Education officials discuss future of KC public schools at forum

Several hundred people gathered at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library to hear local lawmakers and education officials discuss Kansas City Public Schools and the Missouri Transfer Law set to go into effect this summer. KCPT’s Nick Haines moderated the panel that included Missouri Board of Education member John Martin, Missouri Education…

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KC high school students reflect on race, education with ‘American Promise’

Group of high school students sit in library and watch film on large project screen.

Broadcast students at the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts took part in an advance screening of the documentary “American Promise,” which follows two African American boys from preschool to high school graduation. At age five, best friends Seun and Idris are accepted at Dalton, one of the most prestigious private schools in the…

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Kansas City Public Schools work to involve community in middle school project

Picture of woman pointing to posterboard.

As the Kansas City school district prepares to reopen two middle schools next fall, Lead Middle School Principal and Project Leader Dr. Cynthia Johnson is seeking community input on everything from uniform colors to school boundaries to supportive services, like social workers, for students. One way Johnson is reaching out is through a series of…

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Profile: Mike English, executive director of Turn the Page KC

Picture of Mike English sitting at conference table with papers sprawled in front of him

It’s been nearly two years since Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James launched Turn the Page KC, a community initiative to get students reading on grade level by third grade. Today the initiative announced its first dedicated staff member, Mike English. English accepted the position as the initiative’s first executive director this month. “Between (The…

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