Education legislation round-up – what’s next for Kentucky?

While Kentucky was busy this legislative session addressing the $166 million shortfall in the Medicaid budget and reforming the state’s overcrowded and financially unsustainable prison system (both seemingly insurmountable but successfully accomplished tasks), others states made real progress on education reform. This article from Education Week – State legislatures notch major K-12 policy changes – highlights some of the impressive education legislation passed by both red and blue states. Many of the changes made in other states reflect the goals of the Kentucky Chamber (view our education agenda). These include a professionalized teacher compensation system embracing merit pay and public charter schools.

Charter schools and merit pay are only a tip of the iceberg when it comes to education reform this year at the state level. Other prominent issues covered include union influence, teacher tenure changes eliminating the last in first out (LIFO) policy and quality teacher evaluations that utilize student performance.  What should Kentucky tackle next to improve the quality of our children’s education? Should it be merit pay or tenure policies? What about raising the dropout age or increasing access to quality early childhood programs?

Chamber members will have the opportunity to answer these questions on the upcoming policy survey hitting email inboxes soon. Take the survey and make your voice heard.