Kentucky

Kentucky Association of School Councils (KASC)

The Kentucky Association of School Councils describes itself as a non-profit membership organization that strives to be a state-level voice for school councils and to help them make decisions that will be favorable to higher-level student achievement. To meet its goals, KASC plans to provide education and support services, including legal advice, assistance with policy development, and training for council members, to the parents, teachers, and principals of member schools. The organization also accepts associate members, such as parents and school advocacy groups, who are interested in school councils. The Association holds a yearly conference and invites council members and other groups that it wishes to serve.

Executive Director: Ronda Harmon
217C S. Fourth St.
PO Box 784
Danville, KY 40423-0784
Phone: (859) 238-2188
Fax: (859) 238-0806
kasc@kasc.net

Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA)

Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) describes itself as an independent children's advocacy organization that represents the interests of all Kentucky's children by promoting positive policy change in areas that affect children's lives. In addition to monitoring relevant legislation, KYA studies public education and publishes a number of research studies every year for the use of decision-makers, the media, and the public at large. KYA also does research and education in areas involving state funding in general, such as the tax structure of the state of Kentucky. KYA's reports are available on its website.

Executive Director: Debra Miller
2034 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 895-8167
Fax: (502) 895-8225

624 Shelby Street
Frankfurt, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 875-4865
Fax: (502)875-2507
khoye@kyyouth.org

Parent Leadership Associates

Parent Leadership Associates describes itself as a collaboration between the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and KSA-Plus Communications. Its mission is to improve student achievement by teaching parents how to become decision-making partners in public schools through on-site consulting, technical support, workshops, conferences, and materials.

P.O. Box 1658
Lexington, KY 40588-1658
Phone: 859-233-9849
kgardner@prichardcommittee.org

Partnership for Kentucky Schools

The Partnership for Kentucky Schools, founded in 1991, describes itself as a nonpartisan organization of Kentucky business leaders dedicated to improving the state's schools. Members of the Partnership believe that every member of a community, and especially its business leaders, has the responsibility to contribute to making its local schools better. The Partnership supports several educational objectives, including local accountability, high academic standards, competent and inspired teachers, and involved parents. The organization works towards these goals by providing public information, guiding business initiatives, and supporting professional development for teachers.

Director: Carolyn Witt Jones
600 Cooper Drive
Lexington, KY 40502
Phone: (859) 455-9595
Fax: (859) 455-9797
cwjones@pfks.org

Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

The Prichard Committee describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan group of volunteers that advocates for improved education for all Kentuckians. From its founding in 1983 until the Kentucky Supreme Court declared the state's education funding unconstitutional in 1989, the Prichard Committee's members, including businesspeople and parents, helped publicize the need for school reform in Kentucky and stimulated a state-wide dialogue about what directions those reforms would take. Since 1989, the Committee has continued its statewide outreach campaign. It talks to elected officials, education professionals, and the public, commissions studies, and holds meetings about progress and problems in Kentucky education. The Committee also trains parents to be better activists for their children's schools through its Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership and, together with KSA-Plus Communications, through Parent Leadership Associates.

Executive Director: Robert F. Sexton
P.O. Box 1658
Lexington, Kentucky 40588-1658
Phone: (859) 233-9849 or (800) 928-2111
Fax: (859) 233-0760
cheine@prichardcommittee.org

Public Education Network Local Affilites:

Forward in the Fifth

The mission of Forward in the Fifth is to bring communities and schools together to ensure all children have the educational opportunities necessary to live productive lives. Forward in the Fifth works to raise educational standards, encourage continual learning for parents, educators, and community members, and foster partnerships between communities and schools.

Executive Director: Ginny Eager
302-A Richmond Road
Berea, KY 40403
Phone: (859) 986-3696
Fax: (859) 986-1660
geager@fif.org