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Thursday, December 5, 2019

Kentucky: State Board of Education Meets, Omits Request to Fund Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

Kentucky: State Board of Education Meets, Omits Request to Fund Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

Kentucky: State Board of Education Meets, Omits Request to Fund Charter Schools

Kentucky’s outgoing Republican Governor Matt Bevin made clear that he wanted funding for charter schools, but he lost the recent election to Democrat Andy Beshear. The new governor made clear that one of his top priorities was supporting public schools.
However, the State Board of Education and the State Commissioner were appointed by Bevin, and they seem to be holding on until their terms expire.
The Bevin-appointed State Board met to announce its priorities for the 2020 legislative session, which begins in early January. Its list did not include funding for charter schools, which was one of Bevin’s demands. Bevin was a close ally of Betsy DeVos, who visited the state earlier this year to promote school choice.
Even though the board was appointed by Bevin, the members’ priorities show that they heard the voters’ message.
Kentucky Board of Education members unanimously approved a legislative agenda Wednesday that they may not be able to see through. 
Education officials plan to push for full-day kindergarten, reading interventions for the youngest learners and more flexibility for schools in Kentucky’s 2020 legislative CONTINUE READING: Kentucky: State Board of Education Meets, Omits Request to Fund Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog