The Career to Pathways Act

SB43, The Career to Pathways Act, was introduced by Senator Jack Westwood. It is similar to the bill (SB32) introduced in the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly session. Last year’s bill, which did pass the Senate but was not considered by the House, was endorsed by the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE) , other Career and Technical Education (CTE) associations, and many supporters of CTE programs. The bill formally changes the name of programs from vocational education to CTE. It defines a “chronically low performing school” and requires such schools to implement comprehensive school reform plans stressing individual graduation plans and small learning communities. It directs the Department of Education to develop career readiness standards in English, reading and math. It authorizes CTE accessibility funds, career guidance coaches, career academies, and a CTE facilities fund, and it directs local districts include CTE capital needs in their facility plans. It calls for evidence-based models for at-risk students and establishing five regional training programs for teachers to learn the models. Those items requiring funding will be implemented when the money becomes available. For more information contact the Kentucky Department of Education or Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education.

Partnership for Fit Kentucky

This post is related to House Bill 11 and Senate Bill 6

Kentucky children are ranked third in the country for being overweight or for being at-risk for overweight lifestyles (http://www.fitky.org/). The 2009 study “Partnership for a Fit Kentucky” reports that weight-related illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease, are on the rise and contribute to a health care cost in Kentucky of over $1 billion dollars. Academic performance by children should not be affected by an increase in PE programs at schools. Studies have shown that increased physical activity by a child does not negatively affect a student’s academic performance (http://www.ijbnpa.org/).

Sponsored by the Council of State Governments SCORE / Southern Collaborative to Reduce Obesity Efforts, the mission of Partnership for a Fit Kentucky is to “support policy and environmental changes that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles. The focus is on building healthy nutrition and physical environments in six venues: Early Childhood, Schools, Family and Communities, Worksites, Built Environment and Healthcare” (p. 32).

House Bill 11 proposes physical activity at school for children in grades K-5 be more regulated, with increased duration and frequency. Senate Bill 6 proposes an increase in physical activity at schools with preschool through eighth grade programs.