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Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has established the Center for Educational Research in Appalachia (CERA) to identify, research, and analyze policy issues that impact P-16 public schools in Appalachia. CERA is a vehicle for agencies to collaboratively research problems and disseminate results amongst various constituencies. Initially focused on 70 school districts in Kentucky counties designated as Appalachian by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the long-term goal of the organization is to establish a multi-state organization serving P-16 public schools throughout the 13 state Appalachian Region.
The Center for Educational Research in Appalachia operates as a partnership between Eastern Kentucky University and all Appalachian Kentucky school districts. The Center’s Advisory Board includes the following: the CERA Director, Jack Herlihy; the CERA Research Director, Jerry Johnson; the Director of EKU’s Center for Appalachian Studies, Alan Banks; the Executive Director of the Kentucky Long Term Policy Research Center, Michael Childress; a representative from the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA), Ted Creighton; an Appalachian representative, Laurent Rawlings; Legislative Liaison, Aaron Thompson; a representative from the Rural School and Community Trust, Marty Strange; three central office administrators from Appalachian Kentucky Districts, Ed McNeel, Jeanne Lee, Abbie Combs; two sitting principals from Appalachian Kentucky Districts, Jeff Saylor, April Mounce; two regional Achievement Gap Coordinators, Sue Davis, Carol Christian; a representative from the Board of Education from Appalachian Kentucky district, Verlon Prewitt; and a KASA Representative, Wayne Young. The CERA Advisory Board has been established to guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive approach to improving educational policy and practice for the benefit of Appalachian schools.
The Center’s research team consists of: the director, the research director, and a research committee comprised of three superintendents, three Educational Leadership faculty members, and research assistant, and additional support staff. The research team’s agenda initially focuses on Kentucky school reform issues and helps guide the legislature in future decisions, laws, and policies. CERA also coordinates and funds specific research projects that are deemed critically important to school reform. A research journal will be published on each project and disseminated to all members of the partnership. An annual report will be provided to appropriate agencies and organizations.
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