America is on the cusp of an educational crisis—and Kentucky is suffering.
Educators are leaving the profession at an alarming rate, and the pipeline
of aspiring teachers is running dry. At current rates, public and private
schools will be forced to increase class sizes, sacrifice educator quality,
and ultimately place the profession—and our future—into a free fall.
We cannot afford to “wait and see.” Kentuckians need action now.
KASA’s Coalition to Sustain the Education Profession is the
foundational step in that work.
Mission
Convene a group of experts and thought leaders to study the current and
impending educator workforce crisis and provide data-driven recommendations
for public, private, and government entities to implement.
Vision
The education profession will become a desirable career option for current
and future teachers through informed public and private policy decisions.
A coordinated public relations campaign will help recruit high-quality
candidates, while continued research on policy impact and implementation
will guide America’s transition away from the educator workforce cliff.
How Will It Work?
The Coalition is guided by a steering committee of approximately 20 leaders
representing key economic, political, and education entities across the
Commonwealth. Membership includes the Lt. Governor, legislative leaders,
education committee chairs, the Commissioner of Education, the President of
the Council on Postsecondary Education, corporate and agriculture leaders,
labor representatives, education leaders, and classroom teachers.
Work groups composed of experts from Kentucky and across the nation are
examining existing data, research, and potential solutions related to
compensation, working conditions, career advancement opportunities, and
other critical factors impacting the profession.
The Coalition is nonpartisan, and its recommendations will carry the weight
of the influential Kentucky entities it represents. Recommendations will
be presented to the General Assembly and other stakeholders and may be
supported by independent academic or consultant-led research.
- How to retain current teachers
- How to attract new teachers into the profession
A public relations campaign will support these recommendations, with a
primary focus on elevating the profession and attracting new educators.
Resources for Implementation
KASA is committed to funding the Coalition’s work during its initial stages.
As the effort evolves, KASA will seek support from the state and additional
partners while continuing to provide resources as capacity allows.
The Ask
We need your buy-in, your influence, and your voice. The connections you can
broker with corporate and community partners will be critical. We ask for
your support, your participation in guiding the work, and your expertise in
helping move Kentucky—and the profession—forward.
Will you join us?