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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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Monthly Update — June 2026
What a new Texas study teaches us about teacher compensation We are back and excited to bring you evidence from one of the more ambitious teacher compensation strategies in the country, with early research suggesting that it may be paying…
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Weekly Update — 05/15/26
This originally appeared in Aligned’s weekly newsletter. Want future updates in your inbox? Sign up today. Also note that this will be our last weekly update; in June we will switch to monthly updates. New report shows academic recovery is still…
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Why CEP Is More Than a School Meals Debate in KansasÂ
A simple bill with a complicated question underneath Kansas HB 2402 looks simple on paper. It requires eligible school boards to consider whether to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, commonly called CEP, if more than 50% of students in one or more schools qualify for free meals via direct certification. The…
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Weekly Update — 05/08/26
This originally appeared in Aligned’s weekly newsletter. Want future updates in your inbox? Sign up today. Phone-free schools are not a shortcut to better learning Last week, we noted one emerging second-order effect on school cell phone bans: when phones are…
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What an inspiring night attending the Child Start Legacy Gala and celebrating the incredible work Child Start does for children, families, providers, and our broader community!
Access to quality child care is more than a family issue. It is a workforce issue. When families have reliable care, parents can work, employers can retain talent, and children get the strong start they deserve.
Thank you, Child Start, for your continued leadership and commitment to strengthening early childhood opportunities across our region. Your work makes a lasting difference.
đź“Ś NEWS UPDATE: State Board Names Dr. Stacey Preis as Interim Commissioner of Education
➡️ Read the full news release: ow.ly/QSeq50ZbVvM
Aligned was grateful to join the 2026 Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce’s State Legislative Appreciation Dinner.
Thank you to the Wichita Chamber of Commerce for hosting and to the legislators who worked on behalf of Kansas communities this session.
June 11 is the International Day of Play, a reminder that kids need time to move, reset, and simply be kids.
Aligned was proud to support Kansas’ recess bill this past session, and we appreciate Doug Shane for Kansas for bringing this important issue forward. While the bill was vetoed, our support remains the same.
Recess matters. It helps students return to the classroom more focused, engaged, and ready to learn, and Aligned will continue supporting this effort in the years ahead.
