All Roll Calls
Yes: 238 • No: 14
KentuckyHB 2572026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to the education assessment and accountability system.
Sponsored By: J.T. Payne (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Administrative Regulations And ProceedingsBoards And CommissionsEducation, Elementary And SecondaryState Agencies
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Six-year standards updates and training
Beginning July 1, 2026, Kentucky reviews and updates academic standards and matching tests every six years. Four subject committees and twelve grade-band panels of teachers and college reps lead the work, with no curriculum-vendor ties. A governor‑appointed, Senate‑confirmed review committee oversees an open process using an independent third party to gather public input. The board sets rules, timing, and participant pay, and new standards start no later than the second school year after a review. The Department trains current teachers and leaders, and teacher‑prep programs must align coursework and give interns practice with the revised standards. The review also covers arts, practical living, and world languages, and the Department provides program guidelines.
Free college test and extra help
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department pays for one college admissions exam for public high school juniors. Extra test dates are the student’s cost. If funds are available, the Department may offer free test prep for juniors. High schools must offer accelerated learning to students whose best English, reading, or math score is below the statewide college‑ready standard. Schools create an individual plan with the student, parents, and teachers. From July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030, school report cards show FAFSA completion (or approved opt‑outs), grade 8 credits earned, and teacher certification rates.
State covers many CTE test fees
The Department pays the cost of a certification, credential, or licensure exam for students who finish two related, approved pathway courses before testing. If a student has not taken both courses but meets performance‑based experience rules and passes, the district gets a weighted reimbursement set by demand. Workforce boards compile and share yearly ranked lists of in‑demand credentials that schools use for readiness measures.
District-made school quality measures
Local school districts can create their own measures of school quality that match state standards and vibrant learning. If they use student data, they must show subgroup results when allowed and post them online. The Department gives help and may make a one-time payment up to $15,000 per district. The state board can write rules to run this system.
More advanced courses, writing, and profiles
By December 1, 2025, each district must adopt and post a plan to promote advanced coursework for grades 4–12. Plans may auto‑enroll students who scored “distinguished,” set eligibility for others, and usually need parent consent to withdraw. Principals may withdraw a student only in limited cases. The Department provides writing program guidelines and training, and superintendents must publish a district writing policy. By October 1 each year, principals complete and post a school profile that includes the workplace ethics program. Parents, students, and staff can send written concerns about program implementation to the school council.
New rules for state K-12 testing
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Kentucky Board of Education runs a balanced statewide test program and updates tests to match the state’s academic standards. State tests can only include standards the Board approves. Tests cannot try to rate a student’s life skills like self‑sufficiency or being a “responsible family or community member.” The assessment code also bans staff from forcing test practice instead of regular lessons or outside normal work time and sets penalties for violations.
Study on advanced middle school math
The Department must deliver a study on middle school advanced math by November 1, 2026. It reviews access, identification, participation, course sequences, barriers, staffing, preparation for Algebra I by grade 8, capacity and gaps, and gives policy recommendations. The Department can require schools and districts to provide data needed for this study.
KEES now counts ACT or SAT
The law updates what counts as an ACT score for KEES scholarships. It can be a composite ACT from a national test date or the statewide junior‑year ACT, if Kentucky uses the ACT. An equivalent SAT score may also count if set by the administering authority. This can affect who qualifies and award calculations.
School dashboard, fixes, and appeals
The Department posts a public, color‑coded dashboard of school and subgroup results. Cut scores stay for at least six years unless they stop meaningfully differentiating. The board sets stronger actions for schools that remain in comprehensive support status and may create district‑level accountability with goals, rewards, and consequences. Schools and districts can appeal performance judgments through an administrative hearing when there are errors or major new facts. Twice a year, the Department reports its technical advisory committee’s recommendations to legislative oversight.
School ratings and readiness rules change
Starting with 2026–27 data, school ratings use set indicators: test results, student growth in reading and math, English learner progress, chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of the year), graduation rate, and postsecondary readiness. From July 1, 2030, targeted quality measures must count for at least 5% and include items like teacher credentials, grade 8 students earning a high school credit, and FAFSA completion or an approved opt‑out. Postsecondary readiness can count several paths, like dual credit (3+ hours), AP/IB/Cambridge benchmarks, approved work‑based learning tied to credentials, or industry credentials with extra weight for high‑demand ones. Test scores count for a school or district only if the student was enrolled there for a full academic year; scores also count for the state if the student was enrolled in Kentucky before testing began. All students who drop out are included in the graduation rate.
State tests, timing, and parent reports
Beginning July 1, 2026, state tests cover reading and math in grades 3–8, science and social studies at least once in elementary and middle, and core tests once in high school. Grade 11 students take a college admissions exam in spring. Districts give tests in the last 14 school days unless the board adjusts the window, and the board sets security and makeup rules. Students in district‑run or contracted alternative programs must participate. Districts may use interim tests but must limit lost class time. Primary grades use diagnostic reading and math checks and share results with parents. Schools get results within 75 days, with some test items and student‑level results. Families of grades 3–8 get a skills report, and schools make plans for students with clear needs or strengths.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
J.T. Payne
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Beverly Chester-Burton
Democrat • House
Daniel Grossberg
Democrat • House
George Brown Jr.
Democrat • House
James Tipton
Republican • House
Kevin Jackson
Republican • House
Scott Lewis
Republican • House
Steve Riley
Republican • House
Tina Bojanowski
Democrat • House
Timmy Truett
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/1/2026
passed
Yes: 84 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/1/2026
passed
Yes: 30 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/27/2026
passed
Yes: 32 • No: 5
House vote • 2/17/2026
3rd reading, passed
Yes: 92 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 138)
4/13/2026delivered to Governor
4/1/2026enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
4/1/2026Houseenrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
4/1/2026Housepassed 84-2
4/1/2026HouseFree Conference Committee report adopted in House
4/1/2026Houseposted for passage for consideration of Free Conference Committee Report
4/1/2026Housetaken from Rules
4/1/2026Houseto Rules (H)
4/1/2026Housereceived in House
4/1/2026Housepassed 30-6
4/1/2026SenateFree Conference Committee report adopted in Senate
4/1/2026Senateposted for passage for consideration of Free Conference Committee Report
4/1/2026HouseFree Conference Committee report filed in House and Senate
4/1/2026HouseFree Conference Committee appointed in House and Senate
4/1/2026HouseConference Committee report adopted in House and Senate
4/1/2026HouseConference Committee report (1) filed in House and Senate
4/1/2026HouseConference Committee appointed in House and Senate
4/1/2026HouseSenate refused to recede from Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (6)
4/1/2026Senateposted for passage for receding from Senate Floor Amendment (6) and Committee Substitute (1)
4/1/2026Senateto Rules (S)
4/1/2026Senatereceived in Senate
4/1/2026SenateHouse refused to concur in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (6)
3/31/2026Senateposted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (6)
3/31/2026Senateto Rules (H)
3/31/2026House
Bill Text
Current
4/1/2026
Introduced
1/7/2026
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