Need inspiration? Visit a Kentucky public school
Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt shares how inspired he was during a recent visit to classrooms in Kentucky.
Achievement and opportunity gaps inform, not define, us
As a nation, we talk a lot about the achievement gap. While the achievement gap is an important thing to keep an eye on, it’s not the only gap that matters.
It really is a wonderful life
As we come to the end of the calendar year, I always take time to reflect and rejuvenate, and this year is no different.
Every student succeeds
If passed, the Every Student Succeeds Act -- which is the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act -- will give a lot of accountability control back to the states.
Eliminating the opportunity gap
Despite the improvement we have seen, we, as a state, still have a lot of work to do. We have a significant achievement gap that needs to be addressed.
Proud to Call Kentucky Home
As Kentucky’s new commissioner of education, I want you to know that I value your views, your input and your help in preparing our students for tomorrow.
Data can help parents make sure their child stays on track
October is an important month in Kentucky education. It presents an opportunity for all of us to take a look at how our public schools, districts and students are performing.
New toolbox designed to help ensure school readiness
With the start of a new school year comes the first pages of a new chapter in the lives of 50,000 Kentuckians. It is a time for them to begin laying the foundation for a lifetime of exploration, learning and achievement.
Keep focus on ensuring Kentucky students are prepared for the future
Education Commissioner Terry Holliday In the coming weeks, more than 650,000 public school students will fill the classrooms and hallways of Kentucky’s schools. It’s an exciting time of year for students, parents and educators. As has been our focus since the passage of Senate Bill 1 (2009), the 2015-16 school year will build on our efforts to move the Commonwealth forward by ensuring all students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in college, career and life. For the past few years, Kentucky has used the Unbridled Learning assessment and accountability model. One of the concerns [...]
Teachers’ voices make a difference
Terry Holliday A guiding principle for our work in Kentucky is that we do the hard work of reform WITH teachers and not TO teachers. What does this principle look like in practice? In 2011, Kentucky implemented the TELL Kentucky Survey to allow teacher voice on key working conditions such as facilities, resources, leadership, professional development, time, etc. In 2011, more than 80 percent of teachers in Kentucky responded to the survey and in 2013 administration, more than 86 percent of teachers responded. In the first three weeks of the 2015 survey more than 60 percent of teachers and other [...]