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The Kentucky Department of Education has released 2024-2025 financial transparency data allowing residents to compare per-pupil spending across all 171 school districts and 1,400 individual schools in the state.
The Kentucky Department of Education unveiled a new K-8 social studies curriculum called "Our Commonwealth, Our Nation, Our World" that will be built specifically for Kentucky students and developed in partnership with the Core Knowledge Foundation. The free, optional resource will be released in phases starting in 2027-2028.
The Kentucky Department of Education has selected 16 high school students for the 2026-2027 Commissioner's Student Advisory Council, joining nine returning members to provide student feedback on critical education issues.
The Education Professional Standards Board considered potential changes to Kentucky teacher certification on June 22, including adjustments to grade bands for elementary, middle, and secondary teachers. The board also spotlighted William J. Simmons University's expanding educator preparation program.
Kentucky's Teachers Advisory Council met on June 17 to provide input on House Bill 257, a major overhaul of the state's assessment and accountability systems that shifts focus toward individual student growth and community-developed measures of school quality.
Kentucky has earned the highest federal determination for special education implementation for the 17th consecutive year, joining only three other states in achieving this distinction.
Kentucky school principals met with state education officials on June 9 to discuss implementation of House Bill 257, which overhauls the state's assessment and accountability systems to emphasize individual student growth and local community input.
The Kentucky High School Transformation Work Group held its final meeting on June 3, with future work continuing through the Kentucky United We Learn Council to examine policies and implementation practices affecting high school transformation across the state.
The Kentucky Board of Education discussed implementation steps for House Bill 257, sweeping legislation that overhauls how schools are evaluated by emphasizing individual student growth rather than group-based accountability metrics.
The Kentucky Department of Education presented revised social studies standards to state legislators on June 2, continuing the multi-year process of updating K-12 academic standards to incorporate fundamental American documents and speeches.
The Kentucky Department of Education's third-annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference drew 1,600 educators and administrators to Louisville on June 8-9, showcasing the state's literacy initiatives including the Kentucky Reading Academies and LETRS professional learning program.
The Kentucky Board of Education is accepting nominations through July 6 for the Kelly Award for Business and Education Partnership, which recognizes businesses and business leaders who partner with schools to improve student achievement.
State education officials briefed the Local Superintendents Advisory Council on implementing House Bill 257, which fundamentally reshapes Kentucky's school assessment and accountability system to focus on individual student growth and local accountability measures.
Thomas Clouse, an education program manager at the Kentucky Department of Education, has been awarded the 2026 Teresa Perry Compassion Award for his commitment to assisting colleagues and educators across the state.
The Kentucky Board of Education posthumously awarded the 2026 David Karem Award for Excellence in Education Policy to former superintendent Tom Shelton during its June 4 meeting, honoring his lifetime of advocacy for equitable school funding and education policy reform.
Nine Kentucky educators have been named 2027 Teacher Achievement Award winners and will compete for the Kentucky Teacher of the Year honor, with a recognition ceremony scheduled for Sept. 9 in Frankfort.
Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher has launched KDE Inbox, a new video series responding to public questions about education policy. Kentuckians can submit questions to kdecommunications@education.ky.gov.
Twelve Kentucky high school students have been named semifinalists for the prestigious 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, among 627 students nationwide recognized for excellence in academics, arts, and technical education.
Tyler Saylor, an English teacher at Harlan High School, has established the GoTeach Scholarship to encourage aspiring educators in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department of Education briefed superintendents on major education legislation passed during the 2026 session, including House Bill 257 which reimagines assessment and accountability systems through locally developed indicators. The department also addressed uncertainty surrounding the state's college admissions exam following Senate Bill 197, which requires a new procurement process for the 2026-2027 school year.
Kentucky's Summer Food Service Program is offering free meals to children 18 and under from late May through August at more than 2,000 statewide locations in partnership with school districts and community organizations.
The Kentucky Department of Education's Superintendents Advisory Council heard about a new college entrance exam procurement process required by Senate Bill 197 and received literacy research presentations from the Kentucky Reading Research Center during their May 5 meeting.
The Kentucky Board of Education discussed priorities and strategic planning for the 2028-2030 state budget cycle during a virtual May 6 meeting, setting the stage for department budget recommendations to the governor and legislature.
The Kentucky School for the Blind marked its 184th year with a Founders Day celebration examining the school's segregated past while honoring Nicholasville optometrist Dr. John E. Musick for his 50 years of service to the visually impaired.
The Kentucky Department of Education celebrated 70 educators graduating from the National Institute for School and System Leadership program in 2025-2026, part of a 14-year partnership that develops school leaders across the Commonwealth.
Kentucky ranked 5th nationally in reading recovery and 8th in mathematics recovery between 2022 and 2025, according to the 2026 Education Scorecard. Multiple Kentucky districts, including Marion County, were recognized as "Districts on the Rise" for their exceptional progress.
Kentucky's Commissioner's Student Advisory Council unveiled a promotional campaign for Individual Learning Plans, featuring a video designed to encourage high school students to engage in meaningful postsecondary planning as they navigate their academic pathways.
Kentucky is opening registration for the fifth cohort of its LETRS literacy training program through August 21, with recent data showing that schools with more trained teachers experienced significantly higher student reading proficiency gains.
The Kentucky Department of Education is seeking public input by May 6 on a request to waive federal carryover limitations and extend spending timelines for multiple programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The Education Professional Standards Board approved educator certification recommendations aimed at giving Kentucky teachers greater flexibility in grade assignments while maintaining rigorous standards. The board also heard from GoTeachKY Ambassadors about research on why educators remain in the profession.
Gov. Beshear vetoed a portion of Senate Bill 197 that would have limited general fund spending on college admissions exams, but allowed a requirement for a new procurement process, forcing the Kentucky Department of Education to seek bids for a college entrance exam for the 2026-2027 school year.
Kentucky's State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education reviewed the state's 2024-2029 strategic plan and new dashboard during an April 24 meeting, focusing on how the department's key educational goals can serve gifted students.
The Kentucky High School Transformation Work Group discussed assessment and accountability implementation efforts at its April 8 meeting, focusing on how districts can improve their local systems as part of a statewide effort to transform high school experiences.
The 2026 Student Technology Leadership Program State Championship drew more than 20,000 attendees to Lexington's Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, celebrating Kentucky students' innovation in technology-driven projects across multiple disciplines.
The Kentucky Board of Education discussed school improvement selection processes during its April 8-9 meeting in Frankfort, focusing on how schools are identified for targeted support and improvement to enhance student achievement.
Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher praised House Bill 257, signed into law April 13, as a major step forward for Kentucky education. The bipartisan legislation reimagines the state's assessment and accountability systems by focusing on individual student growth rather than year-to-year school comparisons.
A new analysis of Kentucky's Reading Academies confirms that LETRS teacher training is improving student reading outcomes, with Grade 5 students taught by LETRS-trained teachers showing significantly higher reading scores than peers.
Kentucky's Summer Boost program will operate at 35 sites across 34 school districts this summer, providing free books and digital math games alongside meal services to combat summer learning loss and promote student engagement in reading and mathematics.
Dr. Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Early Learning, has received the Glenn I. Latham Annual Excellence Award from Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education for her work improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
The Kentucky Department of Education is accepting nominations for the 2026 Teresa Perry Compassion Award, which recognizes KDE employees who exemplify the outstanding service and compassion demonstrated by Teresa Perry during her 33-year career with the state.
The Kentucky Board of Education is accepting nominations for the 2026 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education, which honors individuals and organizations dedicated to improving student outcomes for children with disabilities.
Kentucky has opened registration for the third-annual Reads to Succeed Summer Conference on June 8-9 at the Galt House in Louisville, a free professional development event for K-12 educators focused on evidence-based literacy practices.
The third-annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference will be held June 8-9 at Louisville's Galt House, with registration opening soon and early hotel booking already available.
The U.S. Army has officially designated Kentucky's JROTC Directorate as a Program of Record, providing formal recognition and enhanced support for the military educational program across Kentucky's high schools.
The Kentucky General Assembly has approved House Bill 257, legislation to overhaul the state's assessment and accountability systems, which now awaits the governor's signature.
Rhonda Logsdon, executive director of Kentucky Special Involvement Network, received the 2026 Robinson Award for Diversity and Equity in Public Education from the Kentucky Board of Education at its April 9 meeting.
Kentucky students and graduates formalized their commitment to STEM and career and technical education careers at the Going Pro signing day event on March 31.
Five Eastern Kentucky school districts discussed strategies to combat chronic absenteeism during a workshop hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education on March 27, as part of the state's effort to reduce its chronic absenteeism rate from 25% to 15% by 2029.
Kentucky's Local Superintendents Advisory Council recommended approval of amendments to school bus specifications and school fee waiver guidelines, with changes addressing federal safety requirements and clarifying provisions for low-income students.
Kentucky is accepting nominations for the 2026 Special Education Teacher of the Year through June 30, recognizing outstanding educators who serve students with disabilities across the commonwealth.
About 1,700 Kentucky students showcased their technology and engineering skills at the 2026 Kentucky Technology Student Association state conference in Louisville, competing in 81 different events ranging from drone challenges to 3D printing projects.
Jefferson County Public Schools participated in Kentucky's All in for Ag Education Week in March, with students at multiple schools engaging in hands-on learning about farm animals, dairy farming, and animal care through interactive classes, book readings, and animal husbandry programs.