RICHMOND, Ky. — In a course about teaching elementary social studies, a room of mostly juniors at Eastern Kentucky University discusses how to make sure children understand basics like civics, rights, laws, and personal responsibilities. Throughout their teacher education program, students cover academic content, classroom management, education systems, teaching methods, cognitive development, assessment systems, and
P A R T F O U R CAN SKILLS, DEEPER LEARNING CRACK THE STATUS QUO? SCOTTSVILLE — The feel of sixth-grade social studies last fall at the Allen County Intermediate Center was definitely not “textbook.” Teachers introduced a new unit where local history and regional economic development took center stage for students. Their
P A R T T H R E E TEACHERS' CREATIVE ENERGY FUELS ENGAGEMENT BENTON — Once school is out and middle school teacher Kalli Colley is dealing with regular life, she notices interesting learning opportunities almost everywhere: In the decisions people make, in news stories, in everyday work, and even ordinary forces of nature.
P A R T T W O SCHOOLS CONNECT TO MODERN MODES OF WORK SHELBYVILLE — It’s nine years before high school graduation (May 2032) for Elijah Mabrey and his third-grade classmates at Heritage Elementary on the eastern edge of Shelby County. However, that distant horizon hasn’t stopped Elijah or Heritage from getting ready.
P A R T O N E NEW ENERGY BOOSTS RELEVANT LEARNING, SKILLS MOREHEAD — For chemistry students at Rowan County Senior High, lab experiments testing properties of water will produce more than scores for a teacher’s grade book. Students’ findings and questions are designed to spark lively conversations — in this case about
LOCAL MOMENTUM BUILDS TO DELIVER UPDATED SKILLS, RELEVANT LEARNING Schools across Kentucky are in the midst of a pivotal overhaul: moving beyond the outdated world of worksheets, multiple-choice tests, and sit-still-for-a-long-lecture learning. Groups of teachers, entire schools and some districts are opting for a fast-forward to meet a pair of fundamental needs: > Employers report
This year, the Greater Owensboro Partnership for Early Development launched a new plan for building a stronger and more accessible early education system over the next four years. The emphasis became a major focus of the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, which committed $4 million to the cause. In 2021, the group partnered with the Prichard Committee to identify key issues and build the civic campaign, which is now underway.
Three years of effort to expand daily time for reteaching and quickly detect when students hadn’t fully grasped new material yielded major increases in student proficiency at Knox County Middle School. Now, emerging from hectic years of adjusting to pandemic restrictions, the entire school district is pursuing a strategy of significantly increase student learning by adding structure to how it covers and assesses academic standards.
For the first time in 2021, the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership translated its program for a group of parents whose children are identified as English Language Learners. The immersive experience, held in the winter and spring, delivered a huge step forward for participants.
“Things that I felt were impossible for me, now they are part of my life and my lifestyle,” said Ana Reid. “Knowledge is power. Your learning experience gives you the power to take action, and it defines your opportunities as a mom and a part of your immediate community.”