School News from Around Kentucky

Scores Too Low - Tests show many high school students not ready for college:  The good news is that Kentucky’s 8th- and 10th-graders showed improvement on tests measuring their readiness for college, albeit only slightly. The bad news is that unless they showed marked improvements in their test scores a high percentage of these eighth-graders and high school sophomores are going to have to take — and pass — non-credit remedial classes before they can enroll in college courses that will earn credit toward graduation. (Daily Independent)

Kenton County High School program takes new approach: Beginning next fall, Scott [High School]’s new Renaissance Academy will be home to more than 100 freshman and sophomore students selected to participate in the new student-centered, project-based program that encourages students to use 21st Century skills, think outside the box and question the “why” and “how” of what they’re learning in the classroom. (NKy.com)

Committee approves revised plan for UPike:  More Eastern Kentucky students would get financial help to finish college under a compromise bill that made it Tuesday through the first step of the legislative process.Instead of making the University of Pikeville a public school, officials and legislators agreed to put coal severance money into a new program for students from coal-producing counties.Under the new House Bill 260, Kentucky Appalachian College Completion Grants would be given to junior and senior college students who are from Eastern Kentucky and attend school there. Students with 60 credit hours could earn as much as $6,000 each academic year if they attend private schools that offer four-year degrees, and $2,000 a year if they go to public university extension campuses in the area. (H-L)

Senate Panel Approves "Religious Freedom Act":  Kentuckians may get to vote this November on a proposed change to the state Constitution that its backers call “the Religious Freedom Act.” The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the constitutional amendment Wednesday on a vote of 6-0, with Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, passing.The sponsor of Senate Bill 158, Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon...He said it would give courts “more ammunition in favor of religion” when considering cases such as...Christians in Bell County who want to hold public prayer at school athletic events...The bill would “prohibit any human authority from burdening actions that are based on religious beliefs, except in support of a compelling governmental interest using the least restrictive means to further that interest.” The government would have to prove it has a “compelling interest” before it could restrict someone’s religious freedom, Higdon said. (Bluegrass Politics)

Kentucky House approves $19.5 billion budget bill:  With little debate, the Kentucky House voted 78-17 to pass a $19.5 billion state budget bill that cuts many state programs by 8.4 percent and cuts funding for state universities by 6.4 percent.The House vote amounted to an acceptance of the budget proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear in January that included those cuts because projected tax revenue fell far short of funding programs at current levels. (C-J)

Bullying a problem in Kentucky schools?:  There are proposed bills going before legislation right now in Kentucky, but Akers is not convinced that new anti-bullying laws would impact the problem,"I don't think you can legislate bullying out. No more than we can legislate speeding out. People still are speeding up and down the interstate."Instead he says, children need to be educated about bullying right away,"I think where you can nip this problem or attempt to nip this problem in the bud is when the child is growing up at home, long before they hit the school doors. Parents need to be teaching them right from wrong." (WYMT)