Kentucky schools would use listed special education class limits, statewide job postings, and broader reporting rules, with some reporting provisions beginning July 1, 2026.
Special education classes and teacher caseloads would have category-based maximums. A paraprofessional could allow up to two extra students in a class.
Education officials would be allowed to require many listed state and federal program reports, including transportation, staffing, and compliance reports, beginning July 1, 2026.
Districts and public charter schools would post openings in a statewide online system, while urgent hires could use a state-approved waiver process.
School officials would limit special education class sizes and teacher caseloads by disability category. The limits cover public school special education classes and teachers serving students with conditions including autism, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and visual or hearing disabilities. A class may include up to two students above its listed limit when a paraprofessional is present. Mixed-disability classes use the category represented by most students to set the class limit. Different limits apply to collaborative services, combined services, and kindergarten through grade five compared with grades six through twelve.
The Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Board of Education would be allowed to require specified school reports. The authority covers reports needed for federal or state funding, legal compliance, transportation, staffing, school calendars, homeless students, alternative education, and other listed programs. The listed authority includes both new and existing reports in several categories. Reports may also be required when temporarily authorized by the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee. This provision does not by itself identify a new report or state how often each report must be filed. Sections 21 through 26 would take effect July 1, 2026.
School districts and public charter schools would post job openings electronically in the statewide educator job system. The system covers vacancies at local school districts and public charter schools, while districts may also advertise elsewhere and accept applications outside the system. Each posting would include opening and closing dates and the district's employment-discrimination policy. A superintendent would generally submit a vacancy posting 15 days before filling the position. A superintendent could seek a waiver for a vacancy that must be filled sooner to avoid disrupting needed services, but the chief state school officer would have to approve the waiver and the appointment. The chief state school officer would respond to a waiver request or appointment approval within two working days.
No hearings or votes scheduled.