Studies

Reports

Visioning Kentucky's Future: Measures and Milestones 2004

In accordance with the Center’s statutory requirements, this report is designed to inform policymakers and citizens about trends that are likely to influence the future of our state. For the first time the Center has combined its biennial trends report with its companion visioning project in a single volume. This represents the sixth trends report and the fifth in a series of volumes focusing on the state’s progress toward a citizen-defined vision of the Commonwealth’s future. This report is organized around five sections: communities, education, economy, environment, and government. Within these five areas are 26 long-term goals derived from a citizen vision of the Commonwealth’s future. The report also includes 103 benchmarks, trends, or indicators that are measures of the progress made toward each goal and the results of a statewide opinion poll that gauged citizen assessments of progress and the importance of each goal. Also included is the State of the Commonwealth Index, a single number that summarizes Kentucky’s overall quality of life relative to other states over time. Based on data for 1990 to 2001 derived from national surveys and studies of various indicators of well-being in the states, the State of the Commonwealth Index includes 26 different factors, like the crime rate, teen pregnancy, poverty, voter participation rates, computer access, per capita income, educational attainment and achievement rates, and toxic releases to the environment.

At the Crossroads: Prospects for Kentucky’s Educational Future, From Preschool to Postsecondary

Proceedings from the Center’s tenth annual conference, held in Louisville, Kentucky on November 18, 2003, with joint support from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation, "The Student Loan People," and the partnership of the state’s leading education agencies and organizations. The day-long conference highlighted distinguished, nationally recognized speakers on prospects for our education future and featured a panel discussion by state leaders taped and later aired by Kentucky Educational Television. The conference provided significant food for thought for policymakers, educators, and all citizens of the Commonwealth who are interested in and concerned about the future of education.

The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Opportunity in a Changed World

As part of its mission to advise and inform the Governor, the General Assembly, and the public about the long-term implications of trends and policies, the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center presents the 2002 biennial trends report, the fifth in this series. In accordance with the Center’s statutory requirements, this report is designed to inform policymakers and citizens about trends that are likely to influence the future of the state. There are 13 chapters written by nine different authors from six different agencies or organizations.

Foresight

Vol. 11, No. 2, 2004

• WANTED:  Ideas for a More Prosperous Future
• A New Map for Rural America's New Economic Frontier
• Robert M. (Mike) Duncan 2004 Hellard Award Winner
• Conference Will Feature Leading Thinkers in Economic Development

Emerging Issues

• Finding Ways to Cut Health Care Costs
• Financial Security of Older Citizens At Risk
• Power Plant Pollution Compensation Sought
• Fiscal Picture Brightening But Dark Clouds Remain

Policy Notes

In response to the growing need for timely, accessible information for policymakers and the general public, the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center has launched a new publication. Policy Notes are short, targeted occasional papers on issues at the forefront of the public policy agenda. They will provide policymakers and citizens with some background information on timely topics, as well as trends, options, and innovations.

• Policy Options for Future Economic Development
  May 2005

• Three Future Scenarios Show Potential Economic Benefits of Rising Rates of Postsecondary Educational Attainment
  October 2004

• Parental Involvement in Education: A Public Good by Private Means
  September 2004

• The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003: A Six-Month Progress Report
  July 2004

• Retirement Systems Will Require a Bigger Share of State Funds
  October, 2003

Videos

We hope you find these interviews with community, business, political, and education leaders interesting, informative, and inspiring. If you would like to order a CD-ROM with all 43 videos, click here. Copies are free to the public while supplies last.