March 6, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jessica Fletcher, Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs
(cell) 859-539-0511
jessica.fletcher@
The following is a statement from Prichard Committee President & CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey on the passage of the House budget. Visit our blog for a detailed analysis of education items in the House proposal.
“The House of Representatives’ budget is a step in the right direction for education at all levels in Kentucky and we commend Chairman Steven Rudy for his diligence throughout the process. In terms of our Big Bold Ask – a request for $1 billion in additional education funding over the next 6 years – there’s encouraging progress in the areas of early childhood and higher education; two critical areas of necessary investment which will support the Commonwealth’s much needed boost in education attainment and work supports.
In the area of K-12, the increase in SEEK (or per pupil) funding, funding for more school counselors, and textbooks is promising. While the 1 percent pay raise for teachers and staff is a signal valuing the importance of the adults working with all our children, Kentucky desperately needs investments in effective professional learning that supports increased teaching excellence, as we proposed in recommending a Fund for Teaching Excellence.
This is an incredibly critical time as our education system – early childhood through higher education – prepares Kentuckians for the economy ahead. Kentucky should not continue to linger at the bottom of the national rankings in poverty and low household income. Increasing our educational attainment is a sure way to grow Kentucky’s economy.”
We commend the House and look forward to working with the Senate as the budget advances.”
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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.
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