Kentucky students challenging whether the state is meeting its constitutional duty on education
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A student-led lawsuit claims Kentucky's education system has been backsliding for years since lawmakers enacted nationally renowned reforms. The students are seeking a ruling that the state is failing in its constitutional duty to provide all children with an adequate and equitable education.
The students, who attend high schools across Kentucky, say they want to hold the state accountable for what they see as its shortcomings in guaranteeing a quality education — regardless of whether a child lives in an affluent or impoverished school district.
“Generations before us fought to reimagine Kentucky schools, and we are here to ensure that promise is renewed for every student,” said Danielle Chivero, a student plaintiff who attends school in Lexington. Plaintiffs include the Kentucky Student Voice Team, consisting of about 100 students statewide who attend public schools. Some of its members are plaintiffs. Defendants include the top leaders in the Republican-dominated legislature, the state Board of Education and the state education commissioner.
The state education department declined comment on the lawsuit Wednesday, and a spokesperson for the GOP Senate leadership said their office does not comment on pending litigation. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's office did not comment on the merits of the case but made another pitch for significantly higher education spending that the governor has included in his budget requests to lawmakers.
“Funding is vital to provide more competitive salaries for educators and to fund universal pre-K, which is needed to boost our workforce and ensure our kids are prepared for kindergarten,” James Hatchett, a Beshear spokesman, said in a statement.
