March 26, 2009 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – Saying it is time to move to a new, stronger era of testing and accountability, Gov. Steve Beshear today signed Senate Bill 1, which will overhaul the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) as part of the state’s long-term commitment to education reform.
Gov. Beshear was joined at today’s bill signing ceremony by bill sponsors Sen. Ken Winters and Senate President David L. Williams.
“In 1990, the Kentucky Education Reform Act made it clear that Kentucky was no longer content with its schools and the quality of graduates those schools were producing,” Gov. Beshear said. “KERA was a model for many around the country, but that was nearly two decades ago. I am determined, as we look toward the next two decades, that we seize the opportunity to lead the nation again.”
SB 1 mandates a move toward a new testing and accountability system that will, for the first time, measure individual student achievement over a period of time. That will allow the state to understand how Kentucky students are doing compared to each other and with students nationally.
“A new day is dawning in Kentucky as we move into a new assessment program based on a focused core-content. I am more optimistic than ever for the future of our children,” said Sen. Winters.
SB 1 also mandates closer cooperation between the state’s schools and Kentucky colleges and universities in an attempt to lower the numbers of school children who need remediation.
A new exam system to replace CATS is to be in place for the 2011-2012 school year.
During that interim period, students will continue to complete annual assessments in the core-content areas of math, reading, science and social studies that are used to ensure accountability of individual schools and school districts. Writing portfolios also will be maintained, but will not be part of the testing process.
“We must devise a testing system that holds students, teachers, principals, high-level administrators and the state accountable,” said Gov. Beshear. “We must use this transition period wisely to build the next generation of testing, accountability and assessment. It must be an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to testing and building a better system for the 21st century.”
State News
March 27, 2009
Gov. Beshear signs Senate Bill 1
- State News
-
- House Democrats, Beshear look for 'common ground' on budget House Democratic leaders met with Gov. Steve Beshear for about 45 minutes Monday afternoon to see if they can work together on a plan to balance a state budget facing more than a $1.4 billion shortfall for the next two years.
- House passes school takeover bill; Williams introduces gambling amendment Education and gambling took center stage Monday in the General Assembly on the day before the House will take up a bill on domestic violence named for the woman allegedly shot down by her ex-fiancé.
- SEEK funding spared in 3 percent budget reduction Maybe it’s good news when the news isn’t as bad as forecast.
-
Luallen releases 2008, 2009 audits of the Elliott County Clerk
State Auditor Crit Luallen today released the 2008 and 2009 audits of former Elliott County Clerk Reeda S. Ison, referring the audits to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
-
Department for Public Health reports first H1N1-related death in Kentucky
Officials from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) and the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department announced today at the Governor's Pandemic Influenza Summit that Kentucky is reporting the state's first death associated with H1N1 influenza (swine flu) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Conway and Mongiardo get testy at Fancy Farm Four Democrats want to run for the U.S. Senate and they spoke at Fancy Farm Saturday, with Daniel Mongiardo and Jack Conway getting a little bit personal.
- Fancy Farm attention on food, U.S. Senate race Thousands will converge on Fancy Farm this weekend for a weekend of good food, homecoming and political theater.
- KY Supreme Court approves new rules governing attorney conduct For the first time in nearly 20 years the Supreme Court of Kentucky has approved comprehensive revisions to its rules governing attorney conduct, including a new rule that requires attorneys who know about professional misconduct by other attorneys or judges to report the misconduct.
-
Gov. Beshear signs Senate Bill 1
Saying it is time to move to a new, stronger era of testing and accountability, Gov. Steve Beshear today signed Senate Bill 1, which will overhaul the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) as part of the state’s long-term commitment to education reform.
-
Gov. Beshear releases plan for stimulus dollars in Kentucky
‘Kentucky at Work’ initiative to focus on today’s commitments, tomorrow’s investments
- More State News Headlines
