Fayette County Public Schools Releases Accountability Study Highlighting Progress and Challenges for 2023-2024 School Year

Lexington, KY – Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) has released an accountability study for the 2023-2024 school year, signaling a mix of achievements and areas requiring improvement. FCPS’s Deputy Superintendent, Houston Barber, emphasized the importance of performance across essential subjects including reading, math, writing, social studies, and science. He stated, “We know we have to perform well in these areas, but we also want there to be a celebration of how well our students are doing.”

The study highlights significant progress, particularly the reduction of schools designated as Targeted Support and Intervention (TSI) Schools. This designation applies to schools with specific student groups scoring below state benchmarks. FCPS has successfully decreased the number of TSI schools from 34 in 2022 to just 12 in 2024, with no designations for African American, Hispanic, or economically disadvantaged student groups.

Barber noted the extraordinary nature of this achievement, attributing it to the leadership within the district and the commitment of teachers and staff. “I’ve been working in Kentucky for almost 27 years. I’ve not seen something quite this remarkable,” he stated.

Another point of optimism is the rise in graduation rates, which have improved from just under 90 percent in the 2021-2022 school year to over 92.5 percent in the 2023-2024 school year. Attendance rates also saw a positive trajectory, increasing from 91.25 percent to 92.41 percent last year.

Despite these successes, the district faces challenges, especially concerning chronic absenteeism. Current state averages hover around 30 percent, prompting efforts to enhance student attendance. “If we don’t have kids in school, we can’t give them what we need,” Barber explained, emphasizing the vital role of consistent classroom engagement in measuring district success.

Overall, the Fayette County Public School system aims to celebrate achievements while remaining focused on improvements to ensure all students receive a high-quality education. The district has reported that it is outperforming the state average at every educational level, from elementary through high school.