Mission Statement
The Northern Kentucky Education Council is the backbone organization for alignment of education initiatives in Northern Kentucky. The Council serves as a catalyst for collaboration, change and progress to attain regional education goals in Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton Counties.
News & Events
Chamber, Education Council honor students, educators, business leaders at Excellence Event
April 7, 2021 - NKyTribune - Local educators, administrators, students, and families overcame countless challenges during the 2020-21 school year. On May 5, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Northern Kentucky Education Council will honor the region’s outstanding students, educators, community partners, and business leaders whose steadfast commitment to education was essential in a year unlike any other.
Presented by Northern Kentucky University, the 2021 Excellence in Education Celebration will take place virtually from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NKYEC Spring Convening Recording & Resouces
The recording of the Virtual Spring Convening, held on March 24, 2021, is now available along with guest speaker presentations and various Kids Count resouces.
NKY Education Council, Chamber hosted virtual Excellence in Education awards — here are winners
August 19, 2020 - NKyTribune - The Northern Kentucky Education Council and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce partnered to present the annual Excellence in Education Celebration virtually for the first time in its 11-year history. The pandemic has changed everything — except that NKY always values its educators and students — and the businesses and community partners who support them.
These are the winners of the annual awards, presented with all the enthusiasm that can be expressed for all they have accomplished and in appreciation of their hard work, determination and dedication.
Breaking down the big picture: 2020 Census data critical to future education funding; educational grants help children
July 17, 2020 - NKyTribune - Census information is imperative for multiple reasons – legislative representation, future planning and understanding population changes, public safety, health needs, and now more than ever – funding for education. Accurate Census counts allow schools to better plan and serve all children in their community. Children born today will be in elementary school before the next Census. Those school systems will use the 2020 Census data to plan staffing, provide adequate space, programming, and budget decisions to meet the needs of the students of the future.
Breaking down big picture of Education: Homeless families — what educators see; how to support
March 10, 2020 - NKyTribune - Homelessness has significant, lasting impacts on children and youth. Homeless students experience greater school mobility, often causing interruptions in their education. They also experience greater chronic absenteeism (missing about 18 days per year or more). All these things affect a student’s school achievement and graduation rate. The Kentucky Department of Education identified 3,083 homeless students in the 6-county region during the last school year.
Youth Mental Health Summit sends powerful message on need for comprehensive system, for reaching out
March 5, 2020 - NKyTribune -
“If you have air in your lungs, you are here for a purpose,” says Kristen Anderson of ‘Reaching you Ministries.’ At the tender age of 17, Kristen attempted suicide by laying on railroad tracks. She was run over by 33 freight cars traveling at 55 mph. She lost eight pints of blood and both legs, but she is alive and well today and sharing her message. Anderson was one of three keynote speakers at the 3rd Annual Linking Together Youth Mental Health Summit held last weekend. Hosted by Hope 4 Boone County, Boone County Schools, and Northern Kentucky Education Council, over 190 participants — consisting of educators, counselors, nurses, and a wide range of professions — gathered to learn and discuss a still taboo topic in our society, mental health.
NKYEC Winter Meeting focused on enhancing student success and how everyone can contribute
March 4, 2020 - NKyTribune - The Winter Meeting of the Northern Kentucky Education Council (NKYEC) focused on how the region can enhance student success by increasing work-based learning experiences for students. The NKYEC is focused on the alignment of education initiatives in Northern Kentucky. The Council serves as a catalyst for collaboration, change and progress to attain regional education goals in Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton Counties.
As a partner of GROW NKY, the Council is working to build business and education partnerships that support internships, externships, co-ops, apprenticeships, and career-based learning opportunities.
Breaking down the Big Picture of Education: Calling the next generation of teachers; how you can help
January 19, 2020 - NKyTribune - Teachers are vital to the future of our region, yet the number of college students pursuing education degrees declined by more than 13 percent over a five-year period from 2013-2014 to 2017-2018, according to a report issued by the Council on Postsecondary Education.
Breaking down the Big Picture of Education: Focus on early literacy to set a child on the right course
November 7, 2019 - NKyTribune - As a Northern Kentucky community, we are working to increase the number of children entering Kindergarten “ready.” We know that the ability to read does not happen naturally. In fact, a family’s efforts to teach young children to speak, understand and comprehend language are essential experiences needed to prepare children before they even enter school. Modern brain imaging confirms and expands the importance of broad exposure to language and reading for children birth to age five.
NKyTribune: Educators at NKYEC fall meeting identify lofty goals for the region and a strategy to achieve them
October 25, 2019 - By Mark Hansel, NKyTribune managing editor
The Northern Kentucky Education Council (NKYEC) annual fall meeting at Thomas More University’s Steigerwald Hall focused on regional efforts to increase the number of students that are ready for college, career, and life.
Fort Thomas Independent Schools Superintendent Karen Cheser delivered a call to action to the region’s education community at the NKYEC 2019 Fall Meeting at Thomas More University (photos by Mark Hansel).
Speakers included Joseph L. Chillo, president of Thomas More University, Dr. Randy Boone County Schools Superintendent and NKYEC executive director, Dr. Karen Cheser, Fort Thomas Independent Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ashish Vaidya, president of Northern Kentucky University and Dr. Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Career Readiness Report Released
June, 2019 - The Northern Kentucky Education Council, in partnership with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, recently released the Career Readiness Repot: Essential Skills Research and Results. This report provides significant insight into employers' expectations of high school graduates' preparedness for the workforce.
Education First: Breaking down the Big Picture of Education — taking a look at Early Childhood
May 28, 2019 - One of the best investments we can make for our future is to invest in our children. “Quality early learning and development programs for children can foster valuable skills, strengthen our workforce, grow our economy and reduce social spending,” states James J. Heckman, a Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, and an expert in economics and human development.