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Bluegrass Institute For Public Policy Solutions

Already Having An Impact On Kentucky Policy

By Theresa Fritz Camoriano

Chris Derry, the founder of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions (BIPPS), addressed the Louisville Libertarians on Nov. 13, describing his organization and the impact he wants it to have on the state of Kentucky.  The goal of BIPPS is to make the state more accountable to the people, shining a light on waste and proposing policies that will make the state more effective and efficient.  Derry said that BIPPS analysts, Richard Innes and Jim Waters, recently wrote an article about the results of a study concerning educational testing in Kentucky, which was published in the Lexington Herald-Leader (and in Jefferson Review).  The study indicates that, while numerous claims have been made concerning improvements in Kentucky education under the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), the CATS test actually has been made less rigorous over time and questions students at a level that is substantially behind the level of other states, so, while the test scores have improved, those numbers do not necessarily show improvement in the educational level of Kentucky’s students.  In an analogy comparing the weakening of Kentucky’s educational testing standards to basketball, the article said,

          “If basketball proficiency for all students were the objective, should coaches lower the rim or reduce the size of the ball? Players would score more points in practice but have no chance to win at another team’s gym!”

          Derry said that this article is already having an impact and sparking debate.  He hopes it will encourage the new administration to begin considering options for improving education in Kentucky, such as school choice and the introduction of competition. 

          Derry said BIPPS is looking for help from people who can help point out waste or areas in state government that can be improved, and it will honor requests by people who want to contribute information while remaining anonymous.  BIPPS plans to provide analyses of proposed government policies, laying out what the “unintended consequences” will be at the outset, so policy makers can consider all the effects before undertaking new policies.  BIPPS is non-partisan and will not accept government money or directed grants.

(Editor’s note:  There is a permanent link to the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions on our “links” page.) 

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