Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in contested races address leading up to the Nov. 5. election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. Read the candidates’ responses to the previous question about test scores and student achievement.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
One of the primary jobs of the state board of education is to help set educational standards across subjects and grade levels. What skills and experiences should Kansas K-12 schools be providing students to prepare them for an uncertain and rapidly changing future? How can the state board encourage that?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
Area 4
Connie O’Brien (Republican)
We need to make sure standards are the learning goals for the subjects being taught that will help students succeed in their personal life which can mean a college education, vocational training, or just getting employed. Standards provide schools the necessary plan on what needs to be taught.
Kris Meyer (Democratic)
Kansas K-12 schools must prepare students for an uncertain and rapidly changing world by providing a well-rounded education that balances core academic subjects with critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. Beyond traditional academics, students need opportunities in STEM, technical education, the arts, and social-emotional learning (SEL) that will serve them well in the workforce.
A 2010 meta-analysis of 213 studies involving over 270,000 students found that SEL programs significantly improve students’ social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance, including an 11-percentile-point gain in standardized achievement scores. These findings demonstrate that supporting students’ emotional development enhances academic success rather than detracts from it, highlighting the importance of integrating SEL into our educational framework.
The State Board should advocate for curriculum standards that emphasize both academic rigor and real-world applications. Encouraging project-based learning, apprenticeships, and career and technical education (CTE) programs can help students gain hands-on experience and explore career pathways in high-demand career fields, such as engineering, technology, and healthcare. The board can also foster partnerships with local businesses and higher education institutions to align school programs with future job market demands. As we revise and update standards, it’s essential to include educator input and ensure flexibility, allowing districts to tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of their students while maintaining statewide consistency in quality.
Area 2
Fred Postlewait (Republican)
The administration and teachers of each district will always view the future needs of education differently. During the spring and early summer every district should be required to communicate with the Kansas State Board of Education what changes they see as prudent and necessary for future requirements.
The Board, in consultation with the various districts should take this information, study it, and determine the future requirements of Kansas Education.
Melanie Haas (Democratic, incumbent)
I’ve been frustrated to hear some candidates saying we need to go “back to basics” because schools don’t teach core classes anymore. This is simply not true. In order to graduate, each student in the state has to first meet minimum core requirements and electives, plus any additional requirements from their local district. (By the way, KS state standards in core areas can be found here.)
All deserve to achieve “post-secondary success,” which is whatever they choose to pursue after graduation. For some, that’s a college degree. For others, it may be a certificate program in coding or nursing, or hands-on skills like cooking, plumbing, or welding. I’m proud of the changes we made to allow students to have more control over their electives so they can explore what interests them.
Students also need to gain employability skills. In kindergarten, kids are being reminded to share, how to resolve conflicts, and work together. Kansas business leaders told us that they want to hire graduates who can look customers in the eye, show up to work on time, and manage their emotions while they’re on the job. You don’t need a standalone class for that, but students do need caring teachers who can spot these growth opportunities as they arise and help coach them on that path.
Kiel Corkran (Independent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Coming up:
Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:
Kansas lawmakers in recent years have passed legislation that allows for open enrollment, as well as pushed measures that would expand a system of tax credits for families who send their children to private schools. Supporters of such moves say they give more freedom to families in making decisions about their child’s education. Opponents see these as threats to a public education system meant to serve all students. As a member of the board overseeing public schools in the state of Kansas, do you support or oppose such “school choice” measures? Why or why not?
