1. “Racing To The Top With Partnerships and Community Engagement”
KY Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC)
“Racing To The Top With Partnerships and Community Engagement”
The Kentucky Work Ready Community Program
Ron Daley – KVEC/Hazard CTC

2. Our Appalachian region serving 15 counties
Densely populated and mountainous
High Poverty Rate
Lowest Quotient of Well Being in Nation
Declining coal industry-massive layoffs with potential for outmigration

3. Our assets to meet opportunities
Rural genius- mountain ingenuity
Remarkable educational history
Home of Carl D. Perkins (father of federal aid to education)
Two celebrated education governors both from East KY – Bert T. Combs and Paul Patton
Oldest educational cooperative in the state (1969 –KVEC) one of oldest in nation

4. Empowering Students
The $30 million spanning four years is all about the 42,256 students served by 2,860 educators in 99 schools in 14 counties.
The “Appalachian Renaissance Initiative,” focuses on personalized/customized learning and empowering students with their voices and choices.

5. Appalachian Renaissance Initiative Race To The Top grant
1) Personalized Learning Environment
2) Next Generation Classrooms
3) Accessible Data Systems
4) Effective Teachers and Leaders
5) College- and Career-Readiness
6. Student Voice and Choice
7.) Early Childhood and Wellness

6. Strategic partnerships connect stakeholders and community to schools
Appalachian Higher Education Consortia (AHEC)
Colleges/Universities learn needs of rural schools
Colleges/Universities conduct research and educator training
Appalachian Innovations Collaborative (AIC)
Super P-16 Council on steroids connects regional stakeholders
Engages business community and ties learning to jobs
Creating Work Ready Community Region

8. Partnerships and policies need to address rural educational challenges
Lack of civic infrastructure to show students community supportive
Creation and support for Rural Edu-conomy Innovation Action Labs (Zones) tying all stakeholders providing educational services
Encourage and enhance philanthropy in rural America for education
Market place is not getting broadband into rural areas
Prepare students for global work through World Languages

9. Rural challenges continued
90 % of counties with persistent poverty are rural - poor health follows poverty
Poverty- needs based scholarships, college access
Rural workers make $11,000 less than urban counterparts – tie education to high wages and available jobs
Dual Credit preparing students for global jobs and postsecondary education

12. What is the Kentucky Work Ready Community Program?
Framework
Process
Certification
Economic Development Tool

13. SITE Selection 2013 Top 5 Site Selection Factors: 1
SITE Selection Top 5 Site Selection Factors: 1. Skilled Workforce 2. Transportation Infrastructure and Access 3. Growth Opportunities 4. Market Access 5. Customized Incentive Package

14. Levels of Certification

15. The Kentucky Criteria High School Graduation Rates
National Career Readiness Certificates
Community Commitment
Educational Attainment/GED®
Soft Skills Development
Internet Availability

16. Certification Benefits
Demonstrates collaboration within the community to address workforce and education issues
Provide existing employers with a qualified applicant pool
Economic Development Tool
Existing Business
Expansions
New Business

17. Establish First “Rural Edu-conomy Innovation Zone” in the United States
Using Work Ready model to build community support for education
Inform community about K-20 education
Engage business and local leaders in education
Tie education to economic and community growth
Creating Global “Silicon Holler” Innovation Hub

18. Questions or comments?

19. Ron Daley Strategic Partnership Lead for KVEC Race to the Top
Hazard CTC director of External Educational Programs
PO Box 2050
Hazard, Kentucky 41702