November 20, 2025 • 26 mins
A new report shows students in Kentucky are performing better academically, Lexington is once again considering a plan to move city hall, all six members of Kentucky's federal House delegation join in a moment of silence on the House floor, and how KET is giving students across the state a chance to showcase their creativity.
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(00:10):
>> And the results of this year
show students perform better
across several grade levels and
subjects than they have in my
recent memory.
>> Our Kentucky students making
the grade. What new test scores
say about education in Kentucky.
And what brought all six of
(00:30):
Kentucky's congressmen together
on the U.S. House floor.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium Fund.
(00:51):
>> Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky Edition for this
Wednesday, November the 19th,
I'm Renee Shaw, and we thank
you for winding down your
Wednesday with us. There's good
news to report tonight about
Kentucky classrooms. This year.
Students in Kentucky perform
better academically across
nearly all subjects and grade
(01:11):
levels than in recent years.
Today, the state Department of
Education released its
assessment and accountability
data for the 20 2425 school
year. Our Mackenzie Spink tells
us what the report says about
the state of education in
Kentucky. More as we begin
tonight's Making the Grade
segment.
>> The results of the state
(01:33):
testing are color based with
green meaning proficient and
blue meaning distinguished
overall scores among students
at every grade level have
improved the number of schools
hitting green and blue scores
went down from 2023 to 2024.
But in 2025, both green and
blue scores exceeded previous
(01:53):
years. High schools saw a sharp
drop in the lower color ratings,
while the blue scores nearly
doubled in the last year. The
number of high schools scoring
blue and college readiness also
rose sharply from previous
years. Some scores in subjects
like social studies and writing
mechanics dropped slightly, but
overall, Kentucky students are
(02:14):
scoring higher.
>> Our students have really
done a great job in this past
year on their assessments, and
the results of this year show
students perform better across
several grade levels and
subjects than they have in my
recent memory as commissioner
or as a as a superintendent or
as a as a principal. As a
matter of fact.
>> Doctor Fletcher attributes
(02:35):
some of the success to training
initiatives like the Kentucky
Reading Academy, which started
after the General Assembly
passed the Read to Succeed Act
in 2022. A recent third party
report indicated encouraging
outcomes from that program.
>> If a student had a teacher
that had been trained in the
science of reading, and they
had had a teacher that was
(02:56):
trained in that manner for two
consecutive years, the data and
the increase for that student
was much higher than a than a
student that had a teacher that
wasn't trained in the science
of reading. Again, especially
in that two year consecutive
years of data, KET and various
partners have initiated
numerous efforts also to
advance the high quality
numeracy instruction for the
(03:17):
Kentucky Numeracy Act. And to
add, I would be remiss if I did
not thank our legislators. Our
legislators have made a huge
investment in our efforts in
literacy and numeracy across
the state. And again, we're
beginning to see that return on
investment.
>> The rate of chronic
absenteeism is down about 5%
from the 20 2223 school year.
(03:38):
When a child misses 10% or more
of their time in school,
whether excused or unexcused,
they are chronically absent.
This year, Kentucky Department
of Education launched a public
messaging campaign to let kids
know you belong in the
classroom.
>> This messaging is something
to tell students you've missed
school. You miss more than
(03:59):
lessons. You miss connection
with your school. You miss
connection with your your
fellow students, and you miss
on building on your own future.
>> There is also been progress
on the educator workforce
shortage. This year, 34
districts reported that every
licensed position was filled a
small number, but progress
nonetheless, says Doctor
Fletcher.
(04:19):
>> Now, you may say 34 out of
171. That that doesn't sound
like great data, Doctor
Fletcher, but the year before,
we only had one district that
reported no unfilled vacancies.
That's a huge that's a huge
improvement. And we've been
working on efforts to recruit
and retain new teachers with Go
Teach Kentucky, including a new
advertising campaign and
(04:41):
website for educators who are
interested in teaching.
>> Kentucky Department of
Education says it's celebrating
the progress made, but that
there's still work to do.
>> I'd like to see improvement
in every area. So again,
thankful for what we've seen so
far. I think you'll see a lot
of anywhere from 1 to 2 to 3%
increases in the percent of
proficient distinguished, and
that's a good statewide model.
(05:02):
But we would love to see that
to be at much higher levels.
And again, because we want our
students to be better prepared
for what's next.
>> Doctor Fletcher says that
he'd like to see the state
funding for literacy continue,
and hopes for an increase in
funding for numeracy
initiatives for Kentucky.
Edition. I'm Mackenzie Spink.
>> Thank you. Mackenzie.
Science scores improved
(05:24):
dramatically among high school
students, but Commissioner
Fletcher says it's hard to
compare the data properly
because this year, a new type
of science assessment started
in 2023, the Academic Standards
for science changed to
emphasize deeper learning and
the practical applications of
science. 1 in 7 of Kentucky's
public school kids attend
(05:45):
Jefferson County Public Schools,
and J-c-p-s is the state's
largest district, serving more
than twice as many students as
Fayette County. Our June
Leffler has more on how
learners in and near Louisville
tested as we take a deep dive
into whether Kentucky kids are
making the grade.
(06:07):
>> Superintendent Brian
Yearwood highlights progress at
JCPS.
>> When we look at this data,
our graduation rates rose to
over 89.2%, or post-secondary
readiness rates climbed to 84%.
Our intentionality, the
intentionality is actually
paying off. As we look at our
(06:27):
minority students and we look
at their graduation rates
reaching 90.8%, matching their
white peers.
>> Lumping all grades together,
the district found a one
percentage point increase in
students scoring proficient or
distinguished in reading,
social studies and writing, and
a two percentage point increase
(06:48):
in math.
>> The biggest positive is that
we are maintaining in many
areas, and we're showing
promise and growth in other
areas.
>> Science proves to be a more
difficult subject for these
students across grade levels.
While more than a third of
students are proficient or
distinguished in reading. But
Yearwood says that could and
(07:10):
should be better.
>> Achievement gaps are still
there. They're still gaps that
we do need to pay attention to.
>> Just like last year, new
test scores show across grades
and subjects. JCPS students
scored worse than the state
average, something that has
concerned leaders in Frankfort
who fund the state's public
(07:31):
schools. Here is a Middletown
state representative. Speaking
of the district last week.
>> Our problem is our school
system is failing on far too
many levels. It's doing a lot
of good. What I'll say is I'm
going to I'm going to give as
much support and as I can to
Doctor Yearwood, but if it
doesn't turn around pretty soon,
we must do something.
>> The number of JCPS schools
(07:52):
that fall in the bottom 5% of
schools statewide has grown,
from 34 in 20 22 to 41 schools
today.
>> These 41 schools represent
our greatest opportunity for
growth.
>> While the district has both
the flexibility and
responsibility to turn these
(08:14):
schools around, according to
the state, Yearwood says the
designation does adversely
affect a school's reputation.
>> If you start putting labels
on schools like this one is low
or this one's high, that's
internalized by students and
then their own expectations
will mimic what they hear. We
have to do a much better job,
(08:34):
and we will do a much better
job in ensuring that regardless
of where a school is located,
what zip code a school is
located in, what geographic
location that we expect
acceleration at a higher and
higher level.
>> The student body of J-c-p-s
is unique. It has slightly more
economically disadvantaged kids
(08:55):
than the state as a whole, and
students who speak English as
their second language make up
nearly a quarter of JCPS
students. For Kentucky Edition.
I'm June Leffler.
>> Thank you June. Now we
travel from Louisville,
Jefferson County to Northern
Kentucky, where one city school
is celebrating growth. Just a
(09:15):
few years ago, Holmes High
School in Covington was in the
bottom 5% of all Kentucky
schools. Our Emily Sisk tells
us how their scores are now
moving in the right direction.
This as we round out our Making
the grade reports.
>> When I saw the scores, I
(09:36):
really just jumped out of my
seat. Couldn't help myself.
>> Holmes High School Principal
Angela Turnock has been waiting
to announce the results from
last year's state test scores.
The high school is now
classified in the yellow level,
which is one category away from
total proficiency. Covington
Independent Schools District
Assessment Coordinator
explained why this is a huge
(09:58):
turnaround from just a few
years ago.
>> We were at the bottom 5% of
all high schools in the state
of Kentucky, which was a red
category as well.
>> Just a few years ago, Holmes
High School received a red
rating, which required them to
develop an improvement plan
every year since the Covington
based school has grown, they
are now nine points short of
(10:19):
reaching that green proficiency
level.
>> The years of work that we've
put in over probably the last 5
or 6 years have really started
to show. In our scores.
>> We focus on every single
area of school that needed to
improve. So that went from
attendance to behavior to
academics to social emotional
learning.
>> So what's attributed to this
growth? The school leaders all
referenced a district wide
(10:40):
curriculum where all of its K
through 12 schools share the
same learning plan.
>> What was happening at the
middle school aligned with the
high school, and what was
happening at the elementary
schools aligned with what was
at the middle school. So our
kids were coming to us prepared.
>> We did a lot of work to make
sure that not only did we have
that same curriculum in each
classroom, but also that that
(11:00):
curriculum was rigorous, that
it was challenging our students.
>> The high school also
implemented practice
assessments and intervention
for students who needed extra
help.
>> We do three benchmarks every
year, and those benchmarks are
designed to show what they're
going to score on the KSA.
>> If a student doesn't master
a standard, they go and do some
what we call wind time. So what?
I need time. And so during that
time they work on that standard
(11:21):
until they get that standard.
So they've mastered that
standard.
>> Covington Independent Public
Schools is the most diverse
school district in Northern
Kentucky. It is also a low
income district, with nearly
90% of students qualifying for
free or reduced lunch. Leaders
in the school system say it can
be difficult for urban school
districts to see significant
(11:42):
growth, but students at Holmes
High School want to know how
they can improve.
>> Kids want to know their
scores, which is a huge change
for where we used to be. Every
other day, I have a kid that
says, hey, what did I do? Do
you know when I got on that
test, what did I do on that?
How did I do on that? They want
to to see their improvement.
(12:02):
>> They want to know how to get
to that next level. So if they
scored apprentice, they want to
know how many points they were
away from proficient.
>> And I sat down with a senior
at the high school to see what
he thought about the score
improvement. He gave all the
credit back to his teachers.
>> Instead of just handing him
a packet and saying go for it,
they're actually helping them
hands on, and students are
(12:22):
actually learning a lot. The
more they improve and the
higher test scores be, the
better our school gets.
>> Principal said. Sometimes
you have to stay the course
even when it takes time to see
results.
>> We're celebrating all those
small wins that are now
equaling out to to bigger wins
for us.
>> Holmes High School leaders
said their expectation is to
earn a green proficiency rating
(12:43):
next year for Kentucky edition.
I'm Emily Sisk.
>> Thank you Emily. So sticking
with education news as the
upcoming legislative session
gets closer and closer,
organizations have prepared
their budget requests for state
lawmakers to consider, and the
Department of Education is no
exception. Commissioner Robby
Fletcher talked about some of
(13:03):
the department's legislative
priorities yesterday. At the
top of the list is an
accountability proposal that
includes a more adaptive
testing model for students.
>> So I can tell a parent that
their student is proficient in
math, and most are parents will
understand that. But all of our
parents will understand. If I
got a third grade student and
(13:23):
they're reading on the fifth
grade level, that's something
that they can connect to. So
that's one of the one of the
changes that we're proposing in
the new model. Other things
that are a part of that is
emphasizing that every district,
again, we have, I want to say,
a little less than 40 districts
that are in the local
accountability work, but we
believe that every district
should have, shall or should
have a local accountability
(13:45):
model where they're involving
parents, teachers, educators,
local business leaders, our
workforce. It's hard for me not
to stand in front of a podium
and tell you that, not say that
our teachers deserve more
higher salaries. They do. I've
talked to students personally,
including my own son, who said
it's not enough money. I can't
I can't raise a family on these
(14:05):
funds. I think it's very
important to give our teachers
supports. So we need those
literacy coaches. We need those
those also those numeracy
coaches that are out in
classrooms that are helping
teachers to develop lessons, to
observe and give feedback. So I
think, first of all, I would
say continue that support on
literacy, but also increase the
numeracy funding. Again, we're
(14:26):
very thankful for what's there,
but increase that numeracy
funding I think would be a
first start.
>> Earlier this year, the
National Education Association
ranked Kentucky 42nd in the
country for average teacher
salary, a notch below the year
before. The average teacher
salary in Kentucky is just
above $58,000 a year. There's
(14:47):
talk in Frankfort about tougher
penalties for Kentuckians who
use public resources to support
or oppose ballot questions.
Last year, some school
districts were criticized for
using social media to directly
advocate for the defeat of
amendment two. Now, that
amendment would have allowed
the use of public money for
(15:07):
nonpublic schools. The Kentucky
attorney general said that
violated the law. The amendment
lost, with 65% of the voters
saying no. Kentucky Public
Media reports. State Senator
Steve Rawlings of Burlington, a
Republican, will file a bill
making it a class D felony for
people using public resources
to advocate for or against a
(15:28):
ballot measure, and a class D
felony is punishable with 1 to
5 years behind bars, and a
person found guilty couldn't
accept a government job for ten
years, Rawlings says. Right now,
there's no real punishment at
all. It's been decades in the
making. This week, leaders in
Lexington will once again
(15:48):
consider a plan to move City
Hall. The city has proposed
buying and redeveloping the
Truist Bank building on West
Vine Street. The $86 million
deal would include constructing
a 10,000 square foot addition
to the current building. City
council will vote on whether to
approve the deal tomorrow.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is
the city's fifth mayor to try
(16:10):
to find a new home for the
government center. The city
moved into the current building
on Main Street in 1982. At that
time, the move was intended to
be temporary. The city
estimates the current building
needs $55 million worth of
maintenance and repairs. Now
moving on to national politics,
the U.S. Senate moved fast to
(16:31):
pass a bill requiring a release
of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The Senate decided unanimously
to pass the bill that came just
hours after the 427 to 1 vote
in the U.S. House. All six
members of Kentucky's
delegation, federal delegation
voted for the release of the
files with passage in the House
(16:51):
and Senate. The bill is now on
President Donald Trump's desk,
and he says he'll sign it.
Epstein was a financier who
killed himself in a Manhattan
jail while awaiting trial in
2019 on charges he sexually
abused and trafficked underage
girls. There's been speculation
for years about the names in
the files. Kentucky Congressman
(17:12):
Thomas Massie of the fourth
district was one of the leaders
of the movement to release the
files. Here are some of his
comments made Monday night.
>> The speaker, the attorney
general, the FBI director, the
president and the vice
president could have saved us
all this time and embarrassment,
frankly, for our own party, if
they'd just done the right
thing four months ago.
(17:32):
>> Do you believe him,
Congressman? For weeks, he's
been pushing against this. Now
he says he supports it. Do you
buy it?
>> He's only supporting it
because president told him to
support it. That's what Mike
Johnson does.
>> I'm talking about by
President Trump saying that he
wants the House to pass this
resolution.
>> Well, I'm concerned that now
he's opening a flurry of
investigations, and I believe
(17:54):
they may be trying to use those
investigations as the predicate
for not releasing the files.
That's my concern.
>> So you.
>> Don't think I'm trying to
block it? Well, they will, I'm
afraid they're going to try to
use a provision of the law that
allows you not to release these
materials if they're subject of
an ongoing investigation and
(18:15):
would harm the release of which
would harm the ongoing.
>> So this is all about for
President Trump. First, he was
blocking this, pushing
Republicans to block this for
so long. Now he's reversing
course and he has the power to
release the files anyway.
>> It's pretty simple. For four
months, he thought the best
thing for him was to keep the
files secret. And somebody
convinced him that the best
(18:35):
thing for him was to release
the files. And if they're
serious about it, they should
release them right now. It's
that simple.
>> If President Donald Trump
does sign the bill, the
Department of Justice would
have 30 days to release the
files. Yesterday marked two
weeks since the UPS plane crash
(18:55):
in Louisville that left 14
people dead. Last night, the
congressman for the Louisville
area, Morgan McGarvey, led a
moment of silence on the U.S.
House floor. He was joined by
five other members of the
Kentucky House delegation.
>> Two weeks ago tonight, our
community of Louisville, our
state of Kentucky, was
absolutely rocked when a cargo
(19:16):
plane taking off from
Louisville, Muhammad Ali
International Airport bound for
Hawaii, crashed. 38,000 gallons
of jet fuel exploded in our
community. In a scene that can
only be described as
apocalyptic. All three crew
lost their lives, as well as 11
people on the ground. 14 of our
(19:38):
neighbors, 14 of our community
gone. The first responders were
incredibly brave, rushing
headfirst into the inferno to
save everything they could. Our
community, our state, our
delegation. We did what
Louisvillians and Kentuckians
do and lifted each other up as
best as possible. But tonight,
(19:59):
we want to express our
gratitude for those who went
head first into that danger.
For those who lifted each other
up. And we want to offer a
moment of silence for the 14
people who lost their lives.
(20:33):
>> The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has announced
new guidance on the labeling
for all hormone replacement
therapies, beginning early next
year. Black box warning labels
will be gone from hormone
replacement creams, pills and
other products prescribed to
ease the symptoms of menopause
and perimenopause. The FDA says
(20:53):
the change comes after, quote,
more than two decades of what
they say is fear and
misinformation surrounding
hormone replacement therapy.
Erica Martignetti, an advanced
practice registered nurse
specializing in women's health
at UK Health Care, tells us
more.
>> So before this change, the
(21:15):
warnings had there was a broad
black box warning about heart
disease, breast cancer and
dementia and blood clots. That
really caused a lot of concern.
And that was that was added as
a black box warning in 2003
after the Women's Health
Initiative or the study that
(21:35):
was really looking at oral
synthetic hormones that were
used in this study and in the
women in that study, were on
average age about 63 years old.
So they were well past the
typical menopausal age in
America, which is around 51 to
52. And so these women were
started on hormones a lot later
than maybe we typically should
(21:57):
do it now. This black box
warning is, is really what has
driven the fear in most women
and even providers. They feel
like it's just not been safe.
It hasn't been taught in
medical school to prescribe
hormone therapy, even from what
I've heard. You know,
gynecology doesn't spend a lot
of time, even in their programs
learning about menopause care.
(22:18):
And so every woman is just very
different. And so I think there
is we're in the middle of a
menopause movement right now
and women are starting. And
this has helped, you know, this
is one of the many things that
is helping that the black box
warning is removed. And there's
we have lots of great providers
that are advocating the
menopause. Leaders are
advocating in America for women
(22:39):
to have access to hormone
therapy. You know, women come
to me and they are in tears. A
lot of times they're in tears
with their symptoms. They're
they are miserable. They don't
feel like themselves. And you
really can't measure that. Like,
how do we measure? I don't feel
like myself anymore. And so
they come to me and they're
very upset. And so I allow
(23:00):
space for them to tell me their
story. And they tell me what
they've been going through. And
some women have been dismissed
for a long time, and that's
what's what's really hard. And
that's what I would love to see.
Shift is that women would not
get dismissed any longer, that
we have safe hormone treatments
available for women that do not
raise the risk of blood clots.
(23:22):
You know, transdermal estrogen,
your risk of blood clot is is
similar to baseline with with
the transdermal. It doesn't get
processed through the liver. So
if we can start women on these
really safe hormone therapies
and have them feel better,
they're more likely to exercise.
They're more likely to be happy
every day and be a part of
their families and be able to
(23:44):
thrive.
>> Systemic estrogen alone
products are not included in
the guidance change, according
to the FDA. The Black boxed
warning for endometrial cancer
will remain on those products.
Well, the Big Blue Crush
continues with Kentucky. Oh,
now behind Tennessee in this
annual blood competition. After
(24:04):
two days of donating, Tennessee
leads 868 to 832. The drive
helps blood centers in both
states say stocked with blood
through the Thanksgiving
holiday. Now, Kentucky has won
this competition the last three
years and leads 22 to 14 with
one tie over the past 37 years.
So we got to get it together,
(24:26):
give and get a long sleeved
white T-shirt while supplies
last, and you're urged to make
an appointment before giving.
But the Kentucky Blood Center
will accept walk in business as
space allows. Go Big Blue with
the holidays coming and effects
of the recent federal
government shutdown, it's also
a good time to give food. The
(24:46):
annual Cram the Cruiser
campaign started today and it
runs until December 5th. You
can drop off nonperishable food
items at any of Kentucky's 16
state police posts. Troopers
will be stationed at stores
throughout the state accepting
donations. Governor Andy
Beshear says, quote, no family
should have to face hunger or
(25:07):
worry about where their next
meal will come from, especially
during the holiday season.
Every year, I'm proud to see
the Love Team Kentucky shows
through its participation in
this food drive, and hope
anyone who is able will help us
give back to our neighbors in
need. End quote. KET is giving
(25:33):
students across the state a
chance to showcase their
creativity with the KET Young
Writers Contest. Submissions
are now open for the contest,
with categories ranging from
illustrated stories and poetry
to graphic novels and
persuasive writing. And in
honor of America's 250th
birthday, a new special civics
(25:55):
subcategory has been added,
spotlighting work that explores
participation, community, and
shaping the future. Students
can submit entries through
March 15th, 2026. Now, you can
learn more by going online at.
Education dot Ket.org dot and
good luck! The Dare to Care
(26:16):
program has been feeding the
Hungry and Louisville for 56
years. We'll talk about how
that program started and how it
works today. As Kentucky's
largest city deals with hunger.
That story and more tomorrow
night on Kentucky Edition. And
>> And the results of this year
show students perform better
across several grade levels and
subjects than they have in my
recent memory.
>> Our Kentucky students making
the grade. What new test scores
say about education in Kentucky.
And what brought all six of
(00:30):
Kentucky's congressmen together
on the U.S. House floor.
>> Production of Kentucky
Edition is made possible in
part by the KET Millennium Fund.
(00:51):
>> Good evening and welcome to
Kentucky Edition for this
Wednesday, November the 19th,
I'm Renee Shaw, and we thank
you for winding down your
Wednesday with us. There's good
news to report tonight about
Kentucky classrooms. This year.
Students in Kentucky perform
better academically across
nearly all subjects and grade
(01:11):
levels than in recent years.
Today, the state Department of
Education released its
assessment and accountability
data for the 20 2425 school
year. Our Mackenzie Spink tells
us what the report says about
the state of education in
Kentucky. More as we begin
tonight's Making the Grade
segment.
>> The results of the state
(01:33):
testing are color based with
green meaning proficient and
blue meaning distinguished
overall scores among students
at every grade level have
improved the number of schools
hitting green and blue scores
went down from 2023 to 2024.
But in 2025, both green and
blue scores exceeded previous
(01:53):
years. High schools saw a sharp
drop in the lower color ratings,
while the blue scores nearly
doubled in the last year. The
number of high schools scoring
blue and college readiness also
rose sharply from previous
years. Some scores in subjects
like social studies and writing
mechanics dropped slightly, but
overall, Kentucky students are
(02:14):
scoring higher.
>> Our students have really
done a great job in this past
year on their assessments, and
the results of this year show
students perform better across
several grade levels and
subjects than they have in my
recent memory as commissioner
or as a as a superintendent or
as a as a principal. As a
matter of fact.
>> Doctor Fletcher attributes
(02:35):
some of the success to training
initiatives like the Kentucky
Reading Academy, which started
after the General Assembly
passed the Read to Succeed Act
in 2022. A recent third party
report indicated encouraging
outcomes from that program.
>> If a student had a teacher
that had been trained in the
science of reading, and they
had had a teacher that was
(02:56):
trained in that manner for two
consecutive years, the data and
the increase for that student
was much higher than a than a
student that had a teacher that
wasn't trained in the science
of reading. Again, especially
in that two year consecutive
years of data, KET and various
partners have initiated
numerous efforts also to
advance the high quality
numeracy instruction for the
(03:17):
Kentucky Numeracy Act. And to
add, I would be remiss if I did
not thank our legislators. Our
legislators have made a huge
investment in our efforts in
literacy and numeracy across
the state. And again, we're
beginning to see that return on
investment.
>> The rate of chronic
absenteeism is down about 5%
from the 20 2223 school year.
(03:38):
When a child misses 10% or more
of their time in school,
whether excused or unexcused,
they are chronically absent.
This year, Kentucky Department
of Education launched a public
messaging campaign to let kids
know you belong in the
classroom.
>> This messaging is something
to tell students you've missed
school. You miss more than
(03:59):
lessons. You miss connection
with your school. You miss
connection with your your
fellow students, and you miss
on building on your own future.
>> There is also been progress
on the educator workforce
shortage. This year, 34
districts reported that every
licensed position was filled a
small number, but progress
nonetheless, says Doctor
Fletcher.
(04:19):
>> Now, you may say 34 out of
171. That that doesn't sound
like great data, Doctor
Fletcher, but the year before,
we only had one district that
reported no unfilled vacancies.
That's a huge that's a huge
improvement. And we've been
working on efforts to recruit
and retain new teachers with Go
Teach Kentucky, including a new
advertising campaign and
(04:41):
website for educators who are
interested in teaching.
>> Kentucky Department of
Education says it's celebrating
the progress made, but that
there's still work to do.
>> I'd like to see improvement
in every area. So again,
thankful for what we've seen so
far. I think you'll see a lot
of anywhere from 1 to 2 to 3%
increases in the percent of
proficient distinguished, and
that's a good statewide model.
(05:02):
But we would love to see that
to be at much higher levels.
And again, because we want our
students to be better prepared
for what's next.
>> Doctor Fletcher says that
he'd like to see the state
funding for literacy continue,
and hopes for an increase in
funding for numeracy
initiatives for Kentucky.
Edition. I'm Mackenzie Spink.
>> Thank you. Mackenzie.
Science scores improved
(05:24):
dramatically among high school
students, but Commissioner
Fletcher says it's hard to
compare the data properly
because this year, a new type
of science assessment started
in 2023, the Academic Standards
for science changed to
emphasize deeper learning and
the practical applications of
science. 1 in 7 of Kentucky's
public school kids attend
(05:45):
Jefferson County Public Schools,
and J-c-p-s is the state's
largest district, serving more
than twice as many students as
Fayette County. Our June
Leffler has more on how
learners in and near Louisville
tested as we take a deep dive
into whether Kentucky kids are
making the grade.
(06:07):
>> Superintendent Brian
Yearwood highlights progress at
JCPS.
>> When we look at this data,
our graduation rates rose to
over 89.2%, or post-secondary
readiness rates climbed to 84%.
Our intentionality, the
intentionality is actually
paying off. As we look at our
(06:27):
minority students and we look
at their graduation rates
reaching 90.8%, matching their
white peers.
>> Lumping all grades together,
the district found a one
percentage point increase in
students scoring proficient or
distinguished in reading,
social studies and writing, and
a two percentage point increase
(06:48):
in math.
>> The biggest positive is that
we are maintaining in many
areas, and we're showing
promise and growth in other
areas.
>> Science proves to be a more
difficult subject for these
students across grade levels.
While more than a third of
students are proficient or
distinguished in reading. But
Yearwood says that could and
(07:10):
should be better.
>> Achievement gaps are still
there. They're still gaps that
we do need to pay attention to.
>> Just like last year, new
test scores show across grades
and subjects. JCPS students
scored worse than the state
average, something that has
concerned leaders in Frankfort
who fund the state's public
(07:31):
schools. Here is a Middletown
state representative. Speaking
of the district last week.
>> Our problem is our school
system is failing on far too
many levels. It's doing a lot
of good. What I'll say is I'm
going to I'm going to give as
much support and as I can to
Doctor Yearwood, but if it
doesn't turn around pretty soon,
we must do something.
>> The number of JCPS schools
(07:52):
that fall in the bottom 5% of
schools statewide has grown,
from 34 in 20 22 to 41 schools
today.
>> These 41 schools represent
our greatest opportunity for
growth.
>> While the district has both
the flexibility and
responsibility to turn these
(08:14):
schools around, according to
the state, Yearwood says the
designation does adversely
affect a school's reputation.
>> If you start putting labels
on schools like this one is low
or this one's high, that's
internalized by students and
then their own expectations
will mimic what they hear. We
have to do a much better job,
(08:34):
and we will do a much better
job in ensuring that regardless
of where a school is located,
what zip code a school is
located in, what geographic
location that we expect
acceleration at a higher and
higher level.
>> The student body of J-c-p-s
is unique. It has slightly more
economically disadvantaged kids
(08:55):
than the state as a whole, and
students who speak English as
their second language make up
nearly a quarter of JCPS
students. For Kentucky Edition.
I'm June Leffler.
>> Thank you June. Now we
travel from Louisville,
Jefferson County to Northern
Kentucky, where one city school
is celebrating growth. Just a
(09:15):
few years ago, Holmes High
School in Covington was in the
bottom 5% of all Kentucky
schools. Our Emily Sisk tells
us how their scores are now
moving in the right direction.
This as we round out our Making
the grade reports.
>> When I saw the scores, I
(09:36):
really just jumped out of my
seat. Couldn't help myself.
>> Holmes High School Principal
Angela Turnock has been waiting
to announce the results from
last year's state test scores.
The high school is now
classified in the yellow level,
which is one category away from
total proficiency. Covington
Independent Schools District
Assessment Coordinator
explained why this is a huge
(09:58):
turnaround from just a few
years ago.
>> We were at the bottom 5% of
all high schools in the state
of Kentucky, which was a red
category as well.
>> Just a few years ago, Holmes
High School received a red
rating, which required them to
develop an improvement plan
every year since the Covington
based school has grown, they
are now nine points short of
(10:19):
reaching that green proficiency
level.
>> The years of work that we've
put in over probably the last 5
or 6 years have really started
to show. In our scores.
>> We focus on every single
area of school that needed to
improve. So that went from
attendance to behavior to
academics to social emotional
learning.
>> So what's attributed to this
growth? The school leaders all
referenced a district wide
(10:40):
curriculum where all of its K
through 12 schools share the
same learning plan.
>> What was happening at the
middle school aligned with the
high school, and what was
happening at the elementary
schools aligned with what was
at the middle school. So our
kids were coming to us prepared.
>> We did a lot of work to make
sure that not only did we have
that same curriculum in each
classroom, but also that that
(11:00):
curriculum was rigorous, that
it was challenging our students.
>> The high school also
implemented practice
assessments and intervention
for students who needed extra
help.
>> We do three benchmarks every
year, and those benchmarks are
designed to show what they're
going to score on the KSA.
>> If a student doesn't master
a standard, they go and do some
what we call wind time. So what?
I need time. And so during that
time they work on that standard
(11:21):
until they get that standard.
So they've mastered that
standard.
>> Covington Independent Public
Schools is the most diverse
school district in Northern
Kentucky. It is also a low
income district, with nearly
90% of students qualifying for
free or reduced lunch. Leaders
in the school system say it can
be difficult for urban school
districts to see significant
(11:42):
growth, but students at Holmes
High School want to know how
they can improve.
>> Kids want to know their
scores, which is a huge change
for where we used to be. Every
other day, I have a kid that
says, hey, what did I do? Do
you know when I got on that
test, what did I do on that?
How did I do on that? They want
to to see their improvement.
(12:02):
>> They want to know how to get
to that next level. So if they
scored apprentice, they want to
know how many points they were
away from proficient.
>> And I sat down with a senior
at the high school to see what
he thought about the score
improvement. He gave all the
credit back to his teachers.
>> Instead of just handing him
a packet and saying go for it,
they're actually helping them
hands on, and students are
(12:22):
actually learning a lot. The
more they improve and the
higher test scores be, the
better our school gets.
>> Principal said. Sometimes
you have to stay the course
even when it takes time to see
results.
>> We're celebrating all those
small wins that are now
equaling out to to bigger wins
for us.
>> Holmes High School leaders
said their expectation is to
earn a green proficiency rating
(12:43):
next year for Kentucky edition.
I'm Emily Sisk.
>> Thank you Emily. So sticking
with education news as the
upcoming legislative session
gets closer and closer,
organizations have prepared
their budget requests for state
lawmakers to consider, and the
Department of Education is no
exception. Commissioner Robby
Fletcher talked about some of
(13:03):
the department's legislative
priorities yesterday. At the
top of the list is an
accountability proposal that
includes a more adaptive
testing model for students.
>> So I can tell a parent that
their student is proficient in
math, and most are parents will
understand that. But all of our
parents will understand. If I
got a third grade student and
(13:23):
they're reading on the fifth
grade level, that's something
that they can connect to. So
that's one of the one of the
changes that we're proposing in
the new model. Other things
that are a part of that is
emphasizing that every district,
again, we have, I want to say,
a little less than 40 districts
that are in the local
accountability work, but we
believe that every district
should have, shall or should
have a local accountability
(13:45):
model where they're involving
parents, teachers, educators,
local business leaders, our
workforce. It's hard for me not
to stand in front of a podium
and tell you that, not say that
our teachers deserve more
higher salaries. They do. I've
talked to students personally,
including my own son, who said
it's not enough money. I can't
I can't raise a family on these
(14:05):
funds. I think it's very
important to give our teachers
supports. So we need those
literacy coaches. We need those
those also those numeracy
coaches that are out in
classrooms that are helping
teachers to develop lessons, to
observe and give feedback. So I
think, first of all, I would
say continue that support on
literacy, but also increase the
numeracy funding. Again, we're
(14:26):
very thankful for what's there,
but increase that numeracy
funding I think would be a
first start.
>> Earlier this year, the
National Education Association
ranked Kentucky 42nd in the
country for average teacher
salary, a notch below the year
before. The average teacher
salary in Kentucky is just
above $58,000 a year. There's
(14:47):
talk in Frankfort about tougher
penalties for Kentuckians who
use public resources to support
or oppose ballot questions.
Last year, some school
districts were criticized for
using social media to directly
advocate for the defeat of
amendment two. Now, that
amendment would have allowed
the use of public money for
(15:07):
nonpublic schools. The Kentucky
attorney general said that
violated the law. The amendment
lost, with 65% of the voters
saying no. Kentucky Public
Media reports. State Senator
Steve Rawlings of Burlington, a
Republican, will file a bill
making it a class D felony for
people using public resources
to advocate for or against a
(15:28):
ballot measure, and a class D
felony is punishable with 1 to
5 years behind bars, and a
person found guilty couldn't
accept a government job for ten
years, Rawlings says. Right now,
there's no real punishment at
all. It's been decades in the
making. This week, leaders in
Lexington will once again
(15:48):
consider a plan to move City
Hall. The city has proposed
buying and redeveloping the
Truist Bank building on West
Vine Street. The $86 million
deal would include constructing
a 10,000 square foot addition
to the current building. City
council will vote on whether to
approve the deal tomorrow.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is
the city's fifth mayor to try
(16:10):
to find a new home for the
government center. The city
moved into the current building
on Main Street in 1982. At that
time, the move was intended to
be temporary. The city
estimates the current building
needs $55 million worth of
maintenance and repairs. Now
moving on to national politics,
the U.S. Senate moved fast to
(16:31):
pass a bill requiring a release
of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The Senate decided unanimously
to pass the bill that came just
hours after the 427 to 1 vote
in the U.S. House. All six
members of Kentucky's
delegation, federal delegation
voted for the release of the
files with passage in the House
(16:51):
and Senate. The bill is now on
President Donald Trump's desk,
and he says he'll sign it.
Epstein was a financier who
killed himself in a Manhattan
jail while awaiting trial in
2019 on charges he sexually
abused and trafficked underage
girls. There's been speculation
for years about the names in
the files. Kentucky Congressman
(17:12):
Thomas Massie of the fourth
district was one of the leaders
of the movement to release the
files. Here are some of his
comments made Monday night.
>> The speaker, the attorney
general, the FBI director, the
president and the vice
president could have saved us
all this time and embarrassment,
frankly, for our own party, if
they'd just done the right
thing four months ago.
(17:32):
>> Do you believe him,
Congressman? For weeks, he's
been pushing against this. Now
he says he supports it. Do you
buy it?
>> He's only supporting it
because president told him to
support it. That's what Mike
Johnson does.
>> I'm talking about by
President Trump saying that he
wants the House to pass this
resolution.
>> Well, I'm concerned that now
he's opening a flurry of
investigations, and I believe
(17:54):
they may be trying to use those
investigations as the predicate
for not releasing the files.
That's my concern.
>> So you.
>> Don't think I'm trying to
block it? Well, they will, I'm
afraid they're going to try to
use a provision of the law that
allows you not to release these
materials if they're subject of
an ongoing investigation and
(18:15):
would harm the release of which
would harm the ongoing.
>> So this is all about for
President Trump. First, he was
blocking this, pushing
Republicans to block this for
so long. Now he's reversing
course and he has the power to
release the files anyway.
>> It's pretty simple. For four
months, he thought the best
thing for him was to keep the
files secret. And somebody
convinced him that the best
(18:35):
thing for him was to release
the files. And if they're
serious about it, they should
release them right now. It's
that simple.
>> If President Donald Trump
does sign the bill, the
Department of Justice would
have 30 days to release the
files. Yesterday marked two
weeks since the UPS plane crash
(18:55):
in Louisville that left 14
people dead. Last night, the
congressman for the Louisville
area, Morgan McGarvey, led a
moment of silence on the U.S.
House floor. He was joined by
five other members of the
Kentucky House delegation.
>> Two weeks ago tonight, our
community of Louisville, our
state of Kentucky, was
absolutely rocked when a cargo
(19:16):
plane taking off from
Louisville, Muhammad Ali
International Airport bound for
Hawaii, crashed. 38,000 gallons
of jet fuel exploded in our
community. In a scene that can
only be described as
apocalyptic. All three crew
lost their lives, as well as 11
people on the ground. 14 of our
(19:38):
neighbors, 14 of our community
gone. The first responders were
incredibly brave, rushing
headfirst into the inferno to
save everything they could. Our
community, our state, our
delegation. We did what
Louisvillians and Kentuckians
do and lifted each other up as
best as possible. But tonight,
(19:59):
we want to express our
gratitude for those who went
head first into that danger.
For those who lifted each other
up. And we want to offer a
moment of silence for the 14
people who lost their lives.
(20:33):
>> The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has announced
new guidance on the labeling
for all hormone replacement
therapies, beginning early next
year. Black box warning labels
will be gone from hormone
replacement creams, pills and
other products prescribed to
ease the symptoms of menopause
and perimenopause. The FDA says
(20:53):
the change comes after, quote,
more than two decades of what
they say is fear and
misinformation surrounding
hormone replacement therapy.
Erica Martignetti, an advanced
practice registered nurse
specializing in women's health
at UK Health Care, tells us
more.
>> So before this change, the
(21:15):
warnings had there was a broad
black box warning about heart
disease, breast cancer and
dementia and blood clots. That
really caused a lot of concern.
And that was that was added as
a black box warning in 2003
after the Women's Health
Initiative or the study that
(21:35):
was really looking at oral
synthetic hormones that were
used in this study and in the
women in that study, were on
average age about 63 years old.
So they were well past the
typical menopausal age in
America, which is around 51 to
52. And so these women were
started on hormones a lot later
than maybe we typically should
(21:57):
do it now. This black box
warning is, is really what has
driven the fear in most women
and even providers. They feel
like it's just not been safe.
It hasn't been taught in
medical school to prescribe
hormone therapy, even from what
I've heard. You know,
gynecology doesn't spend a lot
of time, even in their programs
learning about menopause care.
(22:18):
And so every woman is just very
different. And so I think there
is we're in the middle of a
menopause movement right now
and women are starting. And
this has helped, you know, this
is one of the many things that
is helping that the black box
warning is removed. And there's
we have lots of great providers
that are advocating the
menopause. Leaders are
advocating in America for women
(22:39):
to have access to hormone
therapy. You know, women come
to me and they are in tears. A
lot of times they're in tears
with their symptoms. They're
they are miserable. They don't
feel like themselves. And you
really can't measure that. Like,
how do we measure? I don't feel
like myself anymore. And so
they come to me and they're
very upset. And so I allow
(23:00):
space for them to tell me their
story. And they tell me what
they've been going through. And
some women have been dismissed
for a long time, and that's
what's what's really hard. And
that's what I would love to see.
Shift is that women would not
get dismissed any longer, that
we have safe hormone treatments
available for women that do not
raise the risk of blood clots.
(23:22):
You know, transdermal estrogen,
your risk of blood clot is is
similar to baseline with with
the transdermal. It doesn't get
processed through the liver. So
if we can start women on these
really safe hormone therapies
and have them feel better,
they're more likely to exercise.
They're more likely to be happy
every day and be a part of
their families and be able to
(23:44):
thrive.
>> Systemic estrogen alone
products are not included in
the guidance change, according
to the FDA. The Black boxed
warning for endometrial cancer
will remain on those products.
Well, the Big Blue Crush
continues with Kentucky. Oh,
now behind Tennessee in this
annual blood competition. After
(24:04):
two days of donating, Tennessee
leads 868 to 832. The drive
helps blood centers in both
states say stocked with blood
through the Thanksgiving
holiday. Now, Kentucky has won
this competition the last three
years and leads 22 to 14 with
one tie over the past 37 years.
So we got to get it together,
(24:26):
give and get a long sleeved
white T-shirt while supplies
last, and you're urged to make
an appointment before giving.
But the Kentucky Blood Center
will accept walk in business as
space allows. Go Big Blue with
the holidays coming and effects
of the recent federal
government shutdown, it's also
a good time to give food. The
(24:46):
annual Cram the Cruiser
campaign started today and it
runs until December 5th. You
can drop off nonperishable food
items at any of Kentucky's 16
state police posts. Troopers
will be stationed at stores
throughout the state accepting
donations. Governor Andy
Beshear says, quote, no family
should have to face hunger or
(25:07):
worry about where their next
meal will come from, especially
during the holiday season.
Every year, I'm proud to see
the Love Team Kentucky shows
through its participation in
this food drive, and hope
anyone who is able will help us
give back to our neighbors in
need. End quote. KET is giving
(25:33):
students across the state a
chance to showcase their
creativity with the KET Young
Writers Contest. Submissions
are now open for the contest,
with categories ranging from
illustrated stories and poetry
to graphic novels and
persuasive writing. And in
honor of America's 250th
birthday, a new special civics
(25:55):
subcategory has been added,
spotlighting work that explores
participation, community, and
shaping the future. Students
can submit entries through
March 15th, 2026. Now, you can
learn more by going online at.
Education dot Ket.org dot and
good luck! The Dare to Care
(26:16):
program has been feeding the
Hungry and Louisville for 56
years. We'll talk about how
that program started and how it
works today. As Kentucky's
largest city deals with hunger.
That story and more tomorrow
night on Kentucky Edition. And
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