Required subjects in elementary schools

72-3214. Required subjects in elementary schools. Every accredited elementary school shall teach reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, spelling, English grammar and composition, history of the United States and of the state of Kansas, civil government and the duties of citizenship, health and hygiene, together with such other subjects as the state board may determine. The state board shall be responsible for the selection of subject matter within the several fields of instruction and for its organization into courses of study and instruction for the guidance of teachers, principals and superintendents. History: R.S. 1923, 72-1101; L. 1943, ch. 248, § 37; L. 1945, ch. 282, § 57; L. 1968, ch. 20, § 1; L. 1972, ch. 253, § 1; L. 1979, ch. 220, § 11; July 1. Source or Prior law: L. 1861, ch. 76, art. 4, § 7; L. 1867, ch. 124, § 1; G.S. 1868, ch. 92, § 48; L. 1874, ch. 122, § 5; L. 1876, ch. 122, art. 5, § 1; L. 1877, ch. 170, § 1; L. 1903, ch. 435, § 1, 72-1101. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Injunction to restrain use of certain books in school denied. School District v. Shadduck, 25 Kan. 467. 2. Cities of first class; determination of branches to be taught. Board of Education v. Welch, 51 Kan. 792, 33 P. 654. 3. Board may provide for instruction in music; may employ separate music teacher. Epley v. Hall, 97 Kan. 549, 551, 155 P. 1083. 4. Annual district meeting; no power to prescribe course of study. The State, ex rel., v. School District, 112 Kan. 66, 68, 209 P. 665. 5. Cannot compel district to follow full four-year high-school course. State, ex rel., v. School District, 112 Kan. 66, 68, 209 P. 665. 6. High-school subjects may be taught in common school. Jackson v. Consolidated School District, 123 Kan. 325, 327, 255 P. 87; Woodson v. School District, 127 Kan. 651, 655, 274 P. 728. 7. Power of school governing bodies to supplement course of study discussed. State Tax Comm. v. Board of Education, 146 Kan. 722, 725, 73 P.2d 49. Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026