In 2020, the Prichard Committee urged all Kentuckians to join the work of creating a Big Bold Future for our Commonwealth. To frame that work, we identified twelve indicators. Together, these data points let us:

• Compare our work to other states
• Analyze trends over the years
• See results for Kentuckians of varied backgrounds and ages
• Find cause for celebration
• Recognize areas of concern

In 2022, returning to those indicators, we see some bright spots.

Bluntly, we also see shadows.

Many indicators warrant our concern. Our effort to build a Big Bold Future are struggling.

This 2022 reporting confirms the need for renewed and expanded efforts.

Let’s look at the data and then consider how to engage the challenges.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

K-12 LEARNING

POSTSECONDARY

QUALITY OF LIFE

Overall, a tough season for Kentucky

BRIGHT SPOTS

  • 3rd in high school graduations
  • 6th in two-year postsecondary graduations
  • 15th in voter turnout
  • Middle third & rising on birthweight, four-year postsecondary graduations

CLOUDY WEATHER

  • 29th in grade 4 reading (lowest ranks since 50 state NAEP participation began)
  • 41st in grade 8 mathematics (also lowest)
  • Bottom third & falling on children above 200% of poverty, preschool enrollment, postsecondary enrollment
  •  Bottom fifth on associate attainment, median income
  • Failure to create full access, opportunity, respect and support for Black and Latino Kentuckians

…and time to join in new work

Join Us to Build a Big Bold Future

For Kentuckians to flourish, education must become a pathway that works for all of us. We invite you to join us in work to:

  • Build a Groundswell of local community action to equip each and every student for success and meet each learner’s unique needs
  • Advocate state policies that build toward excellence with equity at all levels of learning
  • Press for Big Bold Ask financial investments in learning from early childhood to postsecondary education

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES