Kentucky
U.S.
Rank
- Opportunity
- Innovation
- Policy Environment
Score:
62%
Grade:
D
Rank:
#40
When Kentucky lawmakers supported their first charter school law in 2017, they did so without a funding provision and many other things, arguing they would fix it. As many predicted, they did not, leaving the state charter-less.
Law passed: 2017
Most recently amended: N/A
Number of charter schools: 0
Number of charter students: 0
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? No
AUTHORIZERS: Local school districts, collaborative of local boards, and the mayors of Louisville and Lexington. Applications must be simultaneously submitted to the local authorizer and the state board of education. Approved applications must receive final approval by the state Commissioner of Education, a political appointee. Denied applicants may appeal to the state board, which is required to provide joint oversight for the school for five years if they reverse the denial.
GROWTH: No caps limiting the number of schools is a plus if a mechanism for funding is ever passed.
OPERATIONS: Charter schools are granted a blanket waiver exempting them from most rules and regulations that apply to traditional district schools.
EQUITY: None. There is no funding mechanism for charter schools in Kentucky.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#15
In 2021, the state enacted a tax credit-funded education savings account program that helps the poorest children access new public and private school opportunities while limited. It was a big win for parents and legislators who got to take a victory lap around the track. Finally!
Law enacted: 2021
Number of programs: 1
Types of programs: Education Savings Account
ESA
Education Opportunity Account Program
Enacted in March 2021, HB563 provides parents and families at or below 175% of the federal poverty level an Education Account worth approximately $4,600 to be used for educational expenses for students statewide — in public or private school. Students in counties with 90,000 or more residents — there are eight currently — can use the education opportunity accounts for private school tuition. Districts are required to create an open enrollment policy by July 2022 to allow public school choice.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#34
Student growth is not required as part of teacher evaluation; teachers at various levels are required to demonstrate content knowledge.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 73%
General Teacher Preparation 68%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 85%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 90%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 65%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 66%
Hiring 75%
Retaining Effective Teachers 57%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 66%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 72%
Score:
62%
Grade:
D
Rank:
#40
When Kentucky lawmakers supported their first charter school law in 2017, they did so without a funding provision and many other things, arguing they would fix it. As many predicted, they did not, leaving the state charter-less.
Law passed: 2017
Most recently amended: N/A
Number of charter schools: 0
Number of charter students: 0
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? No
AUTHORIZERS: Local school districts, collaborative of local boards, and the mayors of Louisville and Lexington. Applications must be simultaneously submitted to the local authorizer and the state board of education. Approved applications must receive final approval by the state Commissioner of Education, a political appointee. Denied applicants may appeal to the state board, which is required to provide joint oversight for the school for five years if they reverse the denial.
GROWTH: No caps limiting the number of schools is a plus if a mechanism for funding is ever passed.
OPERATIONS: Charter schools are granted a blanket waiver exempting them from most rules and regulations that apply to traditional district schools.
EQUITY: None. There is no funding mechanism for charter schools in Kentucky.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#15
In 2021, the state enacted a tax credit-funded education savings account program that helps the poorest children access new public and private school opportunities while limited. It was a big win for parents and legislators who got to take a victory lap around the track. Finally!
Law enacted: 2021
Number of programs: 1
Types of programs: Education Savings Account
ESA
Education Opportunity Account Program
Enacted in March 2021, HB563 provides parents and families at or below 175% of the federal poverty level an Education Account worth approximately $4,600 to be used for educational expenses for students statewide — in public or private school. Students in counties with 90,000 or more residents — there are eight currently — can use the education opportunity accounts for private school tuition. Districts are required to create an open enrollment policy by July 2022 to allow public school choice.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#34
Student growth is not required as part of teacher evaluation; teachers at various levels are required to demonstrate content knowledge.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 73%
General Teacher Preparation 68%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 85%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 90%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 55%
Alternate Routes 65%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 66%
Hiring 75%
Retaining Effective Teachers 57%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 66%
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 72%
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#21
Kentucky has some efforts in place to advance digital learning. The Kentucky Digital Learning Guidelines outline how districts and schools should effectively implement digital learning in the classroom and deliver online and blended courses. The KDOE created the Digital Learning Coach Team to support their 172 school districts in providing equitable access to technology. The team provides professional development, digital leadership training, resources on digital learning best practices, and digital learning guidelines.
To prepare students for the high-tech skilled workforce by teaching them essential digital competencies, Kentucky is making Computer Science a fundamental part of the student curriculum. The state created The Computer Science/Information Technology Academy and adopted Computer Science standards in 2019, and are currently in the process of creating a K-12 computer science state plan and higher ed partnerships.
Other statewide initiatives to expand digital learning opportunities include:
The Digital Driver’s License, a tool that enables students to “interact with the concepts of digital citizenship through case studies and evaluations to facilitate and certify their knowledge.”
The Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program utilizes project-based learning to empower students in using technology to problem solve and create digital solutions. Student projects are displayed annually at regional and statewide events. There are currently 60,000 students in 751 schools across 139 districts in the state participating.
Kentucky’s Owsley County School District in Booneville is a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, giving approximately 600 students digital learning opportunities. This is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: “100% of students in Kentucky can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.”
The Districts of Innovation program allows districts to apply through the Kentucky Department of Education to have flexibility from certain statutory mandates, which gives school leaders an entryway into promoting student-centered, personalized learning in their schools.
The Kentucky Competency Education & Assessment Consortium has districts across the state using competency-based instruction and assessments to provide another pathway to graduation.
Kentucky did not require school closures for several weeks, although nearly all schools did close. In order for schools to continue instruction, they had to apply for a waiver to use the state NTI (Non-Traditional Instruction) program, which is typically only allowed by waiver for weather-related closures. However, schools could not utilize NTI until they could ensure every student could participate. This led to many delays and a lack of continuous instruction for many schools.
They also created a website with resources and guidance here, as well as partnering with the state PBS TV channel to provide instructional programming during the day. Like Arkansas, using PBS TV provided an education source for families that lacked multiple devices or strong wifi.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#21
Kentucky has some efforts in place to advance digital learning. The Kentucky Digital Learning Guidelines outline how districts and schools should effectively implement digital learning in the classroom and deliver online and blended courses. The KDOE created the Digital Learning Coach Team to support their 172 school districts in providing equitable access to technology. The team provides professional development, digital leadership training, resources on digital learning best practices, and digital learning guidelines.
To prepare students for the high-tech skilled workforce by teaching them essential digital competencies, Kentucky is making Computer Science a fundamental part of the student curriculum. The state created The Computer Science/Information Technology Academy and adopted Computer Science standards in 2019, and are currently in the process of creating a K-12 computer science state plan and higher ed partnerships.
Other statewide initiatives to expand digital learning opportunities include:
The Digital Driver’s License, a tool that enables students to “interact with the concepts of digital citizenship through case studies and evaluations to facilitate and certify their knowledge.”
The Kentucky Student Technology Leadership Program utilizes project-based learning to empower students in using technology to problem solve and create digital solutions. Student projects are displayed annually at regional and statewide events. There are currently 60,000 students in 751 schools across 139 districts in the state participating.
Kentucky’s Owsley County School District in Booneville is a member of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, giving approximately 600 students digital learning opportunities. This is a network of school leaders in 114 districts in 34 states that aim to enhance and scale digital learning opportunities for students across the nation.
Bandwidth: “100% of students in Kentucky can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds.”
The Districts of Innovation program allows districts to apply through the Kentucky Department of Education to have flexibility from certain statutory mandates, which gives school leaders an entryway into promoting student-centered, personalized learning in their schools.
The Kentucky Competency Education & Assessment Consortium has districts across the state using competency-based instruction and assessments to provide another pathway to graduation.
Kentucky did not require school closures for several weeks, although nearly all schools did close. In order for schools to continue instruction, they had to apply for a waiver to use the state NTI (Non-Traditional Instruction) program, which is typically only allowed by waiver for weather-related closures. However, schools could not utilize NTI until they could ensure every student could participate. This led to many delays and a lack of continuous instruction for many schools.
They also created a website with resources and guidance here, as well as partnering with the state PBS TV channel to provide instructional programming during the day. Like Arkansas, using PBS TV provided an education source for families that lacked multiple devices or strong wifi.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Andy Beshear (D)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
Despite sending his own children to an elite private school, Governor Andy Beshear, probably the most anti-education opportunity governor in the country, started off with ousting the state board of education on his first day in office, as they were a bit too opportunity minded. He replaced them with status quo advocates. His next trick was to try and stop the state’s first education choice bill in 2021. At this effort, he thankfully failed as the General Assembly overrode his veto and enacted the law by a razor-thin margin.
The Kentucky legislature showed some good old-fashioned prowess in 2021 in standing up to the Governor who tried to veto their education opportunity efforts. Now it’s time to do that with all that the state needs to ensure equity and opportunity are universal.
Kentucky’s constitution contains both a Blaine Amendment and a Compelled Support Clause. “The restrictive language of Kentucky’s constitution with respect to education funding and the more restrictive interpretation of Kentucky’s state Religion Clauses” (Institute for Justice) are prohibitive to some forms of school choice, particularly vouchers.
School report cards are easily located from Kentucky’s DOE homepage under Quick Links. Report cards are user-friendly and provide relevant and detailed information on schools. Schools have a summative rating out of five stars, giving parents a transparent and clear rating from the start. School data includes demographics, academic performance, educational opportunity, transition readiness, school safety, and financial transparency.
School board elections are during the general election cycle, meaning that parents are more engaged in these important elections than they might otherwise be.
Andy Beshear (D)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit)
Despite sending his own children to an elite private school, Governor Andy Beshear, probably the most anti-education opportunity governor in the country, started off with ousting the state board of education on his first day in office, as they were a bit too opportunity minded. He replaced them with status quo advocates. His next trick was to try and stop the state’s first education choice bill in 2021. At this effort, he thankfully failed as the General Assembly overrode his veto and enacted the law by a razor-thin margin.
The Kentucky legislature showed some good old-fashioned prowess in 2021 in standing up to the Governor who tried to veto their education opportunity efforts. Now it’s time to do that with all that the state needs to ensure equity and opportunity are universal.
Kentucky’s constitution contains both a Blaine Amendment and a Compelled Support Clause. “The restrictive language of Kentucky’s constitution with respect to education funding and the more restrictive interpretation of Kentucky’s state Religion Clauses” (Institute for Justice) are prohibitive to some forms of school choice, particularly vouchers.
School report cards are easily located from Kentucky’s DOE homepage under Quick Links. Report cards are user-friendly and provide relevant and detailed information on schools. Schools have a summative rating out of five stars, giving parents a transparent and clear rating from the start. School data includes demographics, academic performance, educational opportunity, transition readiness, school safety, and financial transparency.
School board elections are during the general election cycle, meaning that parents are more engaged in these important elections than they might otherwise be.