Education

A team of experts examining ways to improve teacher quality in Kentucky is using its second meeting to discuss recruitment and preparation.  The Prichard Committee Team on Teacher Effectiveness meets today in Frankfort.  Team members will hear from experts and discuss the state's existing programs for teacher recruitment and alternative certification.   The panel was formed by the nonprofit Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, an education advocacy group based in Lexington. Its goal is to make recommendations for the 2014 legislative session.

Todd Hatton speaks with Berry Craig, author of True Tales of Old Time Kentucky Politics: Bombast, Bourbon, and Burgoo and other works of Kentucky history, about his upcoming keynote presentation at this year's Murray State Department of History Dr. James W. Hammack, Junior Memorial Scholarship Banquet.  Information about reservations to attend can be found here.

A Marshall County grading system change means no more “straight A’s,” and no more “F’s.” Marshall County School System this year began a plan to eliminate letter grades at all six elementary schools. The district has joined others across the state implementing a “standards-based grading system,” in which teachers measure learning based on skill sets. The first school to make the change is Central Elementary, with the other five district elementary schools coming on board next year.

Preliminary numbers show Murray State student enrollment is up this fall, after it dipped during the summer. University officials reported to the Murray State Board of Regents today that enrollment rose four percent from last year for this fall. And first time freshman numbers were up five percent. Summer class enrollment fell nine percent from last year.

The Murray State University Board of Regents has approved changes to its on-campus weapons policy. The board made the revision today at its quarterly meeting. The new rule states that while weapons may not be carried on campus, they may be kept locked inside vehicles.