Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

The Prichard Committee has launched a free suite of resources to help Kentuckians turn education data into meaningful action. Whether you're a parent, educator, business leader, nonprofit partner or community advocate, these tools make it easier to understand local education outcomes, build partnerships and create solutions that help every learner thrive.

Explore:
NEW Groundswell Initiative Map
Updated Groundswell Community Profiles
NEW Education Toolkits with practical, research-backed strategies

Together, we can strengthen education in every Kentucky community.

Learn more: https://prichardcommittee.org/prichard-committee-launches-free-tools/

Prichard Committee Launches Free Tools to Empower Kentucky Communities to Improve Education Outcomes – Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence Certification process for building strong family partnerships in Early Care and Education, K-12, and at the District Level

Thank you to these distinguished leaders who lent their expertise to the Path to a Larger Life: Realizing Our Upward Mobility Mission panel at the 2026 Prichard Committee Annual Meeting on July 31. The discussion explored the question: How do we ensure that educational success truly becomes a path to a larger life for every Kentuckian?

Dr. Raj Darolia, Wendell H. Ford Professor of Public Policy at the University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy & Administration , moderated the panel, which included:
🏫 Dr. Robbie Fletcher, Kentucky Commissioner of Education
📝 Adria Johnson, President & CEO, Metro United Way
🎓 Dr. Michael Clark, Center for Business and Economic Research, University of Kentucky

Congratulations to Dr. Amber Sergent of Woodford County High School, the recipient of the 2026 Edward F. Prichard, Jr.; Dr. Lee Kirkpatrick; Miss Zerelda Noland Teacher Prize.

The prize is presented by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence on behalf of Mr. Prichard’s sons, Allen Prichard, Nathan Prichard and Louis Prichard.

The prize includes a cash prize of $20,000 for the teacher and $5,000 for their high school.

Woodford County Public Schools

Prichard 2026 Outstanding Teacher - Dr. S (extended version) Dr. Amber Sergent, 2026

The Prichard Committee would like to extend an invitation to all parent members of School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Councils to attend the Saturday session on HB 257 during their Annual Meeting on August 1.

The session will provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about HB 257 and engage in discussion with others interested in strengthening parent and community voice in Kentucky’s schools.

The event is free for participants and will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Meeting Details

Saturday, August 1
The Gheens Foundation Lodge
1421 Beckley Creek Parkway
Louisville, KY

9:00 am ET
Coffee and Conversation

9:30 am
Welcome & Remarks

10:00 am
Equipping Kentuckians for Local Implementation of HB 257 (2026):
Going from Good to Great in Kentucky’s Education Reform Story
Building the Next Generation of Mobilization

11:30 am
Lunch

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-prichard-committee-annual-meeting-tickets-1990453750750

Please use code SATURDAYONLY on the Saturday Registration – this will waive the attendance fee for that day.

Prichard Committee HB 257 implementation resources can be found here: https://prichardcommittee.org/vibrant/.

Thank you to our 2026 Annual Meeting Sponsors Kentucky Department of Education, Metro United Way and RossTarrant Architects. Your support makes our work of building a big, bold future for every Kentuckian possible.

There is still time to register for the Annual Meeting: https://prichardcommittee.org/annual-meeting/

Behind the scenes!

We filmed something special last week in honor of the 2026 High School Teacher Prize winner. The prize will be presented at the Prichard Committee Annual Meeting on the evening of Friday, July 31.

There is still time to register: https://prichardcommittee.org/annual-meeting/

Last month, the Prichard Committee was honored to attend the Kentucky Bar Foundation luncheon, where we were recognized as a Kentucky Bar Foundation grant recipient for a new project focused on helping Kentucky families, schools, and communities better understand and address chronic absenteeism.