The Kentucky Chamber and its members continue their strong support for the state’s academic standards, viewing them as key to the progress our students are making in achievement. The state’s most recent ACT scores show continued increases in the percentage of students reaching college readiness benchmarks set by the Council on Postsecondary Education, although achievement gaps persist among subgroups. Kentucky’s graduation rate continues to improve and has reached 88.6%.
Kentucky continues to make measurable progress in education, with test scores showing improvement in overall student performance as well as such key indicators as the graduation rate. Of particular significance is the continuing increase in the number of students who are ready for college and career. The rate of students who are ready to move ahead in college and career grew to 68.5% in 2016, up from 47.2% in 2012.
Kentucky’s rigorous academic standards are designed to ensure students are college and career ready when they graduate from high school. They mean harder work – for students and teachers alike – but they hold great promise for the preparation of a world-class workforce.
The Chamber believes it is imperative Kentucky stay the course with these standards and reject efforts to revert to less challenging requirements for student learning.