Nestled in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, Morgan County Schools stands as a powerful example of what happens when vision, community, and legislative support come together to serve every student. With around 1,600 students across six schools, the district is small in size but large in heart—driven by a deep belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Through the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Morgan County is not only improving academic outcomes but also redefining what equitable learning looks like in rural education. This work is made possible through targeted state and federal investments, including increased SEEK and Tier I funding and legislative support for the Read to Succeed and Numeracy Counts Act. A Community Rooted in Resilience and Hope Morgan County’s story begins with a tradition of strength and resilience. In a region where many families face economic hardship, the schools have become the heartbeat of the community—a place where hope is cultivated and opportunity takes root. Superintendent Dr. Ralph W. Hamilton and his leadership team understand that rural districts must often do more with less. Legislative resources have provided essential flexibility—allowing Morgan County to prioritize “people over programs,” attract and retain talented educators, and align instruction to the unique needs of their students. This emphasis on local priorities reflects the broader goals of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) 2026 Legislative Agenda, which calls for closing the SEEK funding shortfall, improving school construction funding, and strengthening the educator pipeline. Morgan County’s work exemplifies how these priorities can come to life at the district level. What MTSS Means for Students MTSS is a proactive, evidence-based approach that helps schools meet students where they are—academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. In Morgan County, the model is built around three tiers of support: Tier I: Universal instruction that serves over 80% of students through high-quality, grade-level teaching and schoolwide supports. Tier II: Targeted interventions for roughly 15% of students who need additional help in specific skill areas. Tier III: Intensive, individualized interventions for the 5% of students who require specialized, sustained support. This system ensures that learning is fluid and responsive. Teachers regularly review data to identify student needs, adjust instruction, and collaborate across grade levels. The goal is not just to improve test scores—but to create confident, independent learners prepared to succeed in life beyond the classroom. The Power of Partnership The success of MTSS in Morgan County is not solely the result of internal strategy—it’s the outcome of partnerships that span the entire community. Local businesses provide mentorships and work-based learning experiences that give students real-world perspective. Community organizations play a vital role in social-emotional learning (SEL) and family engagement, while nearby higher education institutions open doors to advanced coursework and career pathways. These connections extend the classroom into the community, reflecting one of KASS’s core advocacy goals: empowering local districts to collaborate for sustainable, community-centered learning. Results That Speak for Themselves Morgan County’s investment in MTSS is already producing measurable and meaningful results: Improved academic performance on both state and local assessments. Consistently high graduation rates that reflect a culture of persistence. Decreased behavioral referrals, signaling stronger student engagement. Higher attendance rates, often linked to the sense of belonging cultivated in supportive classrooms. Teachers report increased positive behavior, engagement, and collaboration among students. Through targeted interventions and small-group instruction, students build confidence and master challenging content. The district’s commitment to holistic education is embodied in its Portrait of a Learner—encouraging each child to grow as an Impactful Citizen, Confident Contributor, Empathetic Servant, Solution Seeker, and Effective Communicator. Celebrating Excellence and Recognition Morgan County’s schools are no strangers to recognition. Ezel Elementary has twice been named a National Blue Ribbon School. East Valley Elementary earned the same distinction once and ranked among the top ten schools statewide in 2024 performance on the Kentucky Summative Assessment. All six district schools—East Valley, Ezel, Morgan Central, Wrigley Elementary, Morgan County Middle, and Morgan County High—have been recognized as Prichard Committee Family Friendly Schools. These achievements represent far more than accolades; they are evidence of a district culture built on collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement. Legislative Support: A Lifeline for Rural Opportunity Morgan County’s success is directly tied to strong legislative partnerships and advocacy for equitable funding. Increased SEEK and Tier I funding has allowed the district to recruit and retain high-quality educators, improve compensation, and sustain critical programs that larger districts often take for granted. This aligns closely with KASS’s call to close the SEEK shortfall and ensure that Kentucky’s funding formula provides a fair opportunity for all students, regardless of zip code. Similarly, continued investment in the Read to Succeed and Numeracy Counts Act helps ensure that foundational literacy and numeracy skills are supported from the earliest grades—an essential step toward fulfilling the United We Learn framework’s vision for lifelong learning. Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum For Morgan County Schools, MTSS is not a one-time initiative—it’s an ongoing process of reflection, collaboration, and growth. As the district continues to build capacity, expand professional learning, and engage families, it serves as a model for how Kentucky’s rural districts can deliver innovation with limited resources. Dr. Hamilton notes that the district’s greatest strength lies in its people: “When we prioritize people over programs, we build a system where every student—and every educator—can succeed.” This mindset perfectly captures KASS’s vision for Kentucky’s future: a united, learner-centered system where every child, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed. Why This Matters for Kentucky’s Future The lessons from Morgan County are clear: Legislative investments in equity yield transformative outcomes. Supporting educators drives systemic improvement. Collaboration among schools, families, and communities creates sustainable success. As Kentucky continues to build on the United We Learn vision, districts like Morgan County demonstrate what’s possible when funding, flexibility, and local leadership align. Their story proves that even in the most rural corners of the Commonwealth, the pursuit of excellence knows no limits. Join the Movement Learn more about Morgan County Schools’ work by following Morgan County Schools on Facebook or @SuptMCS on X. Together, we’re shaping the future of Kentucky’s public education—one student, one school, and one strong community at a time.

Accountability in Kentucky’s public education system is strongest when it reflects the voices and values of local communities along with statewide priorities for reading, math, transition readiness, graduation, student growth and grade-level performance. Across the Commonwealth, districts are demonstrating how local innovation, data transparency, and community collaboration can transform how we define student success. By elevating both metrics and meaning, superintendents are building systems that not only meet state standards but also reflect the priorities of Kentucky families, educators, and students. Reimagining Accountability through Local Voices Kentucky’s approach to accountability has long emphasized state assessment results and compliance metrics. But superintendents across the state are asking an essential question: What if our accountability systems measured what matters most to our communities? Districts like Kenton County, Fleming County, and Bullitt County are answering that call by building community-facing dashboards that align state-required data with locally meaningful measures. These dashboards showcase not just test scores, but also indicators like career readiness, student well-being, and authentic learning experiences. Kenton County Schools has created an online dashboard that pairs academic results with student wellness data and career readiness outcomes, giving families a more holistic understanding of progress. Fleming County Schools has built an interactive Portrait of a Graduate Dashboard that tracks academic growth, career readiness, and community engagement in real time. This local system reflects the district’s vision for transparent, community-centered accountability. Bullitt County Schools has reimagined communication by sharing stories of teachers and students who embody the district’s goals, turning abstract data into relatable narratives. Other districts, including Greenup, Shelby, and Butler counties, are also piloting new models that blend data, transparency, and storytelling, proving that accountability goes beyond compliance, focusing on clarity, connection and meaningful experiences. Accountability as a Partnership At its core, accountability should not be something done to schools; it should be built with schools and communities. Families want to see how their schools are preparing students for the future, but they also want evidence that reflects their own local priorities. Dashboards that visualize data on career pathways, student engagement, and community service create a shared language of progress. When a district superintendent pairs a rising graduation rate with a student’s career pathway story, accountability becomes more than a number. It becomes a narrative of growth and opportunity. Connecting Local Innovation to Statewide Vision This movement toward locally aligned accountability directly supports the 2026 KASS Legislative Priorities, particularly the goal to “Launching a meaningful and modern education accountability system” The United We Learn initiative, led by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), envisions an education system rooted in equity, innovation, and deeper learning. It calls for locally developed accountability structures that balance state oversight with the flexibility districts need to measure what matters most. KASS has elevated superintendents voices in the development of this vision. Our association believes that district-driven accountability (guided by community voices and informed by real-world data) is essential to preparing students for lifelong learning and success. As part of its 2026 advocacy platform, KASS continues to champion policies that: Empower districts to use authentic, locally developed measures of learning and growth. Encourage innovation in how schools report performance to families and communities. Support professional learning for superintendents and educators to implement next-generation accountability models. Provide the flexibility in the system to reflect the unique needs and opportunities of each community. Local Metrics in Action: From Data to Story When data tells a story, communities engage. That’s the lesson coming from districts like Kenton and Fleming counties. Instead of publishing charts filled with unfamiliar terms, these districts are using interactive dashboards and story maps to bring numbers to life. For example, a dashboard may show how many students completed dual credit courses, but it might also feature a short video of a student explaining how that course prepared them for college or a career in healthcare. This blend of quantitative and qualitative reporting is reshaping how stakeholders perceive accountability. It’s not just about performance indicators; it’s about understanding impact. Moreover, these approaches promote trust and transparency, which are key pillars in public education. Research from the National School Public Relations Association emphasizes that storytelling paired with data enhances community confidence and fosters long-term engagement. Kentucky districts are proving this to be true. Building Capacity for the Future KASS recognizes that building local accountability systems requires both resources and professional support. That’s why our 2026 legislative priorities include continued investment in educator development, particularly around data/assessment literacy and local communication strategies. Superintendents must be equipped to lead not only instructional change but also narrative change by helping their communities understand what modern education success looks like. By aligning accountability with career readiness pathways, numeracy and literacy goals, and authentic learning experiences, districts ensure that local innovation complements statewide progress. This work also ties to KASS’ long-term focus on education funding reform, ensuring that districts have the flexibility to direct resources toward initiatives that support locally defined outcomes. A Kids First Approach to Accountability Every element of this new accountability vision circles back to the KASS mission: putting Kids First. When schools measure what truly matters (student engagement, well-being, and preparedness) they reinforce the belief that accountability should serve students, over systems. The shift toward local metrics ensures that the measures of success are as diverse as the communities they represent. As KASS Executive Director Dr. Jim Flynn often reminds us, “Accountability is about strengthening how we practice and grow, as much as proving performance and impact.” This mindset empowers districts to take ownership of their data and design models that celebrate both progress and potential. Looking Ahead: Accountability as a Living Practice Kentucky’s superintendents are leading the way toward a more meaningful accountability future. They know that one-size-fits-all models cannot capture the diverse strengths of Kentucky’s school districts. By elevating local voices and local metrics, we are shaping a system that measures not only student achievement but also the relationships, creativity, and resilience that define lifelong learning. This work isn’t a moment in time; it’s a movement taking shape. As Kentucky continues to innovate under the inspiration of the United We Learn vision, KASS remains committed to advocating for policies that amplifies superintendent voices and builds traction for sustained progress into 2026 and beyond.