Education (School Choice)

HB 2320 allows children in Kansas's Department for Children and Families (DCF) custody to attend any school district, with two key options: they can enroll in the school district where they are placed or remain in their original school. The bill requires DCF to notify the relevant school district and transfer all school records within two business days of a placement change. If a child stays in their original school, the district must create a transportation plan. This applies to all children under DCF custody who might otherwise face enrollment barriers due to placement shifts.

SB 87 expands Kansas' tax credit program for low-income student scholarships by removing the requirement that students must have previously attended a public school. It increases the tax credit rate for donors from 70% to 75% for tax years starting in 2023, while maintaining an annual scholarship cap of $8,000 per student. The bill directly affects low-income students (including those in foster care, military families, or with parents in emergency services) and scholarship organizations by broadening eligibility and making contributions more valuable for donors. Key mechanisms include eliminating prior public school enrollment as a requirement and raising the credit rate to encourage greater private funding for educational scholarships.

SB 252 expands Kansas' low-income student scholarship program to include specific high school students and those eligible to attend school districts with low standardized test scores (under 50% meeting achievement levels). It increases tax credits for donors and raises the annual program limit, while keeping scholarships capped at $8,000 per student. The state treasurer will now manage program administration, and new eligibility rules allow current scholarship recipients (who haven’t graduated or turned 21) and students in qualifying districts to participate. This directly affects low-income families seeking educational options through tax-credit-funded scholarships.

SB 114 allows students enrolled in nonpublic schools or virtual schools to participate in public school activities like sports, clubs, and events such as pep rallies or award ceremonies, provided they meet standard requirements (e.g., residency, fees, and academic eligibility). It explicitly prohibits school districts and the Kansas State High School Activities Association from denying participation based on whether a student attends a public, nonpublic, or virtual school. The bill amends existing law to include these students under the same eligibility rules as public school students, ensuring equal access to ancillary activities without requiring them to enroll in additional courses at the public school. This change directly affects nonpublic and virtual school students seeking to join public school programs.