History
In 1993, two community leaders, Dr. Leon Boothe, President of Northern Kentucky University and Jack Moreland, President of the Northern Kentucky Superintendents' Association, began discussion of an idea just beginning to gather interest across the country, that of increasing communication and cooperation among educators across all educational levels, and particularly between secondary and post-secondary education. With their encouragement and the support of Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More College and the Northern Kentucky Superintendents' Association, the Council of Partners in Education was created. The initial group included twenty faculty and administrators at all levels from both public and private institutions who agreed to meet five times during the school year for lunch and dialogue on matters of mutual interest. Though "P-16" terminology was not used in these early years of the Council, it was in fact the first P-16 Council in Kentucky.
Three individuals-the Vice President for Academic Affairs from Thomas More College (Ray Hebert); the Provost from Northern Kentucky University (Paul Gaston); and the President of the Northern Kentucky Superintendents' Association (Jack Moreland)- initially chaired the Council and rotated as meeting chairperson. All Council members shared a commitment for fostering the growth of personal and professional relationships within the group and to creating an agenda that served the cause of P-16 education. All members were viewed as equals and any issues were welcome.
Between 1993 and 2001, even without paid staff, a great deal of dialogue took place across all educational levels. A major accomplishment during that time was the creation of curriculum alignment groups in four content areas and their development of a booklet, titled "Making Your Move,"describing skills and knowledge necessary for the successful transition from secondary to post secondary education. As an outgrowth of that project, the mathematics curriculum group developed an early assessment mathematics test, which is now the Kentucky Early Mathematics Testing Program, available on the web to all teachers and students statewide.
In the spring of 2001, the Council of Partners felt it was time to hire a staff person so that the organization could move ahead on existing projects and develop an agenda for new initiatives. A part time Executive Director was hired in August of 2001, with funds from local school districts, NKU, Thomas More College, and the new Gateway Community & Technical College, and one-time grants from the Council on Postsecondary Education and the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation.
Projects for the first couple of years included: continuing and enhancing the curriculum alignment discussion; sponsoring Northern Kentucky Education Week in November; and engaging in cooperative projects with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups committed to educational collaboration. In 2002, Kentucky became involved in a national project focused on high school standards, the American Diploma Project, which has continued in some way through 2008.
In 2003-04, the Council added a five year, $100,000 Toyota grant to the support form educational partners, and over the next couple of years, received several additional state and private grants. In 2005, the Council received its designation as a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Current partners include, in addition to local schools districts, NKU, Thomas More, and Gateway, representatives of adult education, business and community organizations, and statewide educational entities.
Recent efforts have included the publishing of an "Adult Educational Opportunities Guide," efforts to increase dual credit opportunities for Northern Kentucky students. The Council has also been involved for two years with an intense information campaign to educate the region about changing job requirements and the need for postsecondary education for every student. Education Week activities have increased each year, with the 2008 Kentucky Enquirer Educator Recognition dinner drawing 250 people and a number of sponsors. The Council also solicited Business members this year, and was quite successful.
Collaboration continues with regional organizations such as the Education Alliance of the Northern Kentucky Chamber, Vision 2015, and Strive. The Council staff participates in the Kentucky P-16 Council meetings, as well as the Association for Kentucky Local and Regional P-16 Councils.
