Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, right, and Kentucky Board of Education Chair Sharon Porter Robinson, left, awarded the 2024 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award to Rowan County Schools at the board’s meeting on Feb. 6. Rowan County was represented by Superintendent Michael Rowe, from second left, Assistant Superintendent Brandy Carver. Director of Federal Programs Rhonda Banks and Academic Program Consultant Shawne Wells. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, Feb. 6, 2025
Rowan County Schools was named the winner of the Kentucky Board of Education’s (KBE’s) 2024 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award at its Feb. 6 regular meeting.
The district was recognized for enhancing early literacy through the strategic coordination of federal funding, effective instructional resources, professional development and community engagement.
According to the nominator, the district successfully integrated funding from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, Title I, Title II, Title IV and the Reading Improvement Grant to implement a comprehensive reading initiative that spans all grade levels.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Kevin C. Brown Award,” said Rowan County Superintendent Michael Rowe. “The Rowan County Board of Education has made it a priority to support the successful adoption and implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction. This includes significant investment in professional development and instructional resources, ensuring that our teachers are equipped with the latest, most effective strategies for teaching reading.
“Thanks to the dedication of our staff, we are empowering students to become stronger readers, setting them up for success.”
The award is named for Kevin C. Brown, current general counsel for Jefferson County Public Schools, who previously held several prominent roles at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). Most recently, he served as interim commissioner of education from December 2019 to September 2020.
Brown’s time at the department throughout 2020 was marked with significant challenges that called for strategic educational leadership and clear ongoing communication that was forward-thinking, action-oriented and aimed at advancing efforts to educate, feed and support Kentucky’s 650,000 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategic priority for the award changes each year. The 2024 award seeks to recognize a public school or district that has demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing early literacy through the effective adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices, as outlined in Senate Bill 9 (2022), the Read to Succeed Act.
The goal of the Read to Succeed Act is to support evidence-based early literacy instruction throughout the Commonwealth by investing in teachers to increase student success in reading.
The adoption of evidence-based instructional resources by Rowan County Schools is central to its literacy improvement strategy. High-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) were introduced to provide research-backed reading curricula; digital tools like Lexia and Reading Plus offered personalized learning experiences and targeted interventions for struggling readers; and Beanstack encouraged reading through school-wide challenges.
Instructional coaches provided classroom support, conducted walkthroughs and delivered constructive feedback to maintain instructional fidelity and student engagement. Professional development also has been an ongoing focus for Rowan County Schools.
“These coaches are instrumental in providing real-time classroom assistance, ensuring the curriculum’s effectiveness,” nominator Brandy Carver, Rowan County Schools assistant superintendent, wrote in her nomination letter.
The district invested in the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) program, an opportunity provided to Kentucky schools by the Kentucky Department of Education. The district offered professional learning for teachers and administrators from 2022-2024.
Staff members who completed the training received a $1,000 stipend, incentivizing participation and enhancing expertise in literacy instruction.
Rowan County Schools has adopted policies and practices aligned with the Read to Succeed Act to bolster early literacy outcomes, Carver wrote in the nomination. The district’s efforts include dedicated 30-minute WIN (What I Need) time blocks for personalized reading instruction in elementary schools and specialized reading academies for middle school students needing extra help.
Extended school services daytime tutoring waiver program, 120-minute daily reading blocks and individualized Reading Improvement Plans for students below proficiency further strengthen the district’s approach. Teachers receive continuous training in utilizing Measures of Academic Progress assessments to guide instruction. Regular data review days, mini professional learning sessions and participation in the Early Literacy Leadership Network ensure teachers remain well-informed on best practices.
“Rowan County’s approach extends beyond the classroom through initiatives like personalized ‘Read at Home’ plans, literacy events, public library partnerships and volunteer guest readers, including athletes from Morehead State University and district staff,” wrote Carver.
The Rowan County Book Mobile and “book nooks” in schools foster a reading culture, while Title I Family Engagement newsletters keep families informed and involved.
“Through strategic resource allocation, professional development, targeted student interventions and community partnerships, Rowan County Schools exemplifies a comprehensive approach to supporting early literacy,” Carver wrote in her nomination. “This cohesive effort ensures that students receive the skills, support and encouragement needed to achieve reading success.”
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