Beginning in 1990, Kentucky chose to have an all-inclusive assessment and accountability system by having all Kentucky public school students participate in annual testing with the results of those assessments included in the state’s accountability system for schools and districts.
Kentucky tests students on various subjects beginning in grade 3. On average, administering Kentucky’s state-level assessments take less than one percent (1%) of the total instructional time in a given school year.
The Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program was developed for students with moderate to significant cognitive disabilities (less than 1% of the total student population) for whom traditional assessments would be an inappropriate measure of progress. The Alternate Assessment Program mirrors the other state assessments.
Information on each state assessment, required or optional, is available through the links below and on the navigation panel on the left-hand side of the page.
KSA
Required
Kentucky Summative Assessment
Grades 3-8, 10, 11
Subjects: Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Writing
Window: During the last 14 instructional days of the district's calendar
Alternate KSA
Required
Grades 3-8, 10, 11
Subjects: Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Writing
ACT
Required
Grade 11
Window: March, April and May
End-Of-Course
Test Required for Students on the Early Graduation Pathway
Tested upon completion of high school credit for Algebra II, Biology, English 10 and U.S. History.
Required
Grades K through 12
Language Proficiency assessment for students who are English Learners (EL)
Window: March, April and May
DAC Calendar
KDE DAC Information
Office of Assessment and Accountability
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4394