Postsecondary education is critically important to Kentucky’s future. Lawmakers recognize this and it drives our efforts to support our public colleges, universities, and community colleges and technical schools through record funding, as well as our expectations that students have access to quality education by demanding oversight and accountability.
Last fall, leadership announced that the House Education Committee would be divided into two individual panels: the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee and the House Postsecondary Education Committee.
This change reflected the legislature’s commitment to education at all levels by allowing members more time and resources to focus on the areas that need support and improvement in both.
Here are the measures that cleared the House Postsecondary Education Committee to become law:
- Ending Discrimination in Public Colleges and Universities – HB 4 prohibits wasteful and discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices on the campuses of Kentucky’s public universities while preserving programs aimed at supporting first generation and disadvantaged students and veterans.
- Enhancing Oversight and Evaluation of Teacher Prep Programs – HB 251 transfers the responsibility of ensuring teacher education programs produce highly skilled teachers from the Council on Postsecondary Education to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). The EPSB will be required to report to the legislature every three years and regularly provide program data to an external evaluator.
- Streamlining the Student Teacher Stipend Program – HB 263 clarifies residency requirements for eligible student-teachers through the Student Teacher Stipend Program administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, and conforms language with recent federal legislation to ensure that stipends are not classified as financial aid. The measure also clarifies that payments can be made directly to eligible student-teachers or through their educational institutions.
- Addressing the Healthcare Workforce Shortage – HB 305 expands an existing scholarship for students seeking a career in healthcare to include physician assistants, nutritionists, and licensed dieticians.
- Ensuring Quality Postsecondary Education and Services – HB 424 requires the boards of each public state university and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to conduct and approve performance evaluations for presidents and faculty members.
- Providing Guidelines for CPE Approval of Doctoral Programs – SB 77 establishes criteria for the Council on Postsecondary Education to determine if additional academic offerings or proposals for new doctoral programs warrant approval.
- Addressing Anti-Semitism on College Campuses – SJR 55 directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to develop and adopt policies to combat antisemitism.
These efforts are the first steps to help Kentuckians across the state earn advanced degrees and reach their full potential. Lawmakers are continuing their work, including members of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education, who are developing a state budget that supports higher education.
This budget includes funding for important programs like:
- The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, which awards scholarships to eligible students as they graduate high school
- The Work Ready Scholarship, which supports qualifying Kentuckians without an associate degree earn certificates, diplomas, or associate of applied science degrees
- The College Access Program, which assists eligible low-income students attending colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical colleges
The budget will also provide support for other initiatives through the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. For more information about these scholarships and grants, visit kheaa.com.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Samara.Heavrin@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield
