Beshear Backs Expanded THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR Parent Leadership Focus FRANKFORT — Gov. added the profile of the ’s Office to the Prichard Committee’s longstanding parent leadership institute at a recent news conference, saying he wants to see the program grow and be a force for educating parents for years to come. Perspectives The newly named Governor’s Commonwealth VOLUME 23 | WINTER 2012 Institute for Parent Leadership will be an independent nonprofit, building on a 16-year record of success. See Beshear, Page 6 Top 20 By 2020: Ky. Still Gaining Ground Latest Data Shows Achievement Strong, Support Lagging Solid student achievement is fueling ’s will determine long-term success are among the areas efforts to move into the top tier of states on key education where the state’s performance is low or slipping, said Stu measures, even as overall state funding, preschool Silberman, executive director of the Prichard Committee. enrollment, and earning four-year college degrees pose “This report offers reason for a real sense of pride and long-term challenges for the state, according to a new Top also a real sense of urgency,” Silberman said. “I don’t 20 by 2020 report from the Prichard Committee. think many people realize that in the most recent national The report targets 20 key measures across the ranking, Kentucky fourth graders moved up to fourth in education system where national organizations use the nation in their knowledge of science. At the same time, consistent reporting to rank states. Launched in 2008, the we need to recognize that doing better on overall funding report provides a dashboard for determining whether for education and enrollment in preschool are keys to Kentucky is moving from its historic spot as a low- seeing our state move forward.” Gov. Steve Beshear announces the Governor’s Com- performing state in education to among the nation’s The report found five categories where the state is monwealth Institute for Parent Leadership at the leaders. The 2012 update shows that while student already in the Top 20 nationally and three areas where the Capitol, along with Bev Raimondo and Stu achievement stands out as a big plus, key measures that state’s movement is flat or Kentucky is losing ground. Silberman of the Prichard Committee and former Gov. . SEE THE FULL REPORT WITH CHARTS SHOWING PROGRESS, PAGES 4 & 5

Nobel Economist Hails Pre-K Benefits LOUISVILLE — Developing the social and emotional skills of young children — knowing how to ask questions, be part of a conversation, focus on solving problems, persist after setbacks, and other qualities often

thought of as character traits — are keys to the early

Lexington, KY Lexington, childhood development of successful students and adults, Lexington, KY 40507 KY Lexington,

Permit No. 33 No. Permit

PAID according to Nobel Prize-winning economist James

271 W. Short St., Suite 202 Suite St., Short W. 271

U.S. POSTAGE U.S. Heckman.

Academic Excellence Academic ORGANIZATION

NON-PROFIT Prichard Committee for Committee Prichard Heckman, of the University of , shared findings of his research on the cost benefits of early childhood education with an audience at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. He said that pre-K programs boost who we are the prospects of children, with programs that help children ‘Early intervention build positive social and emotional skills showing the The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, non- highest and most lasting rates of return. builds the base profit, nonpartisan group of volunteers who have worked since 1983 to improve downstream...’ education. The group provides information and materials to educators, policy- “More than IQ, more than achievement, social and emotional skills are very important,” Heckman said. makers and citizens across the state on a variety of student achievement and —James Heckman, public school issues. The committee is not affiliated with Kentucky state See Pre-K, Page 7 Economist government. It is named for the late Edward F. Prichard, a lawyer from Paris, who in 1980 led a citizens’ committee on improving Kentucky’s universities. THANKS TO OUR GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR VOLUME 23 Prichard Committee for 2 WINTER 2012 Perspectives Academic Excellence v i e w p o i n t Prichard Stakes Ground Time to Get on Board With the Common Core In New Media Frontiers The voice of the Prichard Committee can now I believe that a key to the success of our continue in the rigorous direction the higher standards be found in multiple venues on the Internet, reaching educational system lies in supporting the Common have established. out to citizens and educators through a new range of Core standards. I say that because over the last 38 As you begin or continue this advocacy in your media outlets. Make sure you find us and direct years, I have watched students react to expectation community, here are some resources that can help. friends and colleagues to our news and resources: levels. (You can go online to my blog at Education Week —  The Prichard Committee Web site recently In most cases, I have seen them rise to meet higher blogs.edweek.org/edweek/engagement_ and_reform/ debuted with a new look. It can be found at performance levels as expectations rose. The Common — to click on the resources described below.) www.prichardcommittee.org, offering our latest Core does just that — increasing rigor and raising  Short videos describing how the Common Core news and a one-stop location for the organization’s expectations to levels that are internationally standards are different, and what they can achieve; various efforts. benchmarked. If our kids are going to compete  A public service announcement from Raise the globally, and of course we want them to be ready to do Bar Louisville for parents, business leaders, etc. that, we must have standards that are equal to or  A short video from the Fayette County school greater than those of our competition. district with other links on the Web page; Through a project called ReadyKentucky, we at the  A Web page from the Kentucky Chamber of Prichard Committee Commerce emphasizing have been traveling the business perspective; around Kentucky for the  A podcast from a ‘It cannot be last few years sharing National Teacher of the information about the Year about emphasized Common Core implementing the new enough: it is Standards and why it is standards in classrooms;  For Kentucky education news, our Prichard so important to support critical that Blog tackles data trends, analyzes news and reports these new, and higher, And some good free resources for teachers: on education policy, and offers a thoughtful take on expectations for our students issues schools may face. You can find it at prichblog. academic performance.  An online article blogspot.com. about a report master these We want our highlighting best  On a wider stage, Prichard Committee students to be the ones standards to Executive Director Stu Silberman writes a national achieving at the highest practices for transitioning to the blog hosted by Education Week, called the Public levels, performing well be Common Core; Engagement & Ed Reform blog. It is one of several in college and life and topical blogs at Education Week. It is available at  A North Carolina internationally By Stu Silberman getting the best jobs blogs.edweek.org/edweek/engagement_and_reform. when they move into the resource with tools to competitive. ’ Executive Director workforce. It cannot be support teachers emphasized enough: it is  Resources critical that our students master these standards to be collected by our ReadyKentucky team; and, internationally competitive.  Resources for businesses focused on college- The quality of the implementation of the standards and career readiness. couldn’t be of greater importance. There are many, many more resources available In addition to these primary sources for news that can help you garner support for these standards. and issues, the Prichard Committee also spreads its HELPFUL RESOURCES ABOUND The key is to share the information to let people news through social networks: Part of our role as engaged and informed advocates know why their support is so important.  On Facebook, Prichard maintains pages for is to be ever mindful of what is right for kids. This is The bottom line: we must prepare our kids to the Governor’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent one of those times where we must demand — at the succeed, as citizens at home and workers in a global Leadership and for ReadyKentucky in addition to its community, state and national levels — that we marketplace, and this is the way to get there. own page, which you can find (and “like”) at www.facebook.com/prichardcommittee. From there, find links to other pages and resources. reaching us  On Twitter, the address is @prichardcom. Twitter users can also read or follow @readykentucky. by mail —271 W. Short St., Suite 202 online — www.prichardcommittee.org Executive Director Stu Silberman also tweets regularly. Follow him at @stusilbermanfc. Lexington, KY 40507 Perspectives is printed once a year and published by phone — (859) 233-9849 Silberman’s collection of interesting education regularly throughout the year as an e-mail newsletter. reading or viewing, The Prichard Committee Daily, by fax — (859) 233-0760 Contact us to be added to our electronic distribution list is online at paper.li/stusilbermanfc/1309955382. Prichard Committee for VOLUME 23 Academic Excellence Perspectives WINTER 2012 3 Prichard Adds New Members, Approves Officers The Prichard Committee added 18 new members at ship; Candance C. Brake of Owensboro, a former city its meeting in Lexington on Oct. 30 in addition to commissioner; Cory Curl of Lexington with Achieve; approving new officers and life members for the Meghan Glynn of Taylor Mill who works at the Northern citizens’ group. Kentucky/Cincinnati Airport and is a CIPL fellow; Larry The new members are Clay Barkley of Louisville, an Holladay of Fort Thomas, who works for the Internal assistant state attorney general; Justin Bathon of Revenue Service; Sam Hinkle of Shelbyville, a lawyer Lexington, of the Center for the Advanced Study of and member of the Shelby County school board; Augusta Technology & Leadership in Education at the University Brown Holland of Louisville, a developer; Suzanne of Kentucky; Jessica Berry of Lexington, a family and Hyden of Prestonsburg who works as an accountant and community liaison for the Fayette County schools and parent leader; Lonnie Lawson of Somerset, president and fellow of the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leader- CEO of the Center for Rural Development; Norma Meek of Ashland, interim CEO of the local YMCA and parent involvement coordinator for the Boyd County schools; Policy Innovators Group Names David O’Bryan of Lexington, an accountant; Julie Howard Price of Paducah, a lawyer and CIPL fellow; At the Prichard Committee’s fall meeting in ReadyKentucky ‘Best Kept Secret’ Lexington, Lt. Gov. , above, Adrienne Godfrey Thakur of Lexington, a lawyer and described work of the Governor’s Blue The Prichard Committee’s ReadyKentucky program, CIPL fellow; James Votruba of Highland Heights, retired designed to build awareness among citizens and president of Northern Kentucky University; Gene Wilhoit Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform, which educators about Kentucky’s new academic standards, as he chairs. The group is reviewing about 100 of Lawrenceburg, the retiring executive director of the well as the assessment and accountability program, was Council of Chief State School Officers and a former changes to the state’s tax system. The meeting awarded “Best Kept Secret” of 2012 by the Policy also included a panel of educators and a Kentucky education commissioner; and Kristin Williams student describing the practical effects of Innovators in Education Network at its summit in of Paducah of KRW Strategies. Minneapolis. state budget cuts, below. The group approved Harvie Wilkinson of Lexington “Every year there are unheralded programs and as board of directors chair; Franklin Jelsma of Louisville policies that, without much fanfare, make a difference in as board vice-chair, and Hilma Prather of Somerset as the lives of students,” the PIE Network group said in secretary/treasurer. Helen Carroll of Erlanger and Herb announcing the award. “As the first state to sign on to the Miller of Lexington were named to the Prichard board. Common Core State Standards initiative, Kentucky has The group recognized Becky Goss and Alice Sparks done tremendous work to lead the pack in implement- for service on the board, and Norma Adams and Jackie ation of the standards.” Betts of Lexington, Karen Dougherty of Hopkinsville, The PIE Network supports collaboration among 39 Kent Oyler of Louisville, Josephine Richardson of nonprofit civic groups working to improve K-12 Whitesburg, and J. Maynard Thomas of Catlettsburg as education in their 25 states and the District of Columbia. life members for their dedicated service to the group.

OFFICERS Al Cornish, Louisville Nancy Jarett, Louisville Margaret G. Pope, Paducah CHAIR Bradford Cowgill, Lexington Doug Jones, Morehead Cindy Price, Somerset Harvie Wilkinson, Lexington William M. Cox, Jr., Madisonville Cheryl Karp, Louisville Julie Howard Price, Paducah Darrell E. Crawford, Auburn Judy M. Kasey, Louisville Louis Prichard, Paris VICE-CHAIR Ben Cundiff, Cadiz Joseph W. Kelly, Salvisa Kathy Reed, Bardstown Franklin Jelsma, Louisville Cory Curl, Versailles Dan Lacy, Fort Mitchell Dorothy Ridings, Louisville SECRETARY/TREASURER Sim Davenport, Owensboro Carol Lamm, Berea Jill E. Robinson, Frankfort Hilma S. Prather, Somerset Scott P. Davis, Henderson Lonnie Lawson, Somerset Jean Rosenberg, Prestonsburg Jean M. Dorton, Paintsville Mary Jane Littleton, Murray Linda Rumpke, Lexington MEMBERS Laura M. Douglas, Louisville Fannie Louise Maddux, Pembroke Becky Sagan, Lexington Madeline Abramson, Louisville W. Clay H. Ford, Owensboro Roger L. Marcum, St. Catharine Keith N. Sanders, Owensboro Shawn T. Allen, New Castle Bonnie Lash Freeman, Louisville Elissa May-Plattner, Melbourne Joshua Santana, Lexington Daniel L. Ash, Louisville Bill Garmer, Lexington William H. McCann, Lexington Julie H. Schmidt, Louisville Clay Barkley, Louisville Jill L. Giordano, Princeton Norma Meek, Ashland Ben Self, Lexington Brady Barlow, Lexington Meghan Glynn, Taylor Mill Lewis N. Melton, Middlesboro Pamela Papka Sexton, Lexington Justin Bathon, Lexington Rebecca S. Goss, Nicholasville Ouita P. Michel, Midway Jon L. Sights, Henderson William E. Beasley, Henderson Jane Graham, Lexington Herb A. Miller, Lexington Albert P. Smith, Jr., Lexington Jessica Berry, Lexington Stephen L. Grossman, Lexington Pam Miller, Lexington Alice Sparks, Fort Mitchell Robert Biagi, Shelbyville Kevin Hable, Louisville Karen Monday, Cincinnati, OH Susan Spurlock, Prestonsburg David Bolt, Morehead Jean R. Hale, Pikeville Helen W. Mountjoy, Utica David B. Tachau, Louisville Candance C. Brake, Owensboro Donna S. Hall, Lexington Wade Mountz, Louisville Adrienne Godfrey Thakur, Lexington Matt Breetz, Louisville Michael J. Hammons, Park Hills David O'Bryan, Lexington Lynda M. Thomas, Lexington Patricia Brundage, Covington Billy Harper, Paducah Patrick W. O'Leary, Louisville James Votruba, Highland Heights Ellen Call, Louisville Samuel D. Hinkle, Louisville Charlie Owen, Louisville Lois Weinberg, Hindman Helen Carroll, Erlanger Larry Holladay, Fort Thomas M. Lynn Parrish, Pikeville Mary Gwen Wheeler, Louisville Alva M. Clark, Lexington Augusta Brown Holland, Louisville Paul E. Patton, Pikeville Gene Wilhoit, Lawrenceburg Martha Layne Collins, Lexington Marianne Schmidt Hurtt, Fort Wright Dennis E. Pearce, Lexington Kristin Williams, Paducah Nancy Collins, Hazard Suzanne Hyden, Prestonsburg Laura Pitman, Murray William H. Wilson, Lexington Sam Corbett, Louisville Sylvia Watson Jaegers, Louisville Hiram C. Polk Jr., M.D., Louisville VOLUME 23 Prichard Committee for 4 WINTER 2012 Perspectives Academic Excellence

FOUR YEARS LATER In 2008, when the Prichard Committee launched the Top 20 by 2020 initiative, the students who will comprise Kentucky’s high school Class of 2020 were TOP BY 2012 UPDATE just starting first grade. Today, those students are fifth graders starting to think ahead to middle school. The first report was announced at a press conference at a Lexington elementary school, 20 In 2008, the Prichard Committee challenged Kentuckians complete with cheerleaders and the University of to move the education system to the Top 20 among the 50 states by 2020. Four years later, results show Kentucky pep band. important progress and areas where the state will need to make bigger gains from Pre-K through college. “Kentucky schools have made dramatic, measurable progress since the state restructured its xxxAmong the bright spots: Kentucky has already reached the goal in five of the 20 categories that span the education system in 1990,” the original report stated. education spectrum — from Pre-K enrollment to college completion. Many of the areas where the state fares Speakers at the rally best are in K-12 performance by students, a tribute to the dedicated, focused work of Kentucky schools over said that another decade ‘Kentucky will do the past generation. Still, other areas are slipping, including those that measure the resources devoted to of consistent work schools — areas like teacher pay and overall funding for K-12 and higher education. what no other could move what was once seen as a poor state has ever state past the national PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT FOURTH GRADE WRITING done — move average in important measures of educational OF CHILDREN AGES 3 & 4 Kentucky scored 154. from the bottom achievement. Kentucky’s rate is 45 percent. 20 Nebraska is also 20th at 154. 20 of national “Kentucky will do what Colorado ranks 20th at 49 percent. no other state has ever rankings to the done — move from the SOURCE: Three-year averages from the SOURCE: Results are average scale top tier of states.’ bottom of national American Community Survey using scores on a 0 to 300 scale on the rankings to the top tier 2008, 2009 and 2010 data for public National Assessment of Educational and private school enrollment. th Progress, 2002. th — Top 20 by 2020 of states,” the report report, 2008 declared. Two years ago, the first FOURTH GRADE READING EIGHTH GRADE READING update of the original data found that nine of the 20 categories logged Kentucky scored 225. Kentucky scored 269. is 20th at 267. progress that would be sufficient, over time, to reach Rhode Island is 20th at 222. 20 20 the goal. In the current report, 10 categories are on track. Two years ago, five areas were designated “flat or losing ground,” compared to three in the current SOURCE: Results are average scale SOURCE: Results are average scale report, with preschool enrollment and per-pupil K-12 scores on a 0 to 500 scale on the scores on a 0 to 500 scale on the funding in the danger zone in both updates. National Assessment of Educational National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2011. Progress, 2011. th The data will be analyzed again in 2014, when the th Class of 2020 is in seventh grade — just past the halfway point of their public school experience. FOURTH GRADE MATH EIGHTH GRADE MATH Kentucky scored 241. Kentucky scored 282.

READING THE CHARTS Iowa is 20th at 243. 20 is 20th at 287. 20

SOURCE: Results are average scale SOURCE: Results are average scale 2012 report position 20th in U.S. scores on a 0 to 500 scale on the scores on a 0 to 500 scale on the National Assessment of Educational National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2011. Progress, 2011. 2010 report position 20 th nd

2008 report position FOURTH GRADE SCIENCE EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE Kentucky scored 161. Kentucky scored 157. Each category shows Kentucky’s current standing is 20th at 154. 20 is 20th at 156. 20 among the 50 states in the most recent data, highlighted with the blue bar. The green bars show Kentucky’s position when we produced our 2010 report, darker SOURCE: Results are average scale SOURCE: Results are average scale green, and the first report in 2008, lighter green. The red scores on a 0 to 300 scale on the scores on a 0 to 300 scale on the National Assessment of Educational National Assessment of Educational dot and dotted line mark the goal of reaching the Top 20. Progress, 2009. Progress, 2011. Gray dotted lines mark 10th, 30th and 40th position. th th Prichard Committee for VOLUME 23 Academic Excellence Perspectives WINTER 2012 5

EIGHTH GRADE WRITING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AREAS OF PRIDE, CONCERN Kentucky scored 151. ENGINEERING, MATH SHARE OF The most recent national data, results of fourth- Kansas is 20th at 156. 20 Kentucky’s rate is 13 percent. 20 and eighth-grade science exams on the test known as Alabama is 20th at 16 percent. “the nation’s report card,” boosted Kentucky in categories where performance was already strong. As SOURCE: Results are average scale SOURCE: Results reflect 2009-10 scores on a 0 to 300 scale on the degrees in the natural sciences and a result, Kentucky’s fourth-grade students now rank National Assessment of Educational engineering reported in the Digest of fourth in the nation in science knowledge. The state Progress, 2007. th Education Statistics 2011. has seen solid growth in academic categories listed in rd the Top 20 by 2020 report, already reaching the Top 20 in most categories for fourth and eighth grades. STUDENTS EARNING AP COLLEGE ADULTS 25 TO 34 WITH A Eighth-grade math continues to lag. CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER The state’s improvement and standing in the attainment and completion of postsecondary degrees Kentucky’s rate is 14 percent. 20 Kentucky’s rate is 25 percent. 20 Texas ranks 20th at 17 percent. Delaware is 20th at 31 percent. remains an area of slow growth and below-average performance when compared nationally. SOURCE: Results show the percent of SOURCE: Results are three-year Meanwhile, funding levels continue to present students in the 2011 graduating class averages from the American schools and postsecondary institutions with major scoring 3 or higher (on 1-5 scale) on at Community Survey using 2008-10 challenges. In K-12 funding, Kentucky remains in the least one Advanced Placement test. th data. th bottom 10 states, the same position as 2008. A quick summary of the progress since 2008: ADULTS 18 TO 24 WITH HIGH SCHOOL PER-PUPIL ELEMENTARY DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT & SECONDARY FUNDING ON TRACK FOR 2020

Kentucky’s rate is 83 percent. 20 Kentucky provides $8,561. 20 New results show Kentucky moving up on 10 categories, ranks 20th at 85 percent. Wisconsin ranks 20th at $10,774. either reaching the Top 20 or improving at a rate to get there by 2020. Kentucky ranks: SOURCE: Results are three-year SOURCE: Results reflect 2009-10 state averages from the American and local funding per pupil reported in  4th in fourth-grade science Community Survey using 2008-10 Public Elementary-Secondary Education  11th in fourth-grade reading data. th Finances: 2009-10. st  13th in eighth-grade reading  16th in completion of associate’s degrees HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY  17th in eighth-grade science  21st in family share of higher education costs GOING ON TO COLLEGE Kentucky provides $49,730.  25th in fourth-grade math

Kentucky’s rate is 61 percent. 20 Washington is 20th at $54,193. 20  28th in average teacher salary California is 20th at 65 percent.  30th in adults with a high school diploma or equivalent  31st in high school graduates going on to college SOURCE: Results are the rate of 2007-08 SOURCE: Results reflect average high school graduates (public and private) annual teacher salaries for 2011-12 IMPROVING, BUT SLOWLY attending degree-granting institutions, reported in the Digest of Education from the Digest of Education Statistics 2011. st Statistics 2012. th On five categories, new results show gains, but the state is moving too slowly to reach the Top 20 on time. FULL-TIME STUDENTS COMPLETING PER-PUPIL TOTAL HIGHER EDUCATION Kentucky ranks:  29th in students earning AP college credit ASSOCIATE’S IN THREE YEARS FUNDING  (includes tuition, state funds & other sources) 32nd in eighth-grade math Kentucky’s rate is 31 percent. 20 20  35th in bachelor’s degree completion Oregon is 20th at 29 percent. Kentucky totals $11,527.  38th in bachelor’s degree attainment Virginia ranks 20th at $11,589.  43rd in share of bachelor’s degrees earned in SOURCE: Results reflect students enrolled SOURCE: 2010-11 total revenue per pupil science, technology, engineering and math full-time in associate’s degree programs in full-time equivalent enrollment in public at KY institutions in 2006 and graduating higher-ed excluding med schools, from FLAT OR LOSING GROUND by summer 2009; from higheredinfo.org. th State Higher Education Finance 2011. st New results show Kentucky stuck or losing ground on FULL-TIME STUDENTS COMPLETING SHARE OF HIGHER EDUCATION three categories. Kentucky ranks: BACHELOR’S IN SIX YEARS FUNDING PAID BY FAMILIES  21st in per-pupil higher education funding  29th in preschool enrollment Kentucky’s rate is 48 percent. 20 Kentucky’s rate is 44 percent. 20  41st in per-pupil K-12 funding Maine ranks 20th at 57 percent. Mississippi is 20th at 42 percent.

SOURCE: Results reflect students enrolled SOURCE: Results reflect 2010-11 net Two categories had no new data since our 2010 update. full-time in bachelor’s degree programs at tuition divided by total revenue, excluding In those areas, Kentucky still ranks: KY institutions in 2003 and graduated by medical schools, as reported in State summer 2009; from higheredinfo.org. th Higher Education Finance 2011. st  20th in fourth-grade writing, based on 2002 data  36th in eighth-grade writing, based on 2007 data VOLUME 23 Prichard Committee for 6 WINTER 2012 Perspectives Academic Excellence p a r e n t l e a d e r s h i p Trio of 2012 Commonwealth Institutes Graduate 75 New Fellows Seventy-five parents are part of three sessions of Sheryl Burton, Angela Hampton and Lula Ritchie of The STEM-focused institutes were developed with the the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership, Knott County; Debra House, Jill Lockaby and Elizabeth Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and the marking the 16th year for the program which offers Sizemore of Laurel County; Sue Christian of Owsley Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University. six days of free training to parents with the goal of County, and James Poynter of Rockcastle County. PROGRAM CONTINUES IN N. KY. expanding their ability to work to increase parent Funding was provided by the Berea College Office of involvement and student achievement in their local Externally Sponsored Programs: GEAR UP. Twenty-eight graduates completed the Northern schools. Kentucky institute held in Florence ending in November. Beyond the training, parents are asked to plan HENDERSON ALSO TARGETS STEM The new fellows from Northern Kentucky are Felicia and initiate a project focused on academic Twenty-nine graduates participated in the Henderson Anderson, Kelly Lusk, Elizabeth Marlette, Sirijun Mayi, improvement at their child’s school. The project, institute that also ended in October. The institute was Heather Morgan and Julia Pile of Boone County; completed with the help of institute coaches, also has focused on science, technology, engineering and math. Stephanie Hamilton of Bracken County; Michelle the goal of involving even more parents in local The Henderson fellows are Leslie Abbott, Crystal Beals, Prodoehl of Campbell County; Crystal Richards of Carroll schools. Nicole Blair, Phyllis Blasser, Donna Jo Bugg, Jeremy County; Christi Blair, Coreen Gilmore, Denise Henson, Chandler, Danielle Chrisman, Leigh Ann Clapp, Matt Susan Jones, Tina Lovensheimer, Julia Riley and Victoria HAZARD TAKES STEM FOCUS Duncan, Kristin Gardner, Shawnda Gibson, Ellada Sullivan of Covington; Nicole Towles of Gallatin County; Eighteen graduates completed the Southeastern Hadjisavva, Johnda Hazelwood, Sarah Hopper, Deneen Laura Henegar, Jason Reed, David Tomaszewski and Kentucky institute in Hazard. The institute was Carol Johnson, Brian Joy, Lilia Joy, Dawn Kelsey, Sara Heather Tomaszewski of Kenton County; Bernie Combs, focused on science, technology, engineering and Kemp, Denise Kirtley, Elizabeth Lancaster, Johna Dean Gena Combs and Wauneda Vaughn of Newport; Tracy math, known as STEM. Sessions began in August Miller, Bennie Mouser, Lori O’Nan, Anne Rakestraw, McMillian, Tamara Morris and Bernadette Woodyard of and ended in October. New fellows from the Tonya Robinson, Julie Schneider, Jon Sights and Owen County, and Kevin Hemphill of Pendleton County. program are Kristi Baker, Donna Couch, Kim Michelle Stone, all from schools in the Henderson The institute was funded by the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Saderholm, Kara Lyn Santiago and Mary Jane County district. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation, Duke Energy, State Farm Stancil of Berea; Judy Murray of Clay County; Traci Funding was provided by the Raymond B. Preston Insurance and . Covey of Estill County; Rhonda Allen, Cathay Family Foundation, Ohio Valley Financial Group, Scripps Since its inception, the Commonwealth Institute has Davidson and Linda Potter of Jackson County; Howard Foundation and The Gleaner. trained more than 1,690 parents across Kentucky.

benefits that extend far beyond the students whose parents The first Governor’s Commonwealth Institute will be participate in the training. We have parents in our held next fall in eastern Kentucky with joint backing from Beshear communities who want to help our schools and our students Morehead State University and the University of Continued from Page 1 achieve excellence. The Governor’s Commonwealth Pikeville. While it is not a state agency, the new name Institute for Parent Leadership will help them do that.” “We understand the significance of parents being demonstrates Beshear’s commitment to the program, The Institute will continue to train parents during six involved in their children’s education,” said Morehead including seeking private support from individuals, days of free sessions. Parents gain a deeper understanding President Wayne Andrews. He said the program “will corporations and foundations, since no state funding of all facets of schools, from test scores to budgets to prepare parents to become strong partners with their is available. building community support. school districts in the education of our young people.” “We know how important it is to invest in “The Governor's Institute will be a gold standard for “We look forward to working with Morehead State education for the future of Kentucky, and we can’t this leadership training for our parents. Once again, University and the Prichard Committee to advance overlook parents as a critical resource,” Gov. Beshear Kentucky steps up and takes the lead,” said Stu Silberman, education in the mountains,” added James Hurley, the said. “Engaging families in improving schools has executive director of the Prichard Committee. Pikeville president-elect.

Bev Raimondo, director of the Governor’s Common- wealth Institute for Parent Leadership, center, speaks at the Nov. 19 Capitol press conference announcing the program’s new affiliation and expansion plans. Also speaking at the event, from left, were James Hurley, president-elect of Pikeville University; Wayne Andrews, president of Morehead State University, Brigette Blom Ramsey of Pendleton County, Adrienne Godfrey Thakur of Lexington, and Teresa Dawes of Estill County, all Fellows of the institute, and Gov. Steve Beshear, Prichard Committee Executive Director Stu Silberman. Former Gov. Martha Layne Collins, far right, a Prichard Committee member, also attended. Prichard Committee for VOLUME 23 Academic Excellence Perspectives WINTER 2012 7 NEW PARENTS DESCRIBE HELP FROM ‘HANDS’ The legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare learned about effects of the state’s Health Access Nurturing Development Services program, known as HANDS. Under the voluntary program, first-time parents are coached by a family support worker from pre-natal visits to parenting and education strategies. Participants attested to its effects. “I loved babies, but I didn’t know anything about them,” said Edwina Hazel, a first- time mother from Louisville. “I’m more excited about being a parent because I feel like I can do it by myself,” added Monique Lewis, also of Louisville. Pendleton County Attorney Jeff Dean of Fight Crime, Invest in Kids said the program reduced child abuse cases and stands to ease the burden on local corrections as children achieve better outcomes. Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, hailed HANDS as a program that works. Backers, including the Prichard Committee, told lawmakers at the Oct. 17 hearing that HANDS needs more sustainable funding as Tobacco Settlement funds decline, to continue the program and reach more families.

Pre-K Benefits ACHIEVEMENT GAPS PERSIST Pew Grant Backs Prichard Continued from Page 1 The chart shows mean cognitive scores by age In Expanding Home Visits based on maternal educational attainment. Research shows that cultivating discipline, self-control, The Prichard Committee will work to strengthen and engagement appears to build an ability to take COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Kentucky’s home visiting program for at-risk new families under a $125,000 grant from the Pew advantage of greater learning in school and also leads to SOME COLLEGE LESS THAN H.S. better habits and decisions as adults, Heckman added. Charitable Trusts. “These skills cross-fertilize,” he said. “Teachers are 1 Prichard’s Strong Start Kentucky campaign made effective by having children who are ready to started in 2007 to raise awareness statewide, learn.” particularly among state policymakers, about the value of investing in quality preschool. Heckman has been involved in research that has .5 Work supported by the new Pew grant will focus shown minimal large-scale effects from high school on expanding home visiting in Kentucky and dropouts attaining a GED high-school-equivalency degree. 0 ensuring the state gives priority to proven programs, Similarly, he has found that public job-training and adult sets clear standards for child and family outcomes literacy programs give recipients only modest boosts. and monitors programs for effectiveness. At the same time, Heckman said that research shows Kentucky’s home visiting program, known as that achievement gaps that exist in school systems are -.5 3 5 8 18 HANDS, serves more than 10,000 families each almost entirely in place at the time students start year in every county. Since 2000, state funding for AGE kindergarten and rarely close. The best opportunity for HANDS has come from 25 percent of Kentucky’s improving prospects for disadvantaged children are early SOURCE: Brooks-Gunn, Cunha, Duncan, Heckman & master tobacco settlement funds dedicated to early childhood programs that supplement families and engage Sojourner, 2006. childhood initiatives. Funding has declined with children in positive relationships, interesting conversa- lower rates of smoking. The Prichard Committee’s tions, and activities that help them overcome challenges. work under the grant will also focus on developing Research is providing more evidence of the power The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, Kentucky a strategy to maintain and seek replacement of building strong social and emotional skills. Chamber of Commerce and Prichard Committee’s funding for HANDS as the tobacco funding “We need to create the base so that early on, people will Business Leadership Council for a Strong Start sponsored diminishes. have the ability to function and succeed on their own,” he Heckman’s presentation with support from Metro United “Quality early childhood programs are essential said. “Early intervention builds the base downstream. ... The Way in Louisville, United Way of Greater Cincinnati/ to preparing Kentucky’s children to succeed in longer we wait, the more costly remediation is.” Northern Kentucky and United Way of Kentucky. The school and in life,” said Stu Silberman, executive program was also supported with financial gifts from The director of the Prichard Committee. “We greatly MORE: Watch online www.heckmanequation.org/content/ Pew Charitable Trusts, Hardscuffle Inc. and Nana Lamp- appreciate the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts resource/october-24-presentation-louisville-kentucky ton, Elmcroft Senior Living and Pat Mulloy and the for our efforts to make such valuable services Gheens Foundation, Inc. available to more children and their families.” VOLUME 23 Prichard Committee for 8 WINTER 2012 Perspectives Academic Excellence Institute Earns Golden Apple Gheens Backs Pre-K Efforts i n t h e n e w s Making quality preschool and child care available for more Kentucky children will be the focus of the Interns Support Prichard Work work of the Prichard Committee for Academic Three interns gained experience in grassroots, nonprofit Excellence under a $25,000 grant from the Gheens advocacy work last summer at the Prichard Committee Foundation in Louisville. office. Janice Shepherd, 2012 graduate of Morehead The grant will support the committee’s Strong Start State University, now working on a masters degree in Kentucky: Quality Preschool for Every Child campaign. education, worked on multiple research projects including Since 2007, that effort has focused on raising awareness help updating data for our publications. Danny Miller, now statewide, particularly among policymakers, of the value a sophomore and a Brown Fellow at Centre College, of investing in quality preschool. researched and prepared a paper on the state of teacher State and national research has shown that quality tenure throughout the country. Both met Gov. Steve preschool programs lead to higher education attainment Beshear at a media event highlighting early childhood and lifetime earnings, lower rates of incarceration and education. J.J. Snidow served as an iHigh Writer in less need for social services. Residence with the ’s Institute for The Fayette County Public Schools Community In quality programs, children learn character skills Rural Journalism and as an intern with the Prichard Partners Leadership Team honored the Common- such as following instructions, getting along with others Committee, researching and writing several stories about wealth Institute for Parent Leadership with a and solving problems. Such skills serve children well for Teach for America, now in its second year in Kentucky. ... Golden Apple Award recognizing its impact on a lifetime. Chuck Denny, regional president of PNC Banking in student achievement. Bev Raimondo, center, director “Quality early childhood programs help ensure Kentucky, is the new chairman of the Business Leaders for of CIPL, accepted the award at a Nov. 13 ceremony. children arrive at school ready to learn and become more a Strong Start, a group of Kentucky business leaders Also pictured are Tom Shelton, the Fayette County successful adults,” noted Stu Silberman, executive supporting expanded support for quality early childhood superintendent, and Lisa Higgins-Hord, assistant director of the Prichard Committee. “This critical support programs. ... The Prichard Committee’s Team on Teacher vice president for community engagement at the from the Gheens Foundation will have a significant Effectiveness January meeting will feature Deborah Ball, University of Kentucky and chair of the Community impact on our efforts to give more Kentucky kids a dean of the University of Michigan School of Education, to Partners Leadership Team. stronger start.” address teacher education programs.

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