Commissioner's Student Advisory Council

To gain valuable feedback from Kentucky students and to engage student leaders in learning by doing, the commissioner created the Commissioner's Student Advisory Council. This group meets with the commissioner and Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff, both in person and virtually, to discuss how decisions made at the state level are affecting students and schools throughout Kentucky.

Council Recommendations and Reports: 

Students provide feedback on critical issues and work with KDE staff to develop ideas to improve and transform education. Council reports and recommendations have focused on issues related to school safety, mental health and efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in Kentucky public schools.

• A Focus on School Safety​​
  
• A Focus on School Safety (accessible version)
  

Membership:

The Commissioner's Student Advisory Council is designed for Kentucky public school students in grades 10-12.​

The council is currently chaired by Raima Dutt, a 12th-grade student at duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County). Bentley White, a 12th-grade student at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, serves as vice chair. A list of all members serving on the 2023-2024 Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council is available on the member webpage.

Membership includes:

 Service terms are for one academic year (August through May). ​

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Applications for the 2024-2025 Commissioner's Student Advisory Council closed March 1, 2024. The next application is expected to open Spring 2025 and will be posted on the Kentucky Department of Education website.

Meeting Frequency: 

Monthly from August to May (academic year); will meet virtually with approximately three to four meetings in Frankfort.