It was a major promise of the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. Our kids would be better educated for the world of work. Still, more than 22 years later, the Community Recorder newspaper in Kenton County reports: “Manufacturers struggle to fill jobs.” And, the article points to education as part of the problem, saying:…
The Courier-Journal added more information on line in the evening of July 5, 2012 about an earlier, mistaken article that said Governor Beshear had appointed David Karem to be chair of the Kentucky Board of Education. Apparently, the governor thought he had such authority and issued a proclamation on July 2, 2012 naming Karem not…
The Courier-Journal reports that Governor Steve Beshear has replaced Kentucky industrialist Billy Harper on the Kentucky Board of Education with Leo Calderon of Edgewood, Kentucky. The newspaper provides no information on the appointee other than his residence, and neither the governor’s office nor the department of education have public news releases about the appointment available…
Despite a lot of hype from anti-charter groups, especially some groups funded by the teachers unions, there are plenty of success stories for charter schools. One example is the Harlem Success Academy Charter Schools network. Here is one example set of academic data from this charter network’s web site of how students (their scholars) from…
Opponents of charter schools argue that charters aren’t a good deal for at-risk students and those with disabilities or behavioral problems. The KEA, in their stated position on charter schools, claims that “most [charter schools] are not required to provide all the services that public schools provide, including (in some states) services to students with…
In a recent interview on “Pure Politics,” Rep. Brad Montell, R–Shelbyville, said “most legislators on both sides of the aisle, frankly, don’t know enough about charter schools.” A bill sponsored by Montell that would allow charter schools in Kentucky was heard in the House Education Committee in February of this year. Montell requested that no…
Education Week reports (subscription?) that several charter school operators are planning to expand to other locations outside of their home states. Says Education Week: “Until now, organizations such as Aspire Public Schools and Rocketship Education, both headquartered in California, and BASIS Schools, Inc., of Arizona, which have been held up as worthy of emulation, have…
Sounds remarkably like us! In his annual address to the national convention of the National Education Association, union president Dennis Van Roekel made some remarkable comments. According to Education Week’s Teacher Beat Blog, Van Roekel said of the existing public education system and his union: “We are part of that system—a system that has not…
The Courier-Journal reports an extensive clean-up of the bloated central office at the Jefferson County Public School District is likely to save $4 million, apparently each year. That, according to district superintendent Danna Hargens, is money she can now plow back into education in the schools. It’s about time. Things are so bad even the…
Dr. Phillip Rogers retires today from the position of Executive Director of the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB), the organization that oversees professional certification of teachers and principals. He leaves an important legacy. Perhaps the most stunning action to take place while Dr. Rogers was at the helm was the EPSB’s cancellation of certification…