# KDE's Hylton recognized nationally for special education work  
**Published:** 2026-04-20T20:27:37.000Z  
**Source:** [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/04/kdes-gretta-hylton-recognized-nationally-for-exceptional-work-in-special-education/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kde-s-hylton-recognized-nationally-for-special-education-work

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Dr. Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Early Learning, has been honored with the Glenn I. Latham Annual Excellence Award by Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE), according to a report from [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/04/kdes-gretta-hylton-recognized-nationally-for-exceptional-work-in-special-education/).

[Hylton has served in various roles at KDE since November 2010](https://www.education.ky.gov/CommOfEd/Pages/Gretta-Hylton.aspx), including as an IDEA formal complaint investigator, executive staff advisor, policy advisor and division director. [Her office supports the 171 local school districts of the Commonwealth](https://www.education.ky.gov/specialed/Pages/default.aspx) by providing special education services for students with disabilities and a wide array of supports related to gifted and talented education, extended school services and parent engagement initiatives.

[Kentucky has maintained a "Meets Requirements" status for special education implementation for 16 consecutive years](https://nkytribune.com/2025/07/ky-earns-top-used-rating-for-special-education-implementation-for-16th-consecutive-year/), a reflection of the state's strong educational infrastructure and the dedication of educators, families and community partners. [Hylton's office also provides services for blind and visually impaired students, deaf and hard of hearing students, and manages public preschool and special education preschool programs](https://www.education.ky.gov/specialed/Pages/default.aspx).

[TAESE, headquartered at Utah State University, has supported state and local education agencies since 1980](https://www.taese.org/cms/index.php/about/history-of-taese). [Hylton holds a Rank 1 certification in counseling and a Director of Special Education certification, along with degrees from Morehead State University](https://www.education.ky.gov/CommOfEd/Pages/Gretta-Hylton.aspx). [In 2020, she received the Kevin M. Noland/MaryAnn Miller Award and the Mary May Wyman Outstanding KYCEC Member of the Year Award for her work in education](https://www.education.ky.gov/CommOfEd/Pages/Gretta-Hylton.aspx).

## Sources

- [Kentucky Teacher](http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/04/kdes-gretta-hylton-recognized-nationally-for-exceptional-work-in-special-education/)
- [KDE biography of Gretta Hylton](https://www.education.ky.gov/CommOfEd/Pages/Gretta-Hylton.aspx)
- [Information on KDE's Office of Special Education and Early Learning](https://www.education.ky.gov/specialed/Pages/default.aspx)
- [Kentucky's special education performance and Hylton's role](https://nkytribune.com/2025/07/ky-earns-top-used-rating-for-special-education-implementation-for-16th-consecutive-year/)
- [Information on TAESE](https://www.taese.org/cms/index.php/about/history-of-taese)

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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/2026/04/kdes-gretta-hylton-recognized-nationally-for-exceptional-work-in-special-education/.