SB 152 — AN ACT relating to education.

(b) In addition to the authority granted to the principal[school council] in this section, the local board may grant to the principal[school council] any other authority permitted by law.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a local school district shall not be required to implement an advisory Page 11 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 council[school-based decision making] if the local school district contains only one (1) school.

Advisory[school] council members elected for the first time shall complete a minimum of six (6) clock hours of training in the process of school-based policy[decision] making, no later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of the Page 11 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA service year for which they are elected to serve.

The application for approval of the Page 12 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 model shall show evidence that it has been developed by representatives of the parents, students, certified personnel, and the administrators of the school and that two-thirds (2/3) of the faculty have agreed to the model.

Included in the[ school council] formula shall be an allocation for professional development that is Page 12 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the district's per pupil state allocation for professional development for each student in average daily attendance in the school.

(8)[(9)] (a) No board member, superintendent of schools, district employee, or member of an advisory[a school] council shall intentionally engage in a pattern of practice which is detrimental to the successful implementation of or circumvents the intent of school-based policies[decision making] to allow the professional staff members of a school and parents to be involved in the school-based policy[decision making] process in working toward meeting the educational goals established in KRS 158.645 and 158.6451 or to advise[make decisions] in areas of policy assigned to a principal[school council] pursuant toto[ paragraph (i) ofof] subsection (2)(2)(i) of this section.

Page 13 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (c) The Kentucky Board of Education shall conduct a hearing in accordance with KRS Chapter 13B for complaints referred by the Office of Education Accountability.

A second violation of this subsection may be grounds for removing a superintendent or a member of an advisory[a school] council from office or grounds for dismissal of an employee for misconduct in office Page 13 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA or willful neglect of duty.

The policy may permit physical activity to be considered part of the instructional day, not to exceed thirty (30) minutes per day, or one hundred and fifty (150) minutes per week.[ Each school council, or if there is no school council,] The principal[,] shall adopt an assessment tool to determine each child's level of physical activity on an annual Page 14 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 basis.

The policy developed by the[ school council or] principal shall comply with provisions required by federal law, state Page 14 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA law, or local board policy.

KRS 160.370 is amended to read as follows:

(1) The superintendent shall be the executive agent of the board that appoints him or her and shall meet with the board, except when his or her own tenure, salary, or the administration of his or her office is under consideration.

As executive officer of the board, the superintendent shall see that the laws relating to the schools, the bylaws, rules, and regulations of the Kentucky Board of Education, and the regulations and policies of the district board of education are carried into effect.

He or she may administer the oath required by the board of education to any teacher or other person.

He or she shall be the professional adviser of the board in all matters.

He or she shall prepare, under the direction of the board, all rules, regulations, bylaws, and statements of policy for approval and adoption by the board.

He or she shall have general supervision, subject to the control of the board of education, of the general conduct of the schools, the course of instruction, the discipline of pupils, and the management of business affairs.

He or she shall be responsible for the hiring and dismissal of all personnel in the district.

(2) For a county school district in a county with more than fifteen thousand (15,000) students[ a consolidated local government adopted under KRS Chapter 67C]:

(a) A local board of education shall:

1.

Delegate authority to the superintendent over the district's day-to-day Page 15 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 operations and implementation of the board-approved strategic plan in a manner that promotes the efficient, timely operation of the district, including but not limited to the authority over contracts related to daily operations of the district, pupil transportation, personnel matters, and the organizational structure of administrative staff;

2.

Except as expressly required by statute, including subparagraphs 3.

and 5.

of this paragraph, not meet more than once every four (4) weeks for the purpose of approving necessary administrative matters;

3.

By December 1 each year, approve a rolling three (3) year strategic plan for the district that outlines student achievement goals, faculty and staff improvement goals, facility and infrastructure improvement, and other key objectives that the superintendent and board believe are in the best interest of student outcomes and the community;

4.

Approve an annual budget for the district, which shall include any budgetary decisions relevant to the district's ability to obtain necessary revenue, including tax revenue, in accordance with the requirements of state law and regulation;

5.

By November 1 each year, oversee:

a.

An annual audit of the financial dealings of the district and the reporting of key financial performance data in order to ensure fair and accurate reporting to the board;

and b.

An annual review of student performance in the district and the reporting of key student performance data to ensure compliance with state and federal law and accurate reporting to the board;

6.

Recruit and hire the superintendent and negotiate the terms of employment and compensation of a prospective superintendent;

7.

Complete an annual review of the superintendent's performance with Page 16 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 regard to the duties assigned in subsection (1) of this section and paragraph (b) of this subsection;[ and] 8.

Be responsible for the dismissal of the superintendent;

and 9.

Have the right to delegate the authority to review and approve school- based policy in accordance with subsection (4) of Section 1 of this Act;

(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary[ in subsection (1) of this section], the superintendent shall:

1.

Provide a quarterly, informational report to the board on the administrative actions taken by the superintendent to carry out the district's daily operations and implementation of the strategic plan as well as a budget to actual financial update;

2.

Prepare all rules, regulations, bylaws, and statements of policy for approval and adoption by the board, with approval not to be withheld without a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board to deny approval or adoption;

3.

Supervise the general conduct of the schools, the course of instruction, the discipline of pupils, the employment matters of all employees and contractors, and the management of business affairs of the district;

4.

Be responsible for the hiring, employment terms, dismissal, and organizational structure of all personnel in the district in compliance with all laws and in a manner that best serves the students of the district;

and 5.

Notwithstanding any law that assigns an administrative duty, responsibility, or authority to a board of education, or other law to the contrary, be responsible for any administrative duty not explicitly granted to the board under paragraph (a) of this subsection;

and (c) If the county adopts the provisions of the Kentucky Model Procurement Code, Page 17 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 the board shall authorize the superintendent to approve purchases, in accordance with small purchase procedures adopted by the board, for any contract for which a determination is made that the aggregate amount of the contract does not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).

The board shall authorize the superintendent to approve a line-item transfer within its annual budget as she or he deems necessary, provided that the aggregate amount of any individual transfer does not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).

The superintendent shall provide a quarterly report to the board on any purchases made under this subsection.

Section 3.

(c) "Clear CA/N check" means a letter from the Cabinet for Health and Family Page 18 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Services indicating that there are no administrative findings of child abuse or neglect relating to a specific individual;

However, if an employer-employee Page 15 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA bargained contract contains procedures for filling certified position openings created by the resignation, dismissal, nonrenewal of contract, transfer, or death of a certified staff member, or creation of a new position for which certification is required, a vacancy shall not exist, unless certified positions remain open after compliance with those procedures.

(b) When a vacancy occurs in a local school district, the superintendent shall submit the job posting to the statewide job posting system described in KRS Page 19 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 160.152 fifteen (15) days before the position shall be filled.

If the waiver is approved, the appointment shall not be made until the person recommended Page 16 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA for the position has been approved by the chief state school officer.

However, the superintendent shall not promote a relative who continues Page 20 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 employment under an exception of this subsection;

Page 17 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 2.

(a) A superintendent shall require the following individuals to submit to a Page 21 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 national and state criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and have a clear CA/N check, provided by the individual:

Page 18 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA and 5.

The Education Professional Standards Board may promulgate Page 22 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 administrative regulations to impose additional qualifications to meet the requirements of Pub.

(c) A parent member may serve prior to the receipt of the criminal history background check and clear CA/N lettercheck[letter] required by paragraph (a) of this subsection but shall be removed from the advisory council on receipt by the school district of a report documenting a record of abuse or neglect, or a sex crime or criminal offense against a victim who is a minor as defined in KRS 17.500, or as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165, and no further Page 19 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA procedures shall be required;

Provide a biannual driving history record check performed by the Page 23 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Transportation Cabinet;

(7) (a) If a certified or classified position remains unfilled after July 31 or if a Page 20 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA vacancy occurs during a school term, a superintendent may employ an individual, who will have supervisory or disciplinary authority over minors, on probationary status pending receipt of the criminal history background check and a clear CA/N check, provided by the individual.

(c) Notwithstanding KRS 161.720 to 161.800 or any other statute to the contrary, probationary employment under this section shall terminate on receipt by the school district of a criminal history background check documenting a record of a sex crime or as a violent offender as defined in KRS 17.165 and no Page 24 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 further procedures shall be required.

The fingerprint cards shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Page 21 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA from the Department of Kentucky State Police after a state criminal background check is conducted.

Identify the states in which he or she has maintained residency, Page 25 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 including the dates of residency;

The employee shall continue to be paid at the same Page 22 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA rate of pay he or she received prior to the transfer.

Section 4.3.

The system of schools shall have the goal of providing all Page 26 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 students with at least the seven (7) capacities referred to in KRS 158.645.

The Page 23 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA deputy director shall have the qualifications set by the Commission.

The office shall report any district or school when evidence demonstrates a pattern of Page 27 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 exclusionary personnel practices relating to race or sex to the Kentucky Department of Education, which shall then independently investigate facts raised in or associated with the report.

Upon and under the direction of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, review the elementary and Page 24 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA secondary public education finance system.

Upon and under the direction of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, the Office of Education Accountability shall monitor and verify the accuracy of reports of the Department of Education and the Kentucky Board of Education, including but not limited to the annual fiscal conditions of grants, categorical programs, and other educational Page 28 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 initiatives set forth by the General Assembly.

Upon acceptance by the subcommittee, Page 25 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA recommendations for legislative action shall be forwarded to the Legislative Research Commission.

Upon and under the direction of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, conduct studies, analyze, verify, and validate the state assessment program through other external indicators of academic progress including but not limited to American College Test scores, Scholastic Assessment Test scores, National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test scores, Advanced Placement Program participation, standardized test scores, college remediation rates, retention and attendance rates, dropout rates, and additional available data on the efficiency of the system of schools and whether progress is being made Page 29 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 toward attaining the goal of providing students with the seven (7) capacities as required by KRS 158.645.

Page 26 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 8.

Staff of the Office of Education Accountability shall prepare a suggested list of study and research topics related to elementary and secondary public education for consideration by the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee in the development of the annual Page 30 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 research agenda.

However, the office shall not disclose any information contained in or derived from the records, meetings, and Page 27 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA hearings that would enable the discovery of the specific identification of any individual who is the focus or subject of the personnel matter.

(3) The provisions of KRS 61.878 or any other statute, including Acts of the 1992 Regular Session of the General Assembly to the contrary notwithstanding, the testimony of investigators, work products, and records of the Office of Education Accountability relating to duties and responsibilities under subsection (2) of this section shall be privileged and confidential during the course of an ongoing Page 31 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 investigation or until authorized, released, or otherwise made public by the Office of Education Accountability and shall not be subject to discovery, disclosure, or production upon the order or subpoena of a court or other agency with subpoena power.

Section 5.4.

(1) At the request of a local board of education or a school principal[council], a local school district superintendent shall submit a request to the Kentucky Board of Education for a waiver from a reporting requirement established by a Kentucky Page 28 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Revised Statute that requires the paperwork to be submitted to the Kentucky Board of Education or the Department of Education.

Section 6.5.

(2) All certified school district employees and public charter school employees shall complete at least one (1) hour of each of the following trainings within twelve (12) Page 32 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 months of initial hire and at least once every four (4) years thereafter:

High-quality, evidence-based suicide prevention training, including risk Page 29 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA factors, warning signs, protective factors, response procedures, referral, postvention, and the recognition of signs and symptoms of possible mental illness.

(b) The manner of appointment, qualifications, and other duties of the Page 33 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 professional development coordinator shall be established by the local board of education.

strategies for strengthening teachers' roles in the Page 30 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA planning, development, and evaluation of professional development;

Professional development programs shall be made available to Page 34 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 teachers based on their needs which shall include but not be limited to the following areas:

Page 31 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (e) Integration of performance-based student assessment into daily classroom instruction;

(b) Professional development strategies may include but are not limited to participation in subject matter academies, teacher networks, training institutes, Page 35 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 workshops, seminars, and study groups;

The district may use up to one (1) day to provide district-wide Page 32 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA training and training that is mandated by state or federal law.

Page 36 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 2.

Page 33 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (8) The department shall establish an electronic consumer bulletin board that posts information regarding professional development providers and programs as a service to school district central office personnel, advisory[school] councils, teachers, and administrators.

Page 37 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (a) Identify at-risk students early in elementary schools as well as at-risk and potential dropouts in the middle and high schools;

and Page 34 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (e) Significantly reduce the dropout rate of all students.

Section 7.6.

Page 38 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (e) School curriculum and assessment;

Page 35 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (2) Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary, an employing local board of education shall not be responsible for any training costs associated with a superintendent's participation in the training and assessment center process.

(6) The Department of Education may contract with qualified agencies, organizations, or institutions or may approve programs offered by training providers to carry out Page 39 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 the provisions of this section.

Section 8.7.

Page 36 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (b) An elective social studies course on the New Testament of the Bible;

Page 40 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (4) The Kentucky Department of Education shall include the course standards in the program of studies for Kentucky schools, including the teacher qualifications and required professional development.

The Page 37 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Kentucky Board of Education, in complying with this section, shall not violate any provision of the United States Constitution or federal law, the Kentucky Constitution or any state law, or any administrative regulations of the United States Department of Education or the Kentucky Department of Education.

Section 9.8.

(2) The participating trade organization shall ensure ample opportunities for school counselors that serve grades seven (7) through twelve (12) to complete the training created under subsection (1) of this section annually and shall bear all costs Page 41 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 associated with the training.

(4) A school counselor serving students in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) may complete four (4) hours of training developed under this section which shall count Page 38 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA towards the twenty-one (21) hours required annually pursuant to KRS 156.101(4)(b)[2].

Section 10.9.

(2) Each district shall receive an amount equal to the base funding level for each pupil in average daily attendance in the district in the previous year, except a district shall receive an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of the state portion of the average statewide per pupil guaranteed base funding level for each student who graduated Page 42 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 early under the provisions of KRS 158.142.

Alternative programs for students who are at risk of dropping out of Page 39 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA school before achieving a diploma;

(4) The program to support education excellence in Kentucky shall be fully Page 43 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 implemented by the 1994-95 school year.

Page 40 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 2.

A district shall not receive in any one (1) year exemptions for more classes than enroll twenty percent (20%) of the pupils in the primary Page 44 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 grades and grades four (4) through eight (8).

An exemption or waiver shall not be granted if the increased class size will Page 41 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA impede any exceptional child from achieving his or her individual education program in the least restrictive environment.

However, this shall not apply to schools with[which have implemented] school-based policies that[that decisionrequire making]otherwise[ requiredecision otherwise.making].

(8) Pupils attending a center for child learning and study established under an Page 45 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 agreement pursuant to KRS 65.210 to 65.300 shall, for the purpose of calculating average daily attendance, be considered as in attendance in the school district in which the child legally resides and which is party to the agreement.

(9) Program funding shall be increased when the average daily attendance in any district for the first two (2) months of the current school year is greater than the Page 42 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA average daily attendance of the district for the first two (2) months of the previous school year.

(12) (a) Instructional salaries for vocational agriculture classes shall be for twelve (12) Page 46 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 months per year.

During extended Page 43 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA employment, no vocational agriculture teacher shall receive salary on a day that the teacher is scheduled to attend an institution of higher education class which could be credited toward meeting any certification requirement.

(13) (a) In allotting program funds for home and hospital instruction, statewide guaranteed base funding, excluding the capital outlay, shall be allotted for each child in average daily attendance in the prior school year who has been Page 47 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 properly identified according to Kentucky Board of Education administrative regulations.

A reimbursement formula shall be established by administrative regulations to include such factors as a reasonable per hour, per child Page 44 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA allotment for teacher instructional time, with a maximum number of funded hours per week, a reasonable allotment for teaching supplies and equipment, and a reasonable allotment for travel expenses to and from instructional assignments, but the formula shall not include an allotment for capital outlay.

Any Page 48 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 adjustments in the allotments approved under this subsection shall be proportional to the remaining days in the school year and subject to available funds under the program to support education excellence in Kentucky.

The value of the real estate used in this calculation shall be the lesser of the current Page 45 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA year assessment or the prior year assessment increased by four percent (4%) plus the value of current year new property.

Section 11.10.

(1) InAs used in this section, "primary school program" means that part of the elementary school program in which children are enrolled from the time they begin school until they are ready to enter the fourth grade.

qualitative reporting Page 49 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 methods;

(5) The implementation of the primary program may take into consideration the necessary arrangements required for students attending part-time and will allow for grouping of students attending their first year of school when determined to be Page 46 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA developmentally appropriate.

Section 12.11.

(3) Each full-time teacher shall be provided with a duty-free lunch period each day Page 50 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 during the regularly scheduled student lunch period.

The calculation of noninstructional time shall not include the teacher's duty-free lunch period, the time teachers are required to be at school prior to the start of the student's instructional day, or the Page 47 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA time teachers are required to remain at school after the students are dismissed.

Page 51 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (6) Character education programs and activities shall be considered valuable and legitimate components of the actual school work constituting a school day under subsection (4) of this section.

Section 13.12.

(b) "Minimum school term" or "school term" means not less than one hundred eighty-five (185) days composed of the student attendance days, teacher Page 48 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA professional days, and holidays;

Page 52 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (f) "Student instructional year" means at least one thousand sixty-two (1,062) hours of instructional time for students delivered on not less than one hundred seventy (170) student attendance days;

and (h) "Variable student instructional year" means at least one thousand sixty-two (1,062) hours of instructional time delivered on the number of student Page 49 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA attendance days adopted by a local board of education which shall be considered proportionally equivalent to one hundred seventy (170) student attendance days and calendar days for the purposes of a student instructional year, employment contracts that are based on the school term, service credit under KRS 161.500, and funding under KRS 157.350.

(d) During a subsequent meeting of the local board of education, the local board Page 53 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 shall adopt a school calendar for the upcoming school year that establishes the opening and closing dates of the school term, beginning and ending dates of each school month, student attendance days, and days on which schools shall be dismissed.

(e) For local board of education meetings described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, if the meeting is a regular meeting, notice shall be given to media outlets that have requests on file to be notified of special meetings Page 50 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA stating the date of the regular meeting and that one (1) of the items to be considered in the regular meeting will be the school calendar.

The use of three (3) days Page 54 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 shall be planned by each principal[school council], except that the district is encouraged to provide technical assistance and leadership to school principals[councils] to maximize existing resources and to encourage shared planning.

A local board may approve a school's flexible professional development plan that permits teachers or other certified personnel within a school to participate in professional development activities outside the days scheduled in the school calendar or the regularly scheduled hours in the Page 51 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA school work day and receive credit towards the four (4) day professional development requirement within the minimum one hundred eighty-five (185) days that a teacher shall be employed.

Page 55 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (c) The local board of each school district may use up to a maximum of four (4) days of the minimum school term for holidays;

National or state emergency or mourning when proclaimed by the Page 52 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA President of the United States or the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

(b) If a local board of education amends its school calendar after its adoption due to an emergency, it may lengthen or shorten any remaining student attendance days by thirty (30) minutes or more, as it deems necessary, provided the amended calendar complies with the requirements of a student instructional Page 56 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 year in subsection (1)(f) of this section or a variable student instructional year in subsection (1)(h) of this section.

Page 53 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 2.

Page 57 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (c) All schools shall be closed on the third Monday of January in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

(6) (a) The Kentucky Board of Education, or the organization or agency designated by the board to manage interscholastic athletics, shall be encouraged to Page 54 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA schedule athletic competitions outside the regularly scheduled student attendance day.

The local policy shall set out the Page 58 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 conditions under which attendance will be required and any exceptions which are provided.

These grants shall be allotted to school districts to provide instructional programs for pupils who are identified as needing additional time to Page 55 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA achieve the outcomes defined in KRS 158.6451.

Page 59 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (9) The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations to prescribe the conditions and procedures for districts to be approved for the nontraditional instruction program.

(b) Reporting requirements for districts approved for the program, which may include but are not limited to examples of student work, lesson plans, teacher work logs, and student and teacher participation on nontraditional instruction Page 56 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA days.

Page 60 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (a) A certified school employee shall be considered to have fulfilled the minimum one hundred eighty-five (185) day contract with a school district under KRS 157.350 and shall be given credit for the purpose of calculating service credit for retirement under KRS 161.500 for certified school personnel if:

State and local requirements under this section are met regarding the equivalent of the number and length of student attendance days, teacher professional days, professional development days, holidays, and days Page 57 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA for planning activities without the presence of students;

These employees may be assigned additional work Page 61 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 responsibilities to make up service credit under KRS 78.615 that would be lost due to lengthened student attendance days.

Section 14.13.

(2) (a) Schools shall employ a school media librarian to organize, equip, and manage Page 58 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA the operations of the school media library.

Section 15.14.

(3) The graduation requirement in subsections (1) and (2) shall also apply to a student Page 62 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 pursuing an early graduation program as established in KRS 158.142.

(d) Insurance and risk management, including but not limited to personal Page 59 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA insurance policies;

(9) Local schools and districts may consult with the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission established in KRS 41.450 when developing and implementing the Page 63 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 financial literacy standards.

Section 16.15.

Page 60 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (a) Abstinence from sexual activity is the desirable goal for all school-age children;

and (e) A policy to notify a parent in advance and obtain the parent's written consent before the parent's child in grade six (6) or above receives any instruction through curriculum or programs on human sexuality or sexually transmitted Page 64 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 diseases authorized in this section.

(b) Be subject to an inspection by parents of participating students that allows Page 61 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA parents to review the following materials:

(c) Detail the process for a parent to review the materials outlined in subsection Page 65 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (2) of this section;

(a) Discussing human sexuality, including the sexuality of any historic person, group, or public figure, where the discussion provides necessary context in Page 62 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA relation to a topic of instruction from a curriculum approved pursuant to KRS 160.345;

Section 17.16.

This definition shall not be interpreted to prohibit civil exchange of opinions or debate or cultural practices protected under the state or Page 66 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 federal Constitution where the opinion expressed does not otherwise materially or substantially disrupt the education process;

(2) In cooperation with the Kentucky Education Association, the Kentucky School Boards Association, the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, the Kentucky Association of Professional Educators, the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, the Parent-Teachers Association, the Kentucky Chamber Page 63 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA of Commerce, the Farm Bureau, members of the Interim Joint Committee on Education, and other interested groups, and in collaboration with the Center for School Safety, the Department of Education shall develop or update as needed and distribute to all districts by August 31 of each even-numbered year:

In addition, the department, in collaboration with the Center for School Safety, shall identify successful strategies currently being used in programs in Kentucky and in other states and shall Page 67 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 incorporate those strategies into the statewide student discipline guidelines, transportation services policy guidelines, and the recommendations under subsection (2) of this section.

the selection of discipline and classroom management techniques by Page 64 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA school principals[councils] under KRS 158.155 and 160.345;

(d) The code shall contain the standard of behavior expected from each student, the consequences of failure to obey the standards, and the importance of the standards to the maintenance of a safe learning environment where orderly Page 68 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 learning is possible and encouraged.

Procedures for investigating and responding to a complaint or a report of bullying or a violation of the code, or of an incident for which reporting is required under KRS 158.156, including reporting incidents to the Page 65 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA parents or guardians of the students involved;

All school employees and parents or guardians shall be Page 69 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 provided copies of the code.

The board shall select and implement the Page 66 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA appropriate discipline and transportation management techniques necessary to carry out the policy.

When a student is alleged by an operator of transportation to have committed a violation of the policy that places the student or others at Page 70 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 risk of physical harm or otherwise makes it unsafe for the driver to continue transporting students, and as permitted by state and federal law, a process that allows the operator of the vehicle to:

Page 67 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA ii.

and Page 71 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 b.

A requirement that the operator of a vehicle, to the extent permitted by Page 68 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA law, receive written notice from the superintendent or designee of the investigation, disciplinary action imposed, and reasoning in response to the reported misconduct;

A requirement that the operator of a vehicle be provided an opportunity to be heard and to make a recommendation regarding future transportation of the student during any disciplinary proceedings relating, at least in part, to alleged misconduct by the student's parent or Page 72 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 guardian and the impact upon a student's transportation privileges;

Page 69 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (e) The policy shall include references to relevant criminal violations based on potential misconduct covered by the policy, including but not limited to the following statements:

"KRS 519.020 makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a person to obstruct governmental operations, which includes intentionally obstructing, Page 73 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 impairing, or hindering the performance of a governmental function by using or threatening to use violence, force or physical interference.";

(f) The policy shall include a process for an operator of a vehicle, upon the reinstatement of a student's transportation privileges after an interim or final determination of disciplinary action, to elect to receive an alternate route Page 70 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA assignment in lieu of transporting the student.

Section 18.17.

(a) Willful disobedience or defiance of the authority of the teachers or administrators, use of profanity or vulgarity, assault or battery or abuse of Page 74 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 other students, the threat of force or violence, the use or possession of alcohol or drugs, stealing or destruction or defacing of school property or personal property of students, the carrying or use of weapons or dangerous instruments, or other incorrigible bad conduct on school property, as well as off school property at school-sponsored activities, constitutes cause for suspension or expulsion from school;

stealing or willfully or wantonly defacing, destroying, or damaging the personal property of school Page 71 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA personnel on school property, off school property, or at school-sponsored activities constitutes cause for suspension or expulsion from school.

Physically assaulted, battered, or abused educational personnel or other Page 75 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 students off school property and the incident is likely to substantially disrupt the educational process.

(c) A board that has expelled a student from the student's regular school setting Page 72 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA shall provide or ensure that educational services are provided to the student in an appropriate alternative program or setting, unless the board has made a determination, on the record, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that the expelled student posed a threat to the safety of other students or school staff and could not be placed into a state-funded agency program.

The action shall not be taken until the parent, Page 76 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 guardian, or other person having legal custody or control of the student has had an opportunity to have a hearing before the board or an appeals committee as described in subparagraph 2.

Notwithstanding any other statute or administrative regulation to the Page 73 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA contrary, students placed in an alternative program or setting under this paragraph shall be counted in attendance and membership for state funding purposes in the same manner as other students participating in alternative programs of the district.

(4) ForAs used in[For purposes ofof] this subsection, "charges" means substantiated behavior that falls within the grounds for suspension or expulsion enumerated in subsection (1) of this section, including behavior committed by a student while enrolled in a private or public school, or in a school within another state.

A school board may adopt a policy providing that, if a student is suspended or expelled for any reason or faces charges that may lead to suspension or expulsion but withdraws prior to a hearing from any public or private school in this or any other state, the receiving district may review the details of the charges, suspension, or expulsion and determine if the Page 77 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 student will be admitted, and if so, what conditions may be imposed upon the admission, which may include placement of the student into an alternative program or setting as described in subsection (3)(d) of this section.

Each board of education shall adopt a policy to assure the implementation of this section and to assure the safety Page 74 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA of the students and staff.

At any time during the school year, a principal may permanently remove Page 78 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 a student from a classroom for the remainder of the school year if the principal determines the student's continued placement in the classroom will chronically disrupt the education process for other students.

or Page 75 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA b.

These due process procedures shall precede any suspension from the common schools unless immediate suspension is essential to protect persons or property or to Page 79 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 avoid disruption of the ongoing academic process.

The board of education of any school district may expel or extend the Page 76 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA expulsion of any student for misconduct as described in subsection (1) of this section, but the action shall not be taken until the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody or control of the student has had an opportunity to have a hearing before the board.

The child is removed for more than ten (10) consecutive days during a Page 80 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 school year;

(b) The admissions and release committee shall meet to review the placement and make a recommendation for continued placement or a change in placement Page 77 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA and determine whether regular suspension or expulsion procedures apply.

(9) Suspension of primary school students shall be considered only in exceptional cases Page 81 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 where there are safety issues for the child or others.

Section 19.18.

(1) Unless the action is taken pursuant to KRS 158.150, no school, school administrator, teacher, or other school employee shall expel or punish a child based Page 78 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA on information contained in a record of an adjudication of delinquency or conviction of an offense received by the school pursuant to KRS 610.345 or from any other source.

(2) Except as provided in KRS 610.345, no school, school administrator, teacher, or other school employee who has custody of records received or maintained by the Page 82 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 school pursuant to KRS 610.345 or who has received information contained in or relating to a record received by the school pursuant to KRS 610.345 shall disclose the fact of the record's existence, or any information contained in the record or received from the record to any other person, including but not limited to other teachers, school employees, pupils, or parents other than the pupil, or parents of the pupil who is the subject of the record.

(3) The child and his or her parent or guardian shall have a civil cause of action against the school board and against any school administrator violating subsection (1) or (2) Page 79 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA of this section or divulging information in violation of KRS 610.345 or 610.340.

Section 20.19.

(2) (a) Each local board of education shall require the[ school council or, if none Page 83 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 exists, the] principal in each school building in his or her[its] jurisdiction to adopt an emergency plan.

A copy of the data created through the School Mapping Data Program pursuant to KRS 158.4433 or, if the school mapping data is unavailable, Page 80 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA a diagram of the facility that clearly identifies the location of each automated external defibrillator.

Page 84 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (a) Establish primary and secondary evacuation routes for all rooms located within the school and shall post the routes in each room by any doorway used for evacuation;

Page 81 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (d) Develop and adhere to practices to control the access to each school building.

Requiring all visitors to report to the front office of the building, provide Page 85 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 valid identification, and state the purpose of the visit;

Adopt procedures for the use of the portable automated external Page 82 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA defibrillator during an emergency;

The progress made towards having a portable automated external defibrillator at all school-sanctioned athletic practices and Page 86 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 competitions;

Include a delineation of the roles of staff and emergency personnel, methods of communication, any assigned emergency equipment including a portable automated external defibrillator, a cardiac Page 83 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA emergency response plan, and access to and plan for emergency transport;

Whenever possible, first responders shall be invited to observe emergency Page 87 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 response drills.

(7) A district with a school not in compliance with the requirements of subsection (3)(d) of this section by July 1, 2022, shall not be eligible for approval by the Kentucky Department of Education for new building construction or expansion in the 2022-2023 school year and any subsequent year without verification of Page 84 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA compliance, except for facility improvements that specifically address the school safety and security requirements of this section, when deemed necessary for the protection of student or staff health and safety, or to comply with other legal requirements or orders.

Section 21.20.

Section 22.21.

Page 88 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (1) Email[E-mail] electronic copies or send paper copies of KRS 158.183 and 158.195 directly to each local school board, school principal, advisory[ school-based decision making] council, and certified employee in Kentucky;

Section 23.22.

Page 85 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (1) A school principal[school-based decision making council] under administrative regulations of the Kentucky Board of Education may offer students in grade nine (9) or above:

The influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and Page 89 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 culture.

A course Page 86 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA under this section shall not endorse, favor, or promote, or disfavor or show hostility toward, any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective.

Section 24.23.

Page 90 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (b) According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is one (1) of the most common types of cancer in the United States, with one (1) in five (5) Americans developing skin cancer in his or her lifetime and one (1) American dying from skin cancer every hour;

(d) World and national health organizations have published guidelines or instructional materials regarding sun safety and skin cancer prevention for Page 87 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA schools;

Section 25.24.

(1) Local boards of education, school district superintendents, administrators of state- Page 91 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 controlled facilities, and local and state law enforcement agencies shall cooperate to assign one (1) or more certified school resource officers to serve each campus where one (1) or more school buildings are used to deliver instruction to students on a continuous basis.

If sufficient funds and qualified personnel are not available for this purpose for every campus, the local board of Page 88 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA education shall fulfill the requirements of this subsection on a per campus basis, as approved in writing by the state school security marshal, until a certified school resource officer is assigned to and working on-site full-time on each campus in the district.

(5) Local boards of education utilizing a school resource officer employed by a law enforcement agency or the Department of Kentucky State Police shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the law enforcement agency or the Department Page 92 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 of Kentucky State Police that specifically states the purpose of the school resource officer program and clearly defines the roles and expectations of each party involved in the program.

(6) Local boards of education utilizing a school resource officer employed directly by the local board of education shall adopt policies and procedures that specifically state the purpose of the school resource officer program and clearly define the roles Page 89 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA and expectations of school resource officers and other school employees.

Page 93 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (f) Youth mental health awareness;

(10) All school resource officers with active school resource officer certification status shall successfully complete forty (40) hours of annual in-service training that has been certified or recognized by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council for school Page 90 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA resource officers.

(15) No later than November 1 of each year, the local school district superintendent shall Page 94 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 report to the Center for School Safety the number and placement of school resource officers in the district.

(17) [Nothing in ]This section shall not prevent a private or parochial school from Page 91 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA entering into a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency or the Department of Kentucky State Police to provide school resource officers employed by the local law enforcement agency or the Department of Kentucky State Police.

Section 26.25.

(g) Training needs for students in the development of core values and qualities of Page 95 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 good character, anger reduction, conflict resolution, peer mediation, and other necessary skills;

(l) Existing components of the school improvement plan or consolidated plan Page 92 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA that focus on school safety and at-risk students, and the effectiveness of the components;

(4) The district plan under subsection (3) of this section shall be the basis for any Page 96 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 request for funds under the state school safety grant program.

Section 27.26.

(a) "Accelerated learning" means an organized way of helping students meet Page 93 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA individual academic goals by providing direct instruction to eliminate student performance deficiencies or enable students to move more quickly through course requirements and pursue higher level skill development;

Formative assessments may include the use of commercial assessments, classroom observations, teacher- designed classroom tests and assessments, and other processes and Page 97 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 assignments to gain information about individual student learning;

and (h) "Writing" means a purposeful act of thinking and expression that uses Page 94 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA language to explore ideas and communicate meaning to others.

Ensure that the standards are aligned from elementary to high school to Page 98 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 postsecondary education so that students can be successful at each education level.

Each committee member shall teach in the subject Page 95 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA area that his or her committee is assigned to review and have no prior or current affiliation with a curriculum or assessment resources vendor.

Each advisory panel shall be composed of at least one (1) representative from a Kentucky institution of higher education and a minimum of six (6) Kentucky public school teachers who teach in the grade level and Page 99 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 subject reviewed by the advisory panel to which they are assigned and have no prior or current affiliation with a curriculum or assessment resources vendor.

Page 96 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (f) 1.

The review of the committee shall be limited to the procedural aspects Page 100 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 of the review process undertaken prior to its consideration.

The department shall ensure the public's assistance in reviewing and suggesting changes to the standards and alignment adjustments to corresponding state assessments by establishing a Page 97 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA website dedicated to collecting comments by the public and educators.

The commissioner shall subsequently present the recommendations and the public feedback to the appropriate Interim Page 101 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Joint Committee on Education.

After receiving the commissioner's report, the standards and assessments Page 98 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA process review committee shall either concur that stakeholders have had adequate opportunity to provide input on standards and the corresponding alignment of state assessments or find the input process deficient.

Page 102 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 2.

(j) The Department of Education shall provide or facilitate statewide training Page 99 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA sessions for existing teachers and administrators on how to:

(m) The Education Professional Standards Board shall, as a condition of program approval, require teacher preparation programs to align curriculum with the Page 103 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 expectations set forth in the state's academic content standards.

(b) The board shall revise the annual statewide assessment program as needed in Page 100 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA accordance with revised academic standards and corresponding assessment alignment adjustments approved by the board under subsection (2) of this section.

Page 104 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 2.

Ensure school and district accountability for student achievement of the Page 101 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA goals set forth in KRS 158.645 and 158.6451, except the statewide assessment program shall not include measurement of a student's ability to become a self-sufficient individual or to become a responsible member of a family, work group, or community.

An editing and mechanics test relating to writing, using multiple choice Page 105 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 and constructed response items, to be administered one (1) time within the elementary and the middle grades, respectively;

A criterion-referenced test in social studies that is valid and reliable for Page 102 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA an individual student as necessary to measure the depth and breadth of Kentucky's academic content standards to be administered one (1) time within the high school grades;

Page 106 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (6) Each school district shall administer the statewide student assessment during the last fourteen (14) days of school in the district's instructional calendar.

Page 103 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (7) A student enrolled in a district-operated or district-contracted alternative program shall participate in the appropriate assessments required by this section.

Page 107 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (a) The cost of the college admissions examination administered to students in high school shall be paid for by the Kentucky Department of Education.

and (c) Accommodations provided to a student with a disability taking the college Page 104 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA admissions assessment under this subsection shall consist of:

Page 108 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (c) Minimize the time spent by teachers and students on assessment;

Page 105 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (14) The Department of Education shall gather information to establish the validity of the assessment and accountability program.

(16) The Administration Code for Kentucky's Assessment Program shall include prohibitions of inappropriate test preparation activities by school district employees Page 109 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 charged with test administration and oversight, including but not limited to the issue of teachers being required to do test practice in lieu of regular classroom instruction and test practice outside the normal work day.

and the department's technical advisory committee, shall promulgate an administrative regulation under KRS Chapter 13A Page 106 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA to establish the components of a reporting structure for assessments administered under this section.

Page 110 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 3.

(b) An individual student report to parents for each student in grades three (3) through eight (8) summarizing the student's skills in reading, science, social Page 107 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA studies, and mathematics.

(c) The department shall provide to all schools guidelines for programs that incorporate the adopted academic standards in visual and performing arts and Page 111 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 practical living and career studies.

(19) The Kentucky Department of Education shall provide to all school districts Page 108 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA guidelines for including an effective writing program within the curriculum.

(c) If a school staff member, student, or a student's parent has concerns regarding deficiencies in a school's implementation of the programs described in subsection (18) of this section, he or she may submit a written inquiry to the Page 112 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 school principal[council].

Page 109 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 2.

Resource services delivered in a pull-out classroom or other Page 113 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 appropriate instructional setting;

Automatically enroll a student who scores distinguished in any subject area on the most recent statewide assessment for which scores are Page 110 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA available in available advanced coursework for that subject area and any corresponding subject area designated by the local board of education;

(22) (a) The Kentucky Board of Education may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to administer the provisions of Page 114 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 subsection (21) of this section.

Section 28.27.

(1) As used in this section, "achievement gap" means the difference between performance goals and actual performance on each of the tested areas by grade Page 111 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA level of the state assessment program for each of the various subgroups of students as described in the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, Pub.

Page 115 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (3) Each local board of education upon the recommendation of the local district superintendent shall adopt a policy for reviewing the academic performance on the state assessments required under KRS 158.6453 for various groups of students, including major racial groups, gender, disability, free and reduced price school lunch eligibility, and limited English proficiency.

Upon agreement of[ the school-based decision making council, or] the principal[ if there is not a council,] and the superintendent, the local board shall establish an annual Page 112 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA target for each school for reducing identified gaps in achievement as set out in subsection (4) of this section.

(b) Evaluation and assessment strategies to continuously monitor and modify Page 116 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 instruction to meet student needs and support proficient student work;

Page 113 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (7) Based on the disaggregated assessment results, the local board shall determine if each school achieved its targets for each group of students.

Page 117 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (10) [The school-based decision making council, or ]The principal[ if there is not a council,] shall not[no longer] be required to seek approval of the plan under subsections (8) and (9) of this section when his or her school[it] meets its target for reducing the gap in student achievement for the various groups of students identified in subsection (1) of this section.

Section 29.28.

(a) "Comprehensive reading program" means any print, nonprint, or electronic Page 114 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA medium of reading instruction designed to assist students.

Page 118 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 3.

The Department of Education, upon the recommendation of the Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grant Steering Page 115 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Committee, shall provide renewable, two (2) year grants to schools to support teachers and reading interventionists in the implementation of reliable, replicable evidence-based reading intervention programs that use a balance of diagnostic tools and instructional strategies that emphasize phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and connections between writing and reading acquisition and motivation to read to address the diverse learning needs of those students reading at low levels.

Page 119 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 3.

Define the professional development and continuing education Page 116 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA requirements for teachers, library media specialists, administrators, and staff of grant recipients;

(c) The board shall not restrict how a grant applicant utilizes grant funds as it relates to the applicant's use of funds for professional development, resources, Page 120 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 tools, employment of reading interventionists, and other expenses authorized by this section.

Funding for professional development allocated to the school principal[council] under KRS 160.345 and for Page 117 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA continuing education under KRS 158.070 may be used as part of the school's match.

(7) The Department of Education shall report program data to an external evaluator for analysis of the program's success in meeting the goal of increasing early literacy Page 121 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 student outcomes.

Section 30.29.

The department shall award a grant to at least one (1) school per region based on the quality of the application in meeting the criteria established in subsection (2) of Page 118 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA this section.

(g) Partnerships with parents, local cultural agencies, individual artists, and native speakers of the foreign language who work in collaboration with classroom Page 122 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 teachers;

Page 119 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Section 31.30.

Content teachers shall comprise the majority of Page 123 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 the developers and reviewers of the test items.

Page 120 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA and 5.

The determination shall be based on an analysis of individual test items, analyses of student results on the exams, pilot teachers' input, and review of other data gathered during the Page 124 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 pilot year.

(c) Following the consultations and discussions required in paragraphs (a) and (b) Page 121 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA of this subsection, the commissioner of education shall report the findings of the pilot project and policy options to the appropriate Interim Joint Committee on Education.

The department and Page 125 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 local school districts shall also use test results to determine the need for technical assistance, professional development, and other resources to improve instruction.

Section 32.31.

Page 122 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (2) The grant funds may be used to support the implementation of diagnostic and intervention services in mathematics.

(4) Any funds appropriated to the mathematics achievement fund that are specifically designated by the General Assembly to support the Center for Mathematics shall be Page 126 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 appropriated to the Council on Postsecondary Education and distributed to the university administering the center, as determined by the council under KRS 164.525.

(7) (a) Any funds appropriated to the mathematics achievement fund and specifically Page 123 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA designated by the General Assembly as funding for grants to local school districts or to support the Committee for Mathematics Achievement shall be administered by the Kentucky Department of Education.

Page 127 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 8.

Page 124 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 2.

and Page 128 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 4.

By November 1, 2007, the Department of Education with input from the Committee for Mathematics Achievement and the Center for Mathematics shall conduct a statewide needs assessment of the Page 125 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA resources needed in each school to help each child achieve proficiency in mathematics by the year 2014 and report to the Interim Joint Committee on Education an estimate of the cost and a specific timeline for meeting the goal established by the Commonwealth.

Section 33.32.

Section 34.33.

(1) Each board of education shall, on the forms prepared by the chief state school Page 129 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 officer and approved by the Kentucky Board of Education, prepare and submit to the Kentucky Board of Education reports on all phases of its school service.

Page 126 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (c) Limitations or restrictions on use of school facilities;

(b) Biennially, the local board shall review in a public meeting the portion of each school's consolidated plan that sets forth the activities and schedule to reduce the achievement gaps for the various groups of students as required in KRS Page 130 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 158.649.

Such policies shall be filed in the board's office by August 15, Page 127 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 1974, shall be kept up to date by filing annual amendments thereto each August 15 and shall be public records.

Section 35.34.

(1) ForAs used in[For purposes ofof] this section:

(2) (a) The department shall annually identify a school for targeted support and Page 131 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 improvement if the school has one (1) or more of the same subgroups, as defined by ESSA, whose performance in the state accountability system by level is at or below that of all students in any of the lowest-performing five percent (5%) of all schools for three (3) consecutive years.

(b) Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, and every three (3) years thereafter, the department shall identify a school for additional targeted support and improvement if the school has one (1) or more subgroups, as defined by ESSA, whose performance in the state accountability system by Page 128 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA level is at or below the summative performance of all students in any of the lowest-performing five percent (5%) of all schools identified under subsection (3)(a) of this section and the school was identified in the immediately preceding year for targeted support and improvement as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(4) (a) When a school is identified for targeted support and improvement under subsection (2)(a) of this section, the local school personnel, working with stakeholders, including the principal, other school leaders, teachers, and parents, shall revise its school improvement plan, which shall be subject to Page 132 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 review and approval by the local board of education.

Page 129 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (c) If adequate performance progress, as defined by the department, is not made, the local school district shall take additional action to assist and support the school in reaching performance goals.

A diagnosis of the causes of the school's low performance, with an emphasis on underperforming subgroups of students and corresponding Page 133 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 critical resource inequities;

A recommendation to the local board of education of the turnaround Page 130 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA principles and strategies necessary for the superintendent to assist the school with turnaround;

The superintendent shall consult with the turnaround team, parents, certified staff, and classified staff before appointing Page 134 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 a principal replacement;

(f) The principal shall collaborate with the turnaround team to establish an advisory leadership team representing school stakeholders including other Page 131 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA school leaders, teachers, and parents;

Page 135 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (i) The turnaround plan shall be fully implemented by the first full day of the school year following the school year the school was identified for comprehensive support and improvement;

Page 132 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Required professional learning shall be related to evidence-based practices in instruction, instructional materials implementation, and assessment for reading and mathematics and aligned to Kentucky academic standards required by KRS 158.6453.

Page 136 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (13) For school districts that include a significant number of schools, as determined by the department, identified for targeted support and improvement:

Page 133 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (14) If, in the course of a school audit, the audit team identifies information suggesting that a violation of KRS 160.345(8)[(9)](a) may have occurred, the commissioner of education shall forward the evidence to the Office of Education Accountability for investigation.

Section 36.35.

Section 37.36.

The department Page 137 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 shall provide sample syllabi, instructional resources, and instructional supports for teachers that will assist in preparing students for more rigorous coursework.

In addition, each principal[school-based decision making council] shall comply with any additional requirements for AP, IB, dual Page 134 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA enrollment, dual credit, and advanced coursework courses that may be established cooperatively by the Kentucky Department of Education, the Education Professional Standards Board, and the Council on Postsecondary Education in accordance with the definitions in KRS 158.007.

Page 138 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (4) Students that successfully complete high school advanced coursework shall receive credit toward graduation in accordance with KRS 158.622(3).

Section 38.37.

(1) Superintendents of public school districts shall distribute the written information provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Department for Libraries and Archives under KRS 15.257 and 171.223 to each elected school board member, Page 135 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA school principal, and each advisory[school] council member, as designated in KRS 160.345(2), within their respective districts.

Section 39.38.

Page 139 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (2) "Educational institution" means any public school providing an elementary and secondary education, including vocational;

and directory data recorded in any medium including handwriting, magnetic tapes, film, video, microfiche, computer-generated and Page 136 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA stored data, or data otherwise maintained and used by the educational institution or a person acting for an institution.

or (d) Records on a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, which are made, used, or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other recognized professional or paraprofessional for treatment of the student, and are not available to anyone other than persons providing this treatment, except a physician or other appropriate professional of the student's choice.choice;[.] (4) "Eligible student" means a student, or a former student, who has reached the age of eighteen (18) or is pursuing an education beyond high school and therefore the permission or consent required of, and the rights accorded to the parents of the student shall thereafter be required of, and accorded to the student;

(4)and "Eligible(5) student""School official" means apersonnel student,employed orin ainstructive formerand student,administrative whopositions haswith reacheda the age of Page 140 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 eighteen (18) or is pursuing an education beyond high school andboard therefore the permission or consenteducational requiredinstitution. of, and the rights accorded to the parents of the student shall thereafter be required of, and accorded to the student;

(5) "School official" means personnel employed in instructive and administrative positions with a school board or educational institution.

Page 137 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Section 40.39.

(d) When funds are not available to fully fund the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection for all national board applicants, the board may prorate the specified reimbursements in paragraphs (a) and (b) and may limit Page 141 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 the conditions under which provisions of paragraph (c) shall be applied to second year participants.

(2) (a) As of July 14, 2000, a teacher who attains national board certification shall be reimbursed seventy-five percent (75%) of the certification fee for the initial ten (10) year certificate, except the Education Professional Standards Board may decrease the percentage of reimbursement if a teacher receives payment other than a repayable loan for the same purpose from another source and the Page 138 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA cumulative amount would exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the certification fee.

Section 41.40.

Page(1) 142As ofused 179in[For XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (1) For purposes ofof] this sectionsection, unless the context requires otherwise:

(c) "Qualified teacher" means a teacher who holds the appropriate certification for a position unless the superintendent of the employing local school district Page 139 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA has documented evidence that the teacher is unsuitable for appointment;

The loans shall be used to provide forgivable loans to emergency certified personnel, fully certified teachers who are willing to seek additional certification in hard-to-fill or critical shortage areas, and paraprofessionals in local school districts to become fully certified Page 143 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 teachers and to continue service within the local district.

Page 140 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (4) To qualify for a forgivable loan, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

and (e) Be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours and not more than nine (9) credit hours during each semester of an academic term while employed concurrently in the school district and in not less than six (6) credit hours Page 144 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 during the summer term.

The authority shall establish by administrative Page 141 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA regulation the specific requirements, notwithstanding requirements in subsection (4) of this section.

(9) Failure to meet repayment obligations imposed by this section shall be cause for the Page 145 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 revocation of a person's certification, subject to the procedures set forth in KRS 161.120.

Page 142 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (12) If available funds are insufficient for all requested loans for eligible applicants during any fiscal year, the authority shall give priority consideration to eligible applicants who previously received loans.

Section 42.41.

For this purpose, the services and facilities of local health officers and Page 146 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 departments shall be made available, at a cost not to exceed the Medicaid reimbursement rate, to the Department of Juvenile Justice or the cabinet, and as far as practicable, any publicly owned hospital shall provide hospitalization without charge for any such child who is a resident of the political subdivision by which the hospital is owned or operated.

(2) Any child placed in a foster home by an agency duly authorized in KRS Chapter 620 to place a child in a foster home shall receive a complete medical, visual, and Page 143 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA dental examination by a professional authorized by the Kentucky Revised Statutes to conduct such examinations.

Classrooms for the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children shall be within or near the facilities and programs operated or contracted by the Page 147 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Department of Juvenile Justice or the cabinet.

The biennial plan shall include strategies to assure that teacher preparation programs include content related to working with state agency children and Page 144 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA that adequate professional development opportunities for better meeting the needs of these students are available for teachers and schools.

A per-pupil distribution of technology funds in accordance with the state education technology plan pursuant to KRS 156.670 and the formula for Page 148 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 the distribution of funds to local school districts;

Page 145 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (d) The commissioner of Juvenile Justice and the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall promulgate administrative regulations, pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A, with the assistance of the Kentucky Department of Education and upon recommendation of the Kentucky Board of Education regarding the governance, curriculum, and other topics necessary to educate state agency children.

Provide procedures for the implementation of the Kentucky statutes regarding school-based policies[decisionpolicies making] as defined in Section 1 of this Act,Act[decision making], student outcomes, accountability, assessment, rewards and sanctions, technology, staff development, salaries, and the development of coordinated individual treatment, education, and transition plans to ensure compliance with present education and treatment laws and regulations specific to the needs of children in the programs of the Page 149 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

The cabinet or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall, within two (2) days of enrolling a Page 146 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA state agency child in a new school or educational facility, present the educational passport to the receiving school or educational facility.

Section 43.42.

The agreements relating to each item required under KRS 160.1592(3) Page 150 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 and 160.1593(3), as modified or supplemented during the approval process;

The process the authorizer will use to provide ongoing oversight, Page 147 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA including a process to conduct annual site visits;

Reasonable conditions shall not include enrollment caps or operational requirements that place undue constraints on a public charter school or are contradictory to the provisions of KRS 160.1590 to 160.1599 and Page 151 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 161.141.

Page 148 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA a.

The proposed indicators shall be consistent with the purposes of KRS 160.1590 to Page 152 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 160.1599 and 161.141 and shall be negotiated with the authorizer.

(e) Annual student achievement performance targets shall be set, in accordance Page 149 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA with the state accountability system, by each public charter school in conjunction with its authorizer, and those measures shall be designed to help each school meet applicable federal, state, and authorizer goals.

(5) All students enrolled in a public charter school shall be included in the average daily attendance calculation under KRS 157.360 and the aggregate and average daily attendance of transported pupils calculation under KRS 157.370 of the district Page 153 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 of location in the same manner as any other public schools in the district and shall be reported by the public charter schools to the school district and state Department of Education for purposes of calculating the state and local share of funding for each public charter school.

(6) Notwithstanding the formula for allocating district funds under KRS 160.345(7)[(8)] and any other statute governing a district's funding of schools, unless an authorizing district agrees to provide a larger sum of funding in the charter contract, after local capital outlay funds that are restricted in use pursuant to Page 150 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA KRS 157.420(4) and funds under KRS 157.440(1)(b) and 157.621 necessary to meet debt service obligations on bonds or other financing mechanisms for new construction and renovation projects for school facilities are excluded, and before any other funds are budgeted for district use, a district shall transfer to each of the public charter schools located within the district:

Page 154 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 1.

and (c) On a proportionate per pupil transported basis, transportation funds calculated pursuant to KRS 157.360(2)(c) and 157.370 and distributed to the district of location, unless the school district provides transportation to students Page 151 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA attending the public charter school under written terms agreed upon by the district and the public charter school in either the charter contract or, if the district is not the public charter school's authorizer, a separate agreement.

(8) Notwithstanding the identification of funds to be transferred in this section, a collaborative among local school boards authorizing a public charter school may negotiate among the local boards and a charter applicant to identify the amount of Page 155 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 funds to be transferred to the public charter school.

Page 152 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 2.

Page 156 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (c) If the Kentucky Board of Education requires the authorization of a public charter school on appeal from an authorizer, the board shall receive twenty- five percent (25%) of the authorizing fee for the duration of joint oversight required by KRS 160.1595.

Failure to transfer Page 153 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA required funds shall, for every five (5) days late, result in a fine to the violator of not less than five percent (5%) of the total funds per funding period to be transferred.

(15) If a public charter school closes for any reason, the assets of the school shall be Page 157 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 distributed first to satisfy outstanding payroll obligations for employees of the school, then to the creditors of the school, then to the district of location or authorizing districts if authorized by a collaborative of local boards of education.

(a) Establish the process to be used to evaluate the performance of a charter Page 154 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA school authorizer, based upon the requirements of KRS 160.1590 to 160.1599 and 161.141, and the actions to be taken in response to failures in performance;

(d) A summary of the academic and financial performance of each public charter Page 158 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 school operated under contract with the authorizer during the previous academic year;

Section 44.43.

Page 155 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (1) The chief state school officer shall recommend, by written charges to the proper school authorities having immediate jurisdiction, the removal of any superintendent of schools, principal, teacher, member of an advisory[ a school] council, or other public school officer as to whom he or she has reason to believe is guilty of immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, willful neglect of duty, or nonfeasance.

(3) The Kentucky Board of Education may suspend a district superintendent of schools or other public school officer under subsection (2) of this section or remove him or Page 159 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 her pursuant to subsection (5) of this section only if, after thirty (30) days of receipt of the written charges specified in subsection (1) of this section, the proper school authorities having immediate jurisdiction, either the superintendent or the district board of education, have refused to act, have acted in bad faith, arbitrarily, or capriciously, or if a recommendation to the district board would have been futile.

(4) Any officer suspended by the Kentucky Board of Education under subsection (2) of this section shall be furnished with an emergency order specifying in detail the reasons for suspension and notifying the officer of his or her right to appeal the Page 156 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA action and have an emergency hearing pursuant to KRS 13B.125.

If the board votes to Page 160 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 remove the officer, the board shall prepare final order specifying which charge or charges it found to be the basis for removal.

If the decision of the court is against removal, the officer shall be paid his or her full Page 157 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA salary from the date of suspension.

Section 45.44.

Page 161 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (c) "Dysgraphia" means difficulty in automatically remembering and mastering the sequence of muscle motor movements needed to accurately write letters or numbers;

(e) "Enrichment program" means accelerated intervention within the school day or outside of the school day or school calendar led by individuals most qualified to provide the intervention that includes evidence-based reading instructional programming related to reading instruction in the areas of Page 158 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and other instructional strategies aligned to reading and writing standards required by KRS 158.6453 and outlined in administrative regulation promulgated by the Kentucky Board of Education;

Page 162 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 2.

and Page 159 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (k) "Universal screener" means a process of providing a brief assessment to all students within a grade level to assess the students' performance on the essential components of reading.

Page 163 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (4) The technical assistance and training shall be designed to improve:

and (e) Accelerated, intensive, direct instruction that addresses students' individual Page 160 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA differences, including advanced learners, and enables students that are experiencing difficulty to catch up with typically performing peers.

(c) All teachers of students in kindergarten through grade three (3), including public charter school teachers, shall be trained on any reading diagnostic Page 164 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 assessment and universal screener selected by the superintendent or public charter school board prior to administration of the assessment.

Page 161 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 4.

(a) Intensive intervention that includes effective instructional strategies and Page 165 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 appropriate instructional materials necessary to help the student make accelerated progress toward proficient performance in reading and become ready for the next grade, including but not limited to daily, one-on-one instruction with students the most in need provided by certified teachers specifically trained to provide one-on-one instruction;

The written Page 162 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA quarterly progress report for the reading improvement plan may be included in the school's existing quarterly progress report;

A kindergarten student who had a reading improvement plan for the Page 166 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 school year may remain in kindergarten for an additional school year if a school determines that the student:

or Page 163 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA c.

Page 167 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (d) The school shall reevaluate and make necessary changes to the reading improvement plan of any student remaining in kindergarten or first grade and shall continue to provide all programs and services required under subsection (8) of this section during the additional year of kindergarten or first grade.

Page 164 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (10) If a student does not score in the proficient performance level or higher in reading, as defined in KRS 158.791(2), on the state annually required grade three (3) assessment, the local school district shall provide:

Page 168 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (b) Current, evidence-based research and age-appropriate instructional tools that may be used for substantial, steady improvement in:

Writing when a student is experiencing difficulty with consistently producing letters or numbers with accuracy or is exhibiting Page 165 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA characteristics of dysgraphia;

(15) The department shall collaborate with the statewide reading research center established under KRS 164.0207, the Kentucky Center for Mathematics, the Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline, the Education Professional Standards Board, the Council on Postsecondary Education, postsecondary teacher education programs, and other agencies and organizations as deemed appropriate to ensure that teachers are prepared to utilize evidence-based interventions in reading, Page 169 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 writing, mathematics, and behavior.

Section 46.45.

(1) A School Curriculum, Assessment, and Accountability Council is hereby created to Page 166 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA study, review, and make recommendations concerning Kentucky's system of setting academic standards, assessing learning, identifying academic competencies and deficiencies of individual students, holding schools accountable for learning, and assisting schools to improve their performance.

The members shall be appointed as Page 170 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 follows:

Page 167 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (e) Two (2) local school board members from recommendations submitted by organizations representing school boards;

Page 171 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Section 47.46.

Page 168 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA 1.

Four (4) members shall be parents of students in local school districts, including two (2) parents of students identified as gifted and talented and at least one (1) who serves or has served on an advisory[a school] council;council established under Section 1 of this Act;

the state consultant for Page 172 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 gifted and talented education in the Kentucky Department of Education, a staff person designated by the executive secretary of the Education Professional Standards Board, and a staff person designated by the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education.

(c) Each board member shall serve a three (3) year term or until a successor is appointed, except that for initial appointments to the board, three (3) of the Page 169 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA members shall be appointed to serve a one (1) year term, eight (8) of the members shall be appointed to serve a two (2) year term, and eight (8) of the members shall be appointed to serve a three (3) year term.

(3) As the advisory council considers issues relating to gifted and talented students, it shall seek dialogue with other agencies and organizations, including the Parent Teachers Association, the Governor's Scholars Program, the Governor's School for the Arts, the Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Program, the Kentucky Association of School Councils, the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education, the Kentucky School Boards Association, the Kentucky Association of School Page 173 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 Administrators, and the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children.

Section 48.47.

Page 170 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA (1) The General Assembly hereby finds that reading and mathematics proficiency are gateway skills necessary for all Kentucky students to achieve the academic goals established in KRS 158.6451.

and (d) Students who are struggling in reading and mathematics or are not at the proficient level on statewide assessments shall be provided evidence-based Page 174 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 and developmentally appropriate diagnostic and intervention services, and instructional modifications necessary to learn.

The General Assembly, the Kentucky Board of Education, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Council on Postsecondary Education, colleges and universities, local boards of education, school administrators, advisory[school] councils, teachers, parents and families, and other educational entities, such as the Education Professional Standards Board, P-16 councils, the statewide reading research center established under KRS 164.0207, and the Center for Middle School Page 171 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA Academic Achievement must collaborate if the intentions specified in this subsection are to be met.

(a) Provide assistance to schools and teachers, including publicizing professional Page 175 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 development opportunities, methods of measuring effective professional development, the availability of high quality instructional materials, and developmentally appropriate, valid, and reliable screening and diagnostic assessments of student competency in mathematics and reading.

(b) Work with state and national educators and subject-matter experts to identify Page 172 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA student reading and mathematical skills in each subject area that align with the state content standards adopted under KRS 158.6453 and identify teaching strategies in each subject area that can be used explicitly to develop the identified reading and mathematical skills under this paragraph;

Page 176 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 2.

(5) The Education Professional Standards Board, in cooperation with the Council on Postsecondary Education, shall exercise its duties and functions under KRS 161.028 to ensure that teacher education programs are fulfilling the needs of Kentucky for Page 173 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA highly skilled teachers.

Page 177 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 (a) Utilize institution-wide resources to work with elementary and secondary educators and other entities to align curriculum content to ensure that students who achieve proficiency on standards established at the prekindergarten through secondary levels will require no remediation to successfully enter a postsecondary education program;

(b) Provide quality undergraduate teacher preparation programs to ensure that those preparing to teach reading or mathematics at all grade levels have the necessary content knowledge, assessment and diagnostic skills, and teaching Page 174 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA methodologies and that teachers in all subject areas have the requisite skills for helping students at all grade levels develop critical strategies and skills for reading and comprehending subject matter;

(7) School councils at all school levels are encouraged to identify and allocate resources to qualified teachers to become coaches or mentors in mathematics or coaches or mentors in reading with a focus on improving student achievement in Page 178 of 179 XXXX 1/27/2026 1:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1223 their respective schools.

(9) Local school superintendents shall provide leadership and resources to the principals of all schools to facilitate curriculum alignment, communications, and technical support among schools to ensure that students are academically prepared Page 175 of 176 SB015210.100 - 1223 - XXXX 2/19/2026 3:17 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 152/GA to move to the next level of schooling.

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