(FRANKFORT, KY) – During the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) meeting on Aug. 18, members approved revisions to Kentucky’s teacher certification structure.
The amendment to 16 KAR 2:010, the regulation on Kentucky professional and provisional teacher certificates, updates the grade bands for certification, specifically by adjusting elementary to include kindergarten through 6th grade, middle to include 4th grade through 9th grade, and secondary to include 7th grade through 12th grade.
Further changes add a secondary general science certificate and provide a pathway for a certified teacher in secondary sciences to add additional science credentials.
The amendment comes following the work of the Education Certification Structure Workgroup, which began in December 2024. The group was made up of principals, teachers, school counselors, human resource officers, leaders from Kentucky’s universities, state lawmakers and other educator stakeholder groups.
Members of the work group analyzed current grade bands and credential structures to see if they meet districts’ needs. The workgroup reviewed state and national data and identified that some of the challenges within the current system could be addressed by modifying the existing certification grade bands and certification permissions.
The workgroup narrowed down a list of recommendations, taking into consideration how other states operate and discussions with district leaders in Kentucky. Workgroup members then sought input from several groups, including the Local Superintendents Advisory Council, to finalize the recommendations.
Todd Davis, division director in the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness, explained some minor revisions to the proposal EPSB members discussed in June following meetings with lawmakers and other stakeholders. The revisions include clarifying language regarding postsecondary coursework requirements for the Highly Qualified Route, providing certified teachers with greater flexibility to add additional certification areas. The revisions also add the pathway for certified teachers to receive approval to teach specified computer science courses.
Student Teaching Regulation
EPSB members approved changes to 16 KAR 5:040, the regulation on admission, placement and supervision in student teaching.
The updates to the regulation include:
- Allowing a teacher with less than three years of experience to serve as a cooperating teacher;
- Providing more flexibility for student field placement experiences
- Permitting up to two of the four observations of student teachers to be done remotely;
- Clarifying that dual certification in elementary and special education requires student teaching in an elementary placement as well as a middle or high school placement; and
- Permitting an educator preparation provider to allow experience as an emergency certified substitute teacher to count toward the student teacher placement.
Melissa Diebel, academic program manager for KDE and the Kentucky Board of Education, said the amendments provide greater flexibility in cooperating teacher eligibility and student placements while clarifying expectations for remote observations and dual certification.
Diebel noted that candidates pursuing dual certification in elementary and special education will continue to be required to complete placements in both elementary and middle or high school settings, particularly in light of literacy and numeracy requirements. A waiver process will remain available when completing both placements is not possible, but Diebel emphasized that such waivers should remain the exception.
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