Contact:
Mara Powell
859-496-5524
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

Gathering a consensus when it comes to accountability and assessment is a miracle. Senator Mike Wilson pulled off such a miracle in crafting Senate Bill 1. SB 1 will be a catalyst for better teaching and learning in each of Kentucky’s schools. Its premise is that the professionalism of principals and teachers needs to be honored, unnecessary bureaucratic red tape needs to be eliminated, and standards across the board need to be rigorous. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of SB 1 is its redefinition of what high school graduation means. The bill’s attention to such issues as career and technical preparedness is a forward-looking stance and will ensure that more of Kentucky’s graduating seniors have success in the economy of the 21st century.

We applaud the Kentucky House for their broad bipartisan support of SB 1 and House Education Committee Chairman John Carney for his support of the bill. We also applaud the Kentucky Senate for their broad bipartisan support.