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PRESS RELEASE
November 19, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: James Franko
316.634.0218
KPI Finds KASB Report Misleading on School Spending Data
November 19, 2015 - Wichita - Kansas Policy Institute has just released a comprehensive analysis deconstructing the misleading narrative that KASB has published in its "Kansas Performance on National Tests Rose and Fell with Funding" report.
 
KASB has selectively masked data into aggregate numbers that hide the fluctuations in actual performance year by year. A careful analysis of spending and proficiency measurement changes shows no correlation between spending and achievement.  KPI's analysis of the facts was reviewed by Erick Hanushek and Benjamin Scafidi, both Ph.D. education economists.
 
"KASB would have us believe that meeting proficiency standards has more to do with just spending more in total than spending on Instruction!  They give no consideration to the quality of instruction, classroom environment, or curriculum design," said Dave Trabert, KPI President. "The truth is, if the 'just spend more' KASB mantra was really the solution, there would be no achievement gaps in Kansas or the nation.  Real spending has grown exponentially in this nation over several decades while achievement remains stubbornly flat and unacceptably low."
 
Senior Education Policy Analyst and former teacher David Dorsey notes, "As teachers, we understand that the key to student success is quality instruction."

"KASB is looking for an excuse to justify more money when they should be focusing on ways to better utilize existing resources to assist teachers in helping students to be successful. The 2015 NAEP scores should be a wake-up call to change that focus." he said.

Test scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) declined this year in Kansas and many other states across the nation. The Kansas Department of Education told legislators that the transition to Common Core may have been a factor in the score decline but they did not cite spending changes as a reason. KSDE has confirmed, though, that school funding set new records last year; total funding set a fourth consecutive record at $6.1 billion and a third consecutive per-pupil record at $13,124. KSDE says both spending levels are expected to increase this year.
 
The complete KPI analysis can be found here. Additional commentary by KPI Senior Education Policy Analyst, David Dorsey can be found here.

The KASB report can be found here: http://www.kasb.org/assets/Advocacy/15/NAEP1115.pdf

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Kansas Policy Institute is an independent think-tank that advocates for free market solutions and the protection of personal freedom for all Kansans.  Our work centers on state and local economic policy with primary emphasis on education, fiscal policy and health care.  We empower citizens, legislators and other government officials with objective research and creative ideas to promote a low-tax, pro-growth environment that preserves the ability of governments to provide high quality services. 
To speak with Kansas Policy Institute, please contact James Franko at (316) 634-0218.