Prichard Gets $25k Gheens Grant for Standards Work in JCPS

Gheens Foundation supports

Prichard Committee work in Jefferson County on new standards

The Gheens Foundation, Inc., has awarded the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence a grant of $25,000 to support the committee's work in Jefferson County to raise awareness of Kentucky's new, tougher academic standards.

The grant is helping fund the committee's ReadyKentucky initiative to build understanding and support for the new standards and the learning opportunities they will create. The standards are designed to better prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and represent the next wave of significant school improvement in Kentucky.

The work in Jefferson County will focus on preparing parents, businesses and educators for the changes the standards will bring to the classroom by explaining what the standards are and the impact they will have on student learning and prospects for success as adults. The committee will work with local community groups, school organizations, business groups, faith-based organizations and others to distribute the information as widely as possible. All of the programs will be available free of charge to participants.

The Prichard Committee's goal with the ReadyKentucky initiative is to build a statewide communications force of parents, teachers and business and civic leaders who will become vocal advocates of the standards and the quality education needed to ensure student success. New standards are now in place for reading, writing and math. New science and social studies standards are expected soon.

"These new standards are tougher than what has been in place before and could be a challenge for students and teachers," noted Cindy Heine, interim executive director of the Prichard Committee. "It is important, at both the community and state levels, that we support the extra effort because the new standards are good for our students' future and will provide a more skilled workforce."

The grant will make it possible to reach more Jefferson Countians with this important message, she added. "We greatly appreciate the Gheens Foundation's support and its continuing commitment to making such a positive difference for Louisville, Jefferson County and Kentucky."

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is a statewide citizens' advocacy group, founded in 1983, working to improve education for all Kentuckians.

SOURCE: Prichard Press release