>> with disappointing.

But it's also expected.

>> COVID packed a punch and Kentucky's classrooms.

What new test score say and why the education commissioner is still optimistic.

Do you personally believe that Joseph Biden was fairly elected.

President United States fair and square.

I think it.

Congressman Hal Rogers on the 2020 election and the future of Social Security.

Plus, now is the time to roll up your sleeves.

Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET and down that for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the KET Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION on this Tuesday, October, the 18th, I'm Renee Shaw.

>> Thank you for spending some of your Tuesday night with us.

COVID hurt Kentucky in the classroom.

That's the conclusion from a new report card looking at test scores and school ratings from the spring of 2022.

383,000 students took the test.

The numbers say more than half of the state students are scoring below proficient and every subject category at every level achievement gaps grew from last year and a seat he scores for high school.

Students are still behind where they were before the pandemic.

The state has changed the way it assesses schools making it difficult to compare new test scores to previous years.

But Kentucky's education commissioner says the scores still show what the state needs to know that the pandemic had a profound impact on learning KET.

Casey Parker Bell caught up with Commissioner Jason Glass yesterday about the new test scores and his belief that students can catch up after the learning loss.

>> Take a breath.

Calm down.

Everybody is go back to work.

That was the consistent message from Kentucky's education commissioner after the release of scores from last year statewide test.

He says the scores show what he's been consistent for schools across the country.

Students are behind.

It's disappointing, but it's also expected statewide testing data showed less than half of Kentucky's elementary school students score proficient or distinguished in reading less than 40% of elementary school students score proficient or higher in math, science, social studies and writing the same figures.

Hold true for middle and high school.

We >> should expect that this this baseline is reflective of the disruptions of learning that we've had over the past couple of years and we need to improve from this point.

>> The state has received federal help.

The federal government gave 2 billion dollars to Kentucky schools help students catch up.

But last year's testing data showed achievement gaps group during the pandemic.

Those caps are the disparity in performance between different groups of students.

Glass says achievement gaps are new, but closing them will require specific action.

>> You have to intentionally take efforts to support those students who are behind in ways that you don't necessarily support students that are more advanced.

You have to direct more resources and more support and put in place additional that are targeted toward supporting those students.

>> Despite the score is showing the need for improvement class says some recovery has already taken place.

He pointed to a CPS course as an example, composite a seat.

He scores for juniors and per from 18 out of 36 in 2021, 18.3 last year.

But both are still behind scores in 2019, the last year before pandemic-related learning disruptions began still class indicated Thurs hope for the future.

Our students can recover.

They they can come back from this unfinished learning.

But it's going to take time for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell.

>> The statewide accountability system for Kentucky schools was changed during the 2020 legislative session Senate Bill.

One 58 required performance be based on a combination of academic and school quality indicators and that the results be available online.

For more perspective about the student test scores were joined by Jess Clarke, who is the education and learning reporter for WFP.

Al, thank you so much.

Just for a few moments of your time.

Thanks for having me.

We just heard Commissioner Jason and it was part of your headline disappointing but not unexpected.

What are the main takeaways that you have Blaine from those test scores?

>> Right.

I think the main takeaway is that the scores are low, but that is what educators to expect after years of major disruptions to the education system because of the pandemic.

>> And it seems that commissioner glass and intimated that he expected the scores 2 below anyway, because there've been some changes to the test, correct?

>> That's right.

This is the first year that we are using that most students are tar tested last year.

We have we have the system in place last but not that many students participated because many cities for remote because the pandemic.

So this is the first year that we've had to really fully have full participation in the news state grading system it's a new set of academic standards that are measured in a different way.

And so it's hard to say how much of the drop in test scores is due to just and new testing system.

And how much is due to the impacts of the pandemic glass that you did think that, you know, had those distant remain in place.

We probably would have seen a drop anyway.

>> So how low are we talking?

>> Right.

They're pretty low.

>> Less than half of elementary and middle school students tested at the officiant in any subject.

So proficiency is what we look at to tell us the benchmark to say, our star students, do they have a grasp of material?

The teachers want them to have so less than half of students, just a different vision.

Any readings about 45% on grade level in reading and math down to 38% science.

Students really struggle in in only 2029% were proficient in elementary science.

>> But there are some bright spots right when it comes to the A C T scores.

There was a little bit of an elevation this time.

>> Yeah, that's true.

And that's actually really good indication because over the course of the they seat he has.

>> Remains, you know, the the the weigh-ins are tested as reliable.

So we really can track growth over time.

And we did see a hit to a seat he scores last year.

>> And finally, this year we're seeing this this court circuit creep up again.

So that indicates that there is some recovery happening at the high school level at the very least.

>> But the the average score is 18.3.

So that still nothing to brag about right?

>> Right.

That the national average ATT score is the route that I things about So we're still lower than average across the nation.

Remember the A C T is what a lot of colleges use to determine You know, emissions.

>> You know, I that >> the average SAT score heard something like UK's 28 27.

So you know, 19 is 18 is, you know, about average may not be, you know, what seemed to looking for to really get scholarships, that type of thing.

>> Right.

So real quickly, can you talk to us about the Jefferson County Public School numbers?

How did they shake out?

>> So pretty consistently a Jefferson County numbers trail estate.

They're typically not 10 percentage points below the state.

And that's really consistent with research showing that students you come from or low income backgrounds typically have lower test scores.

Then they're more wealthy counterparts.

Jefferson County has a high proportion of students in poverty.

Two-thirds of students in Jefferson County come from low-income households.

>> And so, you know, that's it.

The lower test scores are kind of to be expected because those huge space, just so many more barriers in accessing their education, whether they're hungry, whether they're you know, trauma, whether they're facing systemic racism.

These are all factors that make it harder for students to access their education.

And that's going to play out in the test scores.

>> So final question in just a few seconds.

Jazz.

How concerned should we be about these test scores?

>> You know, doctor Glass as we really need to take a breath that something he kept saying over and over when during the to score And, you know, it's important to remember that these test or a very narrow measure of learning and the quality of the education system.

You know, they're just it's one test on one at one point in time.

So it's important to remember it's it's not the end.

All be all.

And you know, even if you are just looking at test scores, there's lots of research showing that students can recover ground that they may have lost.

Well, just park education and learning reporter for WFP, all public Radio.

Thank you so very much for helping us understand this.

All.

>> Thanks, Renay.

As you just heard, Kentucky's largest school district scored below the state average on the standardized testing, Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio said these scores reflect the impact.

The COVID-19 pandemic had on learning.

He said the scores are now a new benchmark for the district.

>> Such a challenging time in education.

We are facing probably the 2 biggest crises that the education profession has faced in the past 50 years.

>> I'm one of those as we all know, be in the pandemic.

The impact on students has been enormous and the data is pretty clear.

It is had a much more dramatic impact on our youngest kids.

>> Our proficiency rates are lower than they need to be at this point or that we want them the achievement gap, although it didn't grow.

This year, you know, we have to continue to work to eliminate that achievement gap and increased proficiency.

This is our baseline moving forward that we will compare for years to come.

And so a few areas I would like to highlight that.

I just want to thank our schools for working so hard of said this already that the several times our graduation rate is at an all-time high in JCPS post-secondary rate.

Is that the highest it's ever been?

And we have cut the achievement gap between white and black students in half nearly in half over the past 5 or 6 years with our post-secondary readiness.

Also, I wanted to highlight we have 11 schools, exit CSI status more than we've ever had before.

The last time, the in 2019 when we had 9 schools exit that last cycle we have 31 total campuses that are CSI right now.

And so that is down from 35.

We're doing the right things in our schools.

We just got to continue to do that.

We have some things that we are able to celebrate here.

And obviously some things of concern that we will be dealing with for many years to come.

This is one snapshot.

We're going to continue to work in.

Our schools are going to continue to move our students.

>> Now to Fayette County where the numbers show that Fayette County did better than the statewide average.

We talked to the superintendent of the Fayette County Public School system Dimitris Liggins about areas where improvements are needed, including scores among disadvantaged students.

>> As a district we received a yellow rating at the elementary middle and high and Fayette County Public schools continues to out the state average.

The state provides an opportunity to evaluate where we are following the challenges and disruptions.

Students, staff families, schools and our community have all faced in the past 2 years.

2 things are very clear.

First that too many of our students are scoring at the nod as an apprentice levels second, that students on the lowest end of our achievements spectrum continue to be from historically marginalized populations with the slowing of academic achievement due to the pandemic.

It is important that now more than ever that we are focusing on a district-wide approach to instruction.

And that our choir practices throughout the district online south.

Firstly, we will ensure that every student is cognitively engaged and appropriately lagers content that leads them to their individual learning goals.

Secondly, we'll be communicating clearly with students and asking questions that promote high levels of thinking and this course and finally, we'll be capturing data throughout the process and intervening and adjusting media to ensure that each student receives the necessary tools for their success.

We're seeing student performance at lower levels across the Commonwealth.

And although the is outperforming the state in general, the scores that we received that still unacceptable.

And we absolutely have to do everything we can to ensure that this pandemic does not define the trajectory of our students and the trajectory of learning experiences and lives.

>> More education news reading, of course, is fundamental to a child's education.

Today, lawmakers discuss ways to help improve literacy in Kentucky.

As we mentioned statewide test scores released today show that fewer than half of students tested were reading at grade level members of the book company Scholastic testified in Frankfort today.

They said research shows that children with 80 books in a home library can raise literacy levels to average.

>> We can teach kids the science of reading, but we must also help them develop the joy of reading.

We think that's critical.

And if we can surround kids both at school and at home with a literacy, rich environments full of books that they both enjoy and want to read.

And we know from the science want to read over and over again.

They're not only to developing and practicing the skills they need, but there also at the same time developing that joy of reading that we believe is really critical.

>> The group is encouraging Kentucky lawmakers to consider a home library program which would include shipping books directly to families.

In medical news.

Kentucky's COVID positivity rate is up a little bit from last week.

It's now 8 And-a-half-percent was 7.9% a week ago.

This comes at a time when most COVID numbers are improving.

As we told you Friday, only one county is now listed as having high COVID activity and that's Letcher County.

More than half of Kentucky counties are now green, meaning low COVID activity.

The Kentucky Blood Center is asking for donors to deal with a shortage of blood.

The blood center says there's a critical need for be negative and a B, negative blood.

This is caused in part by increased demand for blood at the 70 Kentucky hospital served by the blood center for some blood types.

The center is down to a one-day supply and it wants to have at least 3.

And politics.

Now it's 3 weeks to go before Election Day.

Senator Rand Paul was in Lexington today discussing COVID the economy, oil and more on COVID.

Senator Paul said of Republicans take control of Congress.

He will work to investigate the handling of COVID and the origin of the COVID virus and he was again critical of Doctor Anthony Fauci and said Congress should subpoena every record and Fauci is possession.

He says that's long overdue.

>> It's easy to get frustrated.

We go out for week in week out.

I thought whoa by the for Washington all but back come back every week.

A lifelike that was not but it's not for lack of trying.

We prefer to the Department of Justice.

There's a certain pattern over there.

We think that 2 sets of justice in our country.

If you're a public health park out to work for your children, if your support pro life movement will hunt you down.

If you're out for children and the U.

>> Senator Paul said the Biden administration's spending is the cause of inflation and he said we need to let oil companies produce more oil in order to bring down the cost of gas.

Senator Rand Paul isn't the only one out and about today.

Charles Booker, the Democratic candidate for Senate officially kicked off his bus tour around the Commonwealth today in Louisville's West End.

Booker has already traveled over 1300 miles across the state and plans to crisscross the Commonwealth multiple times over the next 21 days to meet with voters.

Booker talked about economic issues in the state that he believes makes people's lives more difficult, like costly and accessible health care and low wages.

He says that Kentucky made someone in Washington he'll champion these issues for, quote, regular folks and hard-working can talk hands.

>> We need to invest in regular people and make sure Kentuckians have more money in their pocket.

I believe everyone to have quality health care.

That's an economic policy.

I believe we should have a guaranteed annual income.

Something Doctor King spoke about financial freedoms that we can invest.

We could be owners.

We have our own businesses.

Of course, we so raise wages, but that that's the beginning of the conversation.

And I believe we need to make the investments right here.

In the West.

And but all over Kentucky and have a federal leadership that would direct funds.

Make sure that we're not forgotten about.

It's critical.

>> Also, Booker said that while on the campaign trail is met with voters who plan on voting for him this November.

But what also vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race.

He claims that a lot of the problems facing Kentuckians are not a partisan issue.

♪ ♪ Last night on Kentucky tonight, I spoke to 3 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in November's election.

Matthew Lehman is a Democrat running in the 4th district.

His opponent is incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie did not respond to our invitation to appear.

Lehman says he agrees with us support for Ukraine.

He is pro-choice on abortion.

And thanks, Thomas Massie is too extreme for the District.

>> I'm a lifelong pragmatic Democrat.

I believe in standing up for the working class for the middle class.

You're trying to advance what you know, families better.

And I think that's that's the message you could throw and people are willing to listen.

I think it's worth pointing out and this is important.

I mean, Rick represent a massive, really represents a pretty extreme fringe of the Republican Party.

I mean, he has backed a number of candidates in northern Kentuckyian well and even Shelby County and other parts of the 4th district.

That are they they refer to themselves the Liberty Caucus of the Liberty candidates?

I'm not quite sure what version of liberty they stand for, but they have backed sort of insurgent incumbents against more mainstream Republicans.

And that is to the detriment of our district of our region.

And I think that's worth pointing out.

>> Lyman told us he disagrees with President Joe Biden's timing on forgiving federal student loans.

He says now may not be the right time given concerns over inflation.

Congressman Hal Rogers is seeking his 22nd term in the U.S. house.

His Democratic opponent.

Connor, how ball?

I did not meet our criteria to appear last night.

Congressman Rogers told us if the Republicans take control of the House, he will oppose any attempts to cut Social Security.

Rogers was the only member of Kentucky's delegation to vote to throw out electoral votes from Pennsylvania and Arizona.

When the House voted to certify the presidential election results on January 6, 2021, I asked him why.

>> The 2020 presidential election was unlike any other.

Late changes were made to the election process in several states.

Postpone the election.

Audits, legal hearings.

But 2 valid questions about the results.

My office was inundated by phone calls and other communications.

From people across my district questioning the integrity of the presidential election and other states.

So on behalf of the people of my district who overwhelmingly.

Objective to the electoral votes.

Tied to allegations of election fraud.

Drove me to take the action too.

>> Do you personally believe that Joseph Biden was fairly elected.

President United States fair and square.

>> I think it was.

>> Jeff Young is the Democratic nominee in the 6th congressional district.

His opponent, Congressman Andy Barr, declined our invitation to appear last night Young discussed his support for the legalization of all drugs and announced the U.S. Supreme Court for its recent abortion ruling.

>> On June 24th of this year, 6.

Republican partisan.

I think it's they don't deserve the title justice or Judge 6 partisan hacks overturn Roe versus Wade 1973 decision, which I feel.

It's the wisest best decision of my lifetime.

They return.

They overturned it for one reason.

Only.

And that was because they had the votes.

They had the raw political power.

To overturn it.

So they did.

And the fact that the Republican Party did not.

Abandoned them or RD.

Now it's that terrible decision.

Preuss to me the Republican Party today is totally immoral.

Totally worthless.

>> Young also called for the impeachment of President Biden because of the U.S. response to the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

He says Ukraine is not a democracy.

He called it a puppet government run by the U.S. State Department.

You can see the full program last night at KET Dot Org Slash K why tonight next Monday on Kentucky tonight.

We'll talk about the 2 constitutional amendments you'll see on the November 8 Ballot Amendment.

One deals with Kentucky General Assembly Sessions, an amendment to effects Kentucky's abortion laws.

Our discussion about both of those amendments next Monday.

Today, the eastern 7 central right here on KET.

Here are some important election dates you need to know about October 25th a week from today is the deadline to request an absent to the ballot from the online portal and person absentee voting runs from October, 26th to the 28th.

Then again, October 31st through November.

2nd, early voting is November.

3rd through the 5th.

You can vote early on those dates for any reason.

And then Election Day is November 8th with polls open from 06:00AM to 06:00PM.

One other political note, a Fayette County grand jury has indicted a former state lawmaker and just as Cabinet Secretary John Tilley is accused of first-degree rape.

The indictment says he had sex with a woman who was physically helpless and could not consent.

The indictment says this occurred in mid-April.

Police arrested Tilley in August.

He posted bond at the time.

His attorney said that Tilly was innocent, that he had turned himself in and that he was cooperating with the investigation.

Tilly will be arraigned October 28th Tilly was justice secretary from 2015 to 2019 under Governor Matt Bevin.

He's been a Democratic state lawmaker from Hopkinsville before then.

We would like to KET you updated on Fritz, the hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Fritz was born in August.

The zoo released this picture showing the entire family together for the first time.

This is for its his older sister Fiona, his mother, Bibi and his father talker.

The zoo says the family's first outing together in the Hippo cove went very well.

Fritz now weighs 250 pounds, a group of hippos is known as a bloat, fun little fact for you.

We sure hope you'll join us again tomorrow night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central for Kentucky edition where we inform connect and inspire.

Tomorrow you'll hear from Kentucky Secretary of state Michael Adams.

He'll talk about the election.

That's coming up.

New rules you need to know about and election integrity.

>> And then also our Kentucky Edition contributor Kelsey Starks will have an interview with Mayor Greg Fischer coming up and he'll talk about his terms in office and just like we do every Wednesday, we'll talk and talking politics with while in Barton of Kentucky, Public Radio and Ohio Valley Resource.

And we'll tell you about Anti-vaping efforts in schools.

That was a committee and Frankfort today that talked about that.

We'll update you on all that tomorrow night.

In the meantime, you can subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and in the future, some clips and K T Dot Org.

You can also find Kentucky Edition on the PBS video app on your mobile Smart TV and you can follow KET on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Make sure you tune in tomorrow night.

We've got some great updates and programming right here for you on K E T take good care.

♪ ♪