SENATE BILL 128
Hawk Family,
Kentucky Senate Bill 128 has been approved by both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear. This bill, also referred to as KY SB128 and known by some as the “redshirt” or the “do-over” bill, allows K-12 students currently enrolled in public or non-public schools to request to use the 2021-2022 school year as a supplemental year. Students who choose this option can retake and/or supplement coursework already completed.
Our district wants to take this opportunity to share some of the facts related to this bill so that you can make an informed decision about whether you would choose to request the supplemental year for your child.
Our school board is required to make a decision by June 1st, 2021 on whether to approve all or none of the requests. School districts are not allowed to decide on an individual basis. If our board members decide to accept requests for a supplemental year, we will accept all requests and if we decide not to accept requests for a supplemental year, we will accept no requests.
Please complete the form at the bottom of this page and return a signed paper copy to your student’s school by Friday, April 30, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Superintendent Amanda Reed.
Phone: 270-358-4111
Email: amanda.reed@larue.kyschools.us
If LCS decides not to participate in the Supplemental School Year Program, students may still be eligible to repeat their current grade level through the existing retention process. This will become an individual conversation at the school level.
*This information is based on guidance available at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I am concerned my child may not be academically ready to go on to the next grade level. If I do not choose the supplemental school year option, how will the school support my child next year in the next grade level?
A: The LaRue County Schools are dedicated to meeting our children where they are, diagnosing their academic needs and supporting each child in their progression of learning. We recognize the impact the pandemic has had on student learning and we will be prepared to address the varied needs of our students. Many of our students have experienced gaps due to the pandemic and we will be ready to help our students bridge these gaps moving forward.
Q: What does research say about the impact of retention?
A: Here is a link to a recent article that summarizes key findings of retention research. There are academic as well as social-emotional impacts to consider with this decision.
Q: How does this impact my student and their athletic involvement?
A: Please refer to this guidance released by the Kentucky High School Athletics Association for more information.
Q: If I choose this option for my child, will they take the same classes again next year?
A: Students participating in the Supplemental School Year Program next year will be enrolled in classes that teach the same standards as current year classes. According to current KDE guidance, “The Supplemental School Year Program was established for students to “retake or supplement courses or grades the student has already taken.” That is, courses taken during the supplemental year must be those the student previously was enrolled in or bear a reasonable connection to previous courses to be supplementary in nature. Students may not retake or supplement courses from any school year prior to the 2020-2021 school year. The Supplemental School Year Program also was not established for students to explore coursework they otherwise didn’t have the opportunity to take.” pg 6
Q: For high school students, how will choosing this option impact dual credit opportunities or using KEES funds?
A: According to the KDE guidance, graduated seniors who choose this option are not eligible for the dual credit scholarship or dual credit tuition rate. They are also not eligible to use KEES funds. It is recommended that before students and parents make a decision about whether or not a graduated senior will request 2021-2022 as a supplemental year, they consult guidance provided by the KHEAA and CPE. (see pg. 5-9). Current grade 9-11 students, however, will not graduate until the end of their 5th year so they would still qualify for the dual credit tuition rate in their 5th year but repeating classes with the same standards next year will not allow them to make it to many extra dual credit classes in their 5th year.
Q: Will I be able to change my mind after April 30?
A: No. Once the April 30th deadline passes, applications are locked in for the purpose of planning and allocating resources for the upcoming school year.