STATEMENT RELEASE
SEN. GEX WILLIAMS RECOGNIZES FRANKLIN COUNTY STUDENTS’ RESULTS IN ELEMENTARY MATH AND HIGH SCHOOL WRITING
Results exceeded statewide proficiency percentages
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2026) – Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, issued the following statement recognizing Franklin County Schools’ elementary mathematics and high school combined writing results in Kentucky’s newly released 2025-26 assessments.
“Students need to solve problems using critical analysis and reasoning. Franklin County’s elementary math and high school writing results show us accomplishments we can celebrate.
“I co-sponsored and helped pass legislation that emphasizes high academic expectations and independent thinking because students carry those abilities into every part of their lives. I thank the teachers helping students build those skills and congratulate the students who earned this recognition.
“My colleagues championed stronger reading instruction through Read to Succeed, and I voted for Numeracy Counts to bring that same focus to early math instruction. Kentucky’s reading gains encourage me. As schools put the new math screening and intervention requirements to work this school year, I want us to build on that progress and help more children succeed in essential life skills.”
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BACKGROUND
The Kentucky Department of Education’s 2025-26 assessment results show reading gains across elementary, middle and high school, while mathematics performance remained flat or declined slightly. Full state, district and school results are available through the Kentucky School Report Card.
Franklin County Schools reported 45 percent of elementary students scoring proficient or distinguished in mathematics, compared with 43 percent statewide. At the high school level, 50 percent scored proficient or distinguished in combined writing, compared with 45 percent statewide.
Williams cosponsored Senate Bill 68, which became law in 2025 and addressed academic expectations, critical and independent thinking and other education requirements.
Williams also voted for the 2024 Numeracy Counts Act. The law requires schools to begin its K-3 mathematics screening and intervention cycle in 2026-27, after the school year covered by these assessment results.
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Sen. Gex “Jay” Williams, R-Verona, represents the 20th Senate District, which encompasses Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, and Owen Counties, southern Boone County, and southwestern Kenton County. Williams serves as vice chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and co-chair of the Investments in Information Technology Oversight Statutory Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Committees on Education, Families and Children, and Transportation Committees. During the 2025 Interim, he served on the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate120.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Williams.