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Do some kids learn better online? A new Kansas City virtual academy thinks so
Bridget Bolder sent her daughter, Mia, to kindergarten at a neighborhood public school. After all, it seemed the “normal, regular thing to do.” But Bolder started to worry that some of her daughter’s classmates were exposing her to inappropriate topics. Early in the school year, Mia had to tell a teacher about a boy groping […]
Kansas City’s $424 million bond proposal would close, renovate and move schools
Superintendent Jennifer Collier understands why families weren’t inspired by the last Kansas City Public Schools building plan. “It really just felt like … trying to convince people why they should be OK with us taking away their school,” she said. A new plan to build at least two new schools and renovate others, reshuffle students […]
Year-round school is out at three KC-area schools, but another says it’s boosting test scores
When Natalie Brooks moved her daughters into North Kansas City Schools, she didn’t realize her neighborhood school was one of two in the district that put kids in class an extra 31 days. She became an advocate of the program, believing it helped to skip long summer breaks where her daughters might forget what they’d […]
Missouri uses money, laws to push evidence-based reading instruction
If you drop into an elementary reading lesson, you might see kids learning about the long U sound, building their vocabulary or practicing how to read aloud without sounding like robots. And if you visit Kansas City Public Schools this fall, you should see all students in the same grade learning the same thing. After […]
Kansas City charter school found locking up students’ phones left more time for learning
Facetime calls. Blaring music. Video games. “You name it, it was happening” during class at DeLaSalle High School, said Breona Ward, director of college and career progressions. Students’ cellphone use got in the way of learning at the Kansas City charter school. The difference Ward saw in her English classroom was “night and day” after […]
No zeros: How a new Kansas City Public Schools grading policy is meant to improve equity
Finish zero schoolwork, expect zero for a grade. Not anymore in Kansas City Public Schools. The district launched a different grading system during the most recent school year. The minimum grade on any given assignment is now 40%, even if the student didn’t do a single bit of it. The district started to discuss changes […]
Independence’s four-day school week draws Missouri auditor probe
Independence School District Superintendent Dale Herl feels targeted by the state for moving to a four-day school week. On Wednesday, Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced a plan to audit the district. Independence schools aren’t accused of wrongdoing, and no one asked for an audit. Rather, it’s Fitzpatrick’s first foray into conducting more routine audits of […]
Kansas City talked about shutting these schools down. Now, they’re growing
The line of children filing down the hallway of George Melcher Elementary School in Kansas City seemed endless. “This is one first grade class,” Principal LaKeisha Paul said. “How many kids do you have?” she called to the teacher. The answer was 32. It’s hard to keep track. New students have continued to pour into […]
Raytown students wanted crackdown on violence, guns in school. Making the right changes is tricky
In early February, Raytown High School sophomore Harper York crossed the street to pick up some M&Ms from a Casey’s store before her next rehearsal. Suddenly, she turned around from the checkout and saw a “mob fight” had broken out. When the chaos died down and she got over her initial shock, Harper made a […]
How to help kids traumatized by Kansas City Super Bowl parade mass shooting
For starters, experts suggest, get the kids back into school. Routines matter in the raw aftermath of trauma. Child health experts say the shooting that killed a mother and wounded several children at the close of Kansas City’s celebration of the Chiefs’ latest championship likely left kids traumatized. Whether they were near Union Station or, […]
Kansas City Public Schools face grievances from maintenance and cafeteria workers’ union
In a matter of months, the union representing maintenance, custodial and cafeteria workers at Kansas City Public Schools went from a cordial relationship with the district to filing seven class-action grievances. The grievances include allegations that the district hasn’t delivered all raises laid out in the latest labor contract, has disciplined workers for using leave […]
Kansas City Public Schools won’t arm officers in elementary schools after community feedback
Applause broke out at a Kansas City Public Schools advisory committee meeting on Wednesday when an employee announced the district was moving away from a proposal to add armed officers to elementary schools. In the end, district administrators heard too much opposition to putting more guns on school grounds — even in the holsters of […]