KENTUCKY’S READING AND MATH GAINS

SHOW EDUCATION REFORMS ARE PRODUCING RESULTS

National report ranks Kentucky among the nation’s top-performing states for academic growth as literacy, numeracy and school leadership reforms continue statewide

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 21, 2026) — Senate Education Chair Steve West, R-Paris, says Kentucky’s national recognition for reading and mathematics growth reflects years of focused work by educators, school leaders and lawmakers to strengthen classroom instruction and improve student outcomes statewide.

A new Education Scorecard report produced by researchers at Harvard University, Stanford University and Dartmouth College ranked Kentucky fifth nationally in reading growth and eighth nationally in mathematics growth between 2022 and 2025.

The report also recognized several Kentucky school districts for exceptional academic progress, while Marion County Schools was highlighted nationally as a case study for evidence-based instruction, literacy training, instructional coaching and efforts to strengthen direct student-to-teacher engagement in the classroom.

“This recognition belongs to Kentucky teachers, principals, students and families who stayed committed to the hard work of improving classroom outcomes,” West said. “Kentucky made a decision several years ago to refocus on foundational learning, support educators and invest in proven instructional practices. We are now seeing measurable results from that work.”

The report specifically linked reading improvement in states, including Kentucky, to comprehensive science-of-reading reforms and evidence-based literacy instruction initiatives. Researchers also identified growing concerns nationally surrounding classroom distractions, social media use and declining student engagement. During the 2025 Legislative Session, Kentucky lawmakers approved legislation restricting student cellphone use during instructional time to help schools maintain more focused classroom learning environments.

During the 2022 Legislative Session, West championed the Read to Succeed Act to strengthen early literacy instruction across Kentucky schools through teacher training, literacy intervention and evidence-based reading practices. During the 2024 Legislative Session, lawmakers adopted a similar approach to mathematics instruction through House Bill 162, championed by Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, which established early intervention systems and additional student supports focused on foundational math skills.

In recent years, the General Assembly has paired those reforms with significant education investments, including $22 million for the Read to Succeed program, more than $10 million for the Mathematics Achievement Fund and additional funding to support school leadership development and classroom instruction statewide. The legislature also increased SEEK funding for the seventh consecutive biennium.

West said Kentucky’s recent education reforms have focused not only on improving student achievement, but also on strengthening instructional leadership and giving schools greater flexibility to support innovative classroom strategies.

During the 2026 Legislative Session, lawmakers approved Senate Bill 4 to establish a statewide leadership development framework for school principals and Senate Bill 263 to expand flexibility for schools pursuing innovative instructional models while maintaining accountability standards.

“Strong schools depend on strong classroom instruction and strong leadership,” West said. “The goal has never been a quick fix or a political talking point. The goal has been to help more Kentucky students learn to read proficiently, build strong math skills and graduate prepared for future success. This recognition shows Kentucky is making meaningful progress.”

The Education Scorecard findings are based on assessment data from roughly 35 million students nationwide and are part of a broader national research effort examining long-term academic trends and student performance.

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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 Full Res Images/senate127.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of West.