Kentucky Posts Highest Reading Gains as Overall School Ratings Drop
Kentucky students posted their highest reading proficiency rates in recent years during the 2025-2026 school year, even as overall accountability ratings for schools declined, WKYT reported. Elementary reading proficiency reached 50%, rising from 49% in 2025 and 45% in 2022. Middle school reading rose to 48%, compared to 47% the previous year and 44% in 2022. High school reading climbed to 49%, up from 46% in 2025 and 44% in 2022.
Mathematics Performance Holds Steady Across Grade Levels
While reading scores improved across the board, mathematics performance remained largely flat. Elementary math proficiency held steady at 43%, unchanged from 2025 but higher than the 38% recorded in 2022. Middle school math dropped to 40%, down from 41% in 2025 but above 37% in 2022. High school math fell to 39%, dropping from 40% in 2025 while still sitting above the 36% mark from 2022. Meanwhile, the percentage of students scoring at the Novice level in both subjects declined across all grade levels between 2022 and 2026.
Fewer Schools Earn Top Accountability Ratings
Despite the testing gains, fewer schools received the top two overall accountability ratings, Green or Blue, this year compared to 2025. The combined number of elementary schools rated Green or Blue dropped from 296 to 277. Middle schools with those ratings fell from 154 to 118, while high schools dropped from 132 to 113. According to the Kentucky Department of Education, lower “change” scores drove the decreases. These scores measure performance against prior years, whereas “status” scores measuring current performance remained similar to previous results.
“This may reflect schools maintain performance with little improvement than the previous year, so although current performance remains relatively similar to the previous year, overall, ratings were lower,” explained Robbie Fletcher, Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education.
Postsecondary Readiness and Graduation Rates Improve
Postsecondary readiness emerged as a strength in the state data, with the statewide Postsecondary Readiness Indicator Score climbing from 92.2 to 98.5. High schools earning a Blue rating in that indicator rose from 122 to 151, accounting for 67% of high schools. Statewide graduation rates also continued an upward trend. The four-year graduation rate rose to 94.1%, up from 93.6% the previous year and 90.1% in 2022, reaching its highest level in the five years reported.
“That postsecondary readiness for me as a former principal was what I really hung my hat on,” Fletcher said, describing how he evaluated student success through entry certifications, dual credit classes, and college entrance benchmarks.
State Transition to the Digital SAT
During the 2025-2026 school year, Kentucky shifted from the ACT to the SAT as its state-funded college admissions test for 11th-grade students. The College Board administered the SAT digitally through its Bluebook testing application in March 2026. Because the two exams use different content structures, score scales, and benchmarks, the Kentucky Department of Education advised that 2025-2026 SAT results should not be directly compared with prior ACT scores.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky School Accountability Data
Why did overall school accountability ratings drop when reading scores went up?
The Kentucky Department of Education reported that lower “change” scores drove the decline, as schools maintained steady performance with little improvement compared to the prior year. Current performance status scores remained similar to 2025.
How did graduation rates change for specific student groups?
The four-year graduation rate increased across several demographics. African American students rose to 91.8%, Hispanic students reached 88.2%, economically disadvantaged students climbed to 93.3%, and students with Individual Education Programs improved to 84.2%.
What changes are coming to Kentucky school accountability next year?
House Bill 257 enacts new accountability measures beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, which Commissioner Robbie Fletcher notes could alter future school scores.
Keep reading