RELATES TO:

KRS 156.070(1), 156.160, 158.645, 158.1411, 158.1413, 158.6451, 158.6453, 160.290

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

KRS 156.070(1), 156.160, 158.1411, 158.1413, 158.6453(18)(a)

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT:

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:

KRS 156.160 requires the Kentucky Board of Education to establish courses of study for the different grades and kinds of common schools, with the courses of study to comply with the expected goals, outcomes, and assessment strategies developed under KRS 158.645, 158.6451 and 158.6453. KRS 156.070(1) requires the Kentucky Board of Education to manage and control the common schools and all programs operated in the schools. KRS 160.290 authorizes local boards of education to provide for courses and other services for students consistent with the administrative regulations of the Kentucky Board of Education. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, KRS 158.1413 requires each school district to implement essential workplace ethics programs that promote characteristics that are critical to success in the workplace. KRS 158.1411 requires that students entering grade 9 on or before June 30, 2025, successfully complete one (1) or more courses or programs that meet the financial literacy standards as a Kentucky public high school graduation requirement. For students entering grade 9 on or after July 1, 2025, successful completion of a one (1) credit course in financial literacy shall be a Kentucky public high school graduation requirement. KRS 158.6453(18)(a) provides that the Kentucky Department of Education shall implement a comprehensive process for reviewing and revising the academic standards for career studies for all levels every six (6) years. This administrative regulation establishes the academic content standards of essential skills, career exploration, and financial literacy for use in Kentucky's common schools.

1. Section 1.

   1. (1) The academic standards for career studies and financial literacy outline the minimum content standards that Kentucky students shall learn within each respective grade band. The standards are organized by three (3) domains: essential skills, careers, and financial literacy.
   2. (2) Kentucky schools shall utilize the financial literacy domain standards for grades 9 to design courses and programs that meet the Kentucky high school graduation requirement established in KRS 158.1411.
   3. (3) Pursuant to KRS 158.1413, the essential skills domain standards for all grade bands shall be utilized to design and implement essential workplace ethics programs and to ensure that all students in elementary, middle, and high school receive essential workplace ethics instruction.

2. Section 2. Incorporation by Reference.

   1. (1) The "Kentucky Academic Standards for Career Studies and Financial Literacy", June 2025, is incorporated by reference.
   2. (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Education, 5th floor, 300 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

History

(704 KAR 008:080. 46 Ky.R. 1754, 2278; eff. 5-5-2020; 52 Ky.R. 110, 567; eff. 10-14-2025.) COMPILER'S NOTE: 2025 RS HB 6, enacted by the General Assembly on March 27, 2025, altered the information to be provided at the time an administrative regulation is filed. Aside from formatting changes necessary to upload the regulation into the LRC's publication application, this regulation has been published as submitted by the agency.

FILED WITH LRC: September 9, 2025 at 1 p.m.

CONTACT PERSON: Todd G. Allen, General Counsel, Kentucky Department of Education, 300 Sower Boulevard, 5th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone 502-564-4474, fax 502-564-9321, email regcomments@education.ky.gov.