KENTUCKY

Kentucky has been bold in its public commitment to curb the number of dropouts. The state set the ambitious goal of cutting in half the number of its dropouts by 2006 (K.R.S. 158). Two years after the enactment of this goal-setting legislation, the state enacted SB 2, mandating the inclusion of dropout, attendance, and retention rates in school report cards. However, Kentucky is set to begin reporting the National Governors Association's cohort graduation rate by 2014. 

In March 2009, the state enacted SB 1, a catalyst for the development of an early warning system to help identify students at risk of dropping out in elementary, middle, and high school. Staff from the Kentucky Department of Education is mandated to provide instructional support to the districts, schools and students identified through this system.

Central to Kentucky's strategy for dropout prevention and recovery are the Dropout Prevention Grants awarded to counties (K.R.S. 158.146). Since 2004, these funds have originated from the state's Dropout Prevention Fund and are distributed through a competitive grant process. Five counties received grants in fiscal year 2008-09, half the grantees awarded the prior year. The decrease in grantees coincided in increased award amounts.

Kentucky's compulsory attendance age is set at 16 and its maximum public school entitlement age is 21.