EKB News

A lot of the buzz around Kentucky this week focused on education in the state as several officials and lawmakers zeroed in on problems of the past and present along with possibilities for the future. On Monday, Governor Steve Beshear kicked off 10 stops as he held public meetings across the state. Beshear has set up a task force to study how to better educate students for the future. With that underway, other school officials around the state began looking at plans on how to upgrade schools that are below standard in construction and renovation. Another group geared up for the possibility of charter schools. Two bills to authorize charter schools in Kentucky have been filed for the upcoming 2010 General Assembly. And, although the idea of charter schools have long failed to gain traction, the Kentucky Department of Education is studying the pros and cons. Supporters say, without such legislation, Kentucky could lose out on up to $200 million in federal stimulus money aimed at education reform and innovation. Charter schools get taxpayer funding but aren't held to many of the rules and regulations that apply to regular schools.