Kentucky Schools Perspective: The Intended Purpose for Our Next Generation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Policies, Mattering and Praxis: Research in the Social Context of Education within Schools

Abstract

This study investigates the stated goals in Kentucky school district mission statements (MSs), focusing on changes since 2020 and differences between county and independent districts. Building on prior research, it examines how community demographics and systemic events (e.g., COVID-19, racial justice movements) influence MS language. Using thematic coding and statistical analysis, findings show that references to diversity remain limited and are more common in already diverse districts. Additionally, rural districts emphasize safety while urban districts prioritize global engagement. Some MS codes, such as “Local Embedded in Global,” correlate with higher test scores and income. The study highlights how MSs reflect broader social patterns and priorities shaped by local contexts.

Author

• Chelsea Blair-Richcreek, University of Louisville