Yang named to KDE Council

Amy Yang, a senior from the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics at Morehead State, has been selected to join the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council for the 2020-21 year.   

The council was established to provide feedback on critical issues impacting students and schools and works with KDE staff to develop ideas to improve and transform education. The group meets with the commissioner and KDE staff, both in person and virtually, to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students throughout Kentucky.  

More than 140 students from across the Commonwealth applied for a position on the advisory council this year. Applications were blind scored by a panel of judges from across Kentucky. The newly selected members will serve for the 2020-21 school year. Sophomores and juniors will have the opportunity to serve again in fall 2021.  

“Now more than ever, it is critically important that we have student voice present in every single decision that we make,” said Interim Commissioner Kevin C. Brown. “We certainly saw that this past spring, as we relied heavily on this council to provide feedback on things like graduation, non-traditional instruction, and re-entry plans for the new school year, among many other things.”  

Incoming Commissioner Jason Glass, who will begin his position at KDE on Sept. 14, said he is very excited to meet with the students.  

“Involving the voices of our students and empowering them in our decisions on education is critically important to me and to the future of education in Kentucky,” said Glass. “I look forward to working with these exceptional young people as we work to imagine what school could be for the Commonwealth.”  

Membership consists of at least two seats from each of the seven Kentucky Board of Education districts; four at-large student members; one student from the Kentucky School for the Blind, one student for the Kentucky School for the Deaf and student members enrolled in a career and technical education pathway.  

“Amy being on the council brings Craft Academy to the table with Kentucky Department of Education leaders that will help promote the cause for providing more services for gifted students in valuing their voice,” said Dr. Carol Christian, director of the Craft Academy. “Opportunities like this develop leadership skills. It takes a community of leaders to prepare our next generation of leaders, solution seekers and problem solvers. Amy Yang will be a great addition.”  

The first virtual meeting of the 2020-2021 school year was held on July 29.  

For information on the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy, email craftacademy@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2093.