Task Force Recommends 35 Changes to Ky. Education (KY)
February 22, 2011
A governor’s task force on Monday issued 35 recommendations for changes to Kentucky’s education system, including raising the dropout age to 18, better coordination among preschool programs and more money to recruit better teachers.
The recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Transforming Education in Kentucky also included the idea of establishing a steering committee to develop a new model of secondary and technical education, with a focus on career technology programs and have it ready for consideration in the 2012 General Assembly.
Gov. Steve Beshear tapped parents, teachers, superintendents and lawmakers for the committee, which was co-chaired by Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holiday.
"Kentucky has a history of innovative educational initiatives and has made significant and measurable progress," Beshear said in a statement. "But today’s world requires a different core of knowledge that all students need for success."
The group recommended bumping the dropout age from 16 to 18 starting in 2016, and for the state to pay to help students at risk of leaving school without graduating.<br /& gt;
The task force also recommended reorganizing the Early Childhood Development Authority and common school readiness standards. The panel recommended requiring state-funded preschool, Head Start and qualified child care programs to collaborate beginning in 2012-2013 to access state funding.
Mary Ann Blankenship, executive director of the Kentucky Education Association and a task force member, told The Associated Press that too many students aren’t adequately prepared for school and never catch up. Better coordination among preschool programs can give students a stronger chance at success years down the road.
"Too often, those pieces of early childhood are not connected," Blankenship said. "We really believe that when we’re talking about dropout problems, it really begins with children in their early years."
The panel also suggested more funding in the state budget for the expansion of programs to recruit better teachers, including those who enter the profession through alternative certification programs.
The task force also discussed ramping up academics in career and technical education; using technology to improve teaching and learning; improving teacher recruitment and retention; improving transitions between preschool and K-12; and bettering parent and community involvement.
Holliday said the recommendations will give a boost to support for public schools and focus the state’s efforts on preparing children for post-high school life. But, Holliday said, the economy may prevent any quick fixes.
"The task force recognizes that several of the recommendations are financially costly and will have to wait until the budgetary picture improves,&a mp;quot; Holliday said.
Blankenship said the task force did not discuss where funding for the recommendations would come from.