Ed | Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

Kentucky’s Gap Rules Need More Discussion

Only 30 Kentucky schools have significant achievement gaps between African American students and the school’s top scoring racial or ethnic group? That’s what this year’s school report cards say. I hope someday to live in a commonwealth where that claim makes sense. To me, this year, it doesn't. I see…

2019 results show little improvement, great need for renewed efforts

Statewide, 2019 assessment results show little improvement compared to 2018. Here, I’ll look at reading, math, and science results, using those trends to call for major renewal of our statewide efforts to build excellence with equity. So, here’s a look at elementary reading.

ADDRESSING LEARNING WITH SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS

AUGUST 2019 \\\\\ MILES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in ERLANGER-ELSMERE Vivid facts about an unusual predator capture a classroom of first graders in Northern Kentucky. Together, students read about the Humboldt squid — most common in the Pacific currents off South America, Mexico and California. The giant squid darts through the sea…

The new teacher next door – what support do new teachers need to grow and thrive?

Kentucky’s public schools welcome around 2,500 brand new teachers each year. What kind of support do these new teachers need? I recently spoke with Amelia Brown and Dana Lee Thomas to get their expert thoughts. Amelia is Professional Learning Coach at the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services (NKCES), and…

Problem-Solving: Delivering Will Require Mobilization

So, I’ve shared my excitement about problem solving in our science standards, our social studies standards, and our standards for an array of other disciplines. There’s one more thing to look at head on: these exciting expectations aren’t going to be easy to meet. Delivering will entail assignments where Kentucky…

Problem-Solving across Many Disciplines

Having shared how problem-solving has a central place in Kentucky’s academic standards for science and social studies, I’ll turn today to how a related emphasis appears across our standards for other disciplines that matter for our K-12 students.

Central on mathematical practice

Our mathematics standards are organized around eight practices…

Problem-Solving: Our Social Studies Standards Call for Deep Engagement

We want Kentucky students to be increasingly able to “Think and solve problems in school situations and in a variety of situations they will encounter in life.” Yesterday’s post looked at how our science standards call for deep work to meet that expectation from our 1990 Kentucky Education Reform…

Problem-Solving: Kentucky’s Science Standards Go Deep

I’m excited about Kentucky’s science standards, and problem-solving expectations are one of my biggest reasons. Since our 1990 Reform Act, we’ve called for schools to equip students to “Think and solve problems in school situations and in a variety of situations they will encounter in life,” and for many…

Beyond Averages: Exploring Why Teacher Salaries Vary (and Do Not Vary) in Kentucky

Within Kentucky school districts, teacher salaries vary in predictable and transparent ways. Teacher education levels and years of experience predict salaries – by design (from Kentucky state statutes) and through decisions (from school board members in local districts). Over the past 20 years, numerous recommendations have called for salaries to…