It’s over! The election is over. No matter how you voted or how you feel about the results, we can all breathe a sigh of relief, at least for the short while between now and the next election. In his acceptance speech, President Obama illustrated his vision for our future: “Despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America’s future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they [...]
Today, Kentucky Youth Advocates released a new issue brief, “Ending Corporal Punishment in Kentucky Public Schools.” Kentucky is one of 19 states that still permit the use of corporal punishment in public schools. The issue brief highlights the negative consequences corporal punishment has on students, the disproportionate use with certain student populations, and alternative approaches to school discipine that are more effective and can improve outcomes for all children. In Kentucky, local boards of education determine the [...]
You might have heard that the Kentucky Department of Education released the results of public schools’ achievement tests under the new accountability system of higher standards today. Looking for a simple way to see how well your child’s school or their school district performed? The Courier-Journal has an easy-to-use database where you can see the overall results for schools and districts here, see their results by specific subjects here, and view high school graduation [...]
Kids don’t vote. Kids don’t write campaign checks. Kids certainly don’t have super PACs. That is why I hope you will take just a couple minutes and watch this video. Democracy Prep’s amazing fourth grade citizen-scholars want you to VOTE this November 6th! And so does EVERY kid in Kentucky! Kids have a lot riding on this Tuesday – in the Presidential race; in Kentucky’s Congressional contests; in school board votes; in the judicial match-ups; [...]
This week Kentucky Youth Advocates added four new child welfare indicators to the KIDS COUNT Data Center. These four new indicators span the continuum of child welfare decision-making points and, coupled with the other indicators already on the Data Center, provide Kentuckians a wealth of information on vulnerable children and families in our state. One new indicator shows the prevalence of certain risk factors in cases where child abuse or neglect was found to have [...]
In anticipation of the Vice Presidential Debate scheduled for October 11 in Danville, Kentucky at Centre College, youth and youth supporters from across the state are planning a Step Up for Kids Rally for October 10 on the Courthouse Lawn. Their hope is to draw the public’s attention to the importance of encouraging policy makers, including Vice Presidential hopefuls, to make children a national priority. The young people are also urging the Vice Presidential Debate [...]
Following the Step Up for Kids Conference on Monday, October 8, attendees and others from the public are invited to a free evening with the arts from 5:00-7:00 PM, to enjoy performances from talented Kentucky youth in the Sunfish Tumblers Bluegrass Band and the Safiyyah Dance Company. Also, the Colors of Life national photography exhibit, which is built on the premise that art can open people’s hearts and minds to the crisis facing America’s children, [...]
Less than one week from today is the 2012 Step Up for Kids Conference in Louisville, KY. National experts on children’s issues – ranging from health, to child welfare, to juvenile justice – will join child advocates and community leaders to discuss the latest research, best practices, and solutions that can improve outcomes for Kentucky children. Cabinet Secretaries J. Michael Brown, Audrey Haynes, and Joe Meyer will talk about what’s happening on the ground in [...]
Have you heard? Kentucky has a little event happening on Thursday, October 11. Joe Biden and Paul Ryan are coming to Centre College in Danville for the only Vice-Presidential Debate in the country. KYA is working with partners to hold a Step Up for Kids rally on Wednesday, October 10. What is so exciting about this event is that it is being planned by local youth. Check out this article in the Advocate-Messenger for information [...]
As discussed in yesterday’s blog post, the Annie E. Casey Foundation just released their 23rd annual KIDS COUNT Data Book measuring the well-being of children in each state and nationwide. The index they used to evaluate child well-being is very different from the one they’ve been using for decades. So, what does this new, more comprehensive index of child well-being say on how Kentucky’s youngest folk are faring? There are some areas which are surprising, [...]