Kentucky currently rewards schools that meet testing standards and punishes those that do not by reducing the amount of funds that they receive. This is a backwards approach to solving educational problems in our state. Instead of defunding problem schools, we should focus on making sure that students attending those schools have access to the resources that they need to succeed.

Defunding schools that fall below testing expectations not only harms students attending those schools, it also harms the entire state. When students do not have the opportunity to learn and develop job skills, they often became dependent on the state for basic living expenses.

Let’s stop the cycle of poverty in Kentucky by making sure that every student has access to the resources that she or he needs to succeed. Defunding problem schools only makes it harder for students to reach the state’s expectations.

Gov. Steve Beshear,

As a Kentucky resident, I’m concerned about the way that testing standards are enforced in our public schools. Currently, schools that meet testing expectations are rewarded with additional funds. Those that fall below expectations, however, run the risk of losing funds.

This puts problematic schools in even greater jeopardy. Instead of defunding schools that fail to meet expectations, we should focus on making sure that every student has access to the resources that they need to succeed.

Defunding problem schools simply does not make any sense. These are the schools that need help most. By taking away their funds, you make it even harder for them to hire experienced, inspired teachers. You also make it impossible for schools in impoverished areas to purchase the equipment that they need to compete with other schools.

This approach does little more than put the entire public education system in jeopardy. Specifically, it targets students and schools in impoverished areas. By doing so, it makes Kentucky lag behind other states in areas such as education and income growth.

Let’s put a stop to this nonsense by making sure that all students, including those in poor areas, have access to excellent educational resources.

Sincerely,

Max Bartlett