Kentucky

Kentucky assessment and accountability prototypes discussed during Superintendents Webcast

Published

1 year ago

July 9, 2024

Kentucky assessment and accountability prototypes discussed during Superintendents Webcast

Staff members with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) presented prototypes to revamp the Commonwealth’s assessment and accountability system during the Superintendents Webcast on July 9.

The Kentucky United We Learn Council has been tasked with developing new systems of assessment and accountability following the formation of the United We Learn vision, which focuses on vibrant student experiences, encouraging innovation and collaborating with the community. The vision was developed after a series of listening tours with communities across the Commonwealth in 2021.

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher said school leaders should not view the two prototypes as mutually exclusive.

“As we move forward, one of the big things that I would like to be able to do is to have an accountability system that we all can believe in. But we are very much in the draft phase,” he said. “There may be aspects of prototype one that you believe in that you think should be added in, and there may be some of prototype two that you feel like should be a part of the final accountability model.”

Fletcher added that school leaders have the freedom to make suggestions for consideration for the finished product of a new accountability model.

The first prototype is an accreditation-style model. The system would allow for ongoing collection and submission of evidence throughout the school year, where schools would submit evidence to an external evaluator and the local board of education and receive ratings on rubrics with feedback for improvement.

The second prototype values vibrant learning experiences. This system would focus on making sure students, families and communities are engaging in authentic, joyful and relevant learning opportunities. This system also allows students to be creative in their learning and applying their knowledge and skills through their personalized projects and experiences.

There are policy considerations for each of these prototypes. Jennifer Stafford, director of the KDE Division of Assessment and Accountability Support, said there are considerations with school finances and support efforts as well.

“We have to think, as we are contemplating and considering these different approaches, about the impact that it will have on our teachers, our administrators and our students,” she said.

Superintendents were given surveys to provide feedback and Fletcher encouraged them to seek feedback from across their districts.

“We want an accountability system that you – and when I say ‘you,’ not only superintendents, but your teachers, your staff members – that you think will make an impact on instruction and reflect the individuality of your district,” he said.

The Kentucky United We Learn Council plans to have a convening on July 29 to work on the prototypes ahead of a presentation during the next Kentucky Board of Education meeting on Aug. 7-8.

School Resource Officer Funding
Matt Ross, associate commissioner in the KDE Office of Finance and Operations, provided an update on funding that’s available for school districts to cover school resource officers (SROs).

Included in the budget state lawmakers passed in April is $16.5 million in fiscal year 2024-2025 and $18 million in fiscal year 2025-2026 for KDE to assist school districts in funding salaries for SROs, as defined in KRS 158.441, on a reimbursement basis.

KDE shall reimburse local school districts up to $20,000 for each campus employing at least one on-site full-time certified school resource officer. Any portion of the money not expended for this purpose shall lapse to the state’s budget reserve trust fund account.

In order to meet the reporting requirement outlined in the budget, KDE is requesting districts that will seek reimbursement to complete the School Resource Officer (SRO) Funding Intent to Participate form by July 31.

The information provided in the survey will determine funding amounts available to districts for each school campus employing at least one on-site full-time certified SRO.

In other business, superintendents heard updates on:

The tentative timeline for accountability reporting;
A new public service campaign on chronic absenteeism that will be kicking off in August; and
The Kentucky Purple Star Program.

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Kentucky

FCPS superintendent to recommend keeping Stables program at Kentucky Horse Park

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

FCPS superintendent to recommend keeping Stables program at Kentucky Horse Park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins announced Tuesday he will recommend keeping The Stables alternative school at its current location through the end of next school year.

The school is located within the Kentucky Horse Park and allows students to work with horses while learning in a smaller setting. FCPS’ “Project Right Size Bright Futures” initiative had been considering terminating the facility contract over efficiency reasons.

Parents like Jennifer Boling understand the implications of the decision after seeing what the program did for her two children.

“It’s just changed their complete life around. Neither one of them trusted adults before,” Boling said.

The district’s Right Size Bright Futures committee had been looking at cutting the school’s facility contract with the nonprofit Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Liggins acknowledged Tuesday that while the program is costly, it is worthwhile.

Liggins said he wants to promote the work being done to find partnerships to help continue the program’s long-term viability.

School Board Chair Tyler Murphy told WKYT he was excited to hear about Liggins’ recommendation ahead of Thursday’s board meeting.

“They do incredible work. The passion around that work is very meaningful and powerful. It’s important because they are truly leaving an impact on every child that goes through their doors,” Murphy said.

The leader of the school’s partnering agency shares in Murphy’s excitement.

“Elated that there’s been a response and gratified that people took time to listen to the story of our participants,” said Pat Kline, executive director of Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.

Boling said while she is more optimistic than before, she needs to see results.

“I want to see them actually follow through and not just be words,” Boling said.

According to Liggins, the Stables program costs the school district about $1.1 million. A majority of that comes from personnel, he said.

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Unexpected death of central Kentucky woman prompts community fundraising effort

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

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Unexpected death of central Kentucky woman prompts community fundraising effort

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Central Kentucky mother is working to raise money for her daughter’s funeral after the woman died unexpectedly while visiting a friend in Pennsylvania last week.

Ashley Lowery McCoy’s mother, Paula Carrier, said the community has stepped up during her time of shock, raising around $5,000 for funeral arrangements in just four days.

“She’ll look down on all of us, and she’ll be smiling. She’ll say, ‘Hey, they actually love me,’” Carrier said. “She’d be proud of everybody for stepping up. She’d see that she mattered.”

McCoy had recently left a sober living program about a month ago after battling drug addiction, according to her mother. At the same time, McCoy managed to leave an abusive relationship.

“My daughter’s seen me get clean. She wanted to get clean, and she did it,” Carrier said. “She would tell you, ‘Mom, you should be proud of me because I’m doing good,’” Carrier said.

McCoy’s pastor said she had recently given herself to God before leaving for her trip to Pennsylvania.

“You could tell that she was broken and she wants a change in life,” Senior Pastor at the Revival Hope Tabernacle church, Walter Rhodus said.

“She left this world and I mean she gets to spend eternity in heaven. That’s priceless. I mean, absolutely priceless,” the pastor said.

With Ashley’s funeral scheduled for December 19, the family is still $2,000 short of covering the costs. They have set up several donation locations in Jessamine County and Madison County.

LEX 18

“No mom should have to do that. If I don’t get it, I don’t know what I want to do, I’ll sell everything I’ve got,” Carrier said. “If I could, I’d ride back here with her. I would take my child’s place.”

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Kentucky

Kentucky Volleyball set for Final Four showdown with Wisconsin

Published

2 days ago

December 15, 2025

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Kentucky Volleyball set for Final Four showdown with Wisconsin

The semifinal stage is set for No. 1 seed Kentucky volleyball, as the Wildcats prepare to take on No. 3 seed Wisconsin in the NCAA Final Four on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9:00 PM ET inside the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

Kentucky has been dominant throughout the NCAA Tournament, including a 3–0 sweep of Wofford, a sweep against Cal Poly in the Sweet 16, and a sweep over Creighton in the Elite Eight. Their only dropped set came in the Round of 32 against UCLA. Outside of that brief hiccup, Kentucky has controlled matches from start to finish and remains undefeated at home this season.

Wisconsin arrives in Kansas City after a statement win over No. 1 Texas in the Elite Eight. The Badgers earned a measure of revenge against the Longhorns, who handed Wisconsin one of its four losses during the regular season. Kentucky accounted for Texas’ other two defeats, beating the Longhorns in both the regular season and the SEC Tournament championship.

Thursday’s matchup also carries historical weight for Big Blue Nation. Wisconsin was the team that ended Kentucky men’s basketball’s perfect 38–0 season in the 2015 Final Four, denying the Wildcats an undefeated national title.

Now, Kentucky volleyball has an opportunity to write a different ending against the Badgers on the sport’s biggest stage.

If the Wildcats advance, they’ll face the winner of the other national semifinal matchup, which sees No. 1 seed Pittsburgh, who actually handed Kentucky one of its regular-season losses, take on No. 3 seed Texas A&M, whom the Cats defeated in College Station.

With a spot in the national championship match on the line, the Wildcats will look to continue their dominant run and settle an old score. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21, on ABC at 3:30 PM ET.

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