Progress Report 2015
Nanette Johnston and a team of district leaders participated in the Next Generation Leadership
Academy in with the desire to learn about new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
As a result of their participation in the Academy, Hardin County has launched several initiatives that
include the use of problem-based learning, expansion of flipped classrooms, a deeper and more
meaningful use of technology, standards-based grading, performance-based credit, student voice, and
others.
Many of these initiatives contributed to the creation of the Early College and Career Center or EC3.
Hardin County has joined in a dynamic partnership with Western Kentucky University, Central Kentucky
Community Foundation and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College to create this innovative
learning environment.
High school students in the Hardin County Schools access the center to take courses in several career
pathways, some of which include health science, engineering, manufacturing, automotive technology,
media arts and communication, and culinary arts and hospitality services. These career pathways
address needs expressed by the community’s business and industry partners such as the need for
workers with the ‘soft’ skills and work ethic to be successful. The pathways are ones in which students
have also expressed interest.
EC3 opened its doors on August 6, 2014 for 500 students. Students will attend their home school for
half a day and EC3 for the remaining half. Students will have the ability to take dual credit courses
at the adjacent Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Western Kentucky University
(via distance learning labs), or Sullivan University. As Hardin County Schools continues to work
collaboratively with community and business partners and their post-secondary partners, the district
has created an advisory council in an effort to stay in tune with the relevant needs of the community.
RECORD OF SUCCESS:
State assessment results have increased steadily over the last seven years, and national assessment
results (EXPLORE, PLAN, and ACT) have never been higher. The school district has instituted a system
for monitoring classroom progress tied to three SMART goals that drive what occurs in all of our
schools. Hardin County Schools has significantly increased the use of integrated technology in the
classroom and has increased college career readiness percentage by more than 20% over the past two
years.
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