Educate Lawrence, a local public education advocacy group, is hosting a discussion next week about legislation affecting K-12 education in Kansas.

Funding for Kansas public schools is the biggest category of spending in the state, and several significant changes — consolidation of the number of school districts, merit pay for teachers, spending more money on instruction — have come up since the Kansas Legislature opened its session earlier this month.

Educate Lawrence hosts discussions on public education legislation as part of its goal to push for “full and fair funding” for Lawrence children, according to the group’s website.

The discussion will be led by former legislator Ann Mah. Mah will focus on a recent special committee on education report that calls for revamping the way Kansas funds public schools. The report, by the Special Committee on K-12 Student Success, was finalized last week.

Mah will also discuss other education bills up for a hearing in the current legislative session and how parents and community members can most effectively communicate their views to lawmakers.

The discussion will be Monday at 6 p.m. at the Lawrence school district offices, 110 McDonald Drive. It is free and open to the public. More information about the event is available via the group’s Facebook page.