SENATE MOVES ON SCHOOL INNOVATION ACT TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

SENATE MOVES ON SCHOOL INNOVATION ACT TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

FRANKFORT, KY (March 4, 2025) – The Kentucky Senate has passed Senate Bill (SB) 207, the School Innovation Act, advancing legislation that gives public schools greater flexibility to implement innovative educational strategies. Sponsored by Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, the bill establishes a waiver process through the Kentucky Board of Education to allow schools to seek exemptions from certain state laws or regulations to better serve students.

Under SB 207, public schools may apply for innovation status, enabling them to tailor academic approaches while maintaining district oversight. The Kentucky Board of Education will be responsible for approving, renewing, and rescinding waivers to ensure accountability. The bill also allows school districts to partner with third-party organizations to facilitate innovation, with safeguards in place to revoke waivers if mismanagement occurs. To streamline the process, administrative regulations will be established to provide consistency across the state.

“This legislation empowers schools to think outside the box while ensuring accountability remains at the local level,” said West. “By providing a structured pathway for innovation, we can help schools enhance academic offerings and expand specialized programs within the public system.”

Modeled after successful reforms in South Carolina and Indiana, SB 207 offers schools the flexibility to pursue customized solutions that best fit their students' needs while ensuring strong state and district oversight.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

For more information on SB 207 and the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly, visit www.legislature.ky.gov.

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Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, represents the 27th Senate District, including Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, and Rowan Counties, and part of northern Fayette County. West serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee and co-chair of the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and Energy, and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education. Additionally, West is a member of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee and the Kentucky Housing Task Force.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate127.jpg  for a high-resolution .jpeg of West.