Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Kentucky's new Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis proposed the state to take over failing Louisville public schools. Teachers and administrators are protesting but Lewis argues in his 90 page audit that too many schools are failing and too many kids are being left behind. As it is, JCPS proficiency rates on state assessments lag behind other districts in most grades and in most subjects. Less than half of elementary and middle school students are proficient in reading, writing and math. The performance gap between black and white students is more than 30 points and it continues to widen. And only 63 percent of high school graduates are college or career ready. The numbers indicate change is needed. Some are calling the looming takeover a war on public schools, but others see this as a war on mediocrity and underperforming schools.