Legislators are expected to make quick work of remaining education issues when the Kansas Legislature returns this week to finish the 2013 session, including a proposal sought by Gov. Sam Brownback to improve elementary reading scores. The plan calls for testing first-graders on their skills and holding them back if they aren’t reading at grade level. Students could be retested and parents would have a say in the matter before students are retained.
The Senate approved the compromise but needs House approval to go to the governor.
One issue that won’t be discussed in great detail will be changes to the school finance formula. The state is appealing a January ruling from a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court finding that the system for funding public schools is unconstitutional.