FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2023
Statement from Prichard Committee President on the Kentucky gubernatorial primary election
“The Kentucky primary election for governor tonight serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address our declining education outcomes and to halt the divisive partisan rhetoric surrounding this critical issue. As both candidates for governor clearly prioritize education, it is crucial that the plans they put forth focus on returning Kentucky’s education outcomes to a state of progress.
Since 2015, the Prichard Committee has reported continual declining outcomes nationally. Our state, once ranked 8th in 4th-grade reading, has dropped to 29th. In 8th-grade mathematics, our ranking has never exceeded 33rd and currently places us at 41st. While we are ranked 3rd in the nation for high school graduation rates, the diploma carries little weight in the labor market – or as indication of likely success in college. Despite reaching 6th place in the nation for 2-year degrees, Kentucky’s college-going rate is declining, and the state has persistently ranked near the bottom in national poverty rankings for decades. The future is not bright.
Further, our young people and the workforce are suffering for lack of early childhood opportunities that support working families and prepare our youngest Kentuckians for success in school.
Yet, even with these stark statistics, there are bright spots to be found in schools and communities across the state, working diligently to improve education outcomes and reverse learning loss. Educators are working quietly to deepen meaningful learning in classrooms, ensuring students not only excel in reading and mathematics but also develop durable skills that align with the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s economy. Effective political plans for progress, will be built upon these promising approaches.
Gubernatorial education platforms must prioritize evidenced-based strategies and innovations that enable the state to return to its rightful place leading the nation – as we did in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Investing in our education system – early childhood through postsecondary – is an imperative for individuals, families, communities and our state as a whole. As each candidate expressed tonight, there is nothing more important to drive economic growth and ensure the economic well-being of Kentuckians all across our state. We urge each candidate to put forth a solid plan to achieve this goal.”
Contact:
Courtney Daniel, Director of Communications and External Affairs
courtney@prichardcommittee.org
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