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The Future of Special Education Funding
As Kansas and Missouri work through their education budgets and consider changes to how they fund schools, special education funding is getting long-overdue attention — and the conversation couldn’t come at a more important time. In Kansas, special education funding is at a crossroads.…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Although the national test that measures academic achievement may have limitations, the data consistently shows that too many students are not proficient at reading, and progress remains slow. Missouri Update – House committee debates bill to…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – For the second year in a row, leaders in Kansas are pushing a plan to consolidate early childhood programs and services currently spread across multiple state departments. Missouri Update – Kids Win Missouri, with the…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – School choice remains a top priority for Governor Mike Kehoe’s administration, and this week, Missouri lawmakers made progress on one key component—open enrollment. Missouri Update – Bills related to educator tax deductions, hazing legislation, and open enrollment…
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Reading crisis is real no matter the measure
Following our recent newsletter, some in the education community have raised concerns about our use of NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) data, suggesting that it overstates the number of students struggling with reading. NAEP has its limitations—it’s a national benchmark based on…
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Student achievement on the decline
This week, test results revealed a sobering look at student achievement in the United States. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a nationwide test administered to measure students’ academic performance in the United States. It’s often called the “Nation’s Report…
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Aligned Launches Blog
Aligned believes that informed policy drives stronger education and workforce outcomes. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new Aligned Blog – a space where we will break down the latest education and workforce policy developments in Kansas and Missouri. Our…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – This week, NAEP test results revealed a sobering look at student achievement in the United States. Missouri Update – Governor Mike Kehoe wants to rewrite the state education funding formula. Kansas Update – Aligned has been actively…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Kansas Lawmakers Weigh Property Tax Relief Missouri Update – Early childhood council discusses program updates & strategic initiatives Kansas Update – Education policy proposals emerge in Topeka Additional Highlights – Brian Brush joins Aligned…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Governor Mike Kehoe credits mentorship in inauguration day speech. Missouri Update – Aligned and other child advocates met with Speaker Jon Patterson to discuss a proposal to create a community childcare exchange. Kansas Update – Governor Laura Kelly addresses childhood investment in…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Missouri releases playbook to curb teacher shortages. Missouri Update – Newly installed legislative leaders prioritize children Kansas Update – Members of the Kansas Legislature set their sights on a shorter session. Additional Highlights –…
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Update – December 2024
This week’s highlights: Top News – Aligned will continue to focus on early care and education solutions, open enrollment and college access, and school finance reform. Yesterday, we presented our priorities for 2025 to lawmakers and partners in a webinar detailing our…