One full academic year has passed with varying degrees of in-person and virtual learning across the state. It is now time to roll up our sleeves (literally) and ensure all students will have the opportunity to receive better access to their teachers, peers, and learning environments for the 2021-22 academic year. Increasing the vaccination rate of all Kentuckians over the age of 12 will help protect our youngest learners who can’t be vaccinated yet and help ensure our schools can open safely – and stay open.
State data is pointing to the fact that many of our rural counties have extremely low vaccination rates. What does this mean for our schools? It means that if a community has an outbreak, local schools may again have to close. These closures will take the focus off of the much-needed learning recovery. Preliminary school assessments are showing drops in academic achievement for many students, especially students who were already struggling. Kentucky’s students – from pre-school through college – can no longer wait for a “return to normal.” Access to adequate and equitable education must be readily available for all students if we are to ensure the state’s future economic prosperity.
At the Prichard Committee, we ask our members to pitch in in their communities to improve education at the local level – we call that building a groundswell. We need our groundswell more than ever to step up. All you have to do is roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated – and encourage friends and family to as well. Please, join us in building a Groundswell for healthy, COVID-free communities, so we can ensure the school year gets off to a strong, uninterrupted start. We simply cannot let the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardize Kentucky’s future any more than it already has. By raising our vaccination rates, we can achieve a Big Bold Future with education at the core!
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