Interim Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis, left, visits the Four Rivers Foundation school districts and area technical centers. The program, which includes five school districts and three ATCs, partners with western Kentucky schools, colleges, ATCs, community supporters, regional businesses and industries to provide opportunities for students to take in-school and online college classes, earn industry certifications, participate in work-based learning and complete apprenticeships.
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The Kentucky Department of Education’s Interim Commissioner Wayne Lewis visited the Four Rivers Foundation school districts and area technical centers (ATCs) to talk to students about the dual credit, technical programs and partnerships in the Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton and Hickman county school districts and the Fulton Independent school district.
The Four Rivers Foundation program, which has been in existence for nine years, partners with western Kentucky schools, colleges, ATCs, community supporters, regional businesses and industries, and the state dual credit program to provide opportunities for students to take in-school and online college classes, earn industry certifications, participate in work-based learning, complete apprenticeships, and become college and/or career ready throughout the five school districts and three ATCs in the program.
Also attending the visit were Rep. John Carney, chair of the Kentucky House Education Committee; Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE) Associate Commissioner Laura Arnold of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), and David Horseman, director of the KDE Division of Technical Schools and Federal Programs in OCTE.
Ballard County Superintendent Casey Allen said the partnership is a model that could be recreated throughout the Commonwealth.
“We have proven that it can be,” Allen said. “We just became a partner this year and already we are seeing results.”
Fulton County High School Principal Ellen Murphy said the support her students are receiving has been invaluable.
“My staff and this program are the reasons that my students are excelling,” she said. “The Four Rivers Foundation and our community provide the resources students need to be able to take classes at no cost. My students are motivated to succeed.”
Lewis praised the Four Rivers school districts and technical centers for their “willingness to cooperate, share and work together” for the good of the students. “We as educators must hold each other accountable to ensure that all students have these opportunities,” he said.
Kentucky Teacher gives a special thanks to Patricia Owen of the Four Rivers Foundation.
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