From the Classroom to the Boardroom
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MAY 2012 From the classroom to the boardroom May an important month for students, future workforce MAY IS AN IMPORTANT MONTH for Ken- Teachers have spent the past school year deliv- tucky schools, and what happens during these early ering instruction to students based on the new Kentucky Chamber Kentucky spring weeks could have significant long-term im- standards, and the tests being given this month news plications for the state’s employers. will show how well the process is working. Educa- As in many years past, May is testing season in tion leaders expect this year’s scores – scheduled classrooms across the Commonwealth. But some- for release later in the year – to be lower than thing different is those in the past. Free Information Kit Part of this will be happening this year What is a standard? A set of sentences as Kentucky stu- the result of a Businesses and explaining what a student needs to learn dents are tested for change in the way academic standards the first time on the before the end of the school year. the scores are meas- state’s new, more ured, but lower THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER Foundation challenging academic standards in math and lan- scores also will reflect the reality of the tougher is developing an information kit on the guage arts. work being required of Kentucky students. new academic standards designed to help Kentucky was the first state in the nation to That is where the implications for Kentucky businesses and their employees under- adopt these standards – now in place in most states employers come into play. There are concerns that stand what the standards are and why – that set the bar of student learning much higher disappointing test scores will prompt an effort to they are important. than in the past. The standards are benchmarked to pull back from the new standards and return to the The kit will be available online after those in other countries to improve the nation’s ed- old approach and the easier work it involved. But June 1. Printed copies also will be distrib- ucation performance in the global arena. And they sticking with the new standards is critical to ensur- uted statewide. To pre-order the kit, con- are focused on preparing students for both college ing the development of a better-educated work- tact Jessica Fletcher at 502-848-8731or and the workplace – recognizing the fact that stu- force. That’s why the Kentucky Chamber [email protected]. dents need a strong foundation of knowledge and Foundation is spearheading an initiative to help The Chamber is also working with the skills whether they plan to go on to college or try to employers understand the new standards and their Prichard Committee for Academic Excel- find a job after finishing high school. impact. lence on the ReadyKentucky campaign to “We’re all involved in global competition,” “The business community has to be willing to build support for the new standards noted Chamber President and CEO Dave Ad- stand with the education community and reinforce among parents, teachers and other in- kisson. “These standards that are benchmarked to these standards, especially if there is pressure on volved Kentuckians. ReadyKentucky repre- international standards, so our kids can become local school boards and the legislature to back up,” sentatives will provide free presentations workers who can compete in the global market- Adkisson said. “The business community needs to to organizations or groups anywhere in the place, are absolutely essential for businesses in Ken- stand tall and say, ‘We’ve got to have these state. For more information, visit tucky to move forward.” standards.’” readykentucky.org. Business Summit and Annual Meeting Political pundits from opposite sides take on 2012 elections and more at Annual Meeting PAUL BEGALA AND WILLIAM KRISTOL are opinionated political analysts on opposite sides of most issues, but there’s one important issue where they both Business Summit missed the mark during interviews with the Kentucky Chamber in March: Nei- registration open ther picked the University of Kentucky basketball team to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Perhaps their visit to Kentucky this July to speak at the THIS YEAR will mark the seventh Kentucky Chamber’s Annual Meeting will help them make more informed year of the Kentucky Chamber’s bracket choices in the future. Business Summit and Annual Meet- Begala, a populist Democrat who served as counselor to President Clinton in ing, presented by Bingham the White House, will sound off against Kristol on July 17 at the Louisville Mar- Greenebaum Doll LLP. Each year riott Downtown, where the two will discuss the presidential election race and business leaders, educators and leg- other major national and global affairs. islators gather at Kentucky’s premier We sat down with Kristol, a neoconservative Republican who served as chief of business event to discuss issues of staff for then-Vice President Dan Quayle, and Begala and asked them to weigh in importance to our state’s success. on everything from politics in the Commonwealth to the greatest worries for the The Summit aims to tackle impor- U.S. Both Begala and Kristol say they’re looking forward to sharing the stage. tant issues facing Kentucky. Day one “He’s a fairly smart person,” Begala says of Kristol. “We don’t agree on much po- will begin on Monday, July 16, at 1 litically, but analytically we don’t disagree that much. I’m a huge Bill Kristol fan, so it p.m. with an afternoon of sessions will be fun.” and will conclude at 5 p.m. with a Kristol said he and Begala will debate and tease each other, but “sometimes we ac- Taste of Kentucky Reception. Day tually end up agreeing analytically on what’s likely to happen. I always try to put it in a two will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with a little bit of a historical perspective, and how do we understand this moment we’re in.” full day of presentations and wrap up that evening with a reception at 5 Paul Begala (top) and William Though Begala and Kristol may occasionally agree, Begala says they won’t let Kristol (bottom) will appear as the other one-up them: “Each of us will always want the last word, ‘Oh, here’s one p.m. and the Annual Dinner Meeting keynote speakers for the Kentucky more thing about Afghanistan!’” at 6:30 p.m. Register now at Chamber’s Annual Meeting on kychamber.com/businesssummit. July 17. Continued on page 2 Welcome new FROM THE FRONT members! Begala, Kristol weigh in on Kentucky politics, jobs and debt Please help us thank these companies ABOUT PAUL BEGALA for investing in the Chamber’s mission Texas native Paul Begala is a political strategist, by giving them your business. author, columnist and commentator. He is an affili- TRUSTEES ated professor of Public Policy at Georgetown Uni- Farmers Capital Bank Corporation versity with several best-selling books and columns Sun Tan City in Newsweek and The Daily Beast and is a political Windstream Communications analyst for CNN. Begala partnered with James Carville, an An- EQUITY PARTNERS nual Meeting keynote speaker in 2006, on Ken- Galt House Hotel & Suites tucky Gov. Wallace Wilkinson’s campaign and Remington Arms Company spent a great deal of time in the Commonwealth. GENERAL MEMBERS BEGALA ON KENTUCKY Advantage Capital Partners Working on the Wallace Wilkinson campaign The last time the Kentucky Chamber hosted two keynote speakers at its Annual Dinner was 2008 with Donna Aleris Recycling Brazile and Tucker Carlson. Arkema Inc. with Carville, Begala said he lived in Frankfort for Associations International about a year. this race will be down to the wire: “Every time I look at quite well and has impressed a lot of people,” AWP Industries “I really love your state, it’s just fantastic,” Be- the economy, I think Obama can’t win, and every time Kristal said. “McConnell’s obviously an extremely B & M Industrial Supply gala said. “I have very powerful and fond memories I look at the Republicans, I think Obama can’t lose.” canny and savvy politician, and so Kentucky, you’re Bri-Den Company of the bluegrass state. It’s a great place.” actually punching above your weight in terms of Delta Air Lines Begala said the people of Kentucky embody his ABOUT WILLIAM KRISTOL senators’ influence, I think.” Do Design Marketing & Public Relations affinities: “I think Kentuckians have two great passions, Founder and editor of political magazine The Elwood Staffing Service and I share them: sports and politics. Besides family Weekly Standard, William Kristol also frequently KRISTOL ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE Federal-Mogul Friction Products and faith, those are the two great things that I love.” appears on FOX News and is an advocate for Kristol discussed the Tea Party movement, and Fletcher-Thomas When it comes to election-winning strategy, Be- strong U.S. foreign policy. He is an author, profes- contends despite differences of opinion among its Froedge Machine & Supply Company gala said he’d like to see President Obama take notes sor and columnist, and served under President Rea- members, the Republican Party will be united. Hall Contracting of Kentucky from Kentucky’s latest gubernatorial campaign. Hilton Lexington/Downtown gan’s secretary of education, William Bennett. “On the whole, the energy and the broadening of Home Federal Bank “If I were Barack Obama, I’d be studying real Kristol worked with Kentucky’s former Secre- the base [by the Tea Party] in the Republican Party Instant Signs hard how Steve Beshear did it,” Begala said.