Education reform bill would make key change to how Missouri schools are funded
Education reform bill would make key change to how Missouri schools are funded KCTV 5
sdgtalks
Kansas City Education Reform Package Approved by Missouri Senate
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – An omnibus education reform package approved by the Missouri Senate would change the way state money is allocated to public schools.
The bill contains dozens of provisions including some policy priorities for both Democrats and Republicans. It also contains a boost in funding for public schools, teacher recruitment and retention programs, as well as a long-desired update to the formula used to allocate state funds.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Quality Education (SDG 4)
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
- Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
The new formula would consider a school’s enrollment instead of tying state funds to attendance alone.
“Changing the formula to be based on attendance and enrollment, that’s huge,” Columbia Democratic Rep. Kathy Steinhoff said. “There are a lot of things that are very attractive about this bill that Democrats have been working for for a very, very long time.”
Republicans would score some major political points with this bill as well, including an expansion of the state’s school voucher system, expanding the state’s education savings account program and opening the door for charter schools in one of the state’s largest school districts, Columbia.
ALSO READ: Kansas City Public Schools superintendent addresses staff shortages
Sedalia Republican Brad Pollitt chairs the House Education Committee.
“A lot of good lot of good things in the bill, no matter what side you’re on. But there’s also some things that concern you if you’re on the other side,” Pollitt said. “Normally, with this kind of legislation, you don’t get everything you want every single time and especially with education.”
Democrats have strongly opposed more public dollars going to private education, while Republicans are staunchly against any additional involvement of state government in education.
The package also contains an incentive for school districts that avoid moving to a 4-day school week, with grant funding going toward teacher retention efforts.
The bill still needs to be vetted by a committee which could start as early as Thursday.
After this week, there are only seven left in the session.
ALSO READ: New high-tech transportation service to shuttle KCPS students in 2024-25
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | Enrollment rates, completion rates, learning outcomes |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations | Gender parity index in education |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all | Number of schools with safe and inclusive learning environments |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.c By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states | Number of qualified teachers |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | Proportion of population with access to basic services, including education |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article discusses an omnibus education reform package that includes provisions related to public schools, funding, teacher recruitment and retention programs, and an update to the formula used to allocate state funds. These issues directly relate to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions the opposition between Democrats and Republicans regarding public dollars going to private education and the involvement of state government in education. This highlights the issue of inequalities in access to education and the different perspectives on addressing this issue.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
– Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
– Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable.
– Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
– Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Enrollment rates, completion rates, and learning outcomes can be used as indicators to measure progress towards Target 4.1.
– The gender parity index in education can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 4.5.
– The number of schools with safe and inclusive learning environments can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 4.a.
– The number of qualified teachers can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 4.c.
– The proportion of the population with access to basic services, including education, can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 10.2.
The article does not provide specific data or statistics related to these indicators, but they can be used to assess progress based on available data from relevant sources.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes | Enrollment rates, completion rates, learning outcomes |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable | Gender parity index in education |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all | Number of schools with safe and inclusive learning environments |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.c By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states | Number of qualified teachers |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | Proportion of population with access to basic services, including education |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: kctv5.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
