Jason E. Glass is commissioner and chief learner at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
Glass, a native of Brandenburg and a third-generation Kentucky educator, has been commissioner of education since September 2020. He previously was superintendent and chief learner of Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado since 2017 and was superintendent of Eagle County Schools in Colorado from 2013 to 2017.
A 1990 graduate of Meade County High School, Glass received a bachelor's degree in political science and history in 1994, a master's in political science in 1996 and a master's in education in 2007 from the University of Kentucky (UK). He later received his doctorate in education leadership in 2011 from Seton Hall University and a certificate in advanced education leadership from Harvard University in 2019.
Glass began his teaching career at Hazard Independent Schools, working as a high school social studies teacher from 1996 to 1998. While still a graduate student, he already was serving as an instructor at UK and at Georgetown College.
From 2001 to 2006 he held progressively senior positions with the Colorado Department of Education, then worked as vice president of quality ratings for Qualistar Early Learning. He served briefly as senior director of human capital strategy for Ohio-based Battelle for Kids before Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad appointed him state Director of Education. Glass served as Iowa's chief state school officer from 2010 to 2013 and was superintendent of Eagle County Public Schools in Colorado from 2013 to 2017.
In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Glass to the National Board for Education Sciences. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2019 Frank D'Angelis Inspiration Award, Christian Science Monitor's 8 School Chiefs to Watch, 2018's #1 State Education Chief to Watch and 2021 Kentucky Teachers In the Know Decision Maker Award.
Glass has led efforts to build a vision for the future of public education in the Commonwealth based upon input from students, families, educators, business owners and community members from across the state. Called United We Learn, this vision builds around three big ideas: creating a more vibrant experience for every student, encouraging innovation in our schools – especially when it comes to assessment – and creating a bold new future for Kentucky's schools through collaboration with our communities. Currently, the Kentucky United We Learn Council – comprised of a broad range of education and community stakeholders – is housing the design and development activities under this project.
Glass has positioned Kentucky to lead the nation in providing deeper learning opportunities for students. Under his leadership, Kentucky joined the Deeper Learning Dozen, a community of practice dedicated to transforming school districts to support equitable access to deeper learning experiences and outcomes for all students. Kentucky is the first state-level team to join the Deeper Learning Dozen.
He and his wife, Sarah – who works as a teacher in Fayette County Public Schools – have two elementary-aged children who attend Kentucky public schools.
Jason
Glass named Kentucky’s next education commissioner (July 10, 2020)
Kentucky’s
newest commissioner found his calling, and his family, in education (July 10, 2020)
Commissioner
Candidate Profile – Dr. Jason Glass (July 2, 2020)
For media requests, please contact Toni Konz Tatman
Commissioner Glass presentation on Teacher Recruitment and Retention to Interim Joint Committee on Education (June 7, 2022)
Commissioner Glass letter to the General Assembly re: House Bill 9 (March 23, 2022)
KDE 2021 Special Session Recommendations
Messages
to Superintendents
Important Due Dates for Superintendents 2022
Reports to the Kentucky Board of Education