Kentucky’s statewide assessments are changing for the 2026-27 school year. Here’s what’s new, which tests remain, when testing takes place, and how educators can prepare students.

Kentucky educators preparing students for the 2027 Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) will see several changes this school year.

Following the passage of House Bill 257 in April 2026, Kentucky has eliminated statewide on-demand writing and editing and mechanics assessments while maintaining testing in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.

The legislation also introduces changes to Kentucky’s school accountability system, including a greater emphasis on individual student growth.

Here’s what educators need to know about the changes, testing dates, and preparing students for the spring 2027 KSA.

What’s Changing for the 2027 Kentucky KSA?

The most significant change is the removal of two components of the Kentucky Summative Assessment:

• On-demand writing: No longer included in the statewide KSA.
• Editing and mechanics: No longer administered as a separate statewide assessment.

According to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), the other KSA content-area assessments will remain unchanged for the 2026-27 school year.

Does This Mean Kentucky Schools Will Stop Teaching Writing?

No. Although writing is no longer assessed through the statewide KSA, writing instruction remains an important part of Kentucky’s academic expectations.

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Kentucky district superintendents are required to adopt and publish district-wide writing program policies that incorporate writing across content areas. These programs must provide opportunities for students to develop communication skills through discipline-specific writing.

KDE has published guidelines for establishing district-wide writing programs to support schools and districts with this transition.

Revised Kentucky Reading and Writing Standards for 2026-27

Kentucky also adopted revised Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing in May 2026, with implementation beginning in fall 2026.

KDE also published an updated Reading Assessment Blueprint in June 2026 to help educators understand the standards and content addressed by the assessment.

Which Subjects Will Be Tested on the 2027 KSA?

The Kentucky Summative Assessment continues to measure student achievement against the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS).

For the 2026-27 school year, the following subjects and grade levels apply:

Subject	Tested Grades	2027 KSA Status
Reading	3-8, 10	Continues
Mathematics	3-8, 10	Continues
Science	4, 7, 11	Continues
Social Studies	5, 8, 11	Continues
On-Demand Writing	Previously 5, 8, 11	Removed
Editing and Mechanics	Previously 5, 8, 11	Removed

The KSA is administered in grades 3-8, 10, and 11, with different subjects assessed at designated grade levels. The removal of writing and editing and mechanics assessments does not change the tested grades for the remaining subjects.

The Kentucky Department of Education confirmed these grade-level requirements and the elimination of writing assessments in its 2025-26 Assessment and Accountability Results announcement.

When Is the 2027 Kentucky KSA Testing Window?

The spring 2027 KSA will be administered during the last 14 instructional days of each district’s school calendar for grades 3-8, 10, and 11.

Because testing dates vary by district, educators should consult their district assessment coordinator for their local schedule.

Visit the Kentucky Department of Education’s assessment website for the latest testing information.

How Is Kentucky’s School Accountability System Changing?

House Bill 257 also introduces changes to how Kentucky evaluates school performance.

Among the changes are:

• Individual student growth: Kentucky is introducing an accountability measure focused on individual student growth in reading and mathematics.
• Chronic absenteeism: Student engagement, measured through chronic absenteeism, is being added as an accountability indicator.
• School climate and safety: The school climate and safety indicator has been removed from the statewide accountability system, and its associated survey will no longer be administered as part of statewide testing. Districts may still use the survey for local purposes.

These changes shift part of Kentucky’s accountability focus toward individual academic progress and student attendance. The revised accountability system is expected to affect reporting beginning in fall 2027, with final implementation details determined through KDE’s regulatory process.

How Can Kentucky Educators Prepare Students for the 2027 KSA?

Here are three ways educators can help students prepare for the spring 2027 assessments.

1. Review the Kentucky Academic Standards

Review the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) to identify the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Focus on the standards assessed at your grade level and identify areas where students may need additional instruction or practice.

2. Practice with Kentucky State-Released and Aligned Assessments

Use Kentucky’s state-released assessments and other standards-aligned resources to familiarize students with the types of questions they may encounter on the KSA.

Since the KSA is administered online, provide opportunities for students to practice navigating digital assessments, responding to different question types, and using available testing tools.

3. Use Assessment Results to Guide Instruction

With Kentucky introducing a greater emphasis on individual student growth in reading and mathematics, monitoring progress throughout the year is especially relevant.

Use standards-aligned assessment results to identify learning gaps, track progress, and plan targeted instruction ahead of spring testing.

Explore Free Kentucky KSA Practice Assessments with Edcite

Kentucky educators can access free state-released and aligned assessments through Edcite’s Kentucky Common Assessments initiative.

Students can practice in Edcite’s premium assessment viewer, while teachers can review results to identify strengths and areas needing additional support.