BIPPS-sponsored school choice debate series begins Dec. 3rd
STAFF REPORT
Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, 2 a.m. — “Free to Learn,” a series of three debates designed to tackle the issue of charter schools in Kentucky, will begin with the first debate at Southern Baptist Seminary’s Heeren Hall in Louisville 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013.
Linda Duncan, left, and William Lewis will debate the topic of school choice Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, in Louisville.
Panelists include Wayne Lewis, Ph.D., assistant professor and Principal Leadership Program Chair in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies at the University of Kentucky, and Linda Duncan, a retired public school teacher and administrator who currently serves as a member of the Jefferson County Board of Education and at-large Director on the Kentucky School Boards Association.
Lewis will be the presenter in favor of school choice; Duncan will offer the opposing viewpoint.
“With school choice a hotly debated topic in Frankfort, this event gives all Kentuckians a chance to hear important information from credible panelists who both favor and oppose charter schools,” said Jim Waters, president of the Bluegrass Institute. “We urge citizens, educators and legislators of all political persuasions to take advantage of this opportunity to hear a full yet reasonable discussion about bringing parental school choice to the commonwealth.”
Each debate will include an interactive Q&A segment with the audience.
TAC4 founder Alan Claypool, who will moderate the debate, says the format and approach used by his group attempts to go beyond just what both panelists want to say and get each debater to speak to the concerns of their fellow debater.
“We seek to find effective solutions on tough issues and change the tone of the conversation,” Claypool said. “Using a new set of ground rules, debaters learn to hear and address the needs of the other side equal to caring about their own viewpoints.”
Find more information and reserve your free tickets at https://tackle20131203.eventbrite.com/
The “Free to Learn” series will also include debates on school choice in Frankfort and Lexington during the 2014 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
-30-
