KCPS superintendent Dr. Bedell: The mission to serve KC kids ‘is our boss’

By Tommy Felts | April 28, 2017

Editor’s note: To fulfill Startland News’ mission of highlighting challenges in Kansas City, we asked Dr. Mark T. Bedell, the Superintendent of Kansas City Public Schools, to share his vision reintegrating local schools. The opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. [divide width=”medium”] I have a mission in Kansas City, Mo. to help lead…

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After KCPS pilot, $2.2B Sprint project plans to close the U.S. homework gap

By Tommy Felts | March 3, 2017

More than 20 million U.S. households do not have an internet connection, according to the PEW Research Center. Pairing that with the fact that schoolwork is more frequently requiring internet access, millions of students around the nation are severely limited in their learning. In Kansas City, the story is no different — hundreds of households remain…

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Community igniting innovation at Westport Commons

By Tommy Felts | October 8, 2015

A school tells the story of a community. Hallways lined with neighborhood students. Lockers packed with books. Gymnasiums breeding athletic competition. Now imagine a vacant school — a place with rich community history that then goes unattended. The lights are turned off and the classrooms go silent. This is what happened with Westport Junior High…

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