education
Kentucky official upholds child-neglect ruling in near-fatal injury by Louisville teacher’s aide
Almost nine years after a 16-year-old boy with autism suffered two fractured legs — a near fatal injury — at the hands of a teacher’s aide with Jefferson County Public Schools, the state’s top human services official has upheld a finding of child neglect in the case. In a March 16 written order, Eric Friedlander, […]
GOP lawmakers file resolutions urging education commissioner’s dismissal for LGBTQ+ guidance
FRANKFORT — After Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass was criticized by lawmakers for inclusive guidance for the state’s LGBTQ+ students, two lawmakers filed resolutions urging the Kentucky Board of Education to dismiss him from his role. Calloway was speaking in support of overriding Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 150, a sweeping anti-trans […]
Kentucky legislature overrides veto of anti-trans bill
This story discusses suicide and anti-LGBTQ attacks in Kentucky. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. The Trevor Project, which aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, also has trained counselors available around the clock. Reach them at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at […]
Process for challenging ‘obscene’ books, school programs becomes law without Beshear’s signature
A bill that opponents warn could lead to book banning became law without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature after the governor chose not to sign or veto the measure. Secretary of State Michael Adams said Senate Bill 5 was delivered to his office without the governor’s signature Monday afternoon. The measure, which had an emergency clause […]
Beshear signs Lofton’s Law, criminalizing hazing
Hazing that causes death or serious injury can be prosecuted as a felony in Kentucky under a bill that Gov. Andy Beshear signed Monday. Senate Bill 9, also known as Lofton’s Law, defines hazing in Kentucky statute and establishes penalties for the behavior. Hazing that leads to injury or death is a Class D felony, […]
Beshear vetoes bill subjecting Kentucky’s top education official to Senate confirmation
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a statement from the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 107, Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green. Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill subjecting Kentucky’s top education official to Senate confirmation. Senate Bill 107 would require Senate confirmation of the Kentucky Board of Education’s pick for education commissioner. In […]
Beshear signs Stivers-backed resolution for postsecondary education study
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has signed a resolution sponsored by Republican Senate President Robert Stivers that aims to study the state of Kentucky’s public higher education. Senate Joint Resolution 98 directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to complete a comprehensive review of postsecondary education by Dec. 1. A House floor amendment added a provision to […]
Irregularities uncovered in Kentucky State University audit will be referred to prosecutors
An audit that uncovered millions of dollars in undocumented credit card and federal grant expenditures at Kentucky State University from 2018 to 2021 will be referred to prosecutors and other federal agencies, State Auditor Mike Harmon said Wednesday. Interim KSU President Ronald A. Johnson appeared with Harmon at a news conference and said KSU welcomes […]
Republicans push back against education commissioner’s criticism
Two Republican office holders on Monday slammed Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass for his criticism of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation enacted by the General Assembly. House Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, R-Stanford, said in a statement that Glass “once again makes it abundantly clear that it is not the legislature that is politicizing the state’s classrooms and […]
Kentucky education commissioner says legislature put youth at risk with anti-LGBTQ bill
The day after Kentucky lawmakers rapidly changed and passed a bill to include measures banning gender-affirming care for minors, the state’s top education official decried the “sweeping and harmful” legislation. Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass said the latest version of Senate Bill 150 “contains provisions that will put our young people at risk, have the […]
With funding release for State Fair Board project added, House approves postsecondary education study
FRANKFORT — House members joined senators in calling for a comprehensive review of Kentucky’s public postsecondary education system, but added provisions from a separate resolution that releases $180 million to the Kentucky State Fair Board for capital construction. Senate Joint Resolution 98 received support from the House in a 96-0 vote Thursday. The call for […]
Kentucky House tries to revive anti-trans legislation stalled in Senate
FRANKFORT — With time running out in this session, House Republicans tried on Thursday to revive anti-trans legislation that has stalled in the Senate. In a hastily called committee meeting, provisions restricting health care for trans youth were grafted onto Senate Bill 150, described by sponsor Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, as a “parents rights” measure, […]