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Kentucky
195,515 high school students

State Profile
As states work to raise their academic standards, several national high school reform initiatives are assisting them in their efforts to strengthen their high schools so that they provide students with a 21st century education and skills.

Through the profile provided here, the National High School Center offers (a) a snapshot of the state’s graduation requirements and college entrance requirements (see table below) and (b) summaries of national reform initiatives active in the state (see list below table).

High School and College Alignment in the State
The following table shows the state’s alignment between high school graduation requirements and minimum state college entrance requirements, providing a quick source for determining whether there is a gap between what students must know to graduate and what they are expected to have mastered in order to enter college.

High School Graduation Requirements College Admission Requirements

English Units

4

4

 

English I, II, III, IV

English I, II, III, IV or AP English

Mathematics Units

3

3

 

Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II

Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry

Social Studies Units

3

3

 

including US History, Geography, Economics, Government and Civics, and Cultures and Societies

From US History, Economics, Government, World Geography and World Civilization

Science Units

3

3

 

3 w/lab and including biological science, physical science, earth and space science, and unifying concepts

Life Science, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science (at least one lab course)

Foreign Language Units

N/S

2

Art Units

1
History and appreciation of visual and performing arts or a performing arts course

1

Additional Units

Health - .5
P.E. - .5
Electives - 7

Health - .5

P.E. - .5

Total Units

22

17

Tests

N/S

ACT or SAT

Source

Kentucky Department of Education

Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

National High School Improvement Initiatives at Work in the State
As states work to ready high school students for postsecondary success, many are partnering with national organizations to undertake high school improvement efforts. The following list includes national improvement initiatives at work in the state. National initiatives are defined as significant programs, projects, technical assistance, or key information clearinghouses dedicated to high school improvement. For information about and related to research on these initiatives, please click on the name of the initiative to link to a synthesis:


Kentucky State High School Improvement Initiatives
For information on high school improvement initiatives launched at the state level visit Kentucky’s School Improvement Web page.

Kentucky ARRA Information
For information on Kentucky's ARRA efforts as it relates to education, please visit the state Web page.