K-12 ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT FROM BRIGITTE BLOM
Contact: Brigitte Blom, President and CEO, The Prichard Committee
brigitte@prichardcommittee.org
K-12 ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT FROM BRIGITTE BLOM
Grade 3 reading growth is good news
Other 2026 results show need for new commitment across Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky–In the new public school learning results data released today, Kentucky has seen improvement in three of the seven measures that the Prichard Committee gives top priority. Compared to 2025, the statewide 2026 school report card shows:
- A 2% increase in grade 3 students scoring proficient or above in reading
- A 2% increase in postsecondary readiness
- A 0.5% increase in the four-year high school graduation rate
- No change in grade 3 mathematics proficiency
- A 1% decrease in kindergarten readiness of students entering school last fall
- A 1% decrease in grade 8 mathematics proficiency
- A 2% decrease in grade 8 reading proficiency
These indicators offer an important, but partial, look at Kentucky’s work to strengthen each and every learner. The school report card data also shows small science gains for elementary and high school and flat or declining results in social studies. Even more importantly, Kentucky has launched important efforts to develop and value local indicators that go deeper on student skills and on the kinds of engaged, empowered work often described as vibrant learning: the data released today cannot gauge our progress on those kinds of learning.
The grade 3 reading improvement comes after several years of statewide investment in stronger literacy instruction, and the new growth appears to show real benefit from those efforts. The grade 3 reading growth fully includes groups who have long been underserved: English learners, students with disabilities, students from economically disadvantaged homes, African American students, and Hispanic or Latino students.
The growth in graduation and postsecondary readiness also includes most student groups, with extra improvement for English learners, students from economically disadvantaged homes, African American students, and Hispanic or Latino students. Progress like that narrows achievement gaps and moves Kentucky closer to success for all.
That said, many of this year’s results are bleak. The kindergarten readiness decline, flat results in grade 3 math and grade 8 reading and math declines should concern us all. The 2026 school report card does not show Kentucky making rapid progress to build upward mobility and create a big bold future we can all share.
Even some improving measures remain far from Kentucky’s long-term goals. For example: only 49% of 2026 third-grade students were proficient or above in reading. If we continue improving at a pace of 2% each year, it will take 26 years to get all Kentucky third-graders to the proficient level.
Accordingly, the Prichard Committee urges Kentuckians in every community to review their local results and develop new efforts to ensure that our public schools offer all learners the full opportunities and supports they need to flourish. As starting points, communities can work together on creating local indicators and vibrant learning and developing active community-school partnerships to support learning both in our schools and outside.
The Prichard Committee also urges stronger state-level policy efforts and financial investments in our public schools. The literacy investments should continue. Kentucky must also expand access to rigorous coursework and durable skills, ensuring our high school diplomas are meaningful credentials for success in later life. It is also time for deeper attention to teaching quality, working conditions, and shortages, and well past time to strengthen state SEEK funding, including meeting full transportation costs.
Finally, the Prichard Committee calls on all Kentuckians to join this work. Together, we must do everything needed to ensure that every student is welcomed, respected, and empowered. Together, we can create upward mobility and flourishing communities for our shared future. Let’s get to work.
About the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence
Since 1983, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence has studied priority issues, informed the public and policymakers about effective practices, and mobilized citizens, business leaders, families, students and other stakeholders to advance education excellence in Kentucky. Its mission is to promote vastly improved education and upward mobility for all Kentuckians.