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Aligned is dedicated to strengthening education and workforce development in Kansas and Missouri. We bring together businesses, educators, and policymakers to craft practical solutions for reform.
Latest Policy Updates & Research
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2026 Kansas Legislative Recap
Event Overview Join Aligned for a high-level breakdown of the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session and what it means for education policy moving forward. This webinar will walk through the key bills, major priorities, and outcomes that shaped the session. We…
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Weekly Update — 04/17/26
Kansas announces new commissioner On Tuesday, the Kansas State Board of Education selected Dr. Jake Steel to succeed Dr. Randy Watson as the state’s Commissioner of Education. He will assume the role on June 1. The State Bard voted 7-1…
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Missouri Teacher Workforce Series: Part 2
The Hollow Core: Missouri’s Vanishing Mid-Career Teachers Missouri’s teacher workforce is not shifting evenly. This second report in Aligned’s Missouri Teacher Workforce Series examines where the loss of mid-career teachers is most pronounced and what those patterns mean for schools,…
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Weekly Update — 04/10/26
Many of Aligned’s priority bills become law This originally appeared in Aligned’s weekly newsletter. Want future updates in your inbox? Sign up today. As lawmakers returned to Topeka for the final days of session, several of Aligned’s priority bills ranging across…
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Congratulations to Jake Steel on being named the next Kansas Education Commissioner.
We look forward to working with you to support Kansas kids through strong state-level policy.The Kansas State Board of Education has announced Dr. Jake Steel as the next Kansas education commissioner.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Steel on this exciting new role and leadership opportunity for Kansas education.
Congratulations, Dr. Steel!
www.ksde.gov/Home/Quick-Links/News-Room/ArtMID/3386/ArticleID/5067/Kansas-State-Board-of-Educatio…
Missouri’s teacher workforce isn’t as stable as it looks.
Rising novices. Growing veterans. A shrinking middle.
Part 1 of our Missouri Teacher Workforce Series.
Missouri Teacher Workforce Series: Part 1 | Aligned
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Understand the changes in the Missouri teacher workforce, including the rise of novice teachers and the retirement of veterans.
Big news for afterschool programs in Missouri! 📣
Grant applications are officially OPEN for organizations serving school-age children, and this is a great opportunity to expand the impact of your program.
Whether you’re focused on academic enrichment or creating safe, engaging spaces for kids after school, funding is available through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant and the School Age Community Grant.
These programs play a huge role in supporting learning, development, and well-being beyond the classroom, and this is your chance to grow that impact.
Deadline to apply is April 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ⏰
Questions? Reach out to afterschool@dese.mo.gov
Let’s keep showing up for Missouri’s kids after the school day ends! 🫶
#childcareawaremo #supportingfamilies #missourichildcare #missourifamilies #ccamo
Kansas Employers: Funding Available Now
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Email from Aligned Thousands of Dollars Available to Kansas Employers Don’t miss funding opportunities to recruit, train, and retain your workforce. April deadlines are approaching quickly. …