Submission
As Kentucky students head back to school, they will see some important changes. The state has adopted tough, new academic standards designed to get students college and career ready. If Kentucky is going to have economic growth in today’s global economy, we’ve got to prepare our students better.
Because the standards are more challenging, the tests that students take are tougher, test scores could be lower when results are released later this year. If scores are lower, some may push Frankfort and local school board for a return to the easier standards. As the Commonwealth’s business community, we must stand together to support these new standards and the long-term benefits they hold for Kentucky.
In a joint letter from Kentucky Chamber of Commerce CEO David Adkisson and Education Commissioner Terry Holliday, business leaders are encouraged to become key players in educating the public about the new system.
“The 1990 passage of the KentuckyEducation Reform Act was perhaps the strongest example of this, when employers helped lead the fight for critical reforms in our schools,” they said. “Kentucky is once again at a critical place, and the need for business support is greater than ever. That is why we are asking you to join us in helping spread the word about important changes now underway in our schools.”
The Kentucky Chamber Foundation has created a toolkit explaining the importance of these new standards. We hope you’ll take the time to share this information with your employees, so that we can work together as employers, parents and neighbors to create a brighter future for Kentucky.
If you’d prefer to download an electronic copy of the toolkit, click here to access a 22-page PDF version of the packet.
Hard copies of the packet may be obtained from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce by contacting Aimee Hiller [email protected].