Gavin Howe
Kentucky teachers are facing a number of new laws that could impact their teaching practices. These include Senate Bill 167, which requires teachers to ensure students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade, and Senate Bill 1, which reaffirms the teaching of American and world history, civil rights, government, economics, and geography. There are also laws surrounding the use of pronouns in the classroom, with the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education unable to require or recommend the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate. With more than 200 bills passed during the 2024 legislative session, teachers in Kentucky are navigating a complex legal landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Teachers must ensure students are proficient in | Cursive writing by the end of fifth grade |
| Teachers may not require or recommend | The use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate |
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![The Common School Laws of Kentucky. [1894]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VRz-UqN+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- Teachers must ensure students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade
- Teachers can request or honour an individual's pronouns
- Teachers must teach students about American and world history, civil rights, government, economics and geography
- Teachers must incorporate specific documents into their curriculum, such as 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July'
- Teachers must follow the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies
Teachers must ensure students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade
In Kentucky, teachers are required to ensure that students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade. This is a new law that came into effect on 15 July 2024. Senate Bill 167 states that teachers must make sure their students can write in cursive script. This is one of more than 200 bills that passed during the 2024 legislative session and are now state law.
While this law may seem minor, it is part of a broader set of laws that are impacting education in Kentucky. For example, Senate Bill 1 (2022) expressly reaffirms that instruction and instructional materials aligned with the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies are permitted. These standards require educators to teach students about American and world history, civil rights, government, economics, and geography, based on the students’ grade level.
Another law, Senate Bill 5 (2023), addresses the rights of students and educators to use their preferred pronouns. The law states that individuals may request or honour an individual's pronouns, but the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education may not require or recommend the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate.
These laws, along with Senate Bill 150 (2023), have resulted in a more culturally responsive and inclusive curriculum in Kentucky classrooms. They ensure that all students, including those from historically marginalised populations, feel seen and valued in their education.
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Teachers can request or honour an individual's pronouns
Teachers in Kentucky are not prohibited by law from requesting or honouring an individual's pronouns. However, the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education are not permitted to require or recommend the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate. This means that teachers can ask students about their pronouns and use these in the classroom, but the Board and Department of Education cannot enforce the use of pronouns that do not match a student's sex as stated on their birth certificate.
Teachers can request an individual's pronouns by asking students directly or by providing a space for students to share their pronouns voluntarily. For example, teachers could ask students to share their names and pronouns during a class introduction activity or include a pronouns section on a student information form. Teachers can also honour an individual's pronouns by using the pronouns that a student has requested, even if these do not match the student's biological sex as stated on their birth certificate.
When requesting or honouring an individual's pronouns, teachers should be mindful of creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. This may involve educating other students about the importance of respecting pronouns and addressing any instances of misgendering or pronoun misuse. Teachers should also be aware of the potential for pushback or resistance from students, parents, or community members who may not support the use of pronouns that do not conform to biological sex.
To support teachers in requesting and honouring an individual's pronouns, schools and districts can provide professional development and training on gender inclusivity and pronoun usage. This can include guidance on how to create safe and inclusive classrooms, strategies for addressing misgendering and pronoun misuse, and resources for further learning. By providing this support, schools and districts can help teachers feel more confident and equipped to create inclusive learning environments for all students.
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Teachers must teach students about American and world history, civil rights, government, economics and geography
Teachers in Kentucky are required to teach students about American and world history, civil rights, government, economics and geography. This is based on the students' grade level and is outlined in Senate Bill 1 (2022). The law also provides a list of specific documents that must be incorporated into the curriculum, such as 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?'.
In addition to this, teachers must ensure that students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade. This is outlined in Senate Bill 167.
Kentucky teachers are also prohibited from requiring or recommending the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate. However, the law does not prohibit individuals, including students and educators, from requesting or honouring an individual's pronouns.
More than 200 bills passed during the 2024 legislative session are now state law in Kentucky.
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Teachers must incorporate specific documents into their curriculum, such as 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?'
Teachers in Kentucky are required to incorporate specific documents into their curriculum, such as *What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?* This is a result of Senate Bill 1 (2022), which expressly reaffirms that instruction and instructional materials aligned with the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies are permitted. The KAS standards require educators to teach students about American and world history, civil rights, government, economics, and geography, based on the students' grade level.
In addition to Senate Bill 1, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 150 were also enacted in 2023. These laws do not specify particular documents that must be included in the curriculum, but they do address issues of cultural responsiveness and inclusivity in the classroom. For example, one law states that the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education may not require or recommend the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate. However, this law does not prohibit individuals (students or educators) from requesting or honouring an individual's pronouns.
Another recent law in Kentucky requires teachers to ensure that students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade. This requirement is outlined in Senate Bill 167, which passed during the 2024 legislative session along with more than 200 other bills that are now state law.
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Teachers must follow the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies
Teachers in Kentucky must follow the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies. These standards require educators to teach students about American and world history, civil rights, government, economics, and geography, based on the students’ grade level. The law also provides a list of specific documents that must be incorporated into curriculum standards, such as 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?'. Teachers must also ensure that students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade.
In addition, while the law does not prohibit individuals (either students or educators) from requesting or honouring an individual's pronouns, the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education may not require or recommend the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate.
These laws should not undermine efforts to ensure that all students, including those from historically marginalised populations, feel seen in the classroom. All students deserve to benefit from culturally responsive and inclusive curricula and pedagogical tools that teach the truth about the country and prepare students to meet the demands of a changing and increasingly globalised world.
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Frequently asked questions
Teachers in Kentucky are breaking more than 200 laws that were passed during the 2024 legislative session.
Some examples include Senate Bill 167, which requires teachers to ensure students are proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade, and Senate Bill 1, which reaffirms that instruction and instructional materials aligned with the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies are permitted.
Yes, while the law does not prohibit individuals from requesting or honouring an individual's pronouns, the Kentucky Board of Education and the Kentucky Department of Education may not require or recommend the use of pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex as reflected on their original birth certificate.
Yes, Senate Bill 1 (2022), Senate Bill 5 (2023), and Senate Bill 150 (2023) are all laws that aim to ensure that all students, including those from historically marginalised populations, feel seen in the classroom.
