Kentucky’s new education commissioner starts work later this month. Stephen Pruitt says he wants to continue the strides the state has made over the years in improving college and career readiness.
Dr. Pruitt, who is moving from Maryland, says he plans to meet with local district leaders during his first week on the job.
“You can’t make decision from Frankfort and expect that they’re going to be able to translate into local districts," Pruitt said. "So I believe strongly that I’ve got to have an ear to the superintendents, to administrators, to the teachers so that I understand the issues that they’re facing.”
Pruitt says while everyone in education won’t always agree, they will always have his ear.
While working for the education reform organization Achieve, he was the lead developer in the Next Generation Science Standards that Kentucky schools began implementing last year.
The state Board of Education approved a contract with Pruitt this week that calls for him to be paid $240,0000 annually.