(Photo by Stephen Koranda)
Governor Sam Brownback plans to unveil an initiative this (THUR) afternoon designed to improve reading proficiency among grade school students. But criticism of the plan has already started. Money to pay for the initiative would be shifted from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Known as TAN-F (TAN-eff), it typically provides cash assistance for families in poverty to pay for things like shelter, food and utilities. Shannon Cotsoradis is with Kansas Action for Children. She says the group is in favor of improving grade schoolers' reading skills, but they don’t support the way this particular program would be funded.
The governor’s office released few details before a scheduled news conference, but said the initiative will bring together community organizations, local school districts and university researchers to assist both rural and urban students in Kansas.
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(VERSION TWO)
Governor Sam Brownback has unveiled an initiative aimed at improving reading proficiency in Kansas grade school students. The initiative will provide grant money for after school reading programs. But as KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports, not everyone supports the funding method.