USA TODAY
Leaders of China, Taiwan meet for first time since split in 1949. 1B A&E, 1D
It only gets worse
BEES AS ART
After latest pounding by Texas, 0-9 KU next must play 8-1 TCU.
SPORTS, 1C
CLASS BUILDS WILD IDEAS
L A W R E NC E
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SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 8 • 2015
HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT GAP Demographics key to Free State’s academic edge, educators say
By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock
On paper, at least, it Between would appear that Kan- 2000 and sas has largely recovered from the Great Recession 2010, 85 of that began in 2008. the state’s The state’s unemploy- 105 counties ment rate has been below 5 percent for several recorded net months. Kansas’ Gross population State Product is now well declines. above pre-recession levels. And average weekly wages have grown
Twitter: @RochelleVerde
N
Please see GAP, page 7A
Who’s getting left behind in Kansas? Economists point to urban vs. rural divide
By Rochelle Valverde
early 20 years ago, Free State High School was built on the outskirts of northwest Lawrence, parceling out students living north of 15th Street from centrally located Lawrence High. And since the city split SCHOOLS its students between the two schools, one has academically outperformed the other. In every academic factor — ACT scores and participation, advanced placement enrollment,
LJWorld.com
ACADEMIC INDICATOR Academic indicator
LAWRENCE High HIGH Lawrence
FREE State STATE Free
Enrolled in AP Seniors taking ACT Average ACT score Free lunch Free/reduced-price lunch Graduation rate Dropout rate National Merit semifinalists AVID enrollment Behind in reading Behind in math Behind in science Planning on 4-year college
36% 59% 23.3 35% 43% 90% 2.3% 2 students 108 students 10% 19% 11% 45%
46% 76% 23.8 24% 31% 94% 1.3% 10 students 90 students 3% 14% 8% 48%
Most recent data available
Please see DIVIDE, page 7A
BOWERSOCK DAM
Equipment failures, drought haunt $25M dream on river
— Source: Kansas State Department of Education and USD 497
By Karen Dillon Twitter: @karensdillon
As Sarah Hill-Nelson looks out over the hydroelectric dam across the Kansas River in Lawrence, she glances at the face of her cellphone. “I’ve got nine weather apps,” she says matter-of-factly. She sighs. Sarah Hill-Nelson “Where is the rain?” is one of the few she asks, squinting her women in the blue eyes. United States to Three years ago, Hill- own and operate Nelson, whose family a power plant. owns one of the oldest power plants west of the Mississippi, was riding a wave of pure excitement.
“
We know, unfortunately, that poverty does predict achievement, and we’re getting better at making that not predictable, but it is there.” — Lawrence schools Superintendent Rick Doll Free State High School, top, and Lawrence High School have performed differently over two decades.
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Today’s forecast, page 8C
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A feminist drama about finding your own truth. By Henrik Adapted By
Ibsen,
Frank McGuinness
Please see RIVER, page 8A
Vol.157/No.312 46 pages
A strong majority of LJWorld.com readers polled are opposed to the state’s new law allowing residents 21 and older to carry concealed weapons without permits. Page 3A
November 14, 15*, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 2015 | 7:30 p.m., *2:30 p.m. Stage Too! | Murphy Hall, 1530 Naismith Dr. General admission tickets are on sale at the University Theatre Box Office, 785-864-3982, Lied Center Box Office, 785-864-ARTS; and online. Tickets are $18 for adults, $17 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for children. KU Student tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. A Doll’s House is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
www.KUTheatre.com Due to the intimate nature of Stage Too! there will be no late seating for this production.