Devin Katayama

Listen - WFPL News Special: Changing School Culture and Giving Students Positive Support

Devin Katayama — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:35:55 +0000

While Jefferson County Public Schools has improved its suspension record this year, the district of more than 100,000 students still struggles with the fact that a disproportionate number of minority students are suspended.

Bullitt County Middle School Gets Results With Different Discipline Approach

Devin Katayama — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:12:00 +0000

Seventh grader Charlie Cross sometimes gets frustrated with learning.

“If I don’t know what to do, I’ll raise my hand and they’ll go to other kids and then my hand will get tired so I’ll put it down and I just lay my head down on the desk,” he says.

Cross has been sent to the principal’s office for things like this before. He's also been sent to the district’s alternative school.

He’s not alone.

Louisville's Council Court Sets Removal Trial Date For Barbara Shanklin

Devin Katayama — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:40:31 +0000

The hearing date has been scheduled for the removal trial of embattled Louisville Metro Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin, but not without her attorney Aubrey Williams’ claiming the process by which Shanklin is being tried is illegal.

Dalai Lama Stresses Religious Acceptance and Learning on Monday to Louisville Audience

Devin Katayama — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:09:57 +0000

In his second Louisville appearance this week, the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and learning to an estimated crowd of 7,000.

The Tibetan spiritual leader's discussion Monday at the KFC Yum Center centered around the Buddhist faith and the path to happiness and enlightenment.

Dalai Lama in Louisville: 'We Must Make Every Effort To Create A Compassionate Century'

Devin Katayama — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:47:57 +0000

The Dalai Lama says people should practice tolerance and forgiveness to have a more compassionate life, which was the theme of his speech Sunday to an estimated crowd of 14,000 at the KFC Yum Center.

The Dalai Lama is on a three-day visit to Louisville, where he’s already blessed the Drepung Gomang Institute, which is helping to host the events.

On Sunday, the Dalai Lama told the crowd that this is the century of compassion.

Charging Commitee Ready to Move On Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin's Removal Hearing

Devin Katayama — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:24:37 +0000

The charging committee that petitioned to remove embattled Louisville Metro Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin announced it's ready to move forward with a hearing following its executive session meeting Thursday.

Shanklin was found guilty of violating several provisions of the city’s ethics code this year by Louisville’s Ethics Commission, which recommended she be removed from the council.

Kentucky Releases Preliminary Report on College Degrees, Showing Stagnant Results

Devin Katayama — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:16:02 +0000

More than 61,000 students are estimated to receive a degree or credential from one of Kentucky’s public and independent colleges and universities in 2013—slightly fewer than the year before, according to Kentucky's Council on Postsecondary Education.

The CPE released its preliminary degrees report Thursday, you can find it here.

Funding Cuts, Changing Needs Blamed for 41 JCPS Teacher Layoffs

Devin Katayama — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:06:16 +0000

Jefferson County Public Schools will lay off 41 teachers next school year, half of whom teach special education.

JCPS officials say state budget and federal sequester cuts are partly the reason for the layoffs, but they also say fewer students are using special education services.

The state required school districts to submit their layoff lists on May 15.

Kentucky Adult Education Offering Free GED Testing

Devin Katayama — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:32:09 +0000

Over the next few weeks, the state is offering free GED testing to eligible Kentucky residents .

The GED Testing Service hasn’t updated the high school equivalency exam in nearly a decade. Beginning in January 2014, the new test will be more closely aligned with the common core standards many states have already adopted. The testing fee will also double to $120.

In-State Tuition Agreement Means More Cash, Students for Indiana Colleges

Devin Katayama — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:23:55 +0000

Following up with yesterday's story on the reciprocity agreement between Indiana and Kentucky, the Council on Postsecondary Education has provided estimated gross tuition comparisons for how the two states fare in the agreement.