Louisville's David Karem is the new chairman of the Kentucky Board of Education.
Karem, a former state senator, was elected by fellow board members Thursday as the education panel wrapped up two days of meetings. He succeeds Joe Brothers of Elizabethtown, whose board term recently expired.
The Rev. C.B. Akins of Lexington and Dorie Combs, a professor at Eastern Kentucky University, will be vice chairs.
Downloadable audio podcast:
The draft Common Core State Standards at the Council on Postsecondary Education website:
More on Common Core Standards at Nat'l Gov's Association:
"Now it is critically important that we provide
our schools and teachers with the support and resources
they need to make sure these standards do
what they are designed to do -
ensure the success of students in every part of Kentucky,"
--- Bob Sexton
(Bob Sexton looks on with Roger Marcum in background.)
With this action, Kentucky becomes the first state to formally accept the standards. Higher, clearer and more in-depth academic standards are required by Senate Bill 1, passed by the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly and codified as KRS 158.6451.
(Patton with Brothers and Williams.)
“This is an historic moment for Kentucky,” said Kentucky Board of Education Chair Joe Brothers. “With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, teachers and administrators will have a blueprint to move the state forward in P-12 education. This is just the beginning of Kentucky’s next chapter of education reform, and it reflects the mandates of the state’s legislature – specifically, Senate Bill 1 -- and our application for federal Race to the Top funding.”
(KBE member Billy Harper looks on)
“The Common Core Standards come at an opportune time for us at EPSB as we forge ahead to meet the charges set forth by Senate Bill 1,” said EPSB Chair Lorraine Williams. “To truly make a difference in Kentucky’s students’ ability to demonstrate what they know and are able to do and to make them more competitive in the marketplace, it is a refreshing move to narrow the number of standards taught at each level. ESPB is excited to be part of this cutting edge initiative and looks forward to working with our university partners to ensure that our undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation programs embrace the Common Core Standards and prepare a stronger workforce capable of teaching the curriculum to a deeper, more rigorous level.”
(King and Patton listen to Holliday)
“Kentucky is once again at the forefront in education reform,” said CPE Chair Paul Patton. “I am very pleased with the level of cooperation and commitment by Kentucky’s policy and education leaders in the development of these draft content standards. Consistent academic standards, aligned to college and work expectations, will help our students reach higher levels of success.”
(Governor Steve Beshear)
Launched in 2009, the Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Governors and state commissioners of education from 48 states (no Texas; no Alaska), two territories and the District of Columbia committed to developing a common core of state standards in English/language arts and mathematics for grades K-12.
(Former Lexington Mayor Pam Miller)
CCSSO and NGA plan to release the final version of the standards in early spring.
The action by the three Kentucky boards is the beginning of the work of integrating those standards into the state’s curriculum guidelines, teacher preparation programs and higher education activities.
(Ed Cmte chairs, Sen Ken Winter and Rep Carl Rollins)
This action meets the mandate of Senate Bill 1, passed by the 2009 General Assembly, to revise Kentucky’s academic standards to:
(The Three Amigos)
These standards are the "best of the best” of state academic requirements. They focus on knowledge like multiplication, equations, reading comprehension, language rules and more. But, they also require that students learn how to solve problems and think creatively. To help teachers successfully implement the standards, state agencies and partner groups will provide support and training starting in the summer of 2010.
(Frequent Commish Kevin Noland and Ed Sec Joe Meyer)
Teachers will begin to provide instruction related to the standards in the fall of 2011. Students will be assessed on the Common Core Standards beginning in the spring of 2012.
(KBE Vice Chair Dorie Combs..all pensive)
The Common Core State Standards will enable participating states to:
(KBE Deputy Commish Ruth Webb with Sexton)
This from the Prichard Committee:
Kentucky's adoption of new academic standards is an exciting development that could signal the beginning of unprecedented progress for the state's schools, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence said Thursday.
"These standards strengthen our education system in several ways," said Robert
F. Sexton, executive director of the statewide citizens' organization.
"First, they have real-world relevance - reflecting the knowledge and skills that young people need to succeed in both college and work and to compete in the global economy. Second, they give students, teachers, parents and administrators a shared understanding of what students are expected to learn, but they let teachers decide how to help students reach the standards. Finally, they ensure collaboration between K-12 and postsecondary education - something we haven't seen before in Kentucky."
(ESPB staffer and "old" FCPS colleague Mike Carr)
This from Jim Warren at the Herald-Leader:
...Kentucky educators expect state test scores to fall initially when the new standards kick in with the 2011-2012 school year. But they say scores will rebound as students and teachers adjust to the tougher new requirements.
The state estimates that implementing the standards, preparing teachers to use them, and developing a new student testing system could cost about $15 million over the next two fiscal years. But officials say the payoff — generations of Kentucky youngsters fully prepared to succeed in college or careers in an increasingly competitive global marketplace — would be well worth that investment.
(Another former colleague from Meadowthorpe, KDE's Michael Miller)
The Kentucky Board of Education, the state Council on Postsecondary Education and the state Education Professional Standards Board each voted unanimously to adopt the new standards Wednesday night in a joint session at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System headquarters. The audience included a virtual who's who of Kentucky education.
(Our host, KCTCS Pres Michael McCall)
Gov. Steve Beshear and others on hand touted the standards adoption as a "historic step" to toward a "new era of education," calling it perhaps the most important education reform initiative since the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act.
"These standards will move us closer to our ultimate goal, a K-12 system that positions our children for success," Beshear said. "They will require not only knowledge but skills, like thinking creatively, solving problems, thinking analytically. In short, they will help our teachers teach, and our students study more effectively and more competently."
(Dailey with CPE staffers Lee Nimocks and John DeAtley)Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday called the new standards an attempt to "harness the winds of change."
"We must create the future for our children," Holliday said. "I think this is the first wave of the next wave of change for the future of our children, and it is securing that future."
Wednesday night's action is a major step in the implementation of Senate Bill 1, which the General Assembly approved last year calling for new, more demanding state education standards aligned from preschool to college. Now that math and language standards have been adopted, the next step will be preparing new standards for other subjects. The Kentucky Department of Education plans to do that in-house.
(Winters with new UK Ed Dean Mary John O'Hair)Charlie Newquist, a math teacher at East Jessamine Middle School who participated on a panel that reviewed the new math and language standards last year, predicted that they will do much to boost education in the state.
"The standards are rigorous, but reachable," said Newquist, who spoke at Wednesday's session."I think students and parents will be excited because the standards are very clear. We know what the kids need to do. We know what they need to understand. And we know how to get there at every grade level."
Weston referred to the new math standards, which are designed to match up well with the Singapore math program that nine Fayette County elementary schools have instituted this year.
(EKU Math Prof Sue Cain on loan to CPE)This from WKYT (VIDEO):
It’s still not certain what exactly the new standards will be…as only a rough draft of them is available.
“It may mean scrapping all their lessons..it may mean only a lesson or two,” said Sharron Oxendine with the Kentucky Education Association.
Yet Oxendine welcomes the new standards.
“I really think it’s a good thing…because we’ve been talking for years about the standards…have been way too broad,” said Oxendine.
“Which will allow us to go deeper into the content, rather than trying to spread it out so far,” said Franklin County Schools Superintendent Harrie Buecker.
One concern has been that teachers don’t have enough time in each year…to adequately finish the large amount of lessons they’re required to give students.
“What we’re looking at….is making sure that the lessons we can teach in the time that’s available…is going to be appropriate,” said Oxendine.
(CPE VP Aaron Thompson)
Training teachers on the new changes could cost in the millions of dollars. Kentucky education officials hope federal funding will take care of that expense.
The standards Kentucky adopts will mirror those in 48 other states.
“So I think it will better prepare all of our kids for work, for college, for whatever happens after school,” said Oxendine.
The new standards will be used to develop a new test that most Kentucky students will begin taking in the spring of 2012.
(My favorite pen pal, KDE's Lisa Gross. I'm probably "in trouble" for posting this one.)
Coverage from the News-Enterprise here:
This from Ed Week:
...Kentucky’s move is part of what is known as the Common Core State Standards Initiative, spearheaded by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National
Governors Association. The K-12 standards crafted as part of that initiative are still in draft form, with a final version expected by early spring. ("Reviewers Urge Standards Fixes," Feb. 3, 2010.)In making their decisions, the Kentucky boards relied on late-stage drafts that have been circulating among state officials for review. But their decisions direct their staffs to implement the final version of the common standards once it is completed. The state will also wait for the final version to begin the normal 30-day regulatory-review period, officials said.The state education department plans to train teachers on the common standards this summer so they can begin teaching to them next fall. It plans to administer assessments designed for the common standards in spring 2012...
The unusual level of cooperation among the three boards is required by a bill passed last year by the Kentucky legislature. A sweeping revision of the state’s standards and accountability system, the measure mandates, among other provisions, that the education department, the Council on Postsecondary Education, and the Education Professional Standards Board collaborate on new standards that are narrower and deeper, and better aligned with college expectations...
Hat tips to Prichard and KSBA.
It was great to see so many former and current colleagues in one place at one time. The first guy I ran into last night was Roger Marcum, then Michael Miller, then Mike Carr...... There was a great feeling in the room; a concerted effort I haven't sensed in a long time.
Special shout outs to Roger, Mike, Dorie, Aaron, Michael, Bob, Cindy, the other Michael, Sally, Lee, Becky Sagan, Lisa, Kevin, Nancy McKinney, Sue, Pam, and fellow correspondent Jim and fellow blogger Terry.
All photos by Richard Day for Kentucky School News and Commentary.
Local school board authorizationwould be critical tostate leaders' supportThe Kentucky Board of Education Wednesday chose to take no position on creating charter schools in the state. But KBE members want more information on the matter should Kentucky’s lack of charter schools end up hurting its application for $200 million in federal Race to the Top funding.
And state board members agreed with Education Commissioner Terry Holliday that if charters are to be created in Kentucky, authorization by local boards of education would be key to their support.
“My sense of the board is that we don’t have a compelling desire for charter schools,” said KBE Chairman Joe Brothers, “but if that’s what it takes to get us in good stead with the federal government, it is very similar to a lot of things that we’ve been doing for 20 years, including site-based councils.”
Vice Chairwoman Dorie Combs agreed that the state board isn’t ready to take a position on charters…at this point.
”I think where we are is that before we do anything, we need more information. I would suggest staff continue to research this issue and, should we have a need to be more specific, bring us back together,” Combs said.
The state board discussion resulted from Holliday’s request for guidance as the 2010 legislative session progresses and the state awaits a March 1 notice of the status of its Race to the Top application.
“What if our score comes back and says, ‘You know, you would have been a finalist if you had had charter school legislation’? Holliday said. “So all I’m trying to do, as I told the KSBA conference, is preparing a Plan B. What would we do if we find the only reason we didn’t get Race to the Top funds is charter schools?” ...
The Kentucky Department of Education plans to seek several measures in the upcoming legislative session to boost low-achieving schools, including possibly removing superintendents or school board members in those school districts.
Kentucky law already allows the state education commissioner to seek the removal of local school officials for such things as misconduct, incompetency or wilful neglect of duty. Now, the education department proposes to add chronic low student academic performance to the list of causes for removal.
Dorie Combs, a state board member from Richmond, said she supported the idea of providing accountability, but argued that the removal proposal would not help to accomplish that. Combs then moved to have the removal language dropped from the board's legislative agenda.
Other board members objected, however, with board chairman Joe Brothers arguing that accountability is part of being a leader and that the future of Kentucky schools is the state board's responsibility.
Combs' motion died on a voice vote.
Thanks 203. Y'all rock."Great visit today with staff at EKU. Very impressed with students in Richard Day's class and questions they asked in session on tchr effctns"
...Dr Terry Holliday will assume his new position on Aug. 5 and will receive $225,000 a year, or $20,00 more than he was earning in North Carolina.Members of the state school board had nothing but praise for Holliday.
“Dr. Holliday has built his reputation based upon an emphasis on what is best for kids,” board Chairman Joe Brothers said.
Former state Sen. David Karem, now a member of the state education board, said Holliday also is a likable man with a strong personality. “I think he will sell very well across the state,” he said.
Holliday said he has never been subjected to a more thorough background check than the one he underwent for this job. Such close scrutiny of candidates is a positive school board members had to learn the hard way. Two years ago, the board hired Barbara Erwin as education commissioner, but immediately afterwards, many holes in her resume were found by the media and educators [numerous problems first reported by Kentucky School News and Commentary], forcing Erwin to resign before her first day as commissioner.
If the school board had employed the same type of scrutiny with Erwin that Holliday said he underwent — and if the firm the school board had hired to help it select the best applicants had done it job — the embarrassment over Erwin’s hiring could have been avoided.
“This board went through an arduous process,” said board member Dorie Combs. “I believe we have the right candidate for the right time.”
Let us hope she is right.
The Kentucky Education Reform Act is undergoing its first major review since its enactment almost 20 years ago. As commissioner, Holliday must be a strong defender of keeping and strengthening what is right about KERA while changing where the reform act has fallen short of meeting its ambitions. The goal should be not to abolish KERA but to make it better.
While he has never worked in Kentucky, Holliday is familiar with KERA. The new commissioner said he likes the way the law sets high standards and holds both schools and teachers accountable. He said Kentucky has earned a national reputation for the improvements it has made in the elementary and secondary education, and he wants to be a part of that success story.
We do not know enough about Terry Holliday to pass judgment on him. We only hope he proves to be as good as school board members believe he will be.
This makes state-to-state comparisons inappropriate. Combs says,This idea of, ‘Let’s give a test where we can compare ourselves to other states.’ That’s probably the biggest misunderstanding. And it takes a little explanation.
First of all, every state has to come up with a test to measure that state’s standards. So every state has a different test that they use for NCLB.
And they aren’t using off-the-shelf tests to do this. In most cases they’re doing what we used to do. They’re augmenting an off-the-shelf test. So they might have the CTBS, which they have taken and added to; with additional questions. And then adding in, in many cases, an open response questions, which is what we do as well.
Of course, the concept behind CATS was never to compare Kentucky to other states. It’s a criterion test designed to look at how the schools perform. And any inference that CATS was intended to, designed to, or has done so, is simply wrong.There’s really only one test out there that compares the states and that’s the NAEP. [The National Assessment of Educational Progress]
Even if we used the ACT: Again, the ACT would not yield a fair comparison because not every state takes the ACT. And we’re [testing] juniors, here. Other states test their seniors.
Combs was recently at a meeting with one of the New York Regents (like Kentucky's school board members) and they discussed the long-standing New York Regent's Exam. She learned that,
They know that their high school graduation requirement tests “at about the ninth or tenth grade level. What does that do?
Coincidentally, I have two students in one of my EDF 203 sections both of whom passed their high school proficiency exams, in Ohio, as eighth graders; and to hear them tell it, were never tested again.
Kentucky chose to give the ACT in the fall and the KCCT in the spring. The idea was get some performance data early in the junior year with the hope of lighting a fire under some kids going into the spring KCCT testing, where the schools are held accountable.
KSN&C: You know Dorie, the fundamental thing behind this test that was so revolutionary was the notion of measuring how well schools performed as opposed to how well kids performed. Do you think that, if there was adequate funding, that the notion of measuring school performance might give way to the notion of measuring individual performance?
Combs: There are those who take that view; that the best way to get kids to perform is to hold their feet to the fire. But what we’ve seen happening in other states – it doesn’t work that way. Inevitably, you get into this cycle - where some students don’t perform well enough to move to the next level, or pass, or graduate – yet they have good grades. The families start suing the school districts. Saying, ‘How can you say they can’t graduate when you’ve passed them every year and given them good grades?’
And, then [those states] come back, and they change the test. Or, they start letting them take it over and over and over. So every state that’s used a student accountability model eventually falls into this quicksand. And then going back and saying ‘Well we’ve got too many people not passing. There must be something wrong with the test.I understand that teachers and some school administrators feel like they should not be put under the stress of the student’s performance.
And some are complaining about how schools use test data to fire young teachers; an idea that probably ought to be challenged in court. Teachers do not control enough of the variables. It’s totally unfair. But if that’s the way the game is going to be played, then let’s put the superintendents under the same stress. Just as superintendents have objected to such plans – on justifiable grounds – so too should the teachers be heard on this issue. What’s good for the lower and middle levels of the organizational chart ought to be true for the top as well.
Combs says,
It concerns me that schools use test score data to fire teachers.
I don’t think you can take that test score and say, ‘It’s your fault.’ Because all the way down the line, you have to say, ‘Well, it’s their fault too.’ We can’t isolate it to teachers. I’m opposed to that approach where all you say is, ‘What does this teacher contribute.’ It can make it difficult for that teacher to work with a child.
So this idea of getting rid of teachers is not coming from [the Kentucky Board of Education].
The idea is to say, ‘What can we do to get better?’ Not to beat everybody up and say, ‘This is your fault.’
And when you look at it, the punishment for the school is usually more money.
...arguably, a disincentive to obtaining a target. Yet the most exalted examples among our superintendents and principals seem to be those who move quickly to get the "right people" on the bus and the "wrong people" off.
Combs contends that,
This idea that beginning teachers are disposable is a shame because it doesn’t give teachers the time to develop into mature, strong teachers because there’s so much you learn in that first year…
At present, the proposal to dump CATS is supported by arguments that it would save the state money.
The Herald-Leader recently opined that Senate President David Williams was being disingenuous when he claimed the state would realize savings by eliminating CATS.
He's just using the budget emergency to get in a little pandering. He's playing to that small segment of Republicans and soreheads who like nothing about the public schools and to a larger segment disenchanted with what they see as an overemphasis on testing.
The Commonwealth Accountability Testing System accounts for about 1 percent of the education budget or about $14 million. Kentucky is facing nearly a $500 million shortfall.
Trying to replace CATS with an off-the-shelf achievement test could end up costing Kentucky millions in federal dollars by putting the state out of compliance with the No Child Left Behind law. There also would be costs and penalties for breaking agreements with current testing contractors.
Killing CATS could dig the state even deeper into the hole.
To put a finer point on the actual dollars, Combs points out that the proposed elimination of CATS,
is not going to help us money-wise, because it doesn’t cost that much... Assessment [in Kentucky] is $15 million all together. We can’t get rid of the whole thing. We’ve still got to address NCLB.
While the Obama administration has been fairly clear that growth models are about to become de rigueur for NCLB, that hasn’t happened yet and it could be a while before it does.
Let’s say they vote to [eliminate CATS]. We still have to keep the components that are required for NCLB. So that means keeping, [grades] 4 through 8, reading, writing; science at elementary [through] high school, and reading and math in high school. So we’ve got to continue that. So now we’re already spending $9 million. Now, we’re only going to save five or six million.
Here’s the likely scenario. There’s not going to be any forethought to - when we take this away - What’s going to be in its place?So we could well end up having to create one test while paying for another.
But in any case, arguments over how much money could potentially be saved should not exceed $6 million, tops.
In my view, we had an imperfect, but decent enough, assessment until NCLB requirements came in on top of CATS. In fact, NCLB did not benefit Kentucky one bit. We already had Senate Bill 168 which requires the disaggregation of student achievement data. If we wanted to stick sharper “teeth” into SB 168, it would have done everything Kentucky needed.
Combs says she hopes,
that changes might be made [to NCLB] to give us some flexibility. And pull some of this, ‘If you’re not meeting 100% of your goals, you’re failing.
[I just want to] make sure everyone understands that KCCT fills the requirements of NCLB. There’s really no test that is a national test - other than NAEP - and that NAEP does actually make these state comparisons. That’s the best way to compare state-to-state and those data are available.
Has CATS simply become a bad brand? It certainly seems to this observer that the popular sentiment has turned against CATS.
Combs countered,
If I was a teacher – the best thing to make my life easier - it’d be to get rid of that dang test.
Well….duh. That would make everybody glad.
Does that make it the right thing to do?
Not necessarily.
The Council of Chief State School Officers maintains a careful review of state accountability systems. Turns out,
There’s only one state that uses an off-the-shelf achievement test. And, you know who that is?
I’d like to think that if I had a minute, I would have come up with that one. But I forgot - the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Of course.
KSN&C report: BreakingOne of the opportunities we have is to always do what's best for children. I think we do that when we are inclusive and working together and all on the same page with the same information.Moss went on to express his concern over the frequency of commissioner changes and his desire that all members have "equal input into the evaluation of the candidates." He said, "a committee "becomes more divisive, for me."
We've had a hard set of conversations recently relative to leadership (a likely reference to the 3 1/2 hours closed session in December.) and I don't want that to continue as we move forward in selecting this new commissioner.After another brief discussion Chairman Joe Brothers recanvassed the members who agreed to serve as a committee of the whole. When a quorum of the board meets in committee it carries with it all of the open meetings responsibilities. So expect a number of special meetings of the board this spring, held in closed session, without action.
"Let's go back to the qualified persons we talked to in the last search and see if we could interest either of them... For those of you who may not have been here, after the lady from Missouri (Barbara Erwin, Illinois), or whatever, departed, I think it was on a Thursday night, the next time we came together, we discussed about approaching three people that we had considered qualified to be commissioner, to see if we could interest any of those three. And, as I recall, one of them at the time had made a commitment to the district with which he was employed, (an apparent reference to Stu Silberman) that he was going to be there for a set number of years. And he chose to honor that.... Keith (Travis) was involved in doing that so I don't know exactly what was done. It was my understanding that passes were made by one or two of these other people. But, anyway, I just suggest that. Those of you who have not gone through a commissioner's search, much less, two commissioner's searchers, might not appreciate the time and stress and expenses (involved). It's something to think about."Actually, there were three untapped candidates in the "last" search: Richard Hughes, a professor at Morehead State University and former superintendent of the Hardin County school district; Larry Vick, superintendent of the Owensboro Independent school district; and Jim Warford, executive director/CEO of the Florida Association of School Administrators and a former chancellor for Florida’s public schools. But Hubbard was probably referring to the prior search, the one that produced Barbara Erwin. The finalists at that time were Mitchell Chester, who since became Commissioner of Massachusetts, and Richard LaPointe, a former deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
Steven Neal countered, "It seems to me it's time for a new beginning." he called for a national search and the use of a search firm.
After several more members weighed in, in support of a national search, Hubbard got off the best joke of the day."I have absolutely no objection to a wide national search, fifteen search firms, or whatever everybody wants to do." If the issue was whether we tried a year and a half ago - we did try. "Last time we were criticized for not doing a national search... Of course, we only had candidates from 23 states and three froeign countries. ..for a country boy from Bardstown, that was pretty national."But Combs was cautious offering,
I think it's very important that we do this very carefully; by the book. And while we might do some things that would save us money - in the end, it might not save money. I don't want to cut corners on these important decisions and going through the process.Members mentioned the need "to do better than we did the last time."
"I don't think this is a process that can be easily rushed," another offered, but "we have the advantage, as laborious as it was, that we have been through this before recently."
"The fact that we've had trouble in the past makes us less desirable," another said.Then Hubbard offered some historical perspective that was not widely reported.
KSN&C Backstory.We're dealing with entirely different circumstances now, than then. 'Cause remember, at that time, we did not know that our chairman was trying to get (the) job. And certainly...if Joe wants to be commissioner, (turning to Brothers) tell us now!
Seen here in 2002 (L-R) Gene Wilhoit, Hilma Prather,
Helen Mountjoy, Dorie-Z and David Tachau
She rejoins to the board at what she calls “not the best time” citing the tight budget, high demands and the “difficult choices” that confluence will bring.
Still she said, “I am thrilled. I am excited. I am absolutely humbled by this opportunity.”
“When I was first asked to return to the board I was surprised. But, when the governor called and Helen Mountjoy called, I simply could not say ‘No.’ I share their vision.”
As Dorie-Z (kinda catchy, isn’t it?) recalls, “Being on the Board of Education is one of the best things I’ve ever been involved in.”
“The first time, I had no idea how the board worked. …or the politics. I found out that there was not as much politics as I expected. I also learned that I could trust the KDE staff. They always had things organized and well-prepared so there was information available to make decisions."
You know, you get on some boards and you meet every once in a while and have a meal, but you don’t do much. But this is a working board.
What I like about it is you have everybody sitting around the table, people from local communities all around Kentucky, talking about kids and schools. It’s important and demanding work. With the challenges facing this board we need creativity and enthusiasm, and I hope I can bring some of that.
Combs (I mean Dorie-Z) hopes her prior experience on the board will allow her to help in decision-making. She might also help the K-12 system better interface with the college system.
Combs brings experience as a teacher, a parent, and a teacher-educator, working with beginning college students. “ I think of it as sitting at the intersection of P-16.” She hopes that understanding will be helpful as the Kentucky tackles problem related to the remediation of incoming freshmen on our college campuses.
Dorie-Z replaces Janna Vice, whose office is not upstairs. It’s right over there, however. Dr Vice told KSN&C,
“Serving on the Kentucky Board of Education has been a great privilege and a tremendous experience. Dorie Combs will do a great job. Her previous experience on KBE will be important. I am also pleased that EKU and higher education will continue to be represented on the Board. I have great respect for Commissioner Draud, Chairman Brothers, the continuing Board members, and the KDE staff; and I am confident they will work with the new members to ensure a smooth transition and keep Kentucky students their first priority.”
