“We would never design the system we have if we were thinking about doing this right”

WILHOIT SAYS U.S. SCHOOLS NEED TO MAKE BIG CHANGES LOUISVILLE - The challenge facing American schools "is greater than we've been led to believe," according to Gene Wilhoit, the former Kentucky education commissioner who now leads the Council of Chief State School Officers - an organization of state education department leaders from across the country.

China and India are not only rising economic powers, but are building vast university systems to dramatically increase their population of highly educated and skilled adults. Wilhoit told the audience at the Prichard Committee spring meeting here that if states and school districts don't find a way to move all U.S. students to higher levels of achievement, the result may be reduced economic prospects and a lower quality of life.

"We are at a turning point in the next two generations," said Wilhoit, pictured above left. He discussed several areas where schools in Kentucky and across the nation need to see their improvement efforts not as a way to comply with accountability requirements but as a strategy for keeping up in a competitive global economy. READ THE FULL STORY LEARN MORE: See final versions of the Common Core standards for math and language arts * * * PILOT PROGRAM MAKES MATH A 'PRODUCTIVE STRUGGLE' LOUISVILLE - Stronger education standards can push classroom teaching and learning to more challenging levels, said Ann Shannon, a math teaching consultant working with several Kentucky school districts to upgrade instruction under a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Demonstrating a higher-level math lesson to the audience at the Prichard Committee spring meeting here, pictured center above, Shannon said that, too often, math teachers operate like a GPS navigation system, prompting students from one step to the next, eventually leading to the destination or answer. Instead, she said, students need problems and guidance that help them see how to map out solutions on their own.

"Students shouldn't be doing mindless activities and worksheets; they need to be engaged in a productive struggle," she said. "I tell students don't expect to look at a problem and know the answer. Expect to look at it and think." READ THE FULL STORY

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PEW GRANT EXTENDS PRICHARD PRE-K WORK The Pew Center on the States recently awarded the Prichard Committee a $200,000 grant for a fourth year of work to improve the educational and economic success of Kentucky by expanding access to quality preschool programs for more children in the state.

The grant, $25,000 of which is contingent on raising matching funds, will be used to bring advocates, policy and business leaders and service providers together to develop strategies for expanding quality early education programs through their Strong Start Kentucky initiative. Strong Start Kentucky advocates for quality, voluntary pre-k for all three- and four-year-old Kentucky children through collaborative efforts that involve public, community-based and Head Start programs.

Kentucky's preschool program currently serves three- and four-year-olds with disabilities and four-year-old children whose families earn an income 150 percent or less of the federal poverty level - about $33,000 a year for a family of four. "This support from the Pew Center on the States will help us make quality pre-k programs available for every child," said Robert F. Sexton, executive director of the Prichard Committee. "We have had quality preschool on our agenda since the committee was formed more than 25 years ago. We know what a positive difference it can make for children, their families and the state as a whole." BRANT PROMOTING PRE-K BUSINESS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Angela Brant, a longtime child care center director and advocate on child development issues, recently joined the Prichard Committee as a consultant with the Strong Start Kentucky Business Leadership Council for Pre-k. The group recently began a series of five regional meetings to focus on the economic impact of expanding state-funded quality pre-k programs. The initial meeting was held in Owensboro. A second session is planned later this summer in Paducah. Sessions will follow in Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky. In addition to the meetings, Brant and Suzetta Yates in the Prichard Committee office are organizing the Council's speakers bureau for groups interested in learning about the economic and educational benefits of expanding pre-k programs. For more information, contact Brant at [email protected].

PRE-K EXPANSION BILL DIES IN LEGISLATURE After winning near unanimous support in the state House during the 2010 General Assembly, House Bill 190 died in the Senate. The bill would have expanded preschool programs for more than 16,000 three- and four-year-olds as funds became available. It would have established the Strong Start Kentucky program as a grant program under the state's Early Childhood Development Authority, requiring collaboration between school, community-based child care and Head Start programs. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Carl Rollins, D-Midway, chairman of the House Education Committee, along with Reps. , D-Lexington; , D- Brandenburg; , D-Covington; and Susan Westrom, D-Lexington. Prichard Committee Associate Executive Director Cindy Heine said that advocates will continue to work to build support for expanding voluntary, quality pre-k through collaborative models.

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POLICY CENTER SEES KENTUCKY STUDENTS RISING Kentucky students are rising in national educational ranking, reflecting the strong returns the state receives from its investments in education, according to two recent reports from the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center.

"The Increasing Returns on Kentucky's Educational Investments," available online at http:// kltprc.net , concludes that Kentucky performs much better than expected in the face of such barriers to cost-effective education spending as family poverty, parental education, students' health status, disability rates and missed school days.

In a separate study, available online at http://kltprc.net, the research center reported that Kentucky ranks 32nd nationally on its Education Index of several indicators - a marked improvement from its 43rd-place ranking in 1992. The indicators included in the index measure educational attainment and achievement, dropout rates and ACT and NAEP scores. "This is the most important and encouraging news on Kentucky's education results that we've seen in a long time. It's solid proof that our investments in reforms are paying off," noted Robert F. Sexton, executive director of the Prichard Committee.

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Parent Leadership HARVARD REPORT SPOTLIGHTS COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE The Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership was recently featured as one of 12 examples of leading innovations in family engagement as an integral and effective strategy in systemic education reform by Harvard University's Family Research Project.

The Commonwealth Institute's work was described in the report, "Taking Leadership, Innovating Change." The National Family, School, and Community Engagement Working Group said that the programs featured "represent a vision of family, school, and community engagement as a shared responsibility and a continuous process that occurs wherever children learn and throughout their development into young adults."

The March report highlights innovation on both a national and regional scale, ranging from the national program which aims to improve children's mathematical knowledge by improving parents' math understanding, to New Visions, a local program in New York which teaches parents to use student data to help monitor and support their children's progress. Read the report here

DEMAND REMAINS STRONG FOR INSTITUTES The number of parents trained by the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership passed the 1,500 mark in 2009, and two institutes this fall will add to the totals. An institute focused on science, technology, engineering and math will begin Aug. 26 in Bowling Green, sponsored by the J. Graham Brown Foundation and Toyota. The program was developed in partnership with the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science and the Center for Gifted Studies, both at Western Kentucky University. Parents from Northern Kentucky will also take part in an institute beginning Sept. 10 in Florence. That institute is funded by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Carol & Ralph Haile Foundation and Toyota. Both institutes are made up of three two-day sessions at no cost to participants. Demand for both institutes was strong, with 112 parents applying for 60 openings in the two programs.

A Parents & Teachers as Arts Partners session will be held July 20-21 in Lexington. Supported by the Lucille Caudill Little Foundation, the program is aimed at increasing arts awareness and embedding arts in the school curriculum. The program is designed for graduates of the Commonwealth Institute who attend with a teacher from their child's school. The July program is focused on Fayette County parents and is offered in partnership with the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.

WORKSHOPS SPREAD ACROSS KY. Kentucky school districts are contacting the Center for Parent Leadership for its introductory parent-leadership training and for professional development based on the family involvement report, "The Missing Piece of the Proficiency Puzzle." Training has been offered in Bell County, including Middlesboro and Pineville; Christian County; Covington; Daviess County and Owensboro; Fayette County; Gallatin County; Marshall County; Todd County, and Trigg County. To find out more about training options, contact the Center for Parent Leadership at www.centerforparentleadership.org or (800) 928-2111.

WORKSHOP WILL EQUIP PARENT-LEADERSHIP TRAINERS The Center for Parent Leadership will hold a training of Parent Information Resource Center staff, GEAR UP program staff, foundation and program officers, school district personnel, federal program directors, and others focused on building parent involvement in schools in its "Authentic Parent Engagement" workshop July 27-28 in Lexington. The session is designed as a "train your own trainer" model to give organizations the ability to design local parent leadership workshops. For more information, contact Molly Toney at the Center for Parent Leadership at (800) 928-2111.

* * * Prichard News MOBERLY HONORED WITH AWARD OF EXCELLENCE LOUISVILLE - Rep. Harry Moberly Jr., a veteran legislator recognized as a leading advocate for education and an expert on the state budget, was honored at the Prichard Committee's spring meeting here with the group's Award of Excellence. (See photo, top right.) It marked only the second time the organization had presented the award. The award was designed to call special attention to superlative citizen leadership in advancing public education in Kentucky.

A Democrat from Richmond, Moberly was first elected to the state House in 1979. He was involved in the task force that developed the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 and has spearheaded efforts to improve the state's testing program, upgrade teaching quality, and promote school technology. He is a former chairman of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Moberly, who is leaving the legislature this year, is the executive vice president for administration at Eastern Kentucky University.

In a 2006 profile in Perspectives , former Senate Democratic Leader David Karem of Louisville said Moberly "used his position artfully." Karem explained: "Harry Moberly has always been in the right place at the right time to be an effective advocate, and not only effective but powerful in pushing what's positive and stopping what's negative." In that same article, former state Board of Education chairwoman and Education Cabinet secretary Helen Mountjoy - the inaugural recipient of the Prichard Committee's Award of Excellence - said that Moberly "enjoyed asking the hard questions."

SEXTON ADDRESSES BELLARMINE GRADS Prichard Committee Executive Director Robert F. Sexton delivered the commencement address on May 8 at Bellarmine University in Louisville. Sexton also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the event where more than 400 students received degrees. A Louisville native, Sexton was recognized for his work with groups beyond the Prichard Committee, including his service as deputy director of the Kentucky Council on Higher Education, a founder of the Kentucky Governor's Scholars program, and founder and president of the Kentucky Center for Public Issues and served as publisher of The Kentucky Journal.

In his commencement address, Sexton, left, emphasized the importance of civic awareness and participation. "My one request today is that you do get involved," he said. "You will enrich your life and the lives of others if you just do it.

HEINE JOINS MEETING WITH DUNCAN Prichard Committee Associate Executive Director Cindy Heine was among a small audience to hear from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan at a March meeting of the Policy Innovators in Education Network meeting in Washington, D.C.

Duncan, left, congratulated the network's 20 member groups for helping encourage states to develop ambitious improvement plans in their applications for the federal Race to the Top stimulus-fund grants. Duncan asked the group for input on ways to improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act during its upcoming reauthorization, in addition to continued work within states.

PRIVETT TO JOIN PRICHARD WORK Nawanna Privett, a former principal and administrator in Fayette County with extensive experience at the state level, will soon join the Prichard Committee as a senior associate. Privett has led the state education department's CEO Superintendents Network and was the first director of the Kentucky Leadership Academy. Both programs were designed to boost professional development opportunities for leaders of the state's schools. She serves as co-chair of the Women & Philanthropy Network and serves on the boards of the Partnership at NewCities, Women Leading Kentucky, and the UK College of Education's Board of Advocates.

SEXTON, STAFF SHARE PRICHARD LESSONS IN BALTIMORE Prichard Committee Executive Director Robert F. Sexton discussed grassroots advocacy before an audience of 100 at a gathering of partners working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Common Core Standards. The April meeting in Baltimore included many national education organizations. Sexton was invited to share insights on the Prichard Committee's work in Kentucky and the success of its Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership. Sexton was joined by Cindy Heine, associate executive director, and Bev Raimondo, director of the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership and the Center for Parent Leadership, who shared details about the group's work with parents.

WALTER BAKER DIES; FORMER LAWMAKER, PRICHARD MEMBER Walter Baker, a lawyer from Glasgow and former member of the Prichard Committee, died on May 24. He was 73. Baker's distinguished career as a public servant included 22 years in the state legislature, where he served on the task force that created the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Baker served on the Council on Postsecondary Education and briefly served on the state Supreme Court. He also worked as assistant general counsel at the U.S. Defense Department. Baker was a graduate of Harvard University and served in the U.S. Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and two children.

* * * HONOR AN EDUCATOR: Acknowledge a remarkable educator who put you on the road to life-long learning. The Prichard Committee created the "Honor an Educator" initiative to recognize outstanding teachers and support academic excellence in Kentucky. Every tax- deductible gift of $50 or more in honor or in memory of a person who made a significant difference in your education will help support efforts to ensure the highest quality schools across Kentucky. With your gift, the Prichard Committee will provide a certificate of commendation for your honoree, noting that a gift has been made by you in his or her honor if an address is available. We also publish your and your educator's name in our Honor Roll of Educators in our newsletter and on the Web. Complete an online form today to Honor An Educator and support the Prichard Committee.

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS: The Prichard Committee's work across Kentucky is made possible by generous donations from individuals and corporations. Our full 2009 donor list is available online. We thank our donors for their support. Pledges or contributions to the 2010 Annual Fund can be made by contacting the Prichard Committee at (800) 928-2111 or online.

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SUPPORT ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: The Prichard Committee receives no support from state or federal government. Your gift helps us continue our work of promoting education in Kentucky. You can give in memory or in honor of a special person. Make a gift to the annual fund online with PayPal.

KEEPING THE FOCUS ON KENTUCKY SCHOOLS: Welcome to our e-mail version of the Perspectives newsletter, now in its 20th year. These quarterly updates give you a chance to see news from the Prichard Committee. We hope you'll find this another useful way to keep up with what's happening in Kentucky schools. Go to www.prichardcommittee.org. E-mail us to make sure you are on our Perspectives e-mail list. You can also follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and Prichard Blog.

WHO WE ARE: The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan group of volunteers who have worked since 1983 to improve education. The group provides information and materials to educators, policymakers and citizens across the state on a variety of student achievement and public school issues. The committee is not affiliated with Kentucky state government. It is named for the late Edward F. Prichard, Jr., a lawyer from Paris, who in 1980 led a citizens' committee on improving Kentucky's universities. Contact the Prichard Committee at P.O. Box 1658, Lexington, KY 40588-1658 or (859) 233-9849.