The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) has recognized a local district for its work promoting early literacy and interventions. Rowan County Schools was recognized in the KBE’S February meeting with the Kentucky Board of Education’s 2024 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award.
The award’s specific priority rotates annually, and this year’s priority is literacy among k-through-12 students. The 2024 Kevin C Brown award’s criteria included implementation of early literacy instruction, reading intervention, and community engagement, as highlighted in Kentucky’s 2022 Read to Succeed act.
Officials with the KBE said Rowan County Schools has worked hard to support professional development and create unique, vibrant learning experiences for its students. These have included bringing in Morehead State athletes for reading events, highly personalized reading improvement plans, and making engaging literacy events.
Robbie Fletcher, the Kentucky Department of Education commissioner, presented the honor to Rowan County Schools staff, highlighting key points of the nomination.
“The nominator closes with this,” Fletcher said. “Their strategic resource allocation, robust professional development, targeted student interventions, and community partnerships. Rowan County schools exemplifies a comprehensive approach to supporting early literacy. This cohesive effort ensures that students receive the skills, support, and encouragement needed to achieve.”
Kevin C. Brown, the award’s namesake, held multiple key roles within the Kentucky Department of Education, including as the KDE’s interim commissioner through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fletcher said the award recognizes schools that lead with a similar style of leadership and innovation as Brown.
Rhonda Banks is the Director of Federal Programs with Rowan County Schools. She said the administration and staff throughout the district have taken every funding opportunity with the goal of increasing early literacy.
“If they can’t see the need and see how all these engaging, robust learning mix with reading, then they also won’t be successful. So we’re going to ensure that all kids, preschool through 12th grade, leave us being able to read,” said Banks.
According to the KDE’s report card dashboard, Rowan County Schools saw gains in the percentage of 3rd, 7th, and 10th grade students scoring at least proficient in state reading testing last year.