kansas Update – A look at preschool…
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Head Start facing elimination after 60 years
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said this week he would consider using state surplus funds to keep Head Start going if Congress approves discretionary spending cuts for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed by the Trump Administration. His comments follow a leaked draft of the…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Head Start facing elimination after 60 years Missouri Update – A look at the Governor’s first 100 days Kansas Update – Revenues Are Up — But Kansas’ Budget Still Faces Long-Term Imbalance Additional Highlights…
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Congress Weighs Child Tax Credit Expansion
This week, as families across the country filed their 2024 returns, a quieter debate in Washington could reshape next year’s tax season — and the financial outlook for millions of households with children. Chief among the issues in play: whether…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Congress Weighs Child Tax Credit Expansion Missouri Update – Kehoe replaces state board president Kansas Update – Legislative Session Recap Additional Highlights – Under the hood of the North Kansas City School District‘s nationally recognized Automotive Technology Program Read our…
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Advanced Manufacturing Demands an Advanced Workforce
While recent headlines have focused on tariffs and trade policy, a quieter consensus has emerged across party lines: reshoring critical industries is now a national priority. The debate is no longer about whether to bring key sectors like advanced manufacturing back to…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – With tariffs back in the spotlight, Aligned examines what it will take to build a workforce ready for the future of advanced manufacturing in Kansas and Missouri. Missouri Update – Voters approve more than $1 billion…
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Facing the Future with Fewer Learners
Enrollment decline lurks behind many conversations in education, fueling concern across the spectrum from early childhood through higher education. After all, many of our systems, institutions, and laws are predicated on the continued growth in students. Enrollment declines in both K–12 and…