College discusses education achievement gap at retreat

President Todd

The College of Education is a key player in the effort to close the achievement gap in the state of Kentucky, said Dean James G. Cibulka in his address at the annual faculty retreat last August. Dean Cibulka’s address dovetailed with the release of the “Closing the Gap” recommendations released earlier in the month by the One Community, One Voice committee for the Fayette County Board of Education.

The achievement gap, Cibulka stated, is a serious concern and one that presents our college with an opportunity to improve its stature statewide and nationally. Most importantly, he emphasized that the achievement gap is not confined to primary and secondary education. “It is a P-16 problem,” he said. “Higher education has a special obligation to make sure it does not perpetuate the problem once students reach the university. All student groups need to have high rates of success and graduation at the university level,” Cibulka said.

To underscore his point, Dean Cibulka shared excerpts from the book, Non Campus Mentis, a humorous collection of quotes from college student term papers and blue book exams compiled by Professor Anders Henrikkson.

“The achievement gap is one of the most important challenges facing educators. Unless we address it effectively, we will not improve the quality of life in Kentucky or in the nation as a whole…more than ever, education is needed to bridge the division of our society into those who have and those who have not,” Cibulka said.

Echoing the morning’s agenda was a keynote address from Dr. T. Kenneth James, Superintendent of Fayette County Schools. In that address, James commented on the challenges presented by the “Closing the Gap” report and the needs of Fayette County schools in implementing federal “No Child Left Behind” legislation. He extended a welcome to continue and deepen a collaborative relationship with the College of Education faculty.

At the conclusion of these speeches, faculty and staff broke into small groups to discuss ongoing college concerns regarding improving student body diversity, research opportunities, and public service.

During the lunch break UK President Lee Todd remarked on the various plans and developments ahead for the University of Kentucky and the College of Education’s role in it. (see a transcript of Dr. Todd’s speech)

Following a presentation of the conclusions drawn by the small groups, the retreat concluded.