W
hen Kentucky education reform laws were initially enacted, the public was largely and admittedly uninformed. The Partnership therefore made building an understanding of reform a high priority. Results indicate that this was one of the greatest contributions that could be made toward facilitating implementation of reform and building public support.
Different strategies were used to raise public awareness. Two of the most basic were an 800 Telephone Information Line and a Resource Center offering more than 4,500 documents, news clips, and video/audio recordings for use by school officials, staff, researchers and the general community.
Other vehicles for public information were:
The KERA Bus
The KERA Bus was an interactive traveling information exhibit, including computer displays, a continuous-loop video, handouts and pamphlets. Its purpose was to provide information and promote better understanding of education to citizens throughout Kentucky. From 1991 to 1997 when it was retired, the bus visited all 120 Kentucky counties.
Videos
Videos produced by the Partnership facilitated the success of the public information campaign.
A series of videos designed to supplement The Primary School: A Resource Guide for Parents was developed by the Partnership and the Kentucky Department of Education.
The Wizard Within: One Teacher's Search for Solutions chronicled teacher Linda Edin's education reform journey with 1,000 copies distributed.
An Investment for the Future: Support Better Schools for Kids provided a history of the Partnership and its programs and goals.
Speaker's Bureau
From 1991 to 1995, the Partnership-coordinated Speaker's Bureau supplied a wide variety of audiences with high-profile speakers on wide-ranging education topics. The Bureau received calls for speakers to address topics such as primary school, assessment, portfolios, accountability, parent involvement and reform overviews.
Education Ambassadors
Education Ambassadors are Governor's Scholars who promote Kentucky's education program by addressing needed changes in education from a student's point of view. These high school seniors volunteer to work within their communities, assuming a leadership role in facilitating discussion groups and sharing their knowledge of education reform with parents, teachers, students, community leaders, and the general public. Ambassadors conduct public forums, facilitate focus groups, write letters to the editor, visit legislators, and work to broaden involvement in state and local education. The Partnership has provided support, training, and scholarships to students willing to advocate for higher quality education.
Special Events
The Thumbs Up Rallies in March of 1992 involved more than 5,000 community members in 99 of Kentucky's 120 counties who came together to show their support for education reform.
The CEO Fly-Around was a one-day event held in the fall of 1992. Oz Nelson, John Hall, David Jones, Thomas Boysen, Bob Sexton and Carolyn Snyder visited more than 800 business people in events held in Ashland, Covington, Owensboro, and Bowling Green. The purpose was to educate local leadership and ask for their continued support.
The KERA Fairs were designed by the Partnership and Ashland Inc. to support Kentucky school reform by offering day-long information exhibits. Initiated in 1992, these fairs offered employees the chance talk with students, visit with education experts from the surrounding school districts, observe an on-site primary classroom, and learn from reading materials, interactive computer activities, and educational and instructional videos.
The Education Reform Conference of 1993 featured four days of exciting discussion about Kentucky's comprehensive education reform. Sponsored by the Partnership in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Education and the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, the Lexington-based conference offered an opportunity for Kentucky educators, practitioners and policy makers to initiate dialogue, answer questions and provide information to national leaders on reform's central issues.
