U.S. Department of Education launches Presidential 1776 Award
The U.S. Department of Education has launched the Presidential 1776 Award, a nationwide competition recognizing exceptional student knowledge of America's founding.
Four Kentucky elementary schools qualify as National Blue Ribbon Schools
Four Kentucky elementary schools met the criteria to be named National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) by the U.S. Department of Education and will be recognized at the Kentucky Board of Education meeting on Dec. 4.
KDE hosts inaugural KY Transition 360 Summer Institute to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities
The inaugural KY Transition 360 Summer Institute, held July 17-19 in Louisville, convened educators from across the Commonwealth to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities after they leave school.
Federal government notifies KDE it will release previously withheld education funding
On July 25, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) received notice from the United States Department of Education (USED) that beginning next week, USED will release the remaining Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title program funding that was previously withheld.
KDE voices support for lawsuit challenging freezing of education funding
Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher released a statement in response to the lawsuit filed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear seeking Congressionally appropriated education funds be released to Kentucky.
Kentucky earns top federal rating for special education implementation for 16th consecutive year
The U.S. Department of Education’s (USED’s) Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has once again recognized Kentucky as meeting the requirements and purposes of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), marking the 16th consecutive year the state has earned the highest possible rating.
USED approves two Boone County projects, denies $10.6 million in COVID relief spending
The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has approved extending COVID relief funding for two small projects in Boone County – one for almost $26,000 for an interactive online learning platform and another project for almost $18,600 to fund one year of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Kentucky school districts face challenges due to the rescission of COVID relief funding
On March 28, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) received a letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education stating that the time to spend all federal funds related to COVID relief was amended to end on March 28. This action came after Kentucky was notified by the U.S. Department of Education (USED) in September 2024 that it could spend its remaining funds through March 2026.
Kentucky superintendents hear update on emergency flooding response, legislative session during webcast
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson and members of his team discussed the ongoing flooding emergency affecting the Commonwealth and how to report damage during the Kentucky Department of Education’s Superintendents Webcast on April 8.
A letter from Commissioner Fletcher about USED’s decision to end the liquidation of COVID relief funds
This is an email that was sent to superintendents on April 1. On Friday evening, March 28, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent an email to all state education agencies notifying us that the U.S. Department of Education (USED) is changing the deadline it previously provided to liquidate COVID relief funds to end at 5 p.m., this past Friday, March 28. USED previously granted KDE’s request to liquidate COVID relief funds through March 28, 2026.