The Next Louisville: Public Education

Jefferson County has nearly 700 childcare programs in operation, but officials say program quality varies widely. 

Jefferson County has nearly 700 childcare programs in operation, but officials say program quality varies widely. 

Also, state and federal funding cuts have recently left more Kentucky families without crucial subsidies to send their children to childcare.

A leading Kentucky charter schools advocate says he’s hopeful the state House leadership will choose a new chairman for the House education committee who is open to charter schools.

The chairmanship became vacant last week when Democratic state Rep. Carl Rollins resigned to lead the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and the CEO of the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation.

Jefferson County Public Schools officials have laid out any early blueprint for what its application for the Kentucky Department of Education's "District of Innovation" designation may look like. So far, the ideas being tossed around include an online classroom available 24 hours a day, Saturday courses and more teacher collaboration.

Under a law passed last year, Kentucky school districts can seek waiver from certain Kentucky Department of Education regulations in order to improve student achievement.

The Jefferson County Board of Education is asking State Auditor Adam Edelen to review the district’s finances and policies.

The board approved the request Monday night 5-2 following a recommendation from Superintendent Donna Hargens.

It’s been three months since Jefferson County’s newly elected school board members took their seats to serve the district. WFPL caught up with the three board members to ask about challenges, surprises and first impressions since taking the oath in January.

District 2's David Jones Jr. says he was impressed with how far along JCPS superintendent Donna Hargens was in her restructuring plan.

Jefferson County Public Schools has announced a partnership with Ford Motor Company Foundation to help the district improve its career-themed schools.

Louisville is one of 17 school districts nationwide participating in Ford’s Next Generation Learning initiative. The program includes a network of districts restructuring their career-themed schools to improve student outcomes and to prepare students for college and career readiness.

A community organization is trying to increase interest in a Jefferson County Public Schools initiative to help students struggling in class.

The program developed by Louisville Central Community Centers is being called eLearn Olympics.

The federal sequestration may lead to cuts to early childhood education staff in Jefferson County Public Schools.

The Jefferson County Teachers Association confirms that JCPS alerted principals last week that up to 100 early childhood educators could be cut, though district officials say it's still too early to tell.

A teacher told the union her principal and a JCPS official informed staff that cuts could be possible, says JCTA deputy executive director James Hughley who later confirmed the JCPS email sent to principals.

The Louisville Tea Party has developed new education initiatives the group plans to support through fund raising.

There are four initiatives on the Louisville Tea Party’s website. They include supporting school choice and charter schools.  The party says students should not spend more than 30 minutes on a bus unless parents sign a waiver allowing them to spend extra time being transported.