The Steele-Reese Foundation provides Prichard Committee grant to Survey Teachers in Appalachia Kentucky

As part of its commitment to showcasing the transformative power of education, the Prichard Committee has released a series of videos titled "Education Is." This series highlights the importance of the work being done around education in the state and the impact that education has on lives across Kentucky. These videos demonstrate how education has enhanced the lives of Kentuckians. Watch them here.

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Hear the stories of how education is building a path to a larger life for Kentuckians.

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Prichard Committee member Bill Wilson shares his story about the impact education has had on his life and his life’s work in education. 

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April Draine, a Commonwealth Institute of Parent Leadership fellow, shares her story about the impact education had on her life.

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Hear straight from the reason we are doing this work – the students!

More than 350 education and community stakeholders in attendance

LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than 350 education stakeholders from across Kentucky gathered in Owensboro June 10-12 for The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence’s Groundswell Summit and Annual Meeting.  

“The Groundswell Summit is an opportunity for education champions from all corners of Kentucky to come together to share what they are doing in their own communities to enhance education outcomes and school experiences for students,” said Prichard Committee President/CEO Brigitte Blom. “We know that some of the most effective work happens at the hyperlocal level, and we can all take ideas from each other and adjust them to meet our own community’s needs.”

The three-day summit, held at the Owensboro Convention Center, featured tours of innovative local schools and programs; the Great Schools Showcase; and sessions on addressing chronic absenteeism, creating welcoming schools, designing high-quality early childhood ecosystems and more.

National keynote speakers Dan Wuori and Seth Kaplan were in attendance to share their insights on early childhood education and hyperlocal community engagement. Additionally, the Summit featured a legislative panel with Rep. Scott Lewis, Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong and Rep. DJ Johnson, highlighting bipartisan support for improving education outcomes in Kentucky. Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson and President and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Candance Castlen Brake welcomed conference attendees.

The Summit also included an award ceremony recognizing outstanding schools and educators across the commonwealth. The committee honored Ruth Lynch with the Beverly Nickell Raimondo Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership toward improving student achievement among Kentucky students. Lynch has championed student achievement by diligently trying to recruit more teachers of color to return and work within her local public school system in Christian County.  

Additionally, the Prichard Committee recognized:

• 29 new Family Friendly Schools and Early Care Centers that have shown exceptional dedication to creating a welcoming, supportive and inclusive school environment for students and families

• 33 Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership Fellows, who have displayed a deep dedication and commitment to improving education in their communities

• Seven Groundswell Action Awards honorees, who are working in their communities to improve education outcomes

• Greater Owensboro was honored as the inaugural Groundswell Community for their efforts supporting a deeply engaged community that works together on solutions to improve outcomes

The 2024 Groundswell Summit and Annual Meeting was sponsored by Owensboro Health. The next Groundswell Summit will take place in June 2025.  

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LEXINGTON, Ky -- The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence has awarded 29 Kentucky schools and early care centers with a Family Friendly Schools Certification this spring.  "Schools that earn this certification have demonstrated their commitment to proactively engaging families in their student’s education," said Brigitte Blom, president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. “These schools have been innovative and energetic in their efforts to make families a valued part of their school’s team, which enriches the learning experience for students. We’re excited they’ve chosen to pursue this certification to demonstrate their dedication to their students and community.”  

The schools have worked to foster more effective partnerships with families and the broader community. As part of the certification process, a multidisciplinary team consisting of families, teachers, and administrators used a self-assessment tool to evaluate the school's family engagement performance. This team evaluated the school's practices, identified key areas for improvement, and integrated new practices designed to elevate its family-friendly rating.  

The Family Friendly Schools Certification is awarded by the Prichard Committee after applications are reviewed and scored by a working group of families, educators and community organizations. The group is focused on increasing open communication, learning opportunities and shared decision-making power across the Kentucky education system.  

“Schools and early care centers who apply for Family Friendly Schools Certification gain a deeper understanding about the importance of family-school partnerships, examine core beliefs about family-school partnerships and apply concrete strategies for increasing family engagement in their school,” said Blom.  

The Kentucky Department of Education includes the Family Friendly Schools Certification in its school report card as evidence of effective family engagement.  

“The Family Friendly Schools Certification highlights the exceptional work being done across Kentucky to build strong, collaborative relationships between schools and families,” said Clay Ford, Prichard Committee Board Chair.

For more details on the Family Friendly Schools Certification, visit prichardcommittee.org/familyengagement.  

2024 Spring Family Friendly Schools Certification Awardees

1. Reidland Elementary School*

2. North Washington Elementary Early Childhood Center*

3. North Washington Elementary and Middle School*

4. Washington County Elementary Early Childhood Center*

5. Washington County Elementary School*

6. Washington County High School*

7. Washington County Middle School*

8. Floyd County Early Childhood Center

9. Breckinridge Elementary School  

10. Campbell Ridge Elementary School  

11. Clearfield Elementary School  

12. Crossroads Elementary School  

13. Donald E. Cline Elementary  

14. East Bernstadt Independent  

15. Eastside Child Development Center

16. Grant’s Lick Elementary School

17. Greysbranch Elementary School

18. John W. Reiley Elementary School

19. Lansdowne Elementary School

20. Murray Elementary School

21. NKCAC (Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission) Head Start—Alexandria Center

22. NKCAC Head Start—Elsmere Center

23. NKCAC Head Start—Falmouth Center

24. NKCAC Head Start—Newport Center

25. NKCAC Head Start—Boone County Center

26. Picadome Elementary School

27. Tygart Creek Elementary School

28. Wurtland Middle School

29. Yates Elementary School

* Denotes Gold Certification

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