(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) and the Kentucky Department of Education recognized five school districts as Districts of Distinction at the board’s meeting Feb. 3.

The districts earned the recognition under the fourth year of the Unbridled Learning: College and Career Readiness for All accountability system. To qualify as a District of Distinction, a district has to have an overall accountability score at the 95th percentile or higher (based on achievement, gap, growth, college- and career-readiness, graduation rate and program reviews), meet its current year Annual Measureable Objective, have at least a 95 percent participation rate, and not have a Focus or Priority School in the district. The achievement data is based on K-PREP testing in spring 2015.

The Districts of Distinction for the 2014-15 school year are:

  • Calloway County
  • Floyd County
  • Fort Thomas Independent
  • Hickman County
  • Russell Independent

In addition, Hickman County, Calloway County and Russell Independent were recognized as High Progress Districts, which means they are in the top 10 percent of improvement compared to other districts in the state.

KBE Vice-Chair Bill Twyman and Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt presented each district superintendent and local board of education representative with a recognition banner and letter of commendation. Each district also will receive a District of Distinction logo which can be displayed on its website, letterhead or used in other ways to promote its accomplishment. Additionally, the three High Progress districts received a certificate of commendation.