Wide Ruled: The future of Kansas schools with education commissioner Randy Watson

June 7, 2017  |  Nathaniel Bozarth

Editor’s note: In partnership with the Wide Ruled podcast hosted by Brainroot Light and Sound, Startland News hopes to offer its audience more avenues to learn about innovators in Kansas City. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone.[divide]

Wide Ruled is a Kansas City-based podcast focused on equality in education. Each episode showcases a struggle or triumph in working toward a better education system.

Nathaniel Bozarth

In this episode, host Nathaniel Bozarth talks with Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson about the Kansas School redesign initiative — a push for Sunflower State educators to think more entrepreneurially about schools.

Home of the landmark 1954 Brown v. Topeka Board of Education decision, Kansas does not historically have the best track record as far as systemic inequality in education goes. Bozarth’s conversation with Watson looks to the future of Kansas education, discussing the Kansans Can vision as well as inequity in Kansas education.

Listen to the conversation in the podcast below.

[divide]

 

Nathaniel Bozarth is a regional Emmy-award winning producer with Brainroot Light and Sound. Over the past three years he’s teamed up with Christopher Cook to create engaging documentary content on how race and immigration impact opportunity in America. Wide Ruled is Brainroot’s newest production on this trajectory. @bo_nathaniel

Tagged , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]

      2017 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Main Street is already harnessing AI to build wealth; adoption now key to region’s growth, heartland leaders say

        By Tommy Felts | October 22, 2025

        WICHITA, Kan. — Artificial intelligence is likely to be one of the most transformative technologies of the digital era, said Taylor Eubanks, noting that AI’s thoughtful deployment can be a tool for growth, not displacement.  “By engaging directly with entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofit leaders and local innovators, we can better support responsible AI adoption that…

        AlphaGraphics expansion boasts $1.4M investment, plans to create 16 new KC jobs

        By Tommy Felts | October 21, 2025

        A production crew known for eye-catching, colorful designs splashed across Kansas City — including its own East Crossroads headquarters — is expanding its physical and human footprint, marking a key investment in the metro’s growing creative and professional services sector, local leaders said.  AlphaGraphics on Tuesday announced an investment of more than $1.4 million and…

        Goodwill’s adult high school launches first day; work continues toward long-term campus

        By Tommy Felts | October 21, 2025

        The region’s first-of-its-kind adult high school opened classes Monday, offering a glimpse into programming and projected outcomes for the Goodwill-run Excel Center now operating out of space at Metropolitan Community College’s Penn Valley campus. “The opening of the Excel Center is a major step, not just for our organization, but for the entire region,” said…

        Arch Grants taps homegrown founders, Missouri startup recruits for $1.6M in awards

        By Tommy Felts | October 20, 2025

        ST. LOUIS — The Missouri maker behind a keychain designed to save lives from opioid overdoses is among nearly two dozen companies — together awarded $1.6 million — selected for the latest Arch Grants program. The innovation economy nonprofit on Thursday honored 19 startups, alongside three new members of its expanded Arch Grants Fellows Program.…