Iorio: Is Voucher Bill a Good Compromise?

Legislation tying school vouchers to increased teacher pay is moving in the Legislature. The compromise might sound too good to be true–and Kansans should ask tough questions and scrutinize the details. The bill will not help low income families afford private schools, wrote Sharon Iorio in a special bonus column last week.

Iorio: Tax Credits, Other Funding Diversions Undermine Public Education

Various proposals to aid private and homeschooling being advanced in the Kansas Legislature would divert money from the state’s public schools, with too little public accountability, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.

Iorio: Education Savings Accounts are Not as Simple as Legislators Think

State legislators are enamored with education savings accounts, but their implementation invites a host of complications when it comes to equity and accountability, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.

Iorio: The Value of Strong Public Schools

The Holidays are a time to take stock of those things for which we are grateful. Those include strong, accountable public schools, wrote Sharon Iorio in her most recent column.

Iorio: What Does a Conservative School Board Mean for Kansas?

Republicans took all five open seats on the Kansas School Board this year, leading them to a seven to three advantage over Democrats. What does the new, conservative majority mean for school vouchers, a “parents’ bill of rights,” and other decisions affecting Kansas schools? Sharon Iorio surveyed what’s at stake in her latest column.

Iorio: Voters Shouldn’t Ignore Races for State School Board

This election season, races for Governor, Attorney General, and Congress are getting a lot of attention–but voters should also scrutinize the candidates for state school board, wrote Sharon Iorio in a special bonus column last week.

Iorio: What’s Actually in the “Parents’ Bill of Rights”?

Parents have a right to know what their children are learning in school, but that’s not all that’s in the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” model legislation. No one faction or interest group should have the power to veto what our children learn, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.

Iorio: Facts, Not Fear About Transgender Athletes

There’s a lot of emotion behind the debate over transgender high school athletes these days, but what are the facts? Sharon Iorio reviews them in last week’s column.

Iorio: Removing Qualifications Not the Solution for Teacher Shortage

Kansas schools face an acute shortage of teachers. Removing the qualifications to teach is not the solution, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.

Iorio: Arming Teachers Won’t Increase School Safety

School safety is in the news since the horrific shootings in Uvalde, Texas. But, arming teachers is not the solution, wrote Sharon Iorio in last week’s column.