Kansas Special Education Funding Crisis Deepens as Legislature Barrels Toward the Finish

The Advocate - A KASB Podcast

The Advocate - A KASB Podcast
Kansas Special Education Funding Crisis Deepens as Legislature Barrels Toward the Finish
Mar 20, 2026 Season 4 Episode 9
Kansas Association of School Boards

As the Kansas legislative session nears First Adjournment, the state’s special education funding crisis remains unresolved—and is growing more urgent.

In this solo episode of The Advocate, host Shannon Kimball breaks down where things stand, from an unexpected halt in House activity to the fast-moving shift into conference committee negotiations.

This episode covers:

  • Key education bills still in play
  • The impact of unfunded mandates on districts
  • Voucher expansion and a new statewide cell phone ban
  • And the latest budget decisions, including continued underfunding of special education

With major decisions looming, the stakes for Kansas public schools—and especially students with disabilities—are high.

Stay informed and ready to advocate.

Episode Artwork Kansas Special Education Funding Crisis Deepens as Legislature Barrels Toward the Finish 17:50 Episode Artwork Who Decides? 18:29 Episode Artwork The Pace Is Picking Up Again 27:46 Episode Artwork The Advocate | Episode: Happy Turnaround, To Those Who Celebrate 37:24 Episode Artwork It’s Getting Real: Funding Crises, Vouchers, and the Sprint to Turnaround 25:45 Episode Artwork Flat Funding, Rising Costs: Stability vs Sustainability for Kansas Public Schools 21:40 Episode Artwork Free Speech, Free Lunch, and the Future of Kansas Schools 15:14 Episode Artwork Are Charter Schools Coming to Kansas? 28:19 Episode Artwork 2026 Legislative Session Begins 21:40 Episode Artwork Education Funding Task Force 24:50 Episode Artwork Federal Funding Freeze 7:40 Episode Artwork 2025 Legislative Session Wraps, Leaves Work to do 24:47 Episode Artwork Legislature Finalizes K-12 Budget, Heads to Veto Session 26:07 Episode Artwork Misunderstanding of School Finance Hurting Legislative Debate 27:54 Episode Artwork SPED Funding, Education Programs Take Hit in New Proposal 21:03 Episode Artwork Big Week for Education: Tax, Budget, Mental Health, KPERS, BOE Authority Bills Coming 19:08 Episode Artwork Senate Passes Controversial Ed Bills, Both Receive Bipartisan Pushback 14:55 Episode Artwork K-12 Budget Plan Dwindles, Vouchers Get Hearings & KASB Visits D.C. 20:52 Episode Artwork SPED Funding Boost Gets Approval, Voucher Debate Next Week 17:23 Episode Artwork Property Tax Discussion Heats Up, K-12 Budget Next 15:19 Episode Artwork 2025 Legislative Session Begins 22:02 Episode Artwork Ep. 54 The Advocate | A Successful Legislative Session for Public Schools 18:55 Episode Artwork Ep. 53 The Advocate | Defeating Harmful Legislation 20:28 Episode Artwork Ep. 52 The Advocate | D.C. Style Politics in Kansas 18:08 Episode Artwork Ep. 51 The Advocate | Education Budget Bundling 11:43