Wayne D. Lewis was named the full commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education on Tuesday by the Kentucky Board of Education, which also passed new graduation requirements on Wednesday.
Wayne D, Lewis
The new requirements call for students to:
have completed a minimum of 22 credits and demonstrate proficiency in reading and math.
Other requirements include the passage of a civics test,
completing the state science and social studies assessments,
instruction in financial literacy and
demonstration of essential skills and technology.
The requirements will go into effect in the next school year.
{Lawrence School’s Chief Robbie Fletcher was contacted for comment AND SENT THE FOLLOWING}
Supt. Robbie Fletcher
“…While the new graduation requirements allows for more flexibility for students when selecting the classes they want to take, smaller school districts will continue to have difficulty funding the variety of classes that are offered in larger school districts. If additional funding is allocated, I believe the course requirements could be a good change for Kentucky students. On the other hand, there are additional requirements, such as transition readiness and passing an exit test, that can have negative effects on public education and on our community.
For example, while some families do an excellent job of home schooling their students, others will use a home school track to avoid the additional requirements.
Here is a question to consider: If a student does not meet the college benchmark on the ACT, does this mean that they do not deserve a high school diploma? In my opinion, high ACT scores are great, and Lawrence County students are scoring at our highest levels ever, but I know several students that have gone on to be successful (and to earn high salaries) even though they did not make the college ACT benchmark. In short, I believe that the Kentucky Board of Education should have allowed more time for research into the impact of these changes.”
Robbie L. Fletcher, EdD
Superintendent, Lawrence County Schools
Both local school systems’ superintendents said their school district had several of the requirements already in place, with the only difference being the 10th-grade assessment tests.
“The key … is that those are minimum requirements,” McCracken County Schools Superintendent Brian Harper said. “We have (minimum) credits at 28 … so we already have those requirements built in.
“Where the requirements of what is being proposed are a little different for us is with Algebra II (not being required statewide). With a student’s (Individual Learning Plan) who is, maybe, going a career track, we may need to make some adjustments to our math offerings.”
Harper said the larger change for the district is the assessment tests. He said the schools’ staff and administration will adapt to the change, but could not comment more because they have not seen the test yet.
Paducah Independent Schools Superintendent Donald Shively said he also believed the new changes would have little effect on his district.
“We have a very aggressive and strategic plan that is research-based and stakeholder-driven,” he said. “It sets the vision we have for each and every student and how we engage our community. We will hold true to that as changing requirements on the state and national level will continue to change.
“It sets up how we build a better Paducah by connecting our talents to the workforce industry. As the state and national requirements continue to change, we will adjust to those and still ensure that we do what’s best for each and every child. Test scores are important, but they don’t always tell the entire story of an entire child,” Shively said.
The Kentucky Department of Education will accept public comments on the regulation through Nov. 30. Written comments may be sent to Deanna Durrett, General Counsel, Kentucky Department of Education, 300 Sower Blvd., Fifth Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601, or emailed to regcomments@education.ky.gov.
The vote to make Lewis the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education came Tuesday following Lewis’ six-month evaluation headed by the Kentucky Board of Education’s Operational Management Committee.
Lewis has served as interim commissioner since April, when he was named to fill the vacancy of Stephen Pruitt. Pruitt resigned on April 17 under pressure after Gov. Matt Bevin appointed seven new members to the 11-member Kentucky Board of Education. Lewis was then immediately named the interim commissioner.
The superintendents commented on the news of Lewis removing the “interim” from his job title.
“Personally, I’ve been very impressed with his passion for the students – each and every student in the commonwealth,” Shively said. “We wish him the best of luck in this position, based on the importance it has to school systems and to the legislature and to the governor.”
Harper said: “Congratulations to Commissioner Lewis on being named the Chief State School Officer of Education. Commissioner Lewis is passionate about advocating for all students to have equal opportunities for a quality education. I personally look forward to working with Commissioner Lewis to promote public education in the state of Kentucky.”
