New Research Shows Crises Facing Rural Students in Kentucky

Jan. 29, 2025

Contact: Lisa McKinney, Communications Director, The Prichard Committee

(cell) 859-475-7202

lisa@prichardcommittee.org

Kentucky Shows Promise with Post-COVID Test Scores

Scores are a call to action for communities, families, educators  

LEXINGTON, Ky -- The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released their 2024 Nation’s Report Card today, which shows Kentucky is making progress on recovering from COVID-19 learning losses. NAEP scores are drawn from a representative sample of Kentucky 4th- and 8th-graders tested every two years in reading and math.

“In today’s NAEP release, Kentucky held its ground and even posted some gains during a period when results for many states declined,” said Prichard Committee President/CEO Brigitte Blom. “While the results do not show full recovery of recent losses—both during and before the pandemic—they do show Kentucky’s strength compared to national trends, even while our students face greater challenges and our schools work with fewer resources than the nation as a whole. These gains are a testament to the commitment of Kentucky educators to use the resources at their disposal effectively and efficiently.”

For 2024 percent proficient or above, Kentucky ranks among the states:

• 12th in grade 4 reading up from 29th in 2022  

• 26th in grade 8 reading up from 28th in 2022  

• 28th in grade 4 math up from 33rd in 2022

• 32nd in grade 8 math up from 41st in 2022

In percent of students reaching NAEP proficiency or above, Kentucky’s newest results are statistically tied with the nation in grade 4 reading, grade 8 reading and grade 4 math, with results below the nation in grade 8 math. Kentucky’s 4th-grade math results showed statistically significant improvement compared to 2022.

Kentucky’s results in 4th-grade reading and 8th-grade math and reading remained steady for percent proficient or above, which makes it the first year the commonwealth has stopped the backward slide that began prior to COVID-19 and was further exacerbated by the pandemic.  

“This data demonstrates that strategic investments in schools and evidenced-backed policy actions work to move the needle on education outcomes,” said Blom. “This is the moment for families, community members, state leaders and educators to rally together to build on these gains and continue in an upward trajectory through both local action and state policy.”

The Prichard Committee will release its biennial Big Bold Future national rankings report on Feb. 6, which includes the NAEP data as well as other indicators of educational achievement and quality of life. The report contextualizes the testing scores by looking at other indicators that affect education outcomes such as poverty levels and preschool participation. The Big Bold Future report will be available on prichardcommittee.org.  

LEXINGTON, Ky -- Congratulations to Gov. Andy Beshear on an inspiring and unifying State of the Commonwealth Address. Congratulations are also due for the many accomplishments in job creation and expansion of critical infrastructure like broadband and roads.

The Prichard Committee pledges to do its part to realize the Governor’s aspirations for the future of the state by continuing to work to ensure every Kentuckian has access to a meaningful education that imparts the knowledge and individual skills necessary to strengthen today’s workforce – and to be the job creators of Kentucky’s future.

We share the governor’s optimism that when Kentuckians work together toward shared goals, we have what it takes to build a better commonwealth for every family. In fact, we’ve proven that is true with education improvements of the past – and we must renew that commitment to stronger outcomes, with urgency, in the immediate years ahead.

With the 2025 General Assembly session upon us, top priorities to realize such improvements, include:

• Ensuring access to advanced coursework so Kentucky students prepared for higher level learning can excel; this is critical for the future of STEM fields like space science, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.  
• Continuing to strengthen postsecondary education – where individuals and families gain skills for the workforce and realize increased social mobility as a result – which, in turn, strengthens our P12 education outcomes.  
• Broadening access to childcare for working families by creating the conditions for the small, often women-owned, business to grow, particularly in areas of the state where far too little high-quality childcare exists.

We look forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly to make the vision of a big, bold future for every Kentuckian a reality.

Report shows employers value durable skills such as critical thinking and collaboration  

LEXINGTON, Ky -- The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence today released results of the 2024 Meaningful Diploma Employer Survey, offering critical insights into the workforce readiness of Kentucky’s high school graduates. Based on responses from over 600 employers across more than 20 industries in the state, the report provides a detailed examination of employers' confidence in graduate preparedness, the value of durable skills, and opportunities to strengthen school-business partnerships.

"Kentucky's high school diploma must be evidence that Kentucky’s high school students are prepared for post-high school success," said Prichard Committee President and CEO Brigitte Blom. "While we celebrate Kentucky’s high graduation rate, the reality is that too many students leave high school without the academic knowledge, career preparation, and durable skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce. Ensuring Kentucky’s high school diploma is meaningful is about giving every Kentucky student genuine opportunities for economic mobility, strengthening our talent pipeline, and ensuring our state's future prosperity. This work is essential not just for individual student success, but for breaking cycles of poverty, building generational wealth in our communities, and positioning Kentucky as a leader in both postsecondary attainment and workforce participation."

The findings shed light on gaps in workforce readiness while outlining opportunities for education and business leaders to collaborate on solutions that ensure graduates are equipped for post-secondary success—whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce.

Key Findings from the Report:

• Employer Confidence in Graduate Preparedness
  While 56% of Kentucky employers report moderate to high confidence in the preparedness of recent high school graduates, only 12% express strong confidence, with 14% reporting none. Employers identified significant gaps in essential workplace competencies, such as professionalism, critical thinking, and communication, with less than 10% rating graduates as well-prepared in these areas.

• The Importance of Durable Skills
  Durable skills, including professionalism, work ethic, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence, are viewed as critical for success by 78.5% of employers. The findings underscore the importance of integrating these skills into K-12 education to better prepare students for life beyond high school.

• Untapped Potential in Work-Based Learning
  Practical work experience is highly valued by employers, yet only 21.4% currently offer these opportunities. Encouragingly, over 54% of employers expressed a willingness to provide work-based learning, signaling significant potential to expand real-world learning opportunities for students.

• School-Business Partnerships
  Collaboration between schools and businesses is viewed as essential by 83.7% of employers surveyed. However, only half of respondents have engaged with K-12 schools, and less than 20% report frequent interactions. Employers showed strong interest in partnering on curriculum development (55%) and supporting career preparation initiatives (65%), highlighting the need for stronger communication and coordination.

• Barriers to Workforce Readiness Programs
  The report identifies key challenges in implementing workforce readiness programs, including a lack of qualified instructors or mentors (50%), student engagement challenges (45.8%), and scheduling coordination difficulties (45.1%).

“The postsecondary transition and workforce landscape has shifted dramatically,” said Delaney Stephens, Prichard Committee Director of Policy for Meaningful Diplomas. “Today's high school graduates are making different choices than their predecessors did just a few years ago. More are heading straight into the workforce or combining work with further education. This makes it more important than ever that a high school diploma represents real preparation for success, whether a graduate's next step is college, career, or both.”

The 2024 Meaningful Diploma Employer Survey reveals a clear need for stronger alignment between Kentucky’s education system and workforce demands. By addressing gaps in graduate preparedness, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and fostering robust school-business partnerships, Kentucky can ensure all graduates are equipped to thrive in the modern workforce.

"The findings of this survey highlight both the challenges and opportunities before us," said Blom. "It’s a call to action for educators, policymakers, and the business community to come together and develop innovative strategies that will prepare every student for a successful post-high school pathway."

The full report is available for download here.  

For more information on how employers and schools are working toward creating meaningful and relevant educational experiences in Kentucky communities, visit the Prichard Committee’s Meaningful Diploma Spotlight series here.