Thirty Kentucky high schools have been identified over the past three years as persistently low achieving. State lawmakers learned this week that many of the schools are on the right track toward improving.
State Senator David Givens, a member of the Interim Joint Committee on Education, told WKU Public Radio that he’s especially proud of Franklin-Simpson High School.
"The school district there has made significant improvements to the point they're considered a hub school," explained Givens. "As a hub school, they mentor others schools struggling with improvement."
The state conducts reviews of the targeted schools every two years. Nineteen reviews were conducted this spring, and all but six were making progress.
The Greensburg Republican says a common denominator among improving schools was strong leadership at the district level and at the principal position.
"It matters so much because we have children whose futures are determined by their educational outcomes, added Givens. "As painful as it sometimes is to see change happen in a school district, it's got to be done for the sake of these kids."
Districts have the authority to change leaders, which has happened at some schools not showing progress. If leadership changes aren’t made by school districts, the state Department of Education can replace leaders.
