Kevin Brown award graphic(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) will accept nominations for the 2026 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award through Oct. 30.

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.

The 2026 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award seeks to recognize a Kentucky public school or district that has demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing mathematics through the effective adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices, as outlined in KRS 158.8402.

Criteria for the award include:

  • Notable efforts in supporting the successful implementation of evidence-based mathematics instruction and curriculum. This includes investments in the Kentucky Numeracy Academies, curriculum-based professional learning, and/or high-quality instructional resources to equip and empower teachers with the latest evidence-based practices for supporting increased access to grade-level learning in mathematics.
  • Evidence of successful implementation of the Numeracy Counts Act, focusing on policies and practices that enhance mathematics outcomes for all students. This includes providing teachers with the resources and support needed to effectively teach math and develop meaningful mathematics improvement plans for students and offering students ample opportunities to develop and strengthen their numeracy skills within a multi-tiered system of supports.
  • Engagement with partners and/or members of the community to support mathematics initiatives, recognizing that numeracy is a collective effort. This includes collaboration with families, local organizations and other stakeholders to create a numeracy-rich environment that extends beyond the classroom (i.e., Family Math Nights, vibrant learning partnerships, vibrant mathematics learning experiences, mathematics competencies aligned with Portraits of a Learner, and mechanisms for clearly communicating individual student progress).

Anyone can make a nomination for the 2026 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award form through Oct. 30.

The award will be presented at the KBE’s February 2027 meeting.