Gilbertsville Live Cam

Kentucky has received national acclaim recently for its bold approach to improvements in its public school systems.The Kentucky Education Reform Act, which is currently being implemented, mandates high student achievement standards, performance testing, increased emphasis on technology and the use of computers, a solid education base in the primary school years, and preschool programs for some four-year olds. Other significant improvements include high standards for teacher professional development, complete revamping of state and local school administration and operations, greater involvement of the public in local school decisions, and a significiant increase in the levels of school funding.

Approximately 640,500 pupils were enrolled in Kentucky public elementary and secondary schools in 1992-93. These public school systems employed 37,870 classroom teachers. Expenditures per pupil averaged $3,776 and the average salary for classroom teachers was $31,115. Private and parochial schools enrolled 62,130 students.

The state has 27 senior colleges and universities, 2 junior colleges and 14 community colleges. In fall 1993, 182,001 students were enrolled in college with 87 percent attending public institutions. Enrollment at the larger of the state's eight public universities was: University of Kentucky, 24,288 University of Louisville, 21,826; East ern Kentucky University, 16,391; and Western Kentucky University, 15,335.

The University of Kentucky Community College System was developed in response to the demand for local higher education facilities. The 14 community colleges (total enrollment 48,046) occupy a dual position of university membership and community-oriented ser-vice.Twenty-two of Kentucky's colleges and universities are independent institutions. Among the most prominent: Berea College, located at Berea, was established in 1855 and offers an unusual tuition-free plan with student work-study programs. Enrollment is 1,591. Centre College, a liberal arts school, established in 1819, is located at Danville. The college has an enrollment of 949. Transylvania University, located at Lexington, was chartered in 1780 and is the oldest college west of the Appalachian Mountains. Enrollment is 917.

Kentucky has 17 state vocational-technical schools, 54 state and local area vocational education centers, and 6 health services education facilities now operating. Of the 123,482 students attending vocational schools during 1992-93, 17,728 were enrolled in secondary school programs, and 105,754 were adults enrolled in post-secondary programs.

Kentucky's educational television network, KET, is the largest statewide educational network in the country. A total of 15 transmitters and 6 translators broadcast KET programs throughout Kentucky and portions of 7 adjoining states. KET programing includes adult literacy programs, study-at-home courses for the GED, college telecourses, instructional programs for students, and a wide variety of arts features and public affairs programs. In addition, a separate new satellite system delivers instructional programs covering every subject from elementary science to high school geography directly into public schools across the state. The satellite channels, called Star Channels, also deliver live and interactive advanced courses to high schools across the state, professional development seminars for teachers, and teleconferences for a wide variety of participants. The KET Star Channels system was a 1991 winner of the Innovations in State and Local Government Award administered by the Ford Foundation and Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Most school guidance counselors and local libraries keep college catalogs of Kentucky colleges and universities. Local chambers of commerce can provide general information about elementary and secondary schools.