Karen Dodd, chief performance officer at the Kentucky Department of Education, presents details about the latest assessment and accountability framework to members of the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, April 15, 2025
(FRANKFORT, KY) – Members of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council gave feedback on the current assessment and accountability framework at their April 15 meeting.
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher and KDE Chief Performance Officer Karen Dodd explained the changes that have been made to the framework as a result of feedback from town halls held across the state, which were attended by more than 600 people.
In the revised framework:
- Districts would have the option to administer state-developed or independently purchased reading and mathematics interim assessments, while the year-end summative assessments remain required for all schools.
- K-2 assessments in reading and mathematics have been added, allowing districts to administer state-developed tests or purchase their own.
- Districts would be able to choose between state-developed tests or tests they create for off-year science testing in grades 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9.
- Social studies and writing must be included in the local accountability portion of the model, and districts may develop their own assessments or utilize state-developed assessments.
Fletcher said these changes are mainly to give more flexibility and freedom to local districts. KDE’s goal is to increase collaboration between districts and local communities (business leaders, faith leaders, parents) to prioritize what’s important for the community. Another goal is to increase collaboration between districts to help each other.
When Fletcher asked council members what their opinions are about the framework, some students were excited, and others expressed concern over districts possibly having too much freedom.
Sophia Langford, a junior at the J. Graham Brown School (Jefferson County), said that districts having more independence might allow them to either change too much or not do enough for students.
“I feel when there’s a potential for a district to interpret something a certain way, that they might just leave everything the same, and it makes me a feel a little wary about maybe too much independence with the districts to where they won’t do what’s best for students,” Langford said.
Fletcher said districts will have a level of trust to know what’s best for their schools. He acknowledged that some districts will have an uphill battle but gave an example that the Bullitt County school district has been able to increase collaboration between the community and their schools.
“To work with local community leaders, parents and teachers have really built a momentum to actually build trust within their district,” Fletcher said.
Samarah Higgins, a senior at John Hardin High School (Hardin County), believes that more freedom for districts is a good idea, but worries that local accountability might put too much responsibility on communities that may not offer as much support as other communities.
“I come from an area that does not have a lot of communal support in backing students in their career endeavors,” Higgins said. “If you don’t have communities and districts that are on the same page about what they expect from students, that could probably present some adversity.”
Samarah Higgins, right, a senior at John Hardin High School (Hardin County), speaks during the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, April 15, 2025
Fletcher said it’s all about partnering with the right people, and districts may have to do some heavy lifting when getting the community involved. However, partnerships with local businesses can help schools, increasing opportunities for field trips and career options for students.
The framework includes a heavy focus on vibrant learning, collaboration, local innovation, feedback and support. Fletcher said districts will always be required to have standardized tests, but schools also need to incorporate more experiences that provide meaningful, useful and relevant information to students. He asked the Student Advisory Council members to share their ideas about what vibrant learning experiences mean to them.
Aliete Yanes Medina, a junior at Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County), shared an idea to have more adults come to schools to share what they do and encourage students in different career paths. She also said her school has a club day where students involved in different activities can all meet and experience different clubs.
Abigail Sears, a senior at Danville High School (Danville Independent), said her school offers different opportunities in arts education, which can enhance the student experience more than just achieving test scores.
“My school doesn’t have the best test scores, so I feel like this accountability model would allow us to understand and celebrate our students more holistically,” Sears said. “We’re not a bad school at all. We’re very good about arts and cultural education, but the test scores don’t really show that.”
Fletcher agreed that student achievement in all areas – including arts, sports and music – should be recognized in addition to high test scores.
Higgins said her high school does a month-long series of showcases for different groups of incoming students to feature all the different pathways available to them. They also do an open house showcase for parents to learn about the pathways.
Council Reflections
This was the final meeting of the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council for the 2024-2025 school year. Members shared what they learned throughout the year by being on the council.
Council Chair Peter Jefferson, a senior at Henry Clay High School (Fayette County) who has been on the council for three years, said he learned how decision-making at higher levels trickles down to the school level.
“It is a unique opportunity to combine the behind-the-scenes understanding of how decisions are made here and amplify my understanding of how we can have an influence as students,” Jefferson said.
Fletcher said that the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council allows him and other state officials to see what the perspective of students really is.
“Our top stakeholders that we serve are the students, and sometimes you get so busy with what’s happening in different parts of the job … but the time that I get to spend talking with students, being in classrooms or being with this advisory council, allows me to stay grounded,” Fletcher said.
Langford said serving on the council has provided an opportunity for personal growth.
“We as students are capable of so much, and it’s encouraged me to set my sights higher, and not only that, but to take the next step in advocating for the students at my school,” Langford said.
KDE awarded graduation cords to senior members of the Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council in recognition of their service.
In other business:
- KDE Division of Student Success Program Consultant Judi Vanderhaar shared information and statistics about human trafficking, including resources KDE has for schools on its Human Trafficking webpage to raise awareness. KRS 156.095 requires Kentucky public schools to post signage that displays the number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Vanderhaar shared a poster designed by KDE with the number – (888) 373-7888 – along with information about trafficking to educate students and staff about how to identify signs of trafficking and how to report it. These posters are available in both English and Spanish with visuals of both younger and older students in the graphics, using student-friendly language to increase awareness.
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