LEXINGTON, Ky. — Greater Owensboro was selected as the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence’s inaugural Groundswell Community Action awardee. The award recognizes Kentucky communities that have designed innovative solutions for improving schools, early care centers, and education outcomes at the local level through community engagement.

“Owensboro exemplifies what can happen when community members join together to use local assets to meet local needs, without waiting on state or federal intervention,” said Prichard Committee President Brigitte Blom. “This award recognizes the power of building a groundswell of community support for enacting meaningful change in our own backyards.”

Greater Owensboro received this honor with more than 350 education stakeholders from across Kentucky gathered at the Owensboro Convention Center June 10-12 for the Prichard Committee’s Groundswell Summit and Annual Meeting. Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson and President and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Candance Castlen Brake welcomed conference attendees.

“Owensboro has a long history of community collaboration aimed at finding solutions to the problems that face our residents,” said Prichard Committee Member Clay Ford, an Owensboro native. “You can see that in the way we’ve come together to build infrastructure, develop our riverfront, care for our community’s children, beautify the city and more.”

The Summit featured a panel highlighting Owensboro’s local work entitled Owensboro's Can-Do Spirit: A Committed Local Coalition's Efforts to Elevate Early Care and Education. The panelists were part of the Greater Owensboro Partnership for Early Development (GOPED), a coalition of local citizens who mobilized the community to increase access to and quality of early care and education in the city.

The Prichard Committee received a multi-year grant from the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, which provided resources to help develop a plan for a high-quality early childhood ecosystem in Greater Owensboro. Using this partnership, GOPED has worked to harness the evidence-based power of high-quality early care and education to bolster kindergarten readiness and improve third grade reading proficiency.

“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,” said Blom. “Owensboro was the ideal setting to find inspiration.”

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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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April 18, 2024
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‍FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
‍For more information, contact:
Courtney Daniel, Chief of Communications and External Affairs
‍courtney@prichardcommittee.org

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Historic increase in education funding helps drive a ‘Big Bold Future’ for Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, Ky — As the 2024 legislative session closes in Kentucky, the Prichard Committee announced that the Big Bold Ask achieved 79% of its mission, adding $812 million annually in education funding.

In 2019, the Prichard Committee unveiled a six-year plan, also known as the Big Bold Ask, to add more than $1 billion to the state’s education budget in strategic areas where the investment would have the greatest impact on the state’s education and economic outcomes. The Big Bold Ask aimed to reverse trends in declining state investments into public education by bolstering the early childhood, public K-12 and higher education sectors.

“The funding ask was a key component of Prichard’s work to create a Big Bold Future for the commonwealth. Investment in education at all levels pays dividends in economic growth and a higher quality of life for communities across the state where every Kentuckian can thrive,” said Prichard Committee President and CEO Brigitte Blom. “We are grateful that the Legislature supports this vision and made great strides during the last five years in prioritizing education so we can build a Big Bold Future for all Kentuckians.”

To frame this work, Prichard identified 12 education and economic indicators that help compare Kentucky’s progress to other states, analyze trends over the years, see results for Kentuckians of varied backgrounds and ages, find cause for celebration and recognize areas of concern. Prichard is tracking progress and publishing these measures in a biannual Big Bold Future: National Rankings Report.

In the 2024 state general fund budget, investment in key elements of early childhood, public K-12 and higher education has increased by $812 million since 2020, which will bolster progress toward the Big Bold Future goals. See below for a breakdown on where Kentucky’s education dollars are being invested.

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Early Childhood Education  

As the general fund budget stands, preschool funding has received no additional funding since 2020. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding saw an increase of $47 million, or about 24% of what was requested in the Big Bold Ask.

Investment in high-quality early childhood education is critical for Kentucky’s economy to thrive today and in the future. The care provided by these programs also allows more parents to enter or remain in the workforce. According to a 2023 survey, 94% of Kentucky parents and 91% of Kentucky voters feel that Kentucky is not doing enough to increase child care access.

For more details on Early Childhood Funding in Kentucky, visit our blog.

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Public K-12 Education

All-day kindergarten was fully funded at levels requested in the Big Bold Ask. In another big bright spot, the Legislature passed and Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 695, the Adaptive Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Project. The legislation will establish an adaptive kindergarten readiness pilot project within the Kentucky Department of Education using curriculum that aligns with state standards and national guidelines to improve kindergarten readiness.

School transportation funding also meets levels from the Big Bold Ask; however, it is worth noting that transportation costs have increased significantly in the five years since the Big Bold Ask was written.

Teaching quality efforts included funding for the Read to Succeed Initiative and for added stipends to teachers who earn National Board certification. There is no funding in the budget to rebuild funding for professional development, a key part of the teacher quality portion of Big Bold Ask. However, the Legislature passed House Bill 162, known as the Numeracy Counts Act, which provides for research-based approaches for improvements to K-3 mathematics instruction, teacher preparation, professional development and parent engagement.

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Higher Education

Public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System funding in the budget meets and exceeds the Ask, as do College Assistance Program grants. Kentucky’s college enrollment rate is on the rise, and this added investment will help more Kentucky students get the postsecondary credential they need to succeed in today’s economy.

The Legislature also addressed career and technical education needs with House Bill 499 that aims to provide a fairer allocation of funds between state and locally managed Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The bill was sent to the governor’s desk on Monday.

Additionally, they enacted postsecondary performance-based funding reforms via Senate Bill 191, which includes nontraditional age students in funding calculations to close the achievement gaps at the postsecondary level, adjusts funding percentages for public universities based on student success outcomes and more closely aligns credentialing with economic needs.

"We envision a Big Bold Future where every Kentuckian thrives, contributing to and benefiting from the state’s growing economy. This future is built on jobs that not only pay a family-sustaining wage but also offer opportunities to create wealth and success for generations.” Blom said. “Central to this vision is our commitment to an education system that starts strong with quality early childhood programs, continues with world-class K-12 schooling, and culminates in high-quality, marketable degrees and credentials. Together, these elements prepare Kentuckians not just to fill jobs, but to be the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Let's keep pushing the boundaries to make this Big Bold Future a reality for all Kentuckians."

The next Big Bold Future report will be released in November this year.

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The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, nonpartisan, citizen-led organization working to improve education in Kentucky – early childhood through postsecondary.

With the 2024 legislative session behind us, we are taking stock of what was accomplished in this session and how far we still must go to improve education and economic outcomes for Kentuckians.

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Kentucky’s continued decline in education and quality of life outcomes is cause for concern. In just the last decade Kentucky has fallen to:

• 41st in the nation in the number of children living in poverty - up from 39th in 2020,
• 29th in the nation in fourth-grade reading — a fall from 22nd in 2019 and a high of 8th in the nation in 2015,
• 28th in the nation in eighth-grade reading — a drop from 25th in 2019 and a peak at 12th in 2011,
• 34th in the nation in fourth-grade math — a fall from 30th in 2019 and 21st in 2015,
• 41st in the nation in eighth-grade math — down from 36th in 2019 after reaching 33rd in the nation in 2011.
• 41st in the nation in postsecondary enrollment - a fall from 40th in 2020.

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Despite Kentucky’s downward turn in education outcomes, the Prichard Committee celebrates the steps taken by the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly to return Kentucky to a place where education outcomes can improve.The following successful pieces of legislation can move the needle in providing a Big Bold Future for all Kentuckians:

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‍Numeracy Counts Act - HB 162  Chairman James Tipton (R-53) filed HB 162 to provide for research-based approaches for improvements to K-3 mathematics instruction, teacher preparation, professional development, and parent engagement. The bill aims to reprioritize math education in Kentucky by providing quality education and support for student success to improve math proficiency in Kentucky.

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‍Career and Technical Education – HB 499 Representative Bobby McCool (R – 97) filed HB 499 to provide a fairer allocation of funds between state and locally managed Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, ensuring equitable support across the board. The bill ensures every student, no matter their location, benefits from equal access to high-quality education resources and prioritizes performance-based funding.Adaptive Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Project – HB 695  Representative Kevin Jackson (R-20) filed HB 695 to establish an adaptive kindergarten readiness pilot project within the Kentucky Department of Education. The pilot will use a curriculum that aligns with state standards and national guidelines to improve kindergarten readiness in the commonwealth.‍

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Postsecondary Performance Based Funding Reforms – SB 191 Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens (R-09) filed SB 191 to include nontraditional age students to close the achievement gaps at the postsecondary level, adjust funding percentages for public universities based on student success outcomes, and more closely align credentialing with economic needs.

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While much work remains in the mission to return Kentucky to a place where education and quality of life outcomes are improving, The Prichard Committee applauds these positive steps forward championed by state leaders in Frankfort in the 2024 session.

As the dust settles on the 2024 Kentucky legislative session, there is a significant measure of good progress on the early childhood front, some sobering data that gives us pause, and some critical unknowns.

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First, the good news – millions of dollars have been earmarked for early care and education in Kentucky for the FY 2025 and FY 2026 biennium.

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State Funding for Early Childhood

The General Assembly has appropriated $112.45 million for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), the Employee Child Care Assistance Program (ECCAP) and early childhood scholarships, a substantial increase from the $21.2 million in the previous biennium.

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The state budget also included $45.11 million in Kentucky tobacco settlement dollars for the Early Childhood Advisory Council and regional collaboratives, home visitation, and maternal and child health services.

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In December 2023, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) announced the disbursement of an additional $50 million in sustainability funding to child care providers to support operational needs, such as employee pay raises and facility updates.

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Federal Funds for Early Childhood

The $27.25 million in federal funds consists of $14.4 million in additional FY 2024 Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) dollars appropriated by the federal government in March 2024, and $13.35 million in what we believe to be existing federal funds that the state General Assembly has directed the executive branch to allocate towards CCAP initiatives in the just-enacted state budget.

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Granted, the early childhood sector was buoyed by the infusion of unprecedented federal pandemic era funding the last few years, which gave us a glimpse into what a thriving early care and education ecosystem in Kentucky might look like when appropriately resourced. However, this shot in the already limp arms of the early care and education sector proved to be a double-edged sword, because it also put on the back burner the sense of urgency for state action that the pre-pandemic child care crisis warranted.

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Realities and Critical Unknowns

While we applaud the historic state investment in the early care and education sector, there are some sobering realities we must also acknowledge. The state budget does not provide for the maintenance of services to families at 85% of the state median income (SMI), which can potentially disenfranchise 16,000 children from child care services when eligibility reverts to 160% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The federal Administration for Families and Children’s Office of Child Care now requires states to limit the copayment of families to no more than 7% of their household income and to reimburse child care providers based on enrollment versus attendance. It is yet unclear what proportion of the cost of implementing these new rules would be covered by the additional $14.4 million in CCDBG funds that Kentucky is receiving.

The additional $50 million in emergency funding for CCAP that the Cabinet for Health and Family Services provided in December 2023 is set to be exhausted by September 2024. Already, parents and child care providers have had to make gut-wrenching choices.  For providers, tuition hikes, walking back much needed pay raises for early childhood employees, and closing classrooms or an entire early childhood center or family child care home have already become reality.  For child care employees, the desire to stay in this line of work and invest in young children is eclipsed by the basic need to provide for their own families by moving to higher paying jobs. At the heart of this conundrum are the working families with young children who must face the prospect of pulling their children out of safe and nurturing child care settings, and then either quitting work or school to stay home, or leaving their children in situations they are not comfortable with because they need the health insurance. None of these choices are beneficial to families and our local and state economies.

It is imperative that we arrive at a clear picture of the fiscal realities facing the early care and education sector over the next two years.  We need to be able to brace our communities for the potential impact of diminished access to safe, affordable early care and education on our workforce, business and industry, and our overall economy. And we need to continue to advocate for our families and the child care providers who have subsidized through their meager compensation and profit margins the vital service of caring for our youngest learners.

March 28, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‍For more information, contact:
Courtney Daniel, Chief of Communications and External Affairs
‍courtney@prichardcommittee.org
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Prichard Committee Releases Analysis of State Budget

The General Assembly meets 80% of Big Bold Ask; More work to do on early childhood education

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‍‍LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky State Budget approved by the General Assembly today includes key funding for full-day kindergarten and public colleges and universities but does not fully meet needed investments in the early childhood sector, according to an analysis by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.

"We are appreciative to the General Assembly for their support of full-day kindergarten, school transportation, and funding for postsecondary education at amounts that meet or exceed the Prichard Committee’s Big Bold Ask,” said Prichard Committee President/CEO Brigitte Blom. “We are also grateful for the hard work of the Free Conference Committee in increasing the commonwealth’s investment in early childhood education at this stage in the budget process. However, significantly more funding and policy innovation is needed to expand access to quality, affordable early childhood education, which is a critical missing piece to growing Kentucky’s economy both today and in the future. There is work left to do to ensure that every Kentucky child can receive a high-quality early education experience, and we look forward to continuing in partnership with the Legislature to make that a reality.”

Key Highlights:

• Early childhood: Preschool funding receives no additional funding. Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding, while seeing growth this legislative session, needs significant further investment to address Kentucky’s need for early childhood opportunities that prepare children to be successful in school and beyond.
• K-12 Education: All-day kindergarten is fully funded. School transportation funding meets levels from the Big Bold Ask; however, it is worth noting that transportation costs have increased significantly in the five years since the Big Bold Ask was written. Teaching quality efforts included funding for the Read to Succeed Initiative and for added stipends to teachers who earn National Board certification. There are no efforts in the budget to rebuild funding for professional development, a key part of the teacher quality portion of Big Bold Ask.
• Postsecondary funding: Public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System funding in the budget meets and exceeds the ask, as do College Assistance Program Grants.
• Click here for more analysis of the state budget.

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The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, nonpartisan, citizen-led organization working to improve education in Kentucky – early childhood through postsecondary.

We’re moving quickly to a final state budget.

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Late on March 27, the Senate approved spending plans hammered out by a combined House and Senate committee, and on March 28, the House approved the same document. The bill will now go to the Governor for next steps. Here’s a rapid look at how the current version compares to the Big Bold Ask‘s call for major steps up in Kentucky education investment.

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Parts of the newest budget language are good news:

• All-day kindergarten funding meets the full Big Bold Ask.
• Public universities and KCTCS funding meets and exceeds the Ask, including performance-based incentive funding.
• College Assistance program similarly meets and exceeds the Ask.
• K-12 school transportation funding meets and exceeds the Ask amount set in 2019 (though it falls short of the most recent calculations of full school transportation costs.
• Teaching quality efforts included funding for the Read to Succeed initiative begun in 2022 and for added stipends to teachers who earn National Board certification.

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Other parts raise concerns:

• Teaching quality efforts do not include either broad or targeted efforts to rebuild funding for professional development, leaving most of the quality portion of Big Bold Ask unanswered.
• The Child Care Assistance Program reflects increases that are valuable and yet too small to address Kentucky’s long-term need for early childhood opportunities that prepare children for future learning and too small to meet the immediate challenge of avoiding a sharp reduction in child care access for low-income children and their working parents.
• Preschool receives no added dollars, the only portion of the Ask with no gain at all.

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Here’s a chart version comparing those Big Bold Ask elements and the budget for FY 2026 (the second year of the two-year spending plan).

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In addition to Big Bold Ask moves, the newest budget includes some further changes in SEEK formula funding. SEEK (short of Support Education Excellence in Kentucky) is the state's main vehicle for funding K-12 public education. Here are three developments to note:

• SEEK starts with a base guarantee per pupil. set at $4,200 per student for the current fiscal year and now scheduled to rise to $4,326 in FY 2025 and $4,586 in FY 2026.
• Total SEEK base funding will decrease $112 million in FY 2025 and then partially rebound by $91 million in FY 2026. (Yes, the budget does increase the base guarantee per pupil each year, but local contributions are also rising, and that means the state portion of the guarantee will go down.)
• Tier 1 funding will increase $40 million in FY 2025 and then be reduced by $11 from that level in FY 2026, and that change will come with a noteworthy innovation. Since 1990, Tier 1 has allowed districts that raises more than the base SEEK 30¢ tax revenue to receive state equalization funding of up to 15% of their total base guarantee amount if they collect added local revenue to qualify. The new budget moves that maximum up to 17.5%.
• Combining base funding, Tier 1, and transportation, total formula funding will increase $13 million in FY 2025 and an additional $119 million in FY 2026. As noted in our "SEEK Explainer" post earlier in the session, those three line items are the part of state funding that districts can use for their regular classroom staffing and support, including pay increases.

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For readers interested in other specific programs or in a fuller view of education spending, here are the newest versions of our overviews for early childhood, K-12 learning, and postsecondary education.The Conference version of the budget bill is the original sources for this analysis, and those who love detail may want to take a look at that, too.

March 26, 2024

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‍FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
‍For more information, contact:
Courtney Daniel, Chief of Communications and External Affairs
‍courtney@prichardcommittee.org

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Kentucky House passes resolution commending community schools

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‍LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky House passed a resolution today recognizing and commending the 40 Kentucky public schools that are implementing the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative. The initiative, which is under the umbrella of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, establishes “community schools” throughout the state to coordinate existing community services to support students, improve learning outcomes, and recover learning losses that were exacerbated by the pandemic.

House Resolution 131 was sponsored by Rep. James Tipton.

“I believe every Kentucky child deserves a high-quality education, and that requires all of us in the community to get involved,” said Tipton. “The Kentucky Community School Initiative is creating hubs of collaboration between educators, families, local governments and other local organizations to create conditions for families to thrive. Thriving families allow students to succeed and go on to create their own healthy, prosperous families.”

The statewide effort will provide proof points for scaling of promising approaches to implementing the four pillars of community schools: 1) integrated student supports that address out-of-school barriers to learning through partnerships with social and health service agencies and providers; 2) expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities; 3) active family and community engagement; and 4) collaborative leadership and practices (including high-quality teaching).

"Evidence shows that by providing the supports needed for student success through the community school model, we can reduce barriers to learning and allow teachers to focus on maintaining high-quality learning environments,” said Prichard Committee President and CEO Brigitte Blom. “We are excited to bring communities together with 40 Kentucky schools in 20 districts to build relationships and share resources and expertise to improve outcomes for students and quality of life for communities. We are grateful to Rep. Tipton and the members of the House for recognizing and bringing attention to this good work.”

You can learn more about KCSI at prichardcommittee.org.

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The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, nonpartisan, citizen-led organization working to improve education in Kentucky – early childhood through postsecondary.

On March 13, the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee reported out its version of the state budget for the next two fiscal years.

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The House and Senate are expected to move quickly into conference committee meetings to hammer out a shared final spending plan. Here's a rapid look at how the Senate's approach compares to the Big Bold Ask's call for major steps up in Kentucky education investment.

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Parts of the Senate budget plan are good news:

• All-day kindergarten funding meets the full Ask in both House and Senate versions.
• Public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System funding meets and exceeds the Ask in both versions, including performance-based incentive funding.
• CAP (College Assistance Program) scholarship dollars  similarly meet and exceed the Ask in both versions.
• K-12 school transportation funding meets the Ask in the House version and mostly does so in the Senate version.
• Teaching quality efforts included funding for the Read to Succeed initiative begun in 2022 and for added stipends to teachers who earn National Board certification.

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Other parts raise concerns:

• Teaching quality efforts do not include either broad or targeted efforts to rebuild funding for professional development, leaving most of the quality portion of Big Bold Ask unanswered.
• CCAP (the Child Care Assistance Program) reflects increases that are valuable and yet too small to address Kentucky’s long-term need for early childhood opportunities that prepare children for future learning and too small to meet the immediate challenge of avoiding a sharp reduction in child care access for low-income children and their working parents.
• Preschool receives no added dollars, the only portion of the Ask with no added investment at all since FY 2020.

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Here’s a chart version of those Big Bold Ask elements, showing both House and Senate versions of the budget for FY 2026 (the second year of each chamber’s two-year spending plan).

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For readers interested in other specific programs or in a fuller view of education spending, here are the newest versions of our overviews for early childhood, K-12 learning, and postsecondary education funding. The House Committee Substitute and Senate Committee Substitute versions of House Bill 6 are the original sources for this analysis, and those who love detail may want to take a look at those, too.

At the Prichard Committee, we believe improving education and economic outcomes statewide can only happen with deep community involvement.

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Our Groundswell Initiative is a framework for hyper-local engagement that champions collaborative leadership between families, schools, and members of the community. People stand at the center of this initiative — families, teachers, students, and neighbors — all taking an active part in building a path to a larger life for both now and for future generations.

But before we know where we are going, we must know where we currently stand. The Prichard Committee’s Groundswell Community Profiles offer us that starting point. They are an overview of the state of education in each community, including indicators of learning in progress, from preschool enrollment to degree attainment. To support community engagement, the Prichard Committee publishes new Groundswell Community Profiles annually to put local data on educational progress directly in the hands of Kentuckians.

The profiles show where a community is compared to state averages on a variety of key education measures. In addition, charts show the same data broken down by different student demographics, helping to illustrate achievement gaps and trends over time. Importantly, the profiles also include economic and health outcomes that are intricately connected to education outcomes, as well as school expenditures and demographics.

The Groundswell Community Profiles aren’t meant to be static data reports that sit on a shelf, however. These profiles are meant to be used as a starting point for larger conversations and action. There is valuable information to be gleaned from each community not included in the data. Durable skills for a changing economy such as problem-solving skills and teamwork, for example, are not easily shown in charts and tables. The best uses of this information will come from spurring conversations, seeking deeper understanding, and helping your community come together.

We are already seeing our efforts come to fruition on the ground. The Prichard Committee’s Kentucky Community Schools Initiative includes 20 districts to provide “proof points” of what is working.  Local community conversations are being held around the school-student-family community collaborative model creating groundswell gatherings of community – invested in outcomes.

Building local voices to be champions for public education, finding and implementing solutions to achievement gaps, and promoting higher educational achievement in every part of the state at all levels will require deep community commitment. A key step in that process is for citizens to become more informed about student outcomes in local schools and use that information as a launching pad for conversations about how to reach more students – both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Groundswell Community Profiles are based in two core beliefs we hold at the Prichard Committee: Education is the pathway to a larger life and sustained community engagement is key to educational opportunity and success for all Kentuckians.

Click here to dive into your Groundswell Community Profile.

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