Commonwealth Education Continuum forms workgroups on key topics, seeks diverse perspectives

The Commonwealth Education Continuum has formed three new workgroups that, over the next nine months, will develop recommendations to help improve Kentucky’s education and workforce pipeline.

Specifically, the workgroups will focus on early postsecondary opportunities, the transition to postsecondary education, and educator workforce and diversity. The groups, each comprised of about a dozen members, will meet for about two hours at least once a month starting in April.

The continuum is also seeking individuals to serve as feedback partners, focus group participants and survey participants in the effort.

Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, said the partners and participants will help ensure that workgroups consider a diverse range of perspectives.

“This is a comprehensive reform effort, and we want to include as many voices as possible,” Thompson said. “Everyone in Kentucky has a share in our education system, and we look forward to marshaling the assistance and insights of our community stakeholders.”

Anyone interested in participating can complete an application of interest.

Gov. Andy Beshear launched the continuum in January in an effort to ease transition points in Kentucky’s education system and help students progress into the workforce.

More than two dozen representatives have been named to the effort, drawing expertise from across the education system. The goal is to finalize recommendations to state policy leaders by December.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, who serves as secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, state Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass, and CPE President Thompson all serve as co-chairs for the effort.

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