Topeka — Republican legislative leaders are pushing proposals they say will help schoolchildren master essential skills by the end of third grade.
The centerpiece of the package, endorsed by House Speaker Kent Glasscock, R-Manhattan, would require third-graders to take tests to see if they are up to speed in reading, writing and math.
House speaker Kent Glasscock, R-Manhattan, wants Kansas third-graders to be tested annually for reading, writing and math skills. Wednesday, Deerfield third-graders in Susan Niedenthal's class worked on their reading skills.
That would take effect during the 2002-2003 school year. It would be up to the school district on what to do with children who fail the test, according to the proposal.
Other parts of the legislation require school districts to provide special programs for children in the early grades who are behind.
Glasscock said the entire package would probably cost about $15 million and not require a tax increase. He said there is no movement toward a tax increase in the Legislature.
Democrats on Wednesday said they like the sound of the proposals, but fear Republicans, who control the Legislature, will stop there.
"This would not be enough by itself," said State Rep. Bill Reardon of Kansas City, the ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee.
Reardon said funding for schools has trailed the cost of living for nearly a decade.
As a member of the minority party, Reardon said he is waiting for Republicans to come up with a plan to address this shortfall.
Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, has said he will announce in a couple of weeks a new school proposal. Reardon said he is happy Republicans are recognizing the need to devote programs and funds to the early grades.
"I feel there is room here for us to find common ground," he said. But, "if we don't have teachers because of low salaries, this could be seen as some kind of smokescreen."
Public school groups have recommended a $600 million increase in school funding, while a task force appointed by Graves has endorsed a $215 million increase.
These size increases would require a tax hike.
So far, Republican plans to fund education have not come close to these recommendations.
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