Where does Kentucky stand nationally?
The below statistics are taken from the “Big Bold Future” report. View this report in detail.
Kentucky's rank among 50 states
Read the Big Bold Future Report
The above statistics are taken from the “Big Bold Future” report. To view this report in detail, click below.
Why is this important?
Education can be, must be, a path to a larger life for Kentucky’s young learners.
That pathway must include both literacy and numeracy, both as basic skills and as fluent competencies for participating in the economy and contributing to communities. It must also include capacities in science, history, economics, civics, arts, humanities and use of digital tools, and it must include durable skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
When we fail to fully equip our rising generation, we are “eating our seed corn”: destroying the very things that can help us grow a big bold future. Recent declines in our statewide results, both in absolute numbers in our position compared to other states, are therefore cause for concern and renewed exertion. Here are key data points calling for new mobilization:
Policy & Investment Priorities
- Deepen literacy and math teaching skills for educators (Read to Succeed in SB 9)
- Fully fund school transportation and all-day kindergarten (Big Bold Ask)
- Establish a Fund for Teaching Excellence (Big Bold Ask)
Big Bold Ask Increase Over FY 2022
By FY 2026 increase annual general fund investment by $360 million
Local Practice Priorities
- Coordinated community recovery plans
- Meaningful family engagement
- High quality tutoring and mentoring
- Durable skills development
Groundswell Action Spotlight
CLARK COUNTY – In addition to hosting a Groundswell Gathering in Clark County, Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership Fellow Valerie Frost took her Groundswell engagement to the next level by studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student grades. She interviewed parents from across the Commonwealth and gathered stories about how some students excelled during at-home learning, and others experienced challenges and difficulties.
“My high school daughter has a couple of classes she’s failing. My son has a bunch of classes he’s failing. Neither was failing before COVID. My son’s grades weren’t the best but my daughter has always done really well in school. She doesn’t like to learn on a computer. She wants a teacher. It has clearly affected their grades,” said a parent from Bowling Green.
“I think my child has thrived with being able to be at home. It’s varied right now by the household. I think if anyone is having issues it would be the younger ones. For some kids who haven’t done [schoolwork], I think their grades have gone down. That’s not allowed in my house. There are no excuses for bad grades with the amount of hands-on we do with schooling,” said a parent from Russellville.
She also hosted a roundtable discussion with students as well. Her stories can be found online.
The above story is taken from our “Groundswell Action” stories. Groundswell Actions come from communities around Kentucky working to making a difference at the local level. Read more of them here.
