(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Twenty-six Kentucky educators will serve as Highly Skilled Educators, helping low-performing schools raise the achievement of their students, the Kentucky Department of Education announced today.
The 26 are from school districts across the state. They will participate in rigorous training this summer and be assigned to schools needing assistance this fall. HSEs serve for two years, during which they are granted leaves of absence from their home school districts.
NEW HIGHLY SKILLED EDUCATORS
- Eef Fontanez, teacher, Berea Community School (Berea Ind.)
- Judy Hall, teacher, Bourbon Co. High
- Lewis Willian, principal, Trapp & Pilot View Elementaries (Clark Co.)
- Valerie Cole, teacher, Goose Rock Elementary (Clay Co.)
- Sherri Heise, teacher, Bryan Station Trad. Magnet Middle (Fayette Co.)
- Cindy Grannis, teacher, Fleming Co. High
- Debbie Daniels, professional development coord., Floyd Co.
- Sherry Tackett, teacher, Betsy Layne Elementary (Floyd Co.)
- Robin Thacker, program director, Gateway Academy (Graves Co.)
- Anita Embry, teacher, West Hardin Middle (Hardin Co.)
- Michelle D. East, academic resource teacher, Hardin Co.
- Anne Boldrick, district resource teacher, Gheens Academy (Jefferson Co.)
- Barbara Rogers, instructional/curriculum coord., West Traditional Middle (Jefferson Co.)
- Harriet Thomas, principal, James H. Bates Elementary (Jefferson Co.)
- Karen Lambertus, assistant principal, Shawnee High (Jefferson Co.)
- Monica Scrubb, teacher, Rangeland Elementary (Jefferson Co.)
- Robin Lipsey, teacher, J. Graham Brown School (Jefferson Co.) Patricia Elliott, administrator, The Providence School (Jessamine Co.)
- Karen Thornsberry, teacher, Emmalena Elementary (Knott Co.)
- Marilyn Ruth Montgomery, principal, Middle Fork Elementary (Magoffin Co.)
- Merry Kay Stegner, library media specialist, Mason Co. Middle
- Ann Poe, instructional/curriculum coord., Nicholas Co.
- Joan Plegge Kille, teacher, Georgetown Middle (Scott Co.)
- Karen Downs, librarian, Spencer Co. Middle
- Michael Kenner, principal, North Todd Elementary
- Janice Faye G. Stevens, teacher, Trigg Co. Middle School
A recent study conducted by the Partnership for Kentucky Schools ("Improving Low-Performing Schools: A Study of Kentucky's Highly Skilled Educator Program") said:
"The HSE program is successful, as measured both by evidence of changes inside schools and by its primary goal of increasing CATS scores. None of the 45 schools in the 2000-02 cycle remained in the lowest third of low-performing schools (the criterion for receiving assistance) after a two-year HSE intervention. HSE schools gained twice as much as non-HSE schools overall; almost all of this difference in gains occurred at the elementary level. In addition, ten percent more HSE schools reached their CATS goal than did the rest of the schools in the state."
The study praised Kentucky's system of intervention in low-performing schools:
"Given the structure of Kentucky's accountability system, the HSE program brings hope and promise to schools that are substantially below the state's expectations. In contrast to many other states, the scope and quality of the HSE intervention turns what would otherwise be a punitive set of sanctions into assistance that is appreciated and has a positive impact on low-performing schools."
The study presents findings of research done in the 2001-02 school year, based primarily on case studies of 11 schools with HSEs and interviews with educators and administrators. More information on the study is available from the Partnership for Kentucky Schools at (859) 455-9595, or visit the group's Web site at http://www.pfks.org.
To become Highly Skilled Educators, applicants must meet the following criteria:
* Kentucky certification and a master's degree in an education-related field
* A minimum of five years experience as an educator (ten years preferred)
* At least three years current experience in Kentucky as an educator
* Knowledge of current educational practice in Kentucky
* Experience in situational/educational leadership
* Awareness of Kentucky's Standards and Indicators for School Improvement
* Willingness to travel
Since 1990, the Highly Skilled Educators program (known as the Distinguished Educator program until 1998) has identified and trained more than 200 educators to work with schools identified by the state assessment and accountability program as being in need of assistance.
The HSEs provide a number of services to schools:
* assessing the needs of the school/district, including analysis of test data and the Kentucky Scholastic Audit Report
* leading the School Improvement Team in amending the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
* assuring a focused use of Commonwealth School Improvement Funds within the school's budget
* providing professional development
Approximately 95 percent of schools served by Distinguished or Highly Skilled Educators have risen out of the assistance category by the end of two years of support.
IMPACT OF THE DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR/HIGHLY SKILLED EDUCATOR PROGRAM
- 2000-02 -- 54 (HSEs) worked with 53 schools and two districts with multiple-eligible schools*; 46 improved their scores.
*While HSEs were assigned to schools in varying degrees of assistance, it is important to note that all of the state's lowest performing (Level 3) schools moved out of that classification by meeting or exceeding their goals.
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