Kansas works to understand trauma impact on students

A state education consultant says Kansas could benefit from addressing the impact of childhood trauma on students’ ability to learn.

Kent Reed, school counseling program consultant for the Kansas Department of Education, told the State Board of Education last week that stress from adverse childhood events can lead to lower test scores, language difficulties, behavioral issues and a greater likelihood of failing a grade.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (http://j.mp/2ejaQiG) he said work groups have formed to study childhood trauma issues and they’ll make recommendations.

Board member Janet Waugh said one-third of children in the state’s juvenile justice system have some form of mental illness. She said training and treatment of adverse childhood events issues is needed, but it will “cost a lot of money.”


This version has been corrected to show Reed is a consultant.


Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com.