January 25, 2008
Just talking…
The House Education Committee heard from Janis Lariviere who presented UKAN Teach program at KU. The program's goal is to develop more science teachers in Kansas by working with students at KU to develop an interest in teaching science. A similiar program at the University of Texas has been successful in dramatically increasing the number students becoming science teachers. The UKAN Teach has made presentations before a number of interim committees.
The 2010 Commission heard from Mark Tallman of KASB regarding the relationship of tax rates, educational spending, educational attainment and economic prosperity across the 50 states. Former Commissioner of Education Andy Tompkins testified before the commission regarding the changing expectations of our public schools. Included in the presentation was the fact that in 1900 Kansas had very few secondary schools and less than 10% of the Kansas population had a high school education. In 2000 nearly 90% of the Kansas population had a high school diploma. He shared the goals of two groups seeking changes in the school system, The Partnership for 21st Centruy Schools and the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard about the progress on melding Tech Schools in Kansas with Universities and Community Colleges.
Hooray for Roger Reitz!
Republican State Senator Roger Reitz of Manhattan has filed legislation, Senate Bill 466, raising the Kansas minimum wage to the federal level.
Of the states with a minimum wage, Kansas has the lowest at $2.65 per hour. While most workers fall under the federal minimum, there are some for whom the state wage applies. Many of these workers are in the hospitality industry.
The Reitz bill increases the Kansas minimum wage to $6.55 per hour on August 1, 2008 and then to $7.25 per hour on August 1, 2009. These increases will tie to the already scheduled increases in the federal minimum wage.
Of our surrounding states Colorado and Missouri have rates higher than the federal rate now ($7.02 and $6.65 respectively) while Oklahoma and Nebraska have rates equal to the federal rate. Other than Kansas only Wyoming and Georgia have rates lower than the federal rate. The state rate in both Wyoming and Georgia is $5.15 per hour – full $2.50 per hour higher than Kansas! Thirty states and the District of Columbia have rates above the federal rate.
KNEA supports an increase in the minimum wage as a way to combat poverty and support the children of low-income families. Thank you, Senator Reitz!
We’ll keep reminding you about…
Presidential politics!
Kansas is in play!
It’s not often that the presidential race is fought in Kansas but this year, with no clear front runner in either party and the Kansas caucuses in early February, Kansas voters get the chance to have a real say.
For anyone new to the caucus system, it is not terribly complicated. Both parties estimate that the caucus will last from 1 to 2 hours. Beyond that, the two parties operate quite differently.
The Republican caucuses will feature a discussion of each candidate followed by a secret ballot vote. The winner of that vote (tallied for all 65 caucuses) wins Kansas and Republican delegates to the national convention are required to support that candidate. The Republican delegates are selected in a completely separate process.
In the Democratic caucuses, participants gather in groups supporting each candidate. Participants in a candidate group that is comprised of less than 15% of the total caucus goers have the opportunity to switch to a viable candidate group. They then determine the number of delegates for each candidate and elect delegates to represent their candidate at the Congressional District Convention.
And what if KNEA members had a real voice in the selection of both the Republican and Democratic candidates?
We can! But only if YOU participate. So read our comparison information on the caucuses and then visit the website of your party. Find out where your caucus is and get on board. Let’s put education first in the selection of our next president.
Democratic caucuses
WHEN:
February 5, 2008
Open at 6:00 pm
Call to order at 7:00 pm
WHERE:
40 locations by state senate district. Go to http://ksdp.org to find your location or watch your local newspaper.
REGISTRATION:
You may register as a Democrat at the door – there is no need to pre-register to vote. Republicans and Independents may register as Democrats at the door.
17-YEAR OLDS:
If you will be 18 by November 4, 2008, you may participate in the Democratic caucus. Register at the door.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://ksdp.org/SuperTuesday
Republican caucuses
WHEN:
February 9, 2008
Open by 9:00 am
Call to order at 10:00 am
WHERE:
65 locations throughout the state.
Got to http://ksgop.org to find locations or watch your local newspaper. Choose the location in your Congressional District that is most convenient for you.
REGISTRATION:
You must be registered to vote as a Republican by Jan. 25, 2008 – no voter registration at the door.
17-YEAR OLDS:
You must be 18 by February 9, 2008 and registered to vote by January 25, 2008 in order to participate. 17-year-olds may be observers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://ksgopcaucus.org/
Caucus Preparation: What are the party positions on education?
As you consider participation in the Kansas presidential caucuses, wouldn’t it be great to know what each party is promoting for education and where the individual candidates stand?
Wonder no more!
The national party positions are hammered out every four years at the national conventions. We have the “education plank” of both party platforms here for you to read for yourself.
Click here to read the 2004 Democratic Party Platform Education Plank.
Click here to read the 2004 Republican Party Platform Education Plank.
NEA has provided us with a handy candidate comparison on education issues. There is one for the Republican candidates and another for the Democrats. Just remember that some of the candidates have now dropped out of the race and may not be considered at the caucuses.
Click here to view the Democratic Candidate Comparison chart.
Click here to view the Republican Candidate Comparison chart.
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