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by Clay Ford and Brigitte Blom<\/em><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]A growing economy where Kentuckians have access to jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage and the opportunity to build wealth. A future where every Kentuckian can thrive, contribute to, and benefit from our shared progress as a state.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]This is the Big Bold Future we envision.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]It includes access to quality early childhood programs that support little learners while their family is at work, a world-class public-school education that prepares every learner for post-high school success, and high-quality, marketable degrees and credentials that allow Kentuckians to fill the jobs available today and to be the job creators of our future.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]Making this vision a reality requires sustained, visionary leadership coupled with strategic measurable investments.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]Kentucky has moved the needle on education outcomes \u2013 climbing from the bottom of the national rankings in the 1980s to roughly the middle now. However, we\u2019ve not budged on persistent poverty, where Kentucky consistently ranks in the bottom of states nationally.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]Taking the next giant leap \u2013 for today\u2019s students and their children \u2013 requires bold thinking and bold action.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]Two years ago, the Prichard Committee unveiled a six-year plan to add $1 billion to the state\u2019s education budget in strategic areas where the investment could be measured for impact. We called it our Big Bold Ask. Then the pandemic hit. But, even with the impact of the pandemic, the General Assembly made serious progress on the Big Bold Ask in the first two years of the plan. It met our request for strategic investments in early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary. The General Assembly is to be commended for such bold and committed action.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]We urge the General Assembly to maintain progress on the plan in this next budget. Proposed investments by the House would make significant progress in the K-12 and higher-ed components of the Big Bold \u2013 in fact exceeding our incremental asks in some areas \u2013 but is silent on childcare and preschool. The Senate\u2019s proposal makes significant progress in higher-ed but little to no progress in K-12 and early childhood.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]As the House and the Senate begin to work together to bridge the differences in their proposals, we urge a clear investment agenda that moves all three areas of Kentucky\u2019s education pipeline forward:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]Simply put, a richer vision for the pipeline of education is critical to ensure Kentuckians have access to employment that pays a family-sustaining wage, an early childhood sector that supports working families and little learners, and a world-class public education that equips each and every student with the knowledge and skills they need for the future.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][wyde_separator text_align=”center” el_width=”80%”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeInLeft”]<\/p>\n Contact your legislator today and urge them to invest in the Big Bold Ask – for all Kentucky families and Kentucky\u2019s future.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space]\n
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You can help achieve a Big Bold Future for Kentucky \u2013 with education at the core:<\/h4>\n