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.
Assessment Resources:
KSA
Required
Kentucky Summative Assessment
Grades 3-8, 10, 11
Subjects: Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Writing (on-demand and editing and mechanics)
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 (on-demand and editing and mechanics)
ACT
Required
Grade 11 and 12 (opportunity)
Fall 2022 Senior Retake Window: October
Spring 2023 Administration Window: March
Window: March, April and May
Required
Grades K through 12
Language Proficiency assessment for students who are English Learners (EL)
Window: January 5-February 17, 2023
Common Kindergarten Entry Screener (K SCREEN)
Required
Grade K
Assesses the domains of adaptive, cognitive, communication, motor, and social-emotional as established in Building a Strong Foundation for School Success: Kentucky's Early Childhood Standards
Window: No earlier than fifteen (15) days prior to the start of the current academic year and no later than the thirtieth (30th) instructional day of the academic year
DAC Calendar
KDE DAC Information
Office of Assessment and Accountability
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4394