Ten Kentucky schools were recognized for the working conditions, safety and student achievement in their buildings at the 17th Annual Safe Schools, Successful Students Conference in Louisville this week.

The schools were selected based on data from the Teaching, Educating, Leading and Learning (TELL) Kentucky survey, which was administered to all public school teachers and principals in March.

The selected schools included:

  • North Jackson Elementary (Barren County)
  • North Middletown Elementary (Bourbon County)
  • South Heights Elementary (Henderson County)
  • Lowe Elementary (Jefferson County)
  • Adairville Elementary (Logan County)
  • Benton Middle (Marshall County)
  • North Oldham High (Oldham County)
  • Bevins Elementary (Pike County)
  • Pulaski County Area Technology Center
  • Rockcastle County Middle

 The ten were selected in a four-phase process that resulted in the identification of 49 exemplary schools across the state. From the 49 Honorable Mentions, one school in each of Kentucky’s State Board/Judicial Districts, two at-large schools and one area technology school were awarded the Winners’ Circle honors. Winning schools and Honorable Mentions will be used as examples of best practices for other schools across the state.

In March 2011, Gov. Steve Beshear and Education Commissioner Terry Holliday provided the opportunity for educators to share information about the conditions in their schools and the supports needed to do their jobs well. The TELL Kentucky survey was administered by the New Teacher Center, a national non-profit dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders.

Kentucky set a first-time record for response rate, with 80 percent participation from teachers and principals. Of the 1,395 schools participating, 1,245 met the 50 percent response rate necessary for data to be made available.

School, district and statewide results, as well as the New Teacher Center’s Preliminary Findings, Guides, and Tools for Using the Data, can be viewed at here.

The intent of this work is to provide schools, districts and the state with data that can be used to enhance school improvement efforts. The Kentucky Board of Education is using the results of the 2011 TELL Kentucky Survey in policy discussions and has included a request for continuation of this initiative in its 2012-2014 biennial budget request. The Kentucky Department of Education also is using the findings to guide its assistance to persistently low-achieving schools.