# EPSB considers changes to Kentucky teacher certification grade bands **Published:** 2026-06-30T20:50:02.000Z **Source:** [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/06/epsb-discusses-potential-teacher-certification-changes-spotlights-simmons-universitys-educator-preparation-program/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/epsb-considers-changes-to-kentucky-teacher-certification-grade-bands FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Education Professional Standards Board provided feedback on potential changes to Kentucky teacher certification during an in-person meeting on June 22, advancing a regulatory proposal that would reshape how teachers are certified by subject and grade level. [According to Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/06/epsb-discusses-potential-teacher-certification-changes-spotlights-simmons-universitys-educator-preparation-program/), EPSB members discussed a proposed amendment to 16 KAR 2:010, the regulation governing Kentucky professional and provisional teacher certificates. The amendment would update grade bands for certification, specifically by adjusting elementary to include kindergarten through 6th grade, middle to include 4th grade through 9th grade, and secondary to include 7th grade through 12th grade. The proposed changes represent part of a larger effort to address teacher shortages in Kentucky. Todd Davis, division director in the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness, said the presentation was designed to gather feedback from the EPSB ahead of a vote on the proposed amendment, which is expected to occur at the EPSB's meeting in August. EPSB members asked questions and provided feedback on various aspects of the amendment, including details on additional secondary science credentials and an expansion of the Highly Qualified certification route. Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher also highlighted that additional professional development opportunities are on the horizon following the passage of Senate Bill 4 during the 2026 legislative session, which creates a four-year principal training and mentoring program. The [EPSB is responsible for establishing the standards and requirements for obtaining and maintaining educator certification](https://www.education.ky.gov/epsb/Pages/default.aspx) across the state. During the same meeting, the EPSB also spotlighted William J. Simmons University's educator preparation program. [Simmons University, one of two historically black colleges and universities in Kentucky](https://simmonscollegeky.edu/), has recently rebuilt its teacher education offerings. Within the past five years, the university started rebuilding its educator preparation program and began offering its first bachelor's degree program for teachers in August 2024. As of May, the university now offers two bachelor's degree programs – a Bachelor of Science in teacher education (K-5) and a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary early childhood education – with plans to expand offerings to include master's and doctorate degrees. Kathy Stovall, chair of the Simmons Teacher Education Program, emphasized the university's commitment to building strong leaders in the classroom and highlighted literacy instruction as a core focus. "Literacy is the root of all educational success," Stovall said. The university is collaborating with public and private schools in Jefferson County to help prospective educators with clinical hours and also works with several early learning centers and the University of Louisville. The board also approved other regulatory matters during the June 22 meeting, including a waiver allowing the use of the SAT as an assessment of basic knowledge for admission into educator preparation programs. ## Sources - [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/06/epsb-discusses-potential-teacher-certification-changes-spotlights-simmons-universitys-educator-preparation-program/) - [Education Professional Standards Board - Kentucky Department of Education](https://www.education.ky.gov/epsb/Pages/default.aspx) - [Simmons College of Kentucky - Teacher Education Program](https://simmonscollegeky.edu/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Kentucky Teacher, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/06/epsb-discusses-potential-teacher-certification-changes-spotlights-simmons-universitys-educator-preparation-program/.