Kentucky

School Choice Policies

Charter School Choice

Does the state have charter schools?

Yes-

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 160.1590 - § 160.1599: Public Charter Schools

Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?

Did not find-

We did not find information specifying whether charter schools or management organizations may be for-profit in Kentucky statutes. However, a Kentucky policy expert indicated that for-profit charter schools are not allowed.

Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?

No-

"Beginning in academic year 2017-2018, any authorizer may authorize an unlimited number of public charter schools within the boundary of the local school district."

160.1591 (3): Legislative findings and declarations -- Public charter school project.

Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?

No-

Kentucky School Board Association Charter School Q&A: Transportation

Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?

No-

Kentucky charter schools are required to hire only qualified teachers for student instructions. State statutes define qualified teachers as a person that has been certified by the Education Professional Standards Board.

160.1592(3)(d): Public charter schools part of state's public education system
160.1590(14): Definitions

Virtual School Choice

Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?

Did not find-

Kentucky does not allow for virtual charter schools. We did not find mention of whether virtual public schools are allowed. "A public charter school shall not be a virtual public charter school." "Virtual public charter school" means a public charter school that offers educational services primarily or completely through an online program.

160.1591(4): Legislative findings and declarations -- Public charter school project.
160.1590(20): Definitions for KRS 160.1590 to 160.1599.

Are virtual schools required to track attendance?

Did not find

Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?

Did not find

Private School Choice

Does the state have voucher programs?

No-

No voucher programs found. The state constitution adopted the Blaine Amendment: “No portion of any fund or tax now existing, or that may hereafter be raised or levied for educational purposes, shall be appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of, any church, sectarian or denominational school.” Kentucky Const. § 189.

Kentucky Const. § 189.
EdChoice School Choice in America

Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?

No-

No educational expense tax credits or deductions found.

EdChoice School Choice in America

Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?

Not Applicable

Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?

Not Applicable

Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?

Not Applicable

Can private schools be removed from voucher programs based on performance?

Not Applicable

Are private schools in voucher programs required to provide transportation?

Not Applicable

Interdistrict School Choice

Does the state have interdistrict choice programs?

Yes-

Pupils listed under a written agreement may attend school in a nonresident district.

157.350.(4)(a)1: Eligibility of districts for participation in fund to support education excellence in Kentucky

Are receiving schools or districts required to provide transportation to any students?

Did not find

Page last updated: January 2021

Click here to download the State Policy Spreadsheet. Click here to download the State Policy Map Data Memo.

Shape Created with Sketch.

We’re always looking for feedback. To get in touch with our team, please email comments or questions to info@reachcentered.org. Thank you!

The State Policy Map provides a snapshot of school choice policy found in laws passed by the legislative bodies, for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on information gathered from state statutes in fall 2019; data checks continued through December 2020. Information on this site may not include the most up-to-date policy information. The State Policy Map does not systematically reflect state Department of Education administrative policies, rules, or regulations. All content on this site is provided for informational purposes only. Links to third-party websites are for the user’s convenience; neither REACH nor any affiliated entities endorse the contents of third-party sites.

Note: On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Montana's exclusion of religious schools from the state's tax credit scholarship program was unconstitutional (Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue 591). The responses to the question "Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?" were collected before this ruling and therefore do not reflect any changes resulting from the Espinoza decision.