Kentucky test scores show improvement in reading and math, new results show

Kentucky students performed better in 2024-2025 than in recent years across several grade levels and subjects, state Department of Education officials said Wednesday as statewide testing data was released.

Overall, students in the state received a color coded score of yellow — the medium rating — at the elementary, middle and high school levels, the same as one year prior.

“I am proud of the commendable performance Kentucky students demonstrated during their assessments,” Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher said in a statement.

“Our KDE staff has shown a strong commitment to delivering innovative programs, comprehensive training and consistent support for educators throughout the Commonwealth. I want to express my appreciation to the many educators who have participated in initiatives such as the Kentucky Reading Academies, and I am pleased with the positive progress we are making.”

During the 2024-2025 school year, Kentucky public school students in grades 3-8, 10 and 11 took tests called the Kentucky Summative Assessments and the Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessments in reading, mathematics, social studies, science, editing and mechanics, and on-demand writing.

Students took reading and mathematics assessments annually in grades 3 through 8, and in grade 10. Other subjects are assessed once per grade level, with social studies, editing and mechanics, and on-demand writing assessed in grades 5, 8 and 11. Science continued to be assessed in grades 4, 7 and 11.

Each student received a score of novice (the lowest), apprentice, proficient or distinguished (the highest) on several subjects.

Reading and math scores increase at all school levels

Kentucky students earned proficient or distinguished scores at higher rates in reading and mathematics during the 2024-2025 school year than in previous years.

The percentage of elementary school students scoring proficient or distinguished in reading increased from 47% last year to 49% this year. At the middle school level, that number increased from 45% to 47%, and for high schoolers, it increased from 45% to 46%.

Math scores had similar increases, with the percentage of elementary students scoring proficient or distinguished increasing from 42% to 43%. At the middle school level, that number increased from 39% to 41%, and for high schoolers, the number jumped from 35% to 40%.

The test results were published early Wednesday by the state, as required by state statute and federal law. The Herald-Leader analyzed data including Fayette County’s scores, the top-performing schools statewide, and a database that allows readers to search school’s results.

Kentucky’s accountability system uses six indicators. At all levels (elementary, middle and high school), these indicators include: state assessment results in reading and mathematics; state assessment results in science, social studies and writing; quality of school climate and safety; and English learner progress.

Additional indicators at the high school level include postsecondary readiness and a combination of 4-year and 5-year graduation rates.

In addition to how students fared in the testing of various subjects, the state released an “overall indicator score” for each school based on testing results, school safety and, for high schools, graduation rate and post-secondary readiness.

Results are accompanied by a color-coded system: blue (the highest), green, yellow, orange and red (the lowest)

“At the heart of Kentucky’s accountability system is a commitment to students,” Fletcher said. “The system is designed to ensure that every learner is well-rounded, equipped with essential skills and prepared for success in college, career and beyond.”

Analyzing Kentucky’s test data

More Kentucky elementary schools received one of the three highest overall indicator ratings — blue, green or yellow — in the 2024-2025 school year than the previous year, and 25 fewer schools received a red rating.

Middle schools showed a notable increase in blue ratings: 55, compared with 27 the previous year. High schools reported a sharp drop in the lower color ratings, while blue ratings nearly doubled from 25 in 2023-2024 to 46 in 2024-2025.

The bulk of schools received a yellow rating, in the middle of the five-color scale. Statewide, 218 schools received blue, and 54 received red.

The two highest-scoring elementary schools were both in Clay County — Oneida Elementary and Burning Springs Elementary — followed by Anchorage Independent Public School, outside Louisville, and Stinnett Elementary, in Leslie County.

Clays Mill Elementary in Fayette County recorded the seventh-highest overall indicator score of all elementary schools statewide.

At the middle school level, the top three schools were SCAPA at Bluegrass in Fayette County, Frakes School Center in Bell County and Anchorage Independent School.

And for high schools, the top three were duPont Manual in Jefferson County, Pikeville and Johnson Central.

Of Kentucky’s 1,263 public schools, 385 saw more than 50% of students score proficient or distinguished on statewide math testing this past spring, according to a Herald-Leader analysis of Kentucky DOE data.

For the statewide reading test, that number was 586.

Among elementary schools, 353 reported at least half of their students scoring proficient or distinguished on reading tests. Burning Springs Elementary in Clay County led the way with 90%, followed by Sublimity Elementary in Laurel County with 89% and Anchorage Independent Public School at 89%.

Statewide, 22 elementary schools reported more than half of students scored novice on reading tests.

For math tests, 245 elementary schools statewide reported more than half of students scored proficient or distinguished, led by Anchorage Independent at 87%, DeWitt Elementary School in Knox County at 87%, and Farmington Elementary in Graves County at 82%.

Twenty-nine elementary schools reported more than 50% of students tested novice on math tests.

Among middle schools, 140 schools reported 50% of students tested proficient or distinguished on reading tests. Anchorage Independent led the way with 89%, followed by SCAPA at Bluegrass in Fayette County at 87% and Jones Ford Middle School in Knott County at 81%.

Twelve middle schools reported 50% or more students scored novice on reading tests.

For math tests, 85 middle schools statewide reported at least half of their students tested proficient or distinguished. Anchorage Independent reported the highest with 85%, followed by Cawood Middle School in Harlan County at 85% and SCAPA at Bluegrass at 84%.

Eleven middle schools reported 50% or more students who scored novice on math tests.

And among high schools, 95 schools reported 50% or more of students testing proficient or distinguished in reading. Pikeville High School led the way with 88%, followed by duPont Manual High School in Jefferson County at 87% and J. Graham Brown in Jefferson County at 85%.

Eight high schools reported 50% or more students who scored novice on reading tests.

In math, 55 schools reported 50% or more of students testing proficient or distinguished. Pikeville High School led the way with 88%, Dawson Springs Independent High School followed at 85% and duPont Manual High School reported 83%.

Eleven high schools reported 50% or more of students who scored novice on math tests.

This story was originally published November 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.