# Kentucky governor to launch pre-K pilot programs in two counties  
**Published:** 2026-05-07T17:31:23.000Z  
**Source:** [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/07/kentucky-governor-to-launch-pre-k-pilot-programs-in-two-counties/)  
**Republished from:** [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/07/kentucky-governor-to-launch-pre-k-pilot-programs-in-two-counties/) (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)  
**Canonical:** https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/07/kentucky-governor-to-launch-pre-k-pilot-programs-in-two-counties/

By Sarah Ladd, [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com) · May 7, 2026

![](https://kentuckylantern.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_0208-1024x789.jpeg) (Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at the Kentucky Youth Advocates' Children's Advocacy Day in the Capitol Rotunda. March 5, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd))

Gov. Andy Beshear has signed an [executive order](https://governor.ky.gov/attachments/20260507_Executive-Order_2026-253_Relating-to-Team-Kentucky-Pre-K-for-All-Pilot-Program.pdf) to launch pre-K for all pilot programs in Robertson and Rockcastle Counties.

He has long pushed for universal pre-K in Kentucky, but [could not get buy-in](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/03/beshears-pre-k-for-all-meets-concerns-from-some-key-gop-budget-writers/) from the General Assembly.

During his weekly press conference he criticized Kentucky lawmakers for not agreeing to his budget request for pre-K funding.

“Unfortunately, the Republican supermajority refused to fund pre-k for all this session, turning a no-brainer into a partisan issue,” Beshear said. “We will not accept that outcome, because Kentucky’s kids deserve better.”

When asked if he had spoken to lawmakers before his announcement, Beshear said “we were able to take action today to expand pre-K in these two counties solely through executive action.”

He said his administration is taking dollars “from some workforce programs that we did not believe were maximizing outcomes” to fund the full-day pilots, which will run the 2026-2027 school year.

“The only place this is a red or blue issue is in Frankfort,” Beshear said. “We delivered today to what are probably considered two red counties, though there’s Democrats, Republicans and independents that live in them.”

In June 2025, Beshear [signed an executive order](https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/democrat-beshear-renews-push-for-universal-preschool-in-kentucky/) establishing the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee to explore support for universal pre-kindergarten programs in Kentucky. After meeting for several months, the [committee recommended](https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/13/pre-k-sets-kids-on-life-trajectory-kentuckians-hear-as-beshear-keeps-pushing-for-early-learning/) Kentucky phase in expanded access to pre-K over several years.

[Beshear’s ‘Pre-K for All’ meets concerns from some key GOP budget-writers](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/03/beshears-pre-k-for-all-meets-concerns-from-some-key-gop-budget-writers/)

_Carrie Ballinger, the superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools, said the pilot program “will help us put a stop to the learning gap before it ever begins.” 
“We know from study after study and our own personal experiences that the first five years of a child’s life are absolutely crucial to their growth and development,” Ballinger said. “Programs like this will help our youngest learners with language, numeracy and social skills that they so desperately need to begin kindergarten ready to learn.” 
Sanford Holbrook, the superintendent of Robertson County Schools, said “expanding preschool is a no brainer.” 
“Pre-K for all is so important to our community, because if you ever been to Robertson County, you know we have no childcare,” Holbrook said, adding the nearest childcare is half an hour away. “We needed to do something.” 
In February, Sam Flynn, executive director of the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Program, told state lawmakers that expanding preschool access would provide parents a place for their kids that is safe and educational.
At that time, Flynn said Head Start programs provide early childhood education for low-income families while private child care can have families writing big checks.
“We’re starting in two counties, and we’re going to grow from there,” Beshear said, “with the goal of eventually delivering pre-K to every community across Kentucky with us.”
This story may be updated._

#### Read the executive order

[pre-k Exec order](https://kentuckylantern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pre-k-Exec-order.pdf)
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## Sources

- [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/07/kentucky-governor-to-launch-pre-k-pilot-programs-in-two-counties/)