September 18, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact:
Jessica Fletcher, Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs
(cell) 859-539-0511
jessica.fletcher@
LEXINGTON, KY – During its third quarter meeting, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse YES4JCPS, a Jefferson County group supporting a ballot measure that would improve education outcomes with a focus on racial equity in Kentucky’s largest school district. If approved by voters, the measure will increase local property tax, increasing the budget for Jefferson County Public Schools. A plan has been designed to show exactly how the funds raised would be used and the expected impact on student outcomes.
“The Prichard Committee fully supports the leadership of our members locally to ensure adequate and equitable resources for student learning, coupled with clear accountability for closing academic achievement gaps and increased student outcomes,” said Prichard Committee President & CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey.
According to the Kentucky Department of Education, 35 out of 50 of the state’s lowest performing schools are located in Jefferson County. On 2019-19 assessments, nearly 30% of the district’s youngest learners scored novice in reading and math, and for students of color, novice levels are much higher; 44.9% of Black elementary students are reading below grade level, compared to just 18% of their white peers.
In other business, the Directors urged continued focus on closing the digital divide with a statewide plan for universal access to adequate broadband for all Kentuckian. The Directors reiterated the importance of assessment of student learning and encouraged increased state discussion about the honest teaching of U.S. history in terms of race relations.
“Coming out of the pandemic, it is important that we continue to assess student learning as a way to be transparent about our progress in education and an important way to determine the educational impact of this historic time,” said Blom Ramsey.
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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.