Statement from the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence on the 2021 session of the Kentucky General Assembly

March 31, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact:
Jessica Fletcher, Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs
(cell) 859-539-0511
jessica.fletcher@prichardcommittee.org

LEXINGTON, KY – During the 2021 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, key progress was made in strategic areas of education and broadband access that put one foot forward on Kentucky’s path to a Big Bold Future. In 2019 we outlined a vision for education spending in Kentucky with our Big Bold Ask: $1 billion in investment in education from early childhood, K-12, and higher education through 2026. The state budget passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021 makes progress toward that goal in all three areas.

Two pieces of legislation, House Bill 271 and Senate Bill 115, that reflected the recommendations of our Task Force on Teacher Preparation & Professional Learning did not ultimately pass this session, but made progress in advancing the types of ideas and innovations necessary to impact our youngest students and increase reading and math proficiency in the third grade.

“We are thankful for the continued attention given to investments Kentucky’s students, families and schools and hope the progress made this session is but the beginning of a renewed strategy to put our human capital at the center of a Big Bold Future,” said Prichard Committee President & CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey. “We will continue to work on teacher preparation issues with education partners before next session to shore up support for creating adequate teacher supports that impact student success.”

For additional details on the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly, visit our Ed Blog.

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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.