LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB NEWS) --Trying to bring innovation into Kentucky's classrooms -- that was the discussion on Tuesday at a Louisville elementary school recognized for its innovative practices.
The goal is to improve student achievement and get students prepared for the global economy.
From the very first day students enter their classroom at Atkinson Elementary in Louisville's Portland neighborhood, they are encouraged to believe that they are headed to college. Even in the school's hallway, there are signs directing them toward that goal.
"Our students, our staff, our faculty, everyone in our building believes that every child in our building will attain a college degree," says Atkinson principal Stephanie Nutter.
She says they do that in a number of ways -- among them, two classrooms converted into what is called a data room with a wall lined with index cards. "It is a place for us to track every individual student in the areas of reading and math," says Nutter.
The school also has a partnership with U of L where students from that university take classes at Atkinson. "For our students," says Nutter, "they see college students on our campus every day and they interact with the college students, they get to see what college life is like."
Atkinson also encourages parents to become involved. "I just think it is really important to expand the notion of parental involvement," explains family resource center director Lisa Hirsch, "and figure out in each school what are the ways parents can be involved whether they have a lot of time or a little bit of time."
On Tuesday, Atkinson was the site of a roundtable discussion among educational and public policy leaders on how to encourage more schools to become innovative.
Economic development is bringing foreign investment into Kentucky and today's students need to be ready for the jobs of tomorrow that will require greater skills.
"It is about continuous improvement and also making sure our students are really college and career ready," says Jefferson County School Superintendent Donna Hargens, "so that they are ready to compete not only with other students in Kentucky, but other students throughout the United States and other students internationally."
Atkinson has been transformed from one of the lowest performing schools in Kentucky to the most improved.
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