Editorial: Solid scores

Despite ongoing concerns about state funding, Kansas schools must be doing something right.

For years, one of the most emotionally debated issues in the Kansas Legislature has been how to determine the correct formula or equation for funding the state’s K-12 public schools — where to find the money to pay the bills.

During these debates, whether the governor is a Republican or Democrat, there are predictable warnings about how inadequate funding will shortchange students, compromise their education and eventually hurt the state. Also, less-than-ideal funding, according to some, is likely to cause many families to decide not to move to Kansas because of its inferior public school system.

It is interesting to note that the Kansas Department of Education reported recently that Kansas high school students had scored better than their peers across the country on the ACT college entrance exam. The report added that a higher percentage of Kansas students appear ready for college courses.

The report noted 32 percent of the 2015 Kansas high school graduates taking the test had met all benchmarks for college readiness, up from 28 percent for 2011 Kansas graduates and higher than the national figure of 28 percent for 2015.

Apparently, Kansas high school students are doing well despite the doomsayers’ predictions of dire consequences from the state’s K-12 funding. The higher-than-average ACT scores also send an important message relative to the excellence of Kansas teachers and their commitment to their students.

Increased funding for K-12 schools and higher education would be welcome, but less-than-ideal funding does not necessarily signal that a governor or legislators do not support education or that the performance and achievement of students will be compromised.

The results noted above are great, and students are to be commended.

A nagging question: If more funding were to be made available, would it be best to direct those dollars to programs that help underachievers, average students, honor students or teacher salaries? And would added funding result in higher ACT scores?