House Education Committee moves bills to the floor

A bill aimed at creating the Kentucky All STARS redesigned quality rating system that will include all early care and early education programs across the state passed the House Education Committee Tuesday morning.

Bill sponsor Rep. Derrick Graham of Frankfort said the legislation is important because 50 percent of Kentucky’s kids entering school in 2014 were less than prepared to do Kindergarten work, according to the 2014-15 Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Screen of 49,089 kindergarten students in all 173 school districts.

Economic research makes it clear that investments in quality early childhood programs return strong dividends. Kentucky must invest in early childhood education and enhance child care programs for Kentucky’s developing youth.

Craft Academy bill passes committee

Legislation dealing with the creation of the Craft Academy on the campus of Morehead State University also passed the committee with unanimous support Tuesday.

The legislation, sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, would establish a dual-credit residential high school for exceptional Kentucky students. The Craft Academy, named for Kentucky Chamber board member Joe Craft, is expected to open in August 2015 and accept 60 students in its first class.

Many lawmakers noted the success of the Gatton Academy at the campus of Western Kentucky University and expressed excitement that more students in the state will have the opportunity to receive education through this type of institution.