Slam Dunk Kentucky! campaign to focus on winning game plan for education

Supporting the higher academic standards that are fueling progress in Kentucky schools is the focus of a new campaign being developed by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.

Slam Dunk Kentucky! will focus on the winning work now underway across the commonwealth to better prepare students to succeed as adults – in both postsecondary education and the workplace. It will feature a web site and social media campaign designed to help Kentuckians learn more about what our students are being taught and the positive impact of the academic standards that teachers are using to guide students’ classroom experiences.

The campaign is part of the ongoing efforts of both organizations to support Kentucky’s schools, student and teachers in their progress toward educational excellence. A particular focus will be on the academic standards that Kentucky adopted in 2010 following their development by teachers and experts from 47 states, including Kentucky, to make sure all students can succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

Slam Dunk Kentucky! will include resource information; interviews with teachers, students, business and school leaders, and education advocates; statistics on  academic achievement; progress reports; and other information.

“Kentucky was in the vanguard of adopting tougher standards that are more in line with what employers require in today’s globally competitive work environment,” Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson said. “Kentucky schools have made remarkable progress in a short period of time but we’ve got to keep our shoulder to the wheel. Every student needs to graduate high school ready to move into college or a career.”

“We are excited to partner with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation to showcase the important work going on in our schools and classrooms,” said Brigitte Blom Ramsey, executive director of the Prichard Committee. “Teaching and learning is changing for the better, and recent data show strong growth in college and career readiness rates for Kentucky’s high school graduates.

“We must stay steady on a path of continuous improvement so our students learn deeply, thrive as adults and contribute positively to our communities. Slam Dunk Kentucky! can help galvanize the momentum, keeping our heads in the game to elevate students to the next level of success.”

The campaign is set to begin in mid-November with the launch of the web site and other activities.