SB 260

UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1AN ACT relating to middle school advanced mathematics.
2 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
3Section 1.       KRS 158.6453 (Effective July 1, 2026) is amended to read as
4 follows:
5 (1)    As used in this section:
6(a)    "Accelerated learning" means an organized way of helping students meet
7individual academic goals by providing direct instruction to eliminate student
8performance deficiencies or enable students to move more quickly through
9course requirements and pursue higher level skill development;
10(b)    "Advanced coursework" means educational programs or opportunities
11designed to challenge students with more rigorous content beyond the
12standard curriculum, including but not limited to advanced placement,
13International Baccalaureate, and honors courses;
14(c)    "Constructed-response items" or "performance-based items" means individual
15test items that require the student to create an answer rather than select a
16response and may include fill-in-the-blank, short-answer, extended-answer,
17open-response, and writing-on-demand formats;
18(d)    "Criterion-referenced test" means a test that is aligned with defined academic
19content standards and measures an individual student's level of performance
20against the standards;
21(e)    "Formative assessment" means a process used by teachers and students during
22instruction to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students'
23achievement of intended instructional outcomes. Formative assessments may
24include the use of commercial assessments, classroom observations, teacher-
25designed classroom tests and assessments, and other processes and
26assignments to gain information about individual student learning;
27(f)    "Interim assessments" means assessments that are given periodically
  Page 1 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1throughout the year to provide diagnostic information and to show individual
2student performance against content standards;
3(g)    "Summative assessment" means an assessment given at the end of the school
4year, semester, or other period of time to evaluate students' performance
5against content standards within a unit of instruction or a course; and
6(h)    "Writing" means a purposeful act of thinking and expression that uses
7language to explore ideas and communicate meaning to others. Writing is a
8complex, multifaceted act of communication and is distinct from basic
9handwriting or penmanship.
10 (2)    (a)    Every six (6) years, the Kentucky Department of Education shall implement a
11process for reviewing Kentucky's academic standards and the alignment of
12corresponding assessments for possible revision or replacement to ensure
13alignment with transition readiness standards necessary for global
14competitiveness, state career and technical education standards, and KRS
15158.196.
16(b)    The revisions to the content standards shall:
171.  Focus on critical knowledge, skills, and capacities needed for success in
18the global economy;
192.  Result in fewer but more in-depth standards to facilitate mastery
20learning;
213.  Communicate expectations more clearly and concisely to teachers,
22parents, students, and citizens;
234.  Be based on evidence-based research;
245.  Consider international benchmarks; and
256.  Ensure that the standards are aligned from elementary to high school to
26postsecondary education so that students can be successful at each
27education level.
  Page 2 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1(c)    1.  The department shall establish four (4) standards and assessments
2review committees, with each committee composed of a minimum of six
3(6) Kentucky public school teachers and a minimum of two (2)
4representatives from Kentucky institutions of higher education,
5including at least one (1) representative from a public institution of
6higher education. Each committee member shall teach in the subject
7area that his or her committee is assigned to review and have no prior or
8current affiliation with a curriculum or assessment resources vendor.
92.  One (1) of the four (4) committees shall be assigned to focus on the
10review of language arts and writing academic standards and
11assessments, one (1) on the review of mathematics academic standards
12and assessments, one (1) on the review of science academic standards
13and assessments, and one (1) on the review of social studies academic
14standards and assessments.
15(d)    1.  The department shall establish twelve (12) advisory panels to advise and
16assist each of the four (4) standards and assessments review committees.
172.  Three (3) advisory panels shall be assigned to each standards and
18assessments review committee. One (1) panel shall review the standards
19and assessments for kindergarten through grade five (5), one (1) shall
20review the standards and assessments for grades six (6) through eight
21(8), and one (1) shall review the standards and assessments for grades
22nine (9) through twelve (12).
233.  Each advisory panel shall be composed of at least one (1) representative
24from a Kentucky institution of higher education and a minimum of six
25(6) Kentucky public school teachers who teach in the grade level and
26subject reviewed by the advisory panel to which they are assigned and
27have no prior or current affiliation with a curriculum or assessment
  Page 3 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1resources vendor.
2(e)    The commissioner of education and the president of the Council on
3Postsecondary Education shall also provide consultants for the standards and
4assessments review committees and the advisory panels who are business and
5industry professionals actively engaged in career fields that depend on the
6various content areas.
7(f)    1.  The standards and assessments process review committee is hereby
8established and shall be composed of the commissioner of education or
9designee as a nonvoting member and nine (9) voting representatives of
10public schools, of whom at least two (2) shall be parents of public
11school students, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate
12in accordance with KRS 11.160 as follows:
13a.   One (1) language arts teacher;
14b.   One (1) math teacher;
15c.   One (1) science teacher;
16d.   One (1) social studies teacher;
17e.   Two (2) school principals;
18f.   Two (2) school superintendents; and
19g.   One (1) school board member.
202.  On making appointments to the committee, the Governor shall ensure
21broad geographical urban and rural representation and representation of
22elementary, middle, and high school levels; ensure equal representation
23of the two (2) sexes, inasmuch as possible; and ensure that appointments
24reflect the minority racial composition of the Commonwealth.
253.  The review of the committee shall be limited to the procedural aspects
26of the review process undertaken prior to its consideration.
274.  Notwithstanding KRS 12.028, the committee shall not be subject to
  Page 4 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1reorganization by the Governor.
2(g)    1.  The review process implemented under this subsection shall be an open,
3transparent process that allows all Kentuckians an opportunity to
4participate. The department shall ensure the public's assistance in
5reviewing and suggesting changes to the standards and alignment
6adjustments to corresponding state assessments by establishing a
7website dedicated to collecting comments by the public and educators.
8An independent third party, which has no prior or current affiliation with
9a curriculum or assessment resources vendor, shall be selected by the
10department to collect and transmit the comments to the department for
11dissemination to the appropriate advisory panel for review and
12consideration.
132.  Each advisory panel shall review the standards and assessments for its
14assigned subject matter and grade level and the suggestions made by the
15public and educators. After completing its review, each advisory panel
16shall make recommendations for changes to the standards and alignment
17adjustments for assessments to the appropriate standards and
18assessments review committee.
193.  Each standards and assessments review committee shall review the
20findings and make recommendations to revise or replace existing
21standards and to adjust alignment of assessments.
224.  The recommendations shall be published on the website established in
23this subsection for the purpose of gathering additional feedback from the
24public.   The    commissioner        shall   subsequently   present      the
25recommendations and the public feedback to the Interim Joint
26Committee on Education.
275.  The commissioner shall subsequently provide a report to the standards
  Page 5 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1and assessments process review committee summarizing the process
2conducted under this subsection and the resulting recommendations. The
3report shall include but not be limited to the timeline of the review
4process, public feedback, and responses from the Interim Joint
5Committee on Education.
66.  After receiving the commissioner's report, the standards and assessments
7process review committee shall either concur that stakeholders have had
8adequate opportunity to provide input on standards and the
9corresponding alignment of state assessments or find the input process
10deficient. If the process is found deficient, the recommendations may be
11returned to the appropriate standards and assessments review committee
12for review as described in subparagraph 3. of this paragraph. If the
13process is found sufficient, the recommendations shall be forwarded
14without amendment to the Kentucky Board of Education.
15(h)    The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations
16in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A as may be needed for the administration
17of the review process, including staggering the timing and sequence of the
18review process by subject area and remuneration of the review committees
19and advisory panels described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection.
20(i)    1.  The Kentucky Board of Education shall consider for approval the
21revisions to academic standards for a content area and the alignment of
22the corresponding state assessment once recommendations are received
23from the standards and assessments process review committee. Existing
24state academic standards shall remain in place until the board approves
25new standards.
262.  Any revision to, or replacement of, the academic standards and
27assessments as a result of the review process conducted under this
  Page 6 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1subsection shall be implemented in Kentucky public schools no later
2than the second academic year following the review process. Existing
3academic standards shall be used until new standards are implemented.
43.  The Department of Education shall disseminate the academic content
5standards to the schools and teacher preparation programs.
6(j)    The Department of Education shall provide or facilitate statewide training
7sessions for existing teachers and administrators on how to:
81.  Integrate the revised content standards into classroom instruction;
92.  Better integrate performance assessment of students within their
10instructional practices; and
113.  Help all students use higher-order thinking and communication skills.
12(k)    The Education Professional Standards Board in cooperation with the
13Kentucky Board of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education
14shall coordinate information and training sessions for faculty and staff in all of
15the teacher preparation programs in the use of the revised academic content
16standards. The Education Professional Standards Board shall ensure that each
17teacher preparation program includes use of the academic standards in the
18pre-service education programs and that all teacher interns will have
19experience planning classroom instruction based on the revised standards.
20(l)    The Council on Postsecondary Education in cooperation with the Kentucky
21Department of Education and the postsecondary education institutions in the
22state shall coordinate information sessions regarding the academic content
23standards for faculty who teach in the various content areas.
24(m) The Education Professional Standards Board shall, as a condition of program
25approval, require teacher preparation programs to align curriculum with the
26expectations set forth in the state's academic content standards.
27 (3)    (a)    The Kentucky Board of Education shall be responsible for creating and
  Page 7 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1implementing a balanced statewide assessment program that measures the
2students', schools', and districts' achievement of the goals set forth in KRS
3158.645 and 158.6451, to ensure compliance with the federal Every Student
4Succeeds Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-95, or its successor, and to ensure
5school accountability.
6(b)    The board shall revise the annual statewide assessment program as needed in
7accordance with revised academic standards and corresponding assessment
8alignment adjustments approved by the board under subsection (2) of this
9section.
10(c)    The statewide assessments shall not include any academic standards not
11approved by the board under subsection (2) of this section.
12(d)    The board shall seek the advice of the Office of Education Accountability; the
13School Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability Council; the Education
14Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, and the department's
15technical advisory committee in the development of the assessment program.
16The statewide assessment program shall not include measurement of a
17student's ability to become a self-sufficient individual or to become a
18responsible member of a family, work group, or community.
19 (4)    (a)    The academic components of the statewide assessment program shall be
20composed of annual student summative tests, which may include a
21combination of multiple competency-based assessment and performance
22measures approved by the Kentucky Board of Education.
23(b)    The annual student summative tests shall:
241.  Measure individual student achievement in language, reading, English,
25mathematics, science, and social studies at designated grades;
262.  Provide teachers and parents a valid and reliable comprehensive analysis
27of skills mastered by individual students;
  Page 8 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
13.  Provide diagnostic information that identifies strengths and academic
2deficiencies of individual students in the content areas;
34.  Provide information to teachers that can enable them to improve
4instruction for current and future students;
55.  Provide longitudinal profiles for students; and
66.  Ensure school and district accountability for student achievement of the
7goals set forth in KRS 158.645 and 158.6451, except the statewide
8assessment program shall not include measurement of a student's ability
9to become a self-sufficient individual or to become a responsible
10member of a family, work group, or community.
11 (5)    The state student assessments shall include the following components:
12(a)    Elementary and middle grades requirements are:
131.  A criterion-referenced test each in mathematics and reading in grades
14three (3) through eight (8) that is valid and reliable for an individual
15student and that measures the depth and breadth of Kentucky's academic
16content standards;
172.  A criterion-referenced test each in science and social studies that is valid
18and reliable for an individual student as necessary to measure the depth
19and breadth of Kentucky's academic content standards to be
20administered one (1) time within the elementary and middle grades,
21respectively;
223.  An on-demand assessment of student writing to be administered one (1)
23time within the elementary grades and one (1) time within the middle
24grades; and
254.  An editing and mechanics test relating to writing, using multiple choice
26and constructed response items, to be administered one (1) time within
27the elementary and the middle grades, respectively;
  Page 9 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1(b)    High school requirements are:
21.  A criterion-referenced test in mathematics, reading, and science that is
3valid and reliable for an individual student and that measures the depth
4and breadth of Kentucky's academic content standards to be
5administered one (1) time within the high school grades;
62.  A criterion-referenced test in social studies that is valid and reliable for
7an individual student as necessary to measure the depth and breadth of
8Kentucky's academic content standards to be administered one (1) time
9within the high school grades;
103.  An on-demand assessment of student writing to be administered one (1)
11time within the high school grades;
124.  An editing and mechanics test relating to writing, using multiple choice
13and constructed response items, to be administered one (1) time within
14the high school grades; and
155.  A college admissions examination to assess English, reading,
16mathematics, and science in the spring of grade eleven (11);
17(c)    The Kentucky Board of Education shall add any other component necessary
18to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-95,
19or its successor, as determined by the United States Department of Education;
20(d)    The criterion-referenced components required in this subsection shall be
21composed of constructed response items and multiple choice items; and
22(e)    The results of the assessment program developed under this subsection shall
23be used by schools and districts to determine appropriate instructional
24modifications for all students in order for students to make continuous
25progress, including that needed by advanced learners.
26 (6)    Each school district shall administer the statewide student assessment during the
27last fourteen (14) days of school in the district's instructional calendar. The
  Page 10 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1Kentucky Board of Education may change the testing window to allow for
2innovative assessment systems or other online test administration and shall
3promulgate administrative regulations that minimize the number of days of testing
4and outline the procedures to be used during the testing process to ensure test
5security, including procedures for testing makeup days, and to comply with federal
6assessment requirements.
7 (7)    A student enrolled in a district-operated or district-contracted alternative program
8shall participate in the appropriate assessments required by this section.
9 (8)    A local school district may select and use commercial interim or formative
10assessments or develop and use its own formative assessments to provide data on
11how well its students are growing toward mastery of Kentucky academic standards,
12so long as the district's local school board develops a policy minimizing the
13reduction in instructional time related to the administration of the interim
14assessments. Nothing in this section precludes teachers from using ongoing teacher-
15developed formative processes.
16 (9)    Each school that enrolls primary students shall use diagnostic assessments and
17prompts that measure readiness in reading and mathematics for its primary students
18as determined by the school to be developmentally appropriate. The schools may
19use commercial products, use products and procedures developed by the district, or
20develop their own diagnostic procedures. The results shall be used to inform the
21teachers and parents or guardians of each student's skill level.
22 (10) The state board shall ensure that a technically sound longitudinal comparison of the
23assessment results for the same students shall be made available.
24 (11) The following provisions shall apply to the college admissions examination
25described in subsection (5)(b)5. of this section:
26(a)    The cost of the college admissions examination administered to students in
27high school shall be paid for by the Kentucky Department of Education. The
  Page 11 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1costs of additional college admissions examinations shall be the responsibility
2of the student;
3(b)    If funds are available, the Kentucky Department of Education shall provide a
4college admissions examination preparation program to all public high school
5juniors. The department may contract for necessary services; and
6(c)    Accommodations provided to a student with a disability taking the college
7admissions assessment under this subsection shall consist of:
81.  Accommodations provided in a manner allowed by the college
9admissions assessment provider when results in test scores are
10reportable to a postsecondary institution for admissions and placement
11purposes, except as provided in subparagraph 2. of this paragraph; or
122.  Accommodations provided in a manner allowed by a student's
13individualized education program as defined in KRS 158.281 for a
14student whose disability precludes valid assessment of his or her
15academic    abilities   using    the    accommodations   provided   under
16subparagraph 1. of this paragraph when the student's scores are not
17reportable to a postsecondary institution for admissions and placement
18purposes.
19 (12) Kentucky teachers shall have a significant role in providing feedback about the
20design of the assessments, except for the college admissions exam described in
21subsection (5)(b)5. of this section. The assessments shall be designed to:
22(a)    Measure grade appropriate core academic content, basic skills, and higher-
23order thinking skills and their application;
24(b)    Provide valid and reliable scores for schools. If scores are reported for
25students individually, they shall be valid and reliable;
26(c)    Minimize the time spent by teachers and students on assessment; and
27(d)    Assess Kentucky academic standards only.
  Page 12 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1 (13) The results from assessment under subsections (3) and (5) of this section shall be
2reported to the school districts and schools no later than seventy-five (75) days
3following the last day the assessment can be administered. Assessment reports
4provided to the school districts and schools shall include an electronic copy of an
5operational subset of test items from each assessment administered to their students
6and the results for each of those test items by student and by school.
7 (14) The Department of Education shall gather information to establish the validity of
8the assessment and accountability program. It shall develop a biennial plan for
9validation studies that shall include but not be limited to the consistency of student
10results across multiple measures, the congruence of school scores with documented
11improvements in instructional practice and the school learning environment, and the
12potential for all scores to yield fair, consistent, and accurate student performance
13level and school accountability decisions. Validation activities shall take place in a
14timely manner and shall include a review of the accuracy of scores assigned to
15students and schools, as well as of the testing materials. The plan shall be submitted
16to the Commission by July 1 of the first year of each biennium. A summary of the
17findings shall be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by September
181 of the second year of the biennium.
19 (15) The Department of Education and the state board shall offer optional assistance to
20local school districts and schools in developing and using continuous assessment
21strategies needed to ensure student progress. The continuous assessment shall
22provide diagnostic information to improve instruction to meet the needs of
23individual students.
24 (16) The Administration Code for Kentucky's Assessment Program shall include
25prohibitions of inappropriate test preparation activities by school district employees
26charged with test administration and oversight, including but not limited to the issue
27of teachers being required to do test practice in lieu of regular classroom instruction
  Page 13 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1and test practice outside the normal work day. The code shall include disciplinary
2sanctions that may be taken toward a school or individuals.
3 (17) The Kentucky Board of Education, after the Department of Education has received
4advice from the Office of Education Accountability; the School Curriculum,
5Assessment, and Accountability Council; and the department's technical advisory
6committee, shall promulgate an administrative regulation under KRS Chapter 13A
7to establish the components of a reporting structure for assessments administered
8under this section. The reporting structure shall include the following components:
9(a)    A school report card that clearly communicates with parents and the public
10about school performance. The school report card shall be sent to the parents
11of the students of the districts, and information on electronic access to a
12summary of the results for the district shall be published in the newspaper
13with the largest circulation in the county. It shall include but not be limited to
14the following components reported by race, gender, and disability when
15appropriate:
161.  Student academic achievement, including the results from each of the
17assessments administered under this section;
182.  For Advanced Placement, Cambridge Advanced International, and
19International Baccalaureate, the courses offered, the number of students
20enrolled, completing, and taking the examination for each course, and
21the percentage of examinees receiving a score of three (3) or better on
22AP examinations, a score of "e" or better on Cambridge Advanced
23International examinations, or a score of four (4) or better on IB
24examinations. The data shall be disaggregated by gender, race, students
25with disabilities, and economic status;
263.  Nonacademic achievement, including the school's attendance, retention,
27graduation rates, and student transition to postsecondary;
  Page 14 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
14.  School   learning   environment,     including   measures     of   parental
2involvement; and
35.  Any other school performance data required by the Every Student
4Succeeds Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-95, or its successor;
5(b)    An individual student report to parents for each student in grades three (3)
6through eight (8) summarizing the student's skills in reading, science, social
7studies, and mathematics. The school's staff shall develop a plan for
8accelerated learning for any student with identified deficiencies or strengths;
9and
10(c)    A student's score on the college admissions assessment administered under
11subsection (5)(b)5. of this section.
12 (18) (a)      Every six (6) years, the Kentucky Department of Education shall implement a
13comprehensive process for reviewing and revising the academic standards in
14visual and performing arts and practical living skills and career studies for all
15levels and in foreign language for middle and high schools. The department
16shall develop review committees for the standards for each of the content
17areas that include representation from certified specialist public school
18teachers and postsecondary teachers in those subject areas.
19(b)    The academic standards in practical living skills for elementary, middle, and
20high school levels shall include a focus on drug abuse prevention, with an
21emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between
22prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs, such as heroin and
23synthetic drugs.
24(c)    The department shall provide to all schools guidelines for programs that
25incorporate the adopted academic standards in visual and performing arts and
26practical living and career studies. The department shall provide to middle and
27high schools guidelines for including a foreign language program. The
  Page 15 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1guidelines shall address program length and time, courses offered, staffing,
2resources, and facilities.
3(d)    The Kentucky Department of Education, in consultation with certified public
4school teachers of visual and performing arts, may develop program standards
5for the visual and performing arts.
6 (19) The Kentucky Department of Education shall provide to all school districts
7guidelines for including an effective writing program within the curriculum.
8 (20) (a)      The Kentucky Department of Education, in consultation with the review
9committees described in subsection (18) of this section, shall develop a school
10profile report to be used by all schools to document how they will address the
11adopted academic standards in their implementation of the programs as
12described in subsection (18) of this section, which may include student
13opportunities and experiences in extracurricular activities. The department
14shall include the essential workplace ethics program on the school profile
15report.
16(b)    By October 1 of each year, each school principal shall complete the school
17profile report, which shall be signed by the members of the school council, or
18the principal if no school council exists, and the superintendent. The report
19shall be electronically transmitted to the Kentucky Department of Education,
20and the original shall be maintained on file at the local board office and made
21available to the public upon request. The department shall include a link to
22each school's profile report on its website.
23(c)    If a school staff member, student, or a student's parent has concerns regarding
24deficiencies in a school's implementation of the programs described in
25subsection (18) of this section, he or she may submit a written inquiry to the
26school council.
27 (21) (a)      [No later than December 1, 2025, ]Each local board of education shall adopt
  Page 16 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1and maintain a district plan establishing clear policies on the promotion of
2advanced coursework or accelerated learning in language arts, mathematics,
3social studies, and science by grade level for students in grades four (4) to
4twelve (12).
5(b)    The district plan required by paragraph (a) of this subsection shall:
61.  Be published on a publicly accessible location on the district website;
72.  Describe the strategies and approach to advanced coursework or
8accelerated learning options by grade level for language arts,
9mathematics, social studies, and science; and
103.  Require that the service delivery options for students identified as gifted
11and talented in language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science
12include the following for each grade level and subject area:
13a.   i.     Accelerated learning; or
14ii.    Advanced coursework; and
15b.   At least one (1) of the following service delivery options:
16i.     Collaborative teaching and consultation services;
17ii.    Special counseling services;
18iii.   Differentiated study experiences for individuals and cluster
19groups in the regular classroom;
20iv.    Distance learning;
21v.     Enrichment services that are not extracurricular during the
22school day;
23vi.    Independent study;
24vii. Mentorships;
25viii. Resource services delivered in a pull-out classroom or other
26appropriate instructional setting;
27ix.    Seminars;
  Page 17 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1x.    Travel study options; or
2xi.   Special schools or self-contained classrooms for students in
3grades four (4) through twelve (12) only.
4(c)    The district plan required by paragraph (a) of this subsection may:
51.  Automatically enroll a student who scores distinguished in any subject
6area on the most recent statewide assessment for which scores are
7available in available advanced coursework for that subject area and any
8corresponding subject area designated by the local board of education;
92.  Include eligibility criteria for qualification for available advanced
10coursework for all other students;
113.  Require written consent from a parent or guardian of a student to
12withdraw or exclude a student that is eligible for advanced coursework
13according to the district plan from that advanced coursework. If a
14student requests to withdraw from advanced coursework to pursue
15another educational opportunity, a principal may withdraw the student
16without written consent from a parent or guardian only after a good-faith
17attempt to contact the parent or guardian is unsuccessful; and
184.  Permit a principal to withdraw a student from advanced coursework
19without written consent from his or her parent or guardian if the
20student's participation in advanced coursework would have an adverse
21educational impact on a student, including interference with his or her
22career pathway, access to career and technical education coursework, or
23another educational opportunity.
24(d)    Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, the district plan required by
25paragraph (a) of this subsection shall:
261.  For students entering grade eight (8), automatically enroll a student in
27an Algebra I for high school credit if the student:
  Page 18 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1a.   Scored proficient or higher on the most recent statewide
2assessment in mathematics for which scores are available;
3b    Scored within the top thirty percent (30%) of students in the
4district in a universal mathematics screener within the past year;
5or
6c    Met an alternate enrollment criteria established by the district;
72.  If a student has already earned high school credit for Algebra I, enroll
8the student in a higher-level mathematics course in the same manner
9as Algebra I enrollment under subparagraph 1. of this paragraph;
103.  Only exclude or withdraw a student identified in subparagraph 1. of
11this paragraph from the course if the district receives a written request
12from the parent or guardian;
134.  Not require students identified in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph to
14repeat coursework for credits already earned; and
155.  Not preclude other students from enrolling in an Algebra I course or
16students in grade eight (8) from enrolling in more advanced
17mathematics coursework.
18 (22) (a)      The Kentucky Board of Education may promulgate administrative regulations
19in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to administer the provisions of
20subsection (21) of this section.
21(b)    By December 1, 2025, the Kentucky Department of Education, in
22collaboration with local school districts, shall establish school district
23recommendations for the consistent use of preliminary assessment data and
24other criteria to identify students prepared for advanced coursework.
25(c)    For each school year until the end of the 2036-2037 school year, the
26Kentucky Department of Education shall submit an annual report to the
27Legislative Research Commission for referral to the appropriate interim
  Page 19 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1joint committees that details the number, demographics, and geography of
2students in grade eight (8) who were:
31.  Enrolled in Algebra I or higher courses for high school credit;
42.  Eligible for automatic enrollment under subsection (21)(d)1. of this
5section; or
63.  Excluded or withdrawn under subsection (21)(d)3. of this section.
7Districts shall report the data required under this paragraph to the
8department in a format and timeline determined by the department.
9Section 2. KRS 158.791 is amended to read as follows:
10 (1)    The General Assembly hereby finds that:
11(a)    Reading proficiency is a gateway skill necessary for all of Kentucky students
12to achieve the academic goals established in KRS 158.6451. It is Kentucky's
13goal that all children learn to read well before exiting grade three (3) and that
14all middle and high school students have the skills necessary to read complex
15materials in specific core subjects and comprehend and constructively apply
16the information; and
17(b)    Mathematics proficiency is essential for all Kentucky students to achieve the
18academic goals established in KRS 158.6451. It is Kentucky's goal that all
19children have the skills necessary to demonstrate procedural skill and fluency,
20building from conceptual understanding to application, in order to solve real-
21world problems.
22 (2)    It is the intent of the General Assembly that:
23(a)    Every elementary school:
241.  Provide comprehensive schoolwide reading and mathematics instruction
25aligned to reading, writing, and mathematics standards required by KRS
26158.6453 and outlined in administrative regulation promulgated by the
27Kentucky Board of Education;
  Page 20 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
12.  Provide a multitiered system of supports, as set forth in and required by
2KRS 158.305, to support and engage all students in learning to read at
3the proficient level, meaning a level that reflects developmentally
4appropriate grade-level performance, by the end of grade three (3);
53.  Provide a multitiered system of supports, as set forth in KRS 158.8402,
6to support and engage all students in learning to apply mathematical
7content and practices at a proficient level, meaning a level that reflects
8developmentally appropriate grade-level performance, by the end of
9grade five (5);
104.  Ensure quality instruction for reading and mathematics by highly trained
11teachers and intervention by individuals most qualified to provide the
12intervention; and
135.  Provide high quality library media programs;
14(b)    Every middle and high school:
151.  Provide direct, explicit instruction to students lacking skills in how to
16read, learn, and analyze information in key subjects, including language,
17reading, English, mathematics, science, social studies, arts and
18humanities, practical living skills, and career studies;
192.  Ensure that teachers have the skills to help all students develop critical
20content knowledge, strategies, and skills for subject-based reading and
21grade-level appropriate mathematics;
223.  Provide a multitiered system of supports to support and engage all
23students in learning to apply mathematical content and practices at a
24proficient level;[ and]
254.  Ensure all students routinely have opportunities to experience high-
26quality   mathematics        instruction,   learn   challenging,    grade-level
27appropriate mathematics content and practices, and receive the
  Page 21 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1necessary support to make progress toward proficiency; and
25.  Ensure all students have the opportunity to complete advanced high
3school mathematics courses by completing Algebra I in grade eight (8)
4as provided in Section 1 of this Act.
5(c)    The Kentucky Department of Education shall provide technical assistance to
6local school districts in the identification of high-quality professional
7development, including teaching strategies to help teachers in each subject
8area to:
91.  Implement evidence-based reading, intervention, and instructional
10strategies that emphasize phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency,
11vocabulary, comprehension, and connections between reading and
12writing acquisition, and motivation to read to address the diverse needs
13of students;
142.  Implement evidence-based mathematics instruction, intervention, and
15instructional strategies that emphasize algebraic reasoning, conceptual
16understanding, procedural skill and fluency, geometry, data and
17measurement, statistics and probability, number sense, place value
18understanding, spatial reasoning, and subitizing for multiplicative
19reasoning;
203.  Identify and teach the grade-level content, practices, and skills that
21students need to comprehend the concepts and content of each subject
22area; and
234.  Use learning experiences and high-quality instructional materials that
24will help the students comprehend, meet grade-level expectations, and
25constructively apply information based on the unique content of each
26subject area;
27(d)    The Education Professional Standards Board shall review and revise when
  Page 22 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed
 UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1622
1deemed necessary the teacher certification and licensure requirements to
2ensure that all teachers, regardless of the subject area taught, are prepared to
3improve students' subject reading and mathematics skills; and
4(e)    The department shall collaborate with relevant groups for the purpose of
5increasing student outcomes in literacy and mathematics.
6Section 3.        Notwithstanding the implementation date required in subsection
7 (21)(d) of Section 1 of this Act, a local board of education may elect to implement the
8 provisions of that subsection prior to the start of the 2028-2029 school year.
9Section 4.       By August 1, 2027, the superintendent of each school district shall
10 submit to the local board of education a plan for the implementation of subsection (21)(d)
11 of Section 1 of this Act. The plan shall identify any personnel, technology, or
12 transportation needs that would be required for implementation with the 2028-2029
13 school year. The local board shall review the proposed plan, and after any amendments,
14 adopt an implementation plan for the district. A local board may subsequently amend the
15 plan as the local board determines necessary.
  Page 23 of 23
 XXXX 2/26/2026 8:20 AM  Jacketed