Half the seats on the Kansas Board of Education are up for election. The 10-seat board is losing three of the more moderate elected officials, which could swing the political leanings of the board to the left or right. The Beacon asked Board of Education candidates the same list of questions to see their priorities […]
Education
The Wichita Beacon shares local news stories about education. Learn about the news stories affecting you and your community.
Jeffrey Jarman, Debby Potter and Kent Rowe seek open Kansas Board of Education seat
Two locally elected officials and a former substitute teacher are running for an open seat on the Kansas Board of Education after a three-term incumbent didn’t run for reelection. Republicans have won this seat in the past five elections Election day is Nov. 5, Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote and […]
Beryl New and Bruce Schultz run for northeastern Kansas State Board of Education seat
A retired teacher and a current Kansas State University professor are running for the state school board. Republicans have won this seat in the past five elections. Election day is Nov. 5. Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote and early voting starts Oct. 16. You can find your polling place and […]
Betty Arnold and Jason Carmichael run for Wichita State Board of Education seat
Betty Arnold is running for another term on the state school board, but Army veteran Jason Carmichael is trying to take her place. Republicans have won this seat three times in the past five elections. Election day is Nov. 5, Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote and early voting starts Oct. […]
Wichita schools are adapting to help more English learners succeed
Ana Lopez arrived in Wichita from northern Mexico, knowing only a few English words. Unable to talk with classmates or understand her teachers, she started out at Curtis Middle School feeling shy, nervous and frightened. Then, Wichita Public Schools placed her in an intensive language class with only one other English learner. “My teacher,” Lopez […]
How a Wichita State program could help solve Kansas’ teacher shortage
Raising five children and working as a teacher’s aide in Newton left Emily Crawford with too little time to take college classes to become a teacher. So she became an apprentice — earning a teacher’s salary ahead of schedule. All those hours tied up in the classroom helped pave her path to a college degree, […]
Wichita students, universities are still figuring out financial aid as delays continue
Seven months of federal paperwork headaches have left Amy Stoltzfus frustrated. She’s an associate financial aid director at Friends University who helps students navigate the maze of forms and figure out how they will pay for college. An update meant to make it easier for college students to apply for financial aid ended up doing […]
What Wichita-area parents need to know about riding the school bus
Parents waiting for the first time with their kids to board the school bus is a time-honored tradition, but policies vary on who can ride the bus and what it costs. Here’s what you need to know about school transportation options. Who in Kansas gets a guaranteed school bus ride? Kansas state law provides free […]
How to make sure your kid is eating a healthy lunch at school
Making sure your child has a nutritious meal at school is important for their academic success and health. If you don’t have the time or money to pack a lunch, school lunches are a healthy alternative. School meals as a whole promote a better diet among participants. And eating breakfast at school reduces student absences and […]
What vaccine requirements you need to follow before school resumes in Kansas
Kansas requires students to be vaccinated against certain diseases before attending any public or private school. Parents can request exemptions to these vaccine requirements for documented medical conditions or religious objections. Caregivers will need to provide proof that students have all required vaccines before starting school. State law requires school districts to help spread the […]