The Democratic challenger for the 3rd District Kansas State Board of Education seat, Don Weiss, and Republican incumbent John Bacon, both from Olathe, discussed AYP scores generally; specifics showing which schools failed have not been made public.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires AYP testing for Kansas students in various academic areas. League member Janice McMillen asked the candidates about AYP this year.

"I'm for local control of education. I want parents and community members involved in the policy decisions that affect our children and their education," Bacon said.

Weiss attacked policies Bacon has supported, including allowing schools to teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to the theory of evolution, and making sex education an "opt in" decision.

With the August primaries producing results that mean moderates will outnumber conservatives on the Kansas Board of Education next year, Weiss said now is the time to look ahead.

Weiss came down on Bacon and other board members for hiring Robert Corkins as the state's education commissioner, saying the man has no experience in education or with running a large organization, and does not appear to support public schools.

"There's a place for charter schools," Weiss answered, but he said controversy continues about whether they provide a better education than public schools.

Results of a pilot study released by the government last month shows public school fourth-graders scored more than 5 points better in reading and math than charter school students. The National Center for Education Statistics provided the report to the Department of Education.

Stringer questioned state board spending decisions, given that the Learning Services Department has been split into two divisions and new employees have been hired.

Local schools can either bow to the federal government's will or lose federal funding, Weiss said. Federal funding is significant, but fails to cover what local schools must spend to meet standards.

Bacon said the board always has the idea of opting out of No Child Left Behind on the table, but cannot reject about $200 million annually coming to Kansas from Washington.

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