Improving Education by Restoring Civic Education to Kentucky's Classrooms

In 2003, Trey Grayson promised to use the Secretary of State's office to improve education by restoring the civic mission of Kentucky schools and engaging more Kentuckians in their government and community.

Trey believes that in order to move Kentucky forward we must have more citizens taking action to promote the well being of the Commonwealth. With more voices being added to the conversation, communities will solve problems, the democratic way of life will strengthen, and Kentucky will continue to prosper.

Trey has received the endorsement of Kentucky's teachers through the Kentucky Education Association and Jefferson County Teachers Association because of his efforts to improve education.

Bipartisan Vision

Shortly after taking office, Trey created the Kentucky Workgroup on Civic Literacy. Kentuckians of all political parties representing each branch of government, schools, non-profit organizations, and other interested parties developed a bipartisan vision to engage more citizens in democratic processes. This vision is known as the Civic Literacy Initiative of Kentucky (CLIK). CLIK recently released its Agenda for Action, which serves as the blueprint of Trey's efforts to improve education in the Commonwealth by increasing civic engagement.

Making Kentucky a National Leader 

Trey Grayson's initiative to return civics to Kentucky's classrooms has been hailed as a national model. The Center for Civic Education says that because of Trey's leadership Kentucky is the national leader in the movement to restore the civic mission of schools. Other states are looking to Kentucky as a role model on how to work together to strengthen civic education and engagement.

Getting Things Done

As Secretary of State, Trey has taken steps to engage young Kentuckians directly in the democratic process. The Office of the Secretary of State has hosted mock elections in schools across Kentucky that complement classroom discussions about voting. Trey has also developed the Commonwealth Ambassador Award to recognize outstanding character and citizenship of Kentucky's youth.