State of Kansas Archives: on Education
Roger Marshall:
Not taxpayer responsibility to bear burden of student debt
Q: Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?A: It is not the responsibility of taxpayers to bear the burden of student debt. I encourage young people to invest in their future by enrolling in community colleges,
and technical colleges. The cost of college tuition is skyrocketing with exuberant campus fees, and cushy administrative salaries. We must address the cost of attendance problem to put a stop to the massive student loan debt in this county.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Barbara Bollier:
Private schools have no requirements for accountability
Q: Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?Barbara Bollier:
No. "Private schools have no requirements for accountability" and are not required to take all students, unlike public institutions.
Roger Marshall: No position found.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Roger Marshall:
Supported public service loan forgiveness program
Q: Support free or subsidized tuition or loan subsidies for lower-income individuals?Roger Marshall: Unclear. Supported public service loan forgiveness program.
Barbara Bollier: No. Doesn't support free college, but more financial support for students and let students refinance loans.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Dave Lindstrom:
Get federal government out of the student loan business
The federal government has almost single-handedly put the cost of higher education out of reach for most American families. It's time to get the government out of the student loan business and restore the underwriting of student loans,
whereby students are far less likely to bury themselves under a mountain of debt, often for degrees of little worth in the real-world economy.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website LindstromForSenate.com
May 31, 2020
Barbara Bollier:
Ensure every student a high quality K-12 education
Barbara understands that adequately funding public schools is one of the most important concerns for Kansans. She will:- Support and value teachers through higher pay and better benefits;
- Expand access to quality early childhood and childcare
programs;
- Ensure every student has the opportunity to receive a high quality K-12 education;
- Work to make higher education more affordable and accessible for everyone;
- Expand availability of trade, technical and job training programs.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website BollierForKansas.com
May 28, 2020
Barbara Bollier:
Opposes making college free for everyone
Barbara does not support fiscally irresponsible, unaffordable programs pushed by some national
Democrats, including free college for everyone and universal basic income.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website BollierForKansas.com
May 28, 2020
Laura Kelly:
Funding schools top budget priority, this year & every year
The days of doing the bare minimum to fund our schools are over. It stops now. The consequences were tangible, and the scars are lasting. Never again. We're going to properly fund our schools this year. And next year. And the year after that.
Every year, every month, every day that I'm governor. When I began work on the state's budget last month, this was the very first decision I made. Budgets reflect our priorities, and my number one priority will always be our public schools.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Kansas legislature
Jan 16, 2019
Laura Kelly:
Expand pre-K programs; fully fund our K-12 schools
Democratic nominee Laura Kelly plans to focus on investment in education and has derided the state's sales tax on food.
Kelly marked opening of fall classes in Kansas public schools by pointing to her quest to make education of Kansans from early childhood through college the state's top priority. "And, sadly, for the past seven years,
Sam Brownback and Kris Kobach have let them down," Kelly said. "Instead of focusing on doing the minimum, we will plan and innovate. We will expand pre-K programs, fully fund our K-12 schools and add a cost of
living index to keep us out of court. We will also invest more in career and technical programs."
The 2018 Legislature and Gov. Jeff Colyer agreed to raise state aid to public education by $525 million over five years.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Aug 16, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
My (Re) Employment Plan: KANSASWORKS technical education
I was visiting Pittsburg, and Southeast Kansas continues to struggle. Without prior warning, I stopped in to visit the KANSASWORKS office which helps people looking for work: professionals provide personalized job search assistance. To address this
issue my Administration will be launching a program called the My (Re) Employment Plan, [which] will provide, free of charge, a skills assessment, resume, interview & networking assistance, & labor market information highlighting current in-demand jobs.
Other Kansans have the talent and drive but not the immediate technical skills to find a good paying job. The budget proposal includes significant investments in career and technical education. It will give Kansas high school students the
opportunity to learn technical skills before they've even received their high school diplomas. Older students can also learn skills needed to compete for in-demand jobs. It will increase the apprentice program, and support the jobs of the future.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
Invest in early childhood education & invest in our future
Finally, and perhaps the most pressing question in many of your minds, where will we go on education? And before we get to the elephant in the room, let me first thank you to the legislature for the remarkable investments you have made in early
childhood education. Early childhood education works.On my first day as governor, I had the opportunity to visit a public school in my hometown of Hays. I want you to know that your Governor is a supporter of public education.
In Kansas, we invest in our schools, not because a court tells us to, but because we want to invest in our children and our future. We invest in teachers because they invest in our kids.
We support things like the Kansans Can Redesign program because we are willing to do hard things for the youth of this state.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
Increased investments in K-12 Education
What I learned from President Reagan is that we develop principles that allow us to resolve our issues. As the sign on his desk and now mine says, "It can be done." With that in mind, I will offer a framework that I hope you can see fit to support:
- We must keep our schools open.
- We need a definitive solution that ends the school finance lawsuits FOR GOOD.
- Increased investments in K-12 Education must come through a phased in approach that doesn't increase the tax burden on
Kansas families and ensures schools can effectively allocate any new funds they receive.
- Lastly, and most importantly, we must insist on accountability and improved outcomes.
I will sign school finance legislation that meets these objectives.
This will not be easy, but public servants and leaders are not called to make the easy choices. We're here to do the right thing, and the right thing is never easy.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2018
Sam Brownback:
Court-ordered education funding won't solve every problem
Six-hundred million dollars is a very significant investment. And Kansans expect to see students in every school in our state thrive and achieve, particularly our students who the Court cited as being inadequately served under our current funding.
We cannot--we must not--repeat the mistakes of others who have gone down the primrose path of thinking that educational results can be forced by massive infusions of taxpayer money alone. Money by itself will not solve the problem.
Source: 2018 Kansas State of the State address
Jan 9, 2018
Kris Kobach:
End in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
Kobach pointed to a 2004 law that allows people who entered the country illegally to pay in-state tuition at Kansas universities if they've lived in the state for at least three years and have graduated from a Kansas high school. "We are also the only
state in the five-state area that rewards illegal immigration by giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens when our own students are barely able to afford college. The price of college is going up and up and up," Kobach said. "The universities tell us,
oh, they have to keep on increasing tuition, they have to keep on taking more from the taxpayer in legislative spending. But they give away hundreds of millions of dollars to maintain what is a subsidy to illegal aliens.
It's unfair. It's unreasonable, and it will stop when I'm governor."Only 686 illegal immigrants took advantage of the in-state tuition program in 2016, mostly for community college.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 8, 2017
Wink Hartman:
Solemn state responsibility to ensure education resources
Kansas children are our state's most treasured resource. The most fundamental and solemn responsibility of our state government is to educate the next generation of Kansas leaders. Most importantly, we need to properly prepare the workforce of today
for the jobs of tomorrow. There is perhaps no greater example of the dysfunction in state government than the issue of education funding.
Families, teachers and students are constantly facing an uncertain future and that must change. If elected, I will work with parents, educators and legislative leaders to ensure that every
Kansas student has the resources they need, the stability they desire and the education they deserve to sufficiently prepare them for the jobs of the 21st Century.
Source: 2018 Kansas governor campaign website HartmanForKansas.com
May 2, 2017
Ron Estes:
Oppose government telling us how to educate our children
I will never support the Federal Government? taking power further away from We the People. From our second amendment rights, to the education of our children,
to our right to worship as we choose, our liberties must be protected from those who would use power to tell us what to believe and how we educate our children.
Source: 2017 Kansas House campaign website EstesForCongress.com
Apr 11, 2017
Ron Estes:
More visibility for Learning Quest college savings program
As State Treasurer, Ron identified creative ways to increase the visibility of the Learning Quest college savings program,
such as sending Learning Quest information along with newly issued birth certificates.
Source: 2017 Kansas House campaign website EstesForCongress.com
Apr 11, 2017
Carl Brewer:
Same resources for urban/rural schools as wealthy districts
Brewer, who would be the first African-American governor of Kansas if elected, announced his campaign ahead of the state party's annual convention. He spoke to a crowd at the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City. "As mayor, all the
children in Wichita were my children. And as governor, all of the children in the state would be my children, and I'm going to make sure that they get the education that they need," Brewer, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2015, told the crowd.
Several of the event's attendees brought up inequality in education and pressed Brewer on his plans to fix it. Brewer, who noted he attended all-black schools in Wichita as a child, said the state needs to ensure both urban and rural schools have the
same resources as wealthier districts. He promised to release a school funding plan after the Legislature acts on the issue later this session and to visit every corner of the state during the campaign.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 20, 2017
Sam Brownback:
TeachersKan: scholarship program for Kansas college students
Projects like the EducationSuperHighway pave the way toward connectivity in the classroom so students can begin interacting with the tools of our time. We must prepare today's students for tomorrow's workforce. Every student, in every classroom, will
have affordable, effective, high-speed internet.Across the nation there is a growing demand for teachers. We must recruit talented educators to come to Kansas, but outdated regulations sometimes prevent this. Simple reforms in the teacher
certification system can create a pathway bringing more teachers to Kansas.
We also have a responsibility to build up the next generation of educators. College costs can make this difficult. That is why I've announced the launch of TeachersKan, a new
scholarship program for Kansas college students. If you are a successful Kansas student and commit to teaching in a hard to fill discipline or underserved community, we will help equip you to become a teacher of tomorrow.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Kansas Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Sam Brownback:
More education money should be going to instruction
Of the more than $4 billion the state puts into education funding, not nearly enough goes toward instruction. That's highly inefficient, if not immoral, denying Kansans from putting their education dollars were they want it.behind a
good teacher. I call on the legislature to design a new education funding system that puts more of our money into instruction. That provides bonuses for exceptional teachers and recognizes their true value to our future and the souls of our students.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Randall Batson:
Strongly supports parents choosing schools via vouchers
Q: Do you support or oppose parents choosing schools via vouchers?
A: Strongly Support.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Patrick Wiesner:
More revenue to increase K-12 funding and college funding
Q: Do you feel funding for the state's economic plan is working or not?A: The state is not collecting the revenue needed to pay for state expenditures.
I'd like to see more revenue so that Kansas could both increase K-12 funding and also provide more resources to higher education so that college students could get a tuition break.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
Milton Wolf:
Block federal mandates such as Common Core
Question topic: The federal government should establish nationwide standards (such as Common Core) for high-school graduation.
Wolf: Strongly Disagree. We need to dramatically reduce and ultimately eliminate federal involvement in education. We need to block federal mandates such as Common Core, and we need to push control of our schools down to the local level.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Greg Orman:
National innovation for high student achievement
While public education is primarily a state-based issue, there can be a national voice in encouraging innovation and high achievement for every child. We need to seek ways to help children's education during their formative years so that they can get
a quality education to have a better opportunity at achieving their own American Dream. To remain competitive in the global marketplace, we need to keep college education affordable for the middle class.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, OrmanForSenate.com
Jun 17, 2014
Jerry Moran:
Make it easier for lower income Kansans to attend college
I have worked to support various proposals to make it easier for lower income Kansans to attend college. The College Cost Reduction Act reduces student loan interest rates and increases federal grants for Kansas students.
The legislation cuts interest rates in half for subsidized student loans and increases the maximum Pell grant award by $1,090. Legislation also establishes loan forgiveness programs for individuals who work in public service jobs.
I supported the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act to allow not-for-profit student housing organizations like fraternities and sororities
to use tax-deductible charitable contributions to improve and upgrade their housing.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2010 Kansas Senate incumbents
Nov 28, 2010
Mark Parkinson:
World-class public school system is investment in future
Our founders shared a vision of great public schools and outstanding universities. In the early years, our leaders understood the importance of a great higher education system. They established Kansas State University in 1863, just two years after
Kansas became a state. Since then we have formed six other major universities, 19 community colleges and seven technical schools and colleges.The same can be said of our investment in our public schools. While other states were shy to adopt public
education, we embraced it. Our leaders made the conscious decision clear back in the 1860s to spend money on public education. This commitment to public schools was not one time or intermittent; it was long-lasting.
It is at the very essence of what makes Kansas, Kansas.
Throughout our history this has worked. We developed a world class public school system. It happened because those that came before us had vision and the courage to make investments in our future.
Source: 2010 Kansas State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2010
Kris Kobach:
No unfunded mandates; yes charters & vouchers
Kobach supports the following principles regarding education.- Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any public school.
-
Allow parents to use vouchers (equal opportunity scholarships) to send their children to any private or religious school.
- Allow teachers and professionals to receive authorization and funding to establish charter schools.
-
Increase funding for block grants to states to aid in the hiring of additional teachers.
- Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
- Support granting states limited control over Head Start programs.
- Increase funding of programs
such as Pell grants and Stafford loans to help students pay for college.
- Support federal tax incentives to help families save for college.
- Kobach adds, "I support the removal of unfunded federal mandates in education."
Source: 2004 Kansas Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
John Kerry:
Chides Bush for not fully funding No Child Left Behind
Kerry criticized the president for failing to push for full funding to carry out the 2002 No Child Left Behind law. “You cannot promise no child left behind and then pursue policies that leave millions of children behind every single day,” Kerry said,
calling the new law “a promissory note to all of America’s families that must be paid in full.
Source: William Douglas/Tom Fitzgerald; Kansas City Star
May 17, 2004
Kathleen Sebelius:
Education First: Target additional $300M where most needed
My Education First plan will provide an additional $300 million to Kansas schools over the next three years. It’s a responsible plan that targets additional resources to where they are most needed: teachers; early-education programs,
including all-day kindergarten; and at-risk students who need our help to succeed. It invests $10 million in Smart Start programs across the state. Early learning programs are among the best investments we can make in the future.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Kathleen Sebelius:
Minimize the need for college tuition increases
It’s critical that we do more to sustain our institutions of higher learning.
Because of our difficult financial times, we have failed to keep a promise made to the state’s colleges and universities to provide funding to retain key faculty and minimize the need for tuition increases. My proposal fulfills that promise.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Kathleen Sebelius:
Review district finances and bring efficiency
I propose we create a school audit team in the Division of the Budget to review district finances and help schools become more efficient. I expect these reviews, which have been successfully launched in Texas, Virginia, and a handful of other states,
will provide that confidence to taxpayers and parents. I believe they’ll help Kansas school districts streamline their management and business practices so that more dollars reach the classroom and fewer are spent on unnecessary layers of bureaucracy.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Kathleen Sebelius:
Pay teachers adequately and provide them with health care
In exchange for additional resources, we must also demand that school districts be good employers. We must demand that they adequately pay teachers
and provide them with the health coverage that other public employees enjoy. We know that health insurance is a powerful recruitment and retention tool. Providing it to teachers will keep talent in Kansas classrooms.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Wesley Clark:
Decries lack of funding for No Child Left Behind
[Clark] decried the lack of funding for the No Child Left Behind Act, saying ‘we should stop beating teachers over the head and start supporting them.’
Source: Matt Stearns, The Kansas City Star
Apr 28, 2003
Bill Graves:
More funding for special education and parental services
Over the last six years, we have tripled funding for a program that teaches parents how to be better teachers to their children. In special education, six years ago, 67,000 students were served by 8,200 teachers at a cost of $205 million. Now, 10,000
more students are served by 2,700 additional teachers at a cost of $312 million. That’s a 15 percent increase in special education students served by a 33 percent increase in teachers at a cost of 52 percent more.
Source: State of the state address to Kansas legislature
Jan 8, 2001
Howard Phillips:
Education debate today is about sex & crime
Today, the education debate is even further removed from the controversies of the sixties, seventies and eighties, when issues such as forced busing, quotas, and prayer in the schools were hotly argued. Today the focus is on rape
and murder in the schools, America 2000, Outcome-Based-Education, and the distribution of condoms, even to students in the fifth grade.
Source: Kansas Education Watch Network Conference, Wichita, Kansas
Aug 7, 1993
Howard Phillips:
Schools sponsor the official state religion of humanism
Anti-Christian humanists who advocate separating church from state are total hypocrites unless they similarly insist upon the separation of education from state, because every government-subsidized school has become an establishment of the officially
approved state religion, censoring prayer, subsidizing sex, denying creation, rewriting history, undermining parental authority, denigrating Biblical values, and dumbing down the children so that they may be no wiser than those who run our government.
Source: Kansas Education Watch Network Conference, Wichita, Kansas
Aug 7, 1993
Howard Phillips:
Separate education from state, or it’s establishing religion
[Those who] advocate. separating church from state are hypocrites unless they similarly insist upon the separation of education from state, because every government-subsidized and regulated school has become an establishment of the officially approved
state religion, censoring prayer, subsidizing sex, denying creation, rewriting history, undermining parental authority, denigrating Biblical values, and dumbing down the children so that they may be no wiser than those who run our government.
Source: Remarks at the Kansas Education Watch Network Conference
Aug 7, 1993
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021