The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Kentucky as meeting the requirements and purposes of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), marking the 17th consecutive year the state has earned the highest possible federal determination for special education implementation.

Kentucky is one of only four states to achieve at least 17 consecutive years of earning the "Meets Requirements" designation, joining Missouri, Kansas and Pennsylvania. Only Missouri and Kansas have surpassed Kentucky's streak, with more than 17 consecutive years of the designation.

The determination, issued by the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, reflects Kentucky's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality services to students with disabilities ages 3-21. Part B of IDEA governs how special education and related services are provided to school-aged children and is administered by the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Early Learning.

"Seventeen consecutive years of meeting federal IDEA requirements reflects the strong commitment to students with disabilities that exists across Kentucky," said Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner of KDE's Office of Special Education and Early Learning. "This recognition is a result of years of collaboration, strong systems and a shared commitment to ensuring students with disabilities receive the supports and opportunities they need to succeed."

The evaluation of state performance occurs through the Results Driven Accountability framework, which measures both compliance with IDEA requirements and results-based indicators, including graduation rates, statewide assessment participation and performance, and other outcomes for students with disabilities. Kentucky is one of 21 states and entities nationwide to earn a Meets Requirements determination under Part B of IDEA in 2026.

The 2026 determination is based primarily on Kentucky's Federal Fiscal Year 2024 State Performance metrics. Hylton emphasized that while celebrating this milestone, the state remains committed to continuously improving outcomes for students with disabilities across the Commonwealth.