TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A three-judge panel is set to hear final

arguments in a lawsuit by parents and school districts challenging

the way Kansas funds public education.

Wednesday’s hearing was expected to last all morning in Shawnee

County District Court.

Attorneys for a coalition of 54 school districts and parents

filed suit in 2010. They contend the state has failed to live up to

its promises to increase K-12 funding as ordered by the Kansas

Supreme Court in 2006.

Lawyers for the state argue the Legislature did its best to

mitigate the effects on schools of the recession that began in

2008.