Kentucky

2024 National computer science report highlights Kentucky’s achievements

Published

1 year ago

December 19, 2024

2024 National computer science report highlights Kentucky’s achievements

The 2024 State of Computer Science Education report shows Kentucky continues to make progress in bringing computer science opportunities to students and ensuring all students have the chance to participate in these courses.

This annual report – released by Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance – offers a deep dive into the state of computer science education nationwide, providing a detailed analysis of policy developments, implementation, and student access at national and state levels, focusing on ensuring equitable access for all students.

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Education Technology’s Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) Academy program has been instrumental in the Commonwealth’s computer science education progress. This program eliminates financial barriers by fully funding student certification opportunities and assisting partners in providing professional development for teachers.

Through this initiative:

Teachers can earn computer science teaching credentials;
Students can obtain industry certifications free of charge;
Districts can offer Advanced Placement computer science exams without budget impact; and
Schools can showcase student achievement in computer science.

“We are proud of the progress Kentucky has made in computer science education,” said Sean Jackson, CS and IT Academy program manager and K-12 computer science lead at KDE. “Equipping our students with a strong computer sciences foundation is crucial for their future success and the continued growth of our state’s technology and innovation sectors.”

Jackson said these achievements wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of Kentucky’s teachers, students, school administrators, parents and advocates, as well as support from policymakers.

Kentucky has enacted seven of the 10 recommended policies outlined by the Code.org Advocacy Coalition. States that implement seven or more policies have seen a significant increase in the percentage of high schools offering computer science courses.

The Code.org national report also found that in 2024, 76% of public high schools in Kentucky provided foundational computer science courses, with 76% of those high schools residing in rural communities, well above the national average for those school types. Additionally, 34% of students participating in these courses were female, again a gain from previous years and above the national average.

The state’s commitment to education technology infrastructure has been pivotal in expanding computer science education access.

“Kentucky’s strategic investment in the Kentucky Education Technology Systems (KETS) and the CS and IT Academy program has been transformative and still serves as a national example,” said David Couch, associate commissioner and K-12 chief information officer at KDE. “This critical funding continues to enable the upgrade of digital infrastructure in rural and urban schools alike, ensuring every student has access to the tools and resources needed for quality education, including computer science.

“We’re seeing the impact in real-time, with a 31% increase since 2019 in students participating in computer science courses in districts that otherwise may have limited access to computer science instruction. Continued and expanded funding in KETS and the Computer Science and IT Academy program ensures that we can serve schools and students now and for years to come.”

National Data – Comparing Where Kentucky Stands:

60% of U.S. public high schools offer foundational computer science courses. Kentucky’s percentage is 76%.
4% of U.S. high school students enroll in computer science. In Kentucky, 11.5% of students are taking these courses, putting Kentucky 6th nationally in participation by student population.

“These data points showcase the strides made across the country and highlight how Kentucky educators and education partners continue to expand students’ access to these courses,” Couch said. “Ensuring every student can develop these critical skills empowers the next generation to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven world.”

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky man accused of abusing missing teen girl found at his home

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Northern Kentucky man accused of abusing missing teen girl found at his home

COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – A Northern Kentucky man is in jail, accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who’d been reported missing.

Matthew Wade, 40, faces charges, including sexual abuse, unlawful transaction with a minor and assault.

Covington Police say they found the teen at Wade’s home on Highway Avenue on Monday. According to the police report, he was knowingly hiding her, knew she was missing and had cut her ankle monitor off.

Investigators say the teen was given alcohol, marijuana and magic mushrooms.

The girl told police wade slapped her and choked her.

Officers also say they found guns in the home.

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Kentucky

Exploring what each member of the Kentucky Basketball GM team does

Published

21 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Exploring what each member of the Kentucky Basketball GM team does

When Mark Pope announced that he would be taking questions directly from BBN, we all knew things could get interesting. But honestly, it turned out pretty good; you had some honest questions and some good answers. Sure, there were sarcastic questions that just were never going to be answered, but Pope did address the GM situation. While it wasn’t the answer a lot of people hoped for, at least there is now a clear hierarchy within the basketball front office. Let’s break it down.

Mark Pope has confirmed that no official GM position will exist for at least this season, and most likely won’t exist going forward. Why? Because he has the responsibilities spread out across 4 different people, and believes that is the best way forward.

“In this ever-changing college basketball dynamic, everybody is trying a different solution. For us, instead of hiring a singular GM, we’ve gone with a more comprehensive general management team approach. We have four members of the team. Keegan Brown is a data analysis and roster construction expert who’s worked in both college and the NBA. Nick Robinson is our salary cap strategy and management specialist. Kevin Sergent is our compliance officer, and he deals with all of our contracts and legal language. Kim Shelton is our JMI liaison, and she does all of our NIL contracts that deal with corporate sponsorships. That’s our four-person general management team.”

But who is each one of these people, and what makes them qualified?

Who’s doing what in the Kentucky basketball front office?

Well, Keegan Brown has been a video coordinator in the G-League. That essentially means he would go and watch all the videos on league opponents and potential prospects, and come up with data-backed scouting reports for the coaching and front office teams. Pope has worked with Brown at BYU, so there is some familiarity there.

Nick Robinson also worked with Mark Pope in Provo, being an assistant coach from 2019 to 2024 and following Pope to Lexington. He has been on staff all 3 seasons now, and is being tasked with handing out Kentucky’s money and setting a budget for each player.

Kevin Sergent is not new to Kentucky; he has been in Lexington since 2020. But this is his first time handling compliance on his own; his official title is Senior Associate AD for Athletic Compliance. He handles all the rules, applying for waivers, basically making sure the entire staff is doing everything the right way.

Kim Shelton is a UK alum who was more known for soccer than anything else. She was part of the very first Kentucky women’s soccer team and is a former CEO of Lexington Sporting Club. She worked for Kentucky when Commonwealth was renamed as Kroger Field, and played a role in setting up naming rights for Kentucky Proud Park. Right now, she is kind of the bridge between Kentucky and JMI, specifically handling BBNIL Suite.

If you don’t remember what BBNIL suite is, it’s essentially the opt-in program where student athletes agree to only work with deals through JMI. They find offers, broker deals, and help athletes make money. It is, of course, optional, but if players decline, they will not be able to use the University of Kentucky logos in their NIL marketing.

Trent Noah is probably the most successful NIL athlete who opted out. The Kentucky native is handling his own NIL, and by the amount of ads and cardboard cutouts I see littered around the state, he seems to be doing pretty well.

Seeing JMI integrated again into Kentucky Basketball is probably going to make some of you uneasy, and I get that. But everyone who has worked with them who has officially gone on the record says they are a pleasure to work with.

And that’s how Mark Pope wants it done. There is a theory out there that he wants a GM, but JMI won’t let him. Considering he has chosen 2 of the 4 people personally, I highly doubt that’s true.

What do you think of his explanation, and what do you think of how he is handling the GM role?

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Kentucky

4 Kentucky Adventures That Will Surprise You

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

4 Kentucky Adventures That Will Surprise You

Explore all of the unexpected adventures that Kentucky has to offer. (Photo: Kentucky Tourism)

Published May 12, 2026 04:28PM

When it comes to outdoor destinations, Kentucky’s got some impressive headliners, like Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world’s longest (known) cave system, and Red River Gorge, a climbing mecca with more than 4,000 sport routes. But away from the more popular paths, you’ll find outdoor adventures that are defined not only by their incredible scenery but also by their one-of-a-kind experiences.

Climbing in Red River Gorge. (Photo: Kentucky Tourism)

See a Moonbow

If you’ve never seen a moonbow (a rainbow caused by the light of a full moon), there’s only one place in the Western Hemisphere where you can make a plan to see one—Cumberland Falls. Known as the “Niagara of the South,” this 125-foot-tall cascade is home to one of the only predictable moonbows on the planet. Take a look at the schedule, grab your headlamps for the short hike, and go see this rare natural marvel.

More in Daniel Boone National Forest: Visit the nearby Natural Scenic Arch Area, where a short trail reveals stunning views of a sandstone arch spanning nearly 100 feet.

Stay in a Treehouse

The treehouses at EarthJOY Village in northern Kentucky are the real deal, with features every outdoor-loving kid (and adult) has dreamed of—porch views, rope bridges, and a tree trunk right in the middle of the living room. With three impressive treehouses to choose from, more than 285 acres of private forest, and 20 miles of hiking trails, you’ll always find adventures to unlock.

More Camping: Camp closer to the ground—and the wildlife that populates the region—at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area or John James Audubon State Park.

Go Underground

Some of the most “outdoor” experiences you’ll find in Kentucky are technically inside the many caves and caverns that the state has become known for. There are plenty to explore. Our picks? Hidden River Cave, home to the world’s longest underground swinging bridge, or Lost River Cave, where you can take a boat ride through the otherworldly below-ground landscape.

More Fun in the Depths: Did you know you can scuba dive in Kentucky? You can try it out or get PADI certified at Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs Resort before heading to popular destinations like Lake Cumberland.

Take a Canopy Walk at an Outdoor Art Gallery

The short but scenic Canopy Tree Walk at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum allows you to take in the views from the forest’s highest heights—75 feet above the ground. There are even more spectacular sights in this 16,000-plus-acre stretch of wild forest, like the Forest Giants, designed by sculptor Thomas Dambo, or any number of other outdoor art installations along the 40 miles of trails.

More Hiking: Explore the 343-mile Sheltowee Trace Trail, founded in the 1970s as Kentucky’s first long-distance footpath that basecamps in trail towns like Morehead. And even urban hubs like Lexington offer green escapes like the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.

Kentucky is about coming together for real-life experiences and meeting real-life people. Discover a destination that moves you in ways you never expected. Find What Moves You in our new Kentucky home.

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