Education Reform in Kentucky facts for kids

Education reform has been a big topic in Kentucky for over 20 years. In 1990, a very important law called the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) was passed. This law brought in six main ideas. Some of the most important ones focused on learning core subjects, helping the community, and becoming self-sufficient. Kentucky's schools have gotten better at making sure all schools have fair funding. However, there's still work to do for Kentucky's education to be among the best in the country, especially with test scores.

What are Charter Schools?

One idea for improving schools that hasn't gotten much attention is the use of voluntary charter schools. These schools could be especially helpful in areas where public school options aren't great. The U.S. Department of Education says that charter schools are "tuition-free public schools freed from regulation in exchange for greater accountability." This means they are public schools, so they don't cost money, but they have more freedom from some rules. In return, they are held more responsible for their results.

How Charter Schools Help Students

In a charter school system, individual schools and their leaders have more control over what they teach and how they run programs. This allows them to focus on what each student needs. Many students and parents have said that students "received more individualized attention at the charter school." This means teachers can change their teaching methods to fit each child's learning style better. This helps students learn more effectively.

Charter Schools and Competition

Another good thing about charter schools is how they can make the education system more competitive. Research from the U.S. Department of Education shows that having voluntary charter schools gives families more choices. This also creates a more competitive education market, which encourages all schools to get better. This research found that when charter schools were added to school systems, test scores and student behavior improved in almost every school, whether it was public, private, or charter.

Why Advanced Placement Classes Matter

Voluntary charter schools are one way to make Kentucky's education system better. But we also need to think about how to prepare students for post-secondary education, like college, if they want to go. One way every school in Kentucky can improve is by offering more advanced placement (or AP) classes. AP classes are harder classes that help high school students get ready for college-level work.

Benefits of Taking AP Classes

A college admissions website explains why AP classes are important. They can impress college admissions offices, help students prepare for college courses, and help students make better choices after high school. AP classes have a proven record of helping students get ready for college. Because of this, Kentucky high school teachers and leaders are talking about them more and more.

AP Classes and College Success

This discussion about AP classes is very important. Data from Western Kentucky University's Center of Gifted Studies shows that "college students who have not taken an AP course have only a 33 percent chance of completing a bachelor's degree." However, this success rate goes up a lot if students take AP courses in high school. The Center of Gifted Studies reports that "College students who have completed one AP course have a 59 percent chance of completing a four-year degree." And students with two or more AP courses have a 76 percent chance of finishing a bachelor's degree.

Teachers Support AP Classes

It's not just research groups that support more AP courses. Many teachers who would teach these classes are also big supporters. Vicki Schmitt, an AP English teacher at Greenwood High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, believes AP courses are the best way to prepare students for college. She said, "AP helps teachers teach kids how to think. Students tell me there was not a class in high school that prepared them for college except for their AP classes." Greenwood High School, where Ms. Schmitt has taught for 12 years, offers 14 AP classes. This number is much higher than most Kentucky schools. If more schools offered AP options, Kentucky students would be more ready for college and become more successful.

More Power for School Leaders

Another way to improve education might need new laws. This idea is about giving more power to school superintendents. The Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 created "site-based councils at each school." These councils usually include the principal, three teachers, and two parents. They were in charge of hiring new principals for their school.

Superintendents and Hiring Principals

However, Wilson Sears, who leads the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, thinks these councils shouldn't be the only ones hiring principals. He believes superintendents should be responsible for hiring principals. He has worked hard for a recent law, Kentucky Senate Bill 12. This bill says that superintendents will temporarily replace principals who are fired. They will also have a vote in choosing the next principal. Anthony Strong, the Superintendent of Campbell County Schools, agrees. He says a school district's superintendent is like the CEO of a company. He thinks it would be strange for a CEO not to have a say in who runs different parts of their company.

Local Control Over School Funds

Giving superintendents more power in hiring principals is one way to give more control to local school leaders. Another way is to give principals and school administrators more power over how they spend money for teaching and learning. David L. Williams, who ran for Governor of Kentucky in 2011, believes local leaders should have more "input on how to use the funds they are provided." This would help make sure children get the best education.

Research from the National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices supports Mr. Williams' idea. Their research shows that "Principals need discretion to direct resources in ways that match curriculum, instruction, and support services with students' identified needs." This means principals should have the freedom to use money in ways that best help their students. This research also suggests that giving local schools more control over their budgets helps schools be more effective. This is especially true in high-performing schools in areas with many low-income families. So, giving more power to local school leaders in hiring and spending could lead to a more successful education system for all in Kentucky.