Kentucky Releases 2025-2026 Public School Assessment Data
Parents can now check updated school ratings and graduation rates for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Kentucky public schools maintained an overall yellow color-coded performance rating for the third consecutive year following the release of 2025-2026 assessment data. Families can now review how their local schools performed across academic, climate, and postsecondary readiness metrics.
Why it matters
Statewide assessment data provides families with a transparent look at school performance and college readiness trends. This annual release helps parents understand how well their district is preparing students for life after high school through standardized academic indicators.
The statewide postsecondary readiness indicator score rose to 98.5, up from 92.2 in the previous period. Graduation rates for 2026 reached 94.1% for the four-year cohort and 94.5% for the five-year cohort.
The players
Kentucky Department of Education
The state agency responsible for overseeing public school standards and managing annual student performance assessments.
Kentucky General Assembly
The state legislative body that established the current accountability system through policy revisions.
The details
Schools across Kentucky receive color-coded ratings based on a comprehensive review of test results, school climate, safety records, and postsecondary readiness. Students in grades 3 through 8, 10, and 11 participated in summative assessments covering math, reading, science, writing, and social studies. These assessments are mandated by state and federal law to provide a consistent evaluation of institutional performance.
Timeline
2020: Kentucky General Assembly revised the state accountability system.
2025-2026: Assessment data was collected for public schools statewide.
October 15, 2026: The Department of Education released the latest assessment results.
The Home Front
This year's assessment results reflect the ongoing implementation of the accountability system established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2020. Schools continue to operate under a framework that prioritizes postsecondary readiness and standardized academic proficiency metrics.
Parents should review the color-coded rating for their student's specific school to understand current academic performance trends. Families with high schoolers can also examine the postsecondary readiness indicator to see how local curriculum prepares students for future career or college paths.
The takeaway
While graduation rates remain strong, the decrease in top-rated schools suggests a need for families to stay engaged with local curriculum progress. Check your school's specific proficiency scores in math and science to identify areas where your student might benefit from additional support.
Further reading
For more information on how your district is performing, visit Secondary Education.
Live Poll
Do you believe the public schools in your community are adequately preparing students for the future?
