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Missouri school funding reform: Two models, difficult tradeoffs
On Monday, the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force convened in Jefferson City for its ninth full meeting. The meeting marked a shift in both tone and substance from the Task Force’s earlier work. Instead of analyzing problems with the…
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Building Talent Pipelines: Apprenticeships in Kansas
A conversation on career pathways, workforce needs, and how Kansas employers can get involved. Apprenticeships are one of the most practical ways to connect education and the workforce. Join Aligned for a virtual conversation on how apprenticeship programs can help…
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Childcare as a Workforce Issue: Childcare in Kansas
A conversation on child care, workforce, and what employers can do next. Child care is not just a family issue. It is a workforce, economic development, and community issue. Join Aligned for a virtual conversation on the current state of…
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Can a bachelor’s degree be earned in three years? Kansas wants to find out
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) recently adopted a new policy that enables universities to propose bachelor’s degree programs that require only 90 credit hours instead of the traditional 120. The policy (which you can view starting on pg. 114…
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Kansas Regents approve tuition increases for FY 2027
At its June board meeting, the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) approved tuition increases at five of Kansas’ six public universities for the 2026-27 academic year, ranging from 3.5% to 6.0%. These approved tuition increases are comparable to those approved…
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Why CEP Is More Than a School Meals Debate in Kansas
A simple bill with a complicated question underneath Kansas HB 2402 looks simple on paper. It requires eligible school boards to consider whether to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, commonly called CEP, if more than 50% of students in one or more schools qualify for free meals via direct certification. The…
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2026 Kansas Legislative Session Review
The 2026 Kansas Legislative Session advanced several important education policies focused on student outcomes, workforce readiness, transparency, and long-term success. This year, Kansas lawmakers took action to strengthen classroom learning environments, improve accountability, expand education and workforce pathways, support early…
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Post-Session Analysis: 2026 Missouri Education Policy
Event Overview This webinar walked through the major education issues, key bills, and policy conversations that shaped the session. We will also share what passed, what stalled, and what to watch as Missouri leaders continue working to strengthen student outcomes…
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2026 Kansas Legislative Recap
Event Overview This webinar walked through the key bills, major priorities, and outcomes that shaped the session. We also shared what passed, what stalled, and what to watch heading into the next year. Event DetailsDate: May 6, 2026Time: 12:00 PM…
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Missouri’s Teacher Supply Hourglass: Why the Missing Middle Matters
This blog provides an overview of Aligned’s Missouri’s Classroom Teacher Experience Series, a three-part analysis examining how shifts in experience, placement, and credentials are reshaping the state’s educator pipeline. Over the next three weeks, we will release the full reports…
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Kansas Legislature passes state budget
This analysis originally appeared in Aligned’s weekly newsletter, where we track key education and workforce policy developments across Kansas and Missouri. Subscribe to get these updates delivered directly to your inbox. Late Thursday night into earlier this morning, the Kansas Senate (23-16) and House of…
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Kansas Enacts Statewide Cell Phone Policy
Kansas’ student cell phone legislation has become law, ultimately moving forward through a different vehicle. After additional negotiations, the Senate’s policy approach in SB 302 was incorporated into Senate Substitute for Substitute for House Bill 2299, which is now law. The final bill…
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Access nonpartisan research and news about the policies shaping education in Kansas and Missouri.