Family engagement isn’t an add-on at Elsmere Head Start, it’s the foundation of creating a better learning environment. From building strong relationships with families to strengthening communication, shared responsibility and advocacy, their journey to Family Friendly Certification reflects the core of how they serve children and families every day. Read more: kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh…

At Lansdowne Elementary, family engagement isn’t a new initiative, it’s long-standing practice, made more visible by the Prichard Committee's Family Friendly Certification. From strengthening documentation to refining how impact is captured, the process sharpened the school's mission to bring families and community into the fold. Read how Lansdowne turned everyday engagement into a recognized, sustained commitment to families. kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh… #FamilyFriendlySchools

Is homework actually helping improve academic outcomes? Or is it just causing stress and taking time away from family activities, extracurriculars, social time and rest? Brigitte Blom sat down with Ariel Gilreath of The Hechinger Report, who dug into the research behind a growing trend: schools and districts across the country are quietly scrapping math homework. Here's what the research actually says: Studies are split—some show more homework = better performance, others show little to no effect, especially for younger kids The "10 minutes per grade level" rule is widely recommended, but nearly impossible to enforce fairly The share of 4th graders getting NO math homework jumped from ~5% in the 1990s to over 25% by 2024 AI is now a factor too—nearly 1 in 10 teens say they use it to do most of their schoolwork As one researcher put it: the real question isn't whether there should be MORE homework, it's whether there should be BETTER homework. Listen the full interview with Ariel on Eastern Standard to find out what parents and educators think, and what schools are doing about it here: esweku.org/track/4849045/jun…

The Prichard Committee's Groundswell Initiative is community-first initiative responding to the unique needs of learners and families locally. Across Kentucky, school districts are reimagining how education works—by building deep, local partnerships with families, communities, and organizations. The results are real: better engagement, fewer barriers, and stronger learner outcomes from early childhood to post-high school. This isn’t a program. It’s a mindset. A way of working together that’s rooted in long-term partnership, not quick fixes. It’s about solving real challenges with attendance, access, achievement, family voice—one school and one neighborhood at a time. Learn more and join us: prichardcommittee.org/ground…

At Tates Creek High School in Fayette County, the journey to becoming "family friendly" was about more than certification. It was about listening to families, building real relationships and creating opportunities for two-way conversation—from home visits to open dialogue events like “Donuts with the Principal.” For schools wondering how to make family engagement meaningful at every level, this story offers a powerful roadmap. Read how Tates Creek is turning engagement into collaboration and why that makes all the difference. kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh… #FamilyFriendlySchools

The Prichard Committee is now enrolling schools nationwide to participate in the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 National Family Friendly Schools cohorts. Family Friendly Schools is a national certification process that helps schools strengthen, sustain, and celebrate meaningful family partnerships to improve student success and school culture. Learn more: prichardcommittee.org/nffs/

At Wrigley Elementary, being “family friendly” wasn’t new—it just finally had a name. What started with a little hesitation quickly turned into validation: so much of this work was already happening. The certification process didn’t require starting over, but it did capture, elevate and strengthen the partnerships they had built with families over time. The real takeaway? You may already be doing more than you think. The value is in documenting it, reflecting on it and using it to grow even further. At Wrigley, certification isn’t the finish line, but it is the starting point for what’s next. Read how they turned everyday practices into a recognized, sustainable approach to family engagement: kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh…

#ICYMI: New data show Kentucky is falling behind on preschool access despite strong quality standards. The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) recently released its 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook, offering a clear-eyed look at how states are serving their youngest learners. For Kentucky, the findings confirm what many families, educators, and advocates already know: we are not yet delivering on the promise of equitable, high-quality early learning—and the consequences are real. Read more on the EdBlog: prichardcommittee.org/kentuc…

At Morgan Central Elementary, family engagement isn’t a program—it’s a mindset. What started as a desire to better support students grew into a schoolwide commitment to listen, adapt and partner with families in meaningful ways. Through intentional changes such as two-way communication, inclusive events and elevating family voice in decision-making—they didn’t just meet expectations… they transformed their culture. The result was stronger relationships, increased participation and a school where families truly feel like partners in their child’s success. For schools wondering if this work is worth it: this is what real, sustainable impact looks like. Read how Morgan Central turned intention into transformation and why they’re just getting started: kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh… #FamilyFriendlySchools

Kentucky has shown it can climb into the top tier nationally when it commits to evidence‑based action. The data are clear: early childhood is the Commonwealth’s clearest growth lever for mobility, workforce strength and long‑term success. What comes next depends on the choices we make now. 📖 Read more: prichardcommittee.org/early-… #BigBoldFuture #EarlyChildhood

Good news! Kentucky is in the top tier of states for post-pandemic education recovery, according to the newest Education Recovery Scorecard. In her latest blog post, Prichard Committee President and CEO Brigitte Blom writes that holding on to this lead means building on Kentucky's strengths. Read more here: prichardcommittee.org/kentuc…

At Yates Elementary in Fayette County, family engagement isn’t a checkbox, it is a continuous commitment. After earning Family Friendly Certification, their team didn’t stop. They leaned in by listening more, improving communication, expanding family voice and strengthening community partnerships. The result? GOLD status and a stronger, more connected school community. This is what it looks like when schools move beyond involvement to true partnership. Read how Yates Elementary turned momentum into meaningful, lasting change. kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh…

The state budget preserved key child care investments, but largely reflected maintenance, not momentum. Flat preschool funding = a 30% cut in real terms since inflation. Other early childhood programs saw double‑digit reductions. National data show Kentucky can’t afford to go backward or stand still on early childhood education. Read the full breakdown: prichardcommittee.org/early-… #KYBudget #BigBoldFuture

In early childhood education, relationships are the work. At Shacklette and Hazelwood Early Childhood Centers, Family Friendly Certification wasn’t about starting yet another initiative, it was about strengthening what matters most: trust, communication and true partnership with families. By taking a closer look at everyday interactions, not just events, these schools built a more consistent, inclusive and welcoming experience for every family who walks through their doors. The result was stronger connections, greater engagement and a school culture where families feel seen, heard and valued from day one. For schools looking to make family engagement part of their identity, this is a model worth exploring. Read how they made it happen: kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh… #FamilyFriendlySchools

Save the date! The Prichard Committee's Annual Meeting will take place July 31–August 1 at the Gheens Foundation Lodge in Louisville.

#ICYMI: A new report highlights what happens when a community comes together with urgency, trust and shared purpose to build something that lasts. In #Owensboro, the Greater Owensboro Partnership for Early Development (GOPED) has transformed early childhood from a fragmented system into a coordinated, community-driven strategy centered on advocacy, access and quality. What began with local investment and collaboration has grown into more than 30 cross-sector partnerships, expanded early learning opportunities for families, and a stronger, more aligned early care ecosystem. That collective work is now delivering measurable impact (including a $6.6 million federal investment to expand child care capacity at the Owensboro Family YMCA) adding space for approximately 150 children in a community where access has long been a barrier for families and employers alike. Learn More: prichardcommittee.org/report… #EarlyChildhoodEducation

Family engagement is about deeper connection, not just bigger events. At Taylor Elementary in Bracken County, this journey started with a simple but powerful shift: doing with families, not just for them. What followed was a thoughtful, two-year effort to better listen, document and respond to the real (and often unseen) barriers families face. The result was stronger trust, more inclusive decision-making and a school community that truly feels like a village. For schools wondering where to start, this story shows you may already be closer than you think. Read how Taylor Elementary turned reflection into lasting impact: kentuckyteacher.org/leadersh… #FamilyFriendlySchools

Big shifts in school governance are here. ✔️ Expanded superintendent authority in Jefferson County (Senate Bill 1) ✔️ Restructured school boards in large districts (Senate Bill 4) ✔️ Preserved school-based decision-making councils after Senate Bill 152 failed These changes will shape how decisions are made and who has a voice. Get the full breakdown: prichardcommittee.org/school…

New pathways to college are opening for Kentucky students but not without tradeoffs. ✔️ Easier, streamlined admissions (House Bill 307) ✔️ Expanded dual credit funding (House Bill 500) ⚠️ Reduced access to AP testing ⚠️ Ongoing funding pressures for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System These decisions will directly impact who gets access, and who succeeds, in higher education. Learn what it means for students and families: prichardcommittee.org/postse…

HB 6 marked one of Kentucky’s most significant early childhood policy advances in years. The law: • Modernizes child care regulation • Strengthens quality through KY All STARS • Expands access with licensed microcenters These are important steps, but policy progress must be matched with sustained investment. Read our analysis 🔗 bit.ly/42GbyOz #ChildCare #KYChamber #KYpolicy