(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) will accept nominations for the 2024 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award through Nov. 15.

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 goal of Senate Bill 9 (2022), 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. A child’s ability to read is a critical predictor of both educational and lifelong success. Students must have every opportunity to gain and strengthen this skill, and teachers must be equipped and empowered in the teaching of reading to best support their students.

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 the Read to Succeed Act. 

Anyone can make a nomination for the 2024 Kevin C Brown Strategic Award at the online form through Nov. 15.

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