Education

Legislative task force starts review of Kentucky school safety laws

BY: - July 18, 2023

FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers on Tuesday launched a review of recent laws aimed at making schools safer as a special Task Force on School and Campus Security met for the first time.? In response to a 2018 school shooting at Marshall County High School, in which two students were killed and more than a dozen […]

Cameron’s office: Kentucky education department is ‘incorrect’ on anti-trans law

BY: - July 7, 2023

Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s office issued an opinion this week saying guidance by the Kentucky Department of Education on a controversial new anti-trans law is “incorrect.”? Last month, the department issued new guidance on Senate Bill 150 highlighting the use of “or” in a section of the bill, seemingly advising that the new law gives […]

Resistance was everywhere in Kentucky. Enslavers advertised it daily.

BY: - July 4, 2023

LEXINGTON — Throughout the late spring of this year a group of nine University of Kentucky students did work that no one had ever done before.? They scrolled through digital copies of early Kentucky newspapers, looking for advertisements seeking the return of people who had fled slavery, to record and preserve them. “Ran away last […]

US Supreme Court rules against Biden administration student loan debt relief plan

BY: - June 30, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was updated Friday afternoon. WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Biden administration does not have the legal authority to enact a one-time student debt relief program, dealing a blow to the 40 million Americans who would have qualified. Last year, the Biden Administration rolled out a […]

University of Kentucky’s $6.8 billion budget is largest ever, driven by health care

BY: - June 16, 2023

The University of Kentucky’s largest ever budget, approved Friday at $6.8 billion, includes a huge chunk dedicated to health care expansion.? Of the budget, almost $4 billion will go back into the university’s health care system. Part of that, UK said, is because of its 2022 acquisition of King’s Daughters hospital in Ashland.? Additionally, UK […]

‘Or’ ignites latest conflict over what Kentucky schools may teach about sex, gender

BY: - June 8, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was updated with comments from Gov. Andy Beshear Thursday afternoon. A disagreement over the meaning of “or” in a controversial anti-trans law has ignited the latest conflict between a prominent Republican lawmaker and the Kentucky Department of Education. Sen. Max Wise criticized the new KDE guidance as “a feeble attempt to […]

Student and teacher appointed to Kentucky Board of Education

BY: - June 6, 2023

Non-voting teacher and student representatives have been named to the Kentucky Board of Education.? According to a Kentucky Department of Education press release, the members will begin their terms next month on July 1. Their terms will expire on June 30, 2024.? The student member is Ronald “R.J.” Osborne, a junior at Whitley County High […]

Students get off buses at an elementaryschool In Louisville, KY

Kentucky lawmakers hear update on KERA and school assessment methods

BY: - June 6, 2023

Kentucky lawmakers on Tuesday heard an update on the state of Kentucky education assessments and what policy changes could impact their future.? Lu Young, the chairwoman of the Kentucky Board of Education, told members of the Interim Joint Committee on Education that it’s time to reconsider the backdrop of past accountability and assessment measures as […]

Kentucky State University names Koffi Akakpo president

BY: - May 31, 2023

Koffi C. Akakpo, president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, has been named to lead Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Akakpo will become KSU’s 19th president on July 1, according to a news release. Tammi Dukes, the chair of KSU’s Board of Regents, said Akakpo was chosen after a national search. “Today is […]

Beshear names two new state school board members after Republican criticism

BY: - May 31, 2023

Gov. Andy Beshear has named two new members to the Kentucky Board of Education after Republicans criticized the Democrat for not making the appointments and blamed his inaction on partisan motives. Beshear appointed Julia “Julie” Pile of Florence and Diana Woods of Lexington to the 15-member board which develops regulations for Kentucky’s 171 school districts, […]

Grant provides scholarship funding for special education master’s degree

BY: - May 30, 2023

The University of Kentucky College of Education has funding available for individuals interested in earning a?Master of Science (M.S.) in special education (moderate and severe disabilities), according to a news release from UK.? Funds for the program are from the Training InterdisciPLinary Educators to Support High-Needs Populations (TRIPLETS) grant, awarded to UK by the U.S. […]

Beshear says he will interview candidate for state school board as Republicans criticize delay?

BY: - May 25, 2023

Facing criticism from Republicans, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said he anticipates making an appointment to the Kentucky Board of Education “in the short term.” The remarks come after a Tuesday Courier-Journal report that showed the terms of two state school board members expired more than a year ago. The Republican Party of Kentucky is calling […]