(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) is accepting nominations for the Karem Award for Excellence in Education Policy. The award, which is named for board chairman David Karem, will recognize a Kentucky policymaker, education leader or citizen who has made notable state-level contributions to the improvement of Kentucky’s public education system.

Criteria for the award include a demonstrated leadership in policy development, passage or implementation resulting in increased educational opportunities for students; improved educational, postsecondary or workforce outcomes for students; or increased capacity of teachers or school staff to better meet the academic, social or emotional needs of Kentucky students.

Karem served on the KBE from 2009 through 2016 before joining the board again in December 2019. He served for 33 years in the Kentucky State Senate and as chairman of the Senate Education Committee. During his tenure in the Kentucky General Assembly, Karem championed the passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) and led the efforts for the 4% school tax levy by school districts. 

The nomination deadline is Jan. 29. Nominations may be submitted online. The winner will be announced in February.