STATEMENT RELEASE

WEST, TICHENOR RECOGNIZE READING PROGRESS

ENCOURAGE CONTINUED FOCUS ON FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS

New results follow national recognition for Kentucky’s academic growth; early math support enters its next stage

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 19, 2026) — Senate Education Chair Steve West, R-Paris, and Vice Chair Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, issued the following joint statement following the release of Kentucky’s 2025-26 assessment results, which show reading improvement across elementary, middle and high school.

“Learning to read well changes a child’s experience in school. It makes the next assignment less intimidating and opens the door to subjects that might become a lifelong interest. We’re encouraged that more Kentucky students are reaching that point, and we thank the teachers whose persistence makes that progress possible.

“These reading gains follow national recognition earlier this year for Kentucky’s growth in reading and math. They give us further encouragement about the work underway through Read to Succeed, including stronger teacher training and help for children who struggle with reading.

“Our focus on handwriting and cursive instruction reflects that same commitment to foundational skills. Children need to understand what they read, express their thoughts clearly and work through a problem with confidence. Those abilities give them more independence in school and more choices in life.

“Mathematics results show we have more work to do. Rep. James Allen Tipton’s leadership on Numeracy Counts gives schools a stronger approach to identifying difficulties early and responding to each child’s needs. Its new K-3 screening and intervention requirements began this school year, after the testing reflected in this report. We will follow that work closely and keep supporting the teachers and families helping children succeed.”

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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.

The percentage of students scoring proficient or distinguished in reading increased to 50 percent at the elementary level, 48 percent at the middle school level and 49 percent at the high school level.

Earlier this year, the Education Scorecard ranked Kentucky fifth among 35 states included in its reading growth comparison and eighth among 38 states included in its mathematics comparison for 2022-25. That analysis covers an earlier period than the newly released state results.

West championed the 2022 Read to Succeed Act. Tichenor sponsored the 2024 law requiring elementary cursive instruction beginning in 2025-26. Tipton sponsored the 2024 Numeracy Counts Act, whose required K-3 mathematics screening and intervention cycle begins in 2026-27.

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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. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Education and the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee, which provides statutory oversight of state agency rulemaking. He is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education and also serves on the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. Additionally, he is also a member of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee. 

For a high-resolution .jpeg of West, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate127.jpg

Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, represents the 6th Senate District, including Oldham and Trimble Counties and part of Jefferson County. She serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Education; Health Services; Local Government; State Government; and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection.  She is also a member of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity and the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee. Additionally, she is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services. 

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate106.jpg  for a high-resolution JPEG file of Tichenor.