Dr. Barbara Veazey, President and CEO
West Kentucky Community & Technical College

2008 marks the fifth year anniversary of the consolidation of West Kentucky Technical College and Paducah Community College and the formation of West Kentucky Community and Technical College. I have taken the last few weeks to meet in small groups with faculty, staff and students to assess where the college community feels we rank in our desire to be known as a premier comprehensive community college in the national arena. The sessions have been most enjoyable for me and in the end, I hope Aesop’s quote of “after all is said and done, more is said than done” will not apply to what we do with the information.

In almost all sessions it has been identified that we need to improve and strengthen our relationship with K-12. I believe that is a truth that none could dispute. It will add nothing to the discussion to relate the poor performance of Kentucky in the national arena of education, but I do think it worthy to mention that if you isolate the poverty states, no one has made as much progress as Kentucky. We had the involvement of the business community in education in the 90s and it spurred action by the legislators to change the way education is offered, resulting in secondary reform and the formation of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. Business is once again stepping up with the recent Kentucky Chamber of Commerce study on how well the reform is working after 10 years. It is hoped that the presentation of results and the dialogue that has resulted will keep the momentum and recommendations on the forefront.

To bring the initiatives closer to our community, I would like to address the large number of students who need developmental education classes upon enrolling in WKCTC. Seventy-six percent of students test into one or more developmental classes when first enrolling at the college. Many times a student must take three semesters before they actually take a math or English class that counts toward a credential. With college tuition and gas cost escalating out of control, the state’s goal of doubling the numbers of college degrees awarded seems a far off dream; both to students and to those working to bring Kentucky into economic prosperity. There are many aspects to this problem we could spend hours discussing and perhaps bring us no closer to the answer, but there are acts that can be put in place that can improve the situation now.

West Kentucky is working with area high schools to identify those students who have tested into developmental classes and, if the student plans to enroll fall 08 at WKCTC, the college will offer a short term summer program free of charge to the student. A four week, eight hour session will work on both math and English skills, as well as provide private tutoring. This could save a student and their family at least a $1,000 in tuition costs, plus provide the student with confidence and study skills as they enter the fall semester.

The secondary schools and the college need to work on better alignment of curriculum, provide more opportunities to the student while they are still in high school, have joint professional development between high school and college faculty, and the list will continue to expand. This summer program is an attempt to correct a problem that discourages a large percentage of students and inhibits success and is available NOW. This is an example that perhaps our college conversations result in something being done and that we don’t just talk.