Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award 2025 nominations due by Nov. 10(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) will accept nominations for the 2025 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award through Nov. 10.

The award is named for Kevin C. Brown, who served the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) in various roles from 2004 to 2018. He also served as the 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 a global pandemic.

Criteria for the 2025 award include:

  • Notable efforts in supporting the development and/or successful implementation of localized accountability systems.
  • Evidence of localized co-creation to define student success. This includes strong consideration of parental engagement, community partnerships and non-academic factors affecting school quality and the overall schooling experience in the development of the local accountability system.
  • Evidence of collective commitment to create learning experiences that are relevant, authentic, and joyful for every learner. This includes efforts to design and promote vibrant learning experiences for all students, as well as professional development and support for staff focused on vibrant learning experiences.

The 2025 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award seeks to recognize a public school district that has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing and/or implementing a localized accountability system. As stated in the Local Accountability Design Guide and Toolkit released by KDE in September 2025, well-designed and effectively implemented local accountability systems lead to transformed and vibrant student experiences, enhanced community engagement and partnership and increased transparency with actionable data to inform educational improvements and decisions.

Anyone can make a nomination for the 2025 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Award nomination form through Nov. 10.

The award will be presented at the KBE’s February 2026 meeting.