By Charles Wolfe
The Associated Press

FRANKFORT - Gov. Ernie Fletcher said Friday he plans to propose a "large and aggressive" education initiative next week.

It will span the education spectrum, from preschool through adult education, Fletcher said.

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He offered few details - "The casserole is not completely done," he said - and could not offer a cost projection. He said he would be looking for feedback from educators and school advocates, many of whom he invited to a briefing at the Executive Mansion Aug. 27.

Fletcher said his plan would put special emphasis on reading and math skills. He also said it would call for increased coordination of education at all levels, and on to work force training.

"I feel like one of the weaknesses we've had in education in Kentucky ... is the lack of seamless coordination," Fletcher said.

Fletcher also indicated an interest in "longitudinal" testing of school students - where the same students are tracked year by year to gauge their educational development.

"I do think it's going to be a very large and aggressive education initiative," requiring legislation as well as administrative changes, Fletcher said.

Fletcher said he wanted the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act to reach "the next level."

"It's time that we really push to say we're not going to take a back seat to any other state in education," Fletcher said.