By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the Kansas Legislature looks at renewing the high-density At-Risk weighting in the school finance formula, the Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Policy Institute, a free-market group, would like to see more accountability for school districts who get the additional aid.
"They should be required to certify that they are spending money appropriately in their budget so that kids can get to grade level," said Dave Trabert. "At the very least, that provides a legal defense for legislators and taxpayers, so that when they come back the next time asking for another billion dollars, we can say no."
The districts would need a reason to do the extra work.
"That incentive is an education savings account for any child below grade level or any child with a disability or dyslexia," Trabert said. "Nothing will get the school district's attention like the possibility that kids could leave and take their money with them."
This is a widespread problem across Kansas, but Hutchinson is an example of a district that has some achievement struggles.
"USD 308 Hutchinson has 51% of its 10th graders below grade level in math," Trabert said. "Only 13% of them are considered on track for college and career. This is not that much different across the state. That's why we know that we're graduating kids all across the state from high school knowing that they're below grade level."
Legislators created At-Risk funds to better track expenditures and aid in 2006 when they implemented large increases in At-Risk aid.