Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.306 – Approved list of reading curriculum and interventions -- Standards -- Science of reading program -- Three-cueing system prohibited -- Administrative regulations.

(1) As used in this section:
1. (a)
2. (b)
3. (c)
4. (d) "Curriculum" means the content and plan for instruction, including materials, instructional programs, texts, lesson plans, and assessments needed to help students develop critical skills, knowledge, and meet or exceed proficiency in required academic standards; "Educator preparation program" means a program approved by the Education Professional Standards Board that prepares individuals for licensure as teachers, school leaders, or other school or district administrators; "Reading intervention" means curriculum, activities, and evidence-based strategies used to accelerate student progress toward proficiency in reading, including but not limited to individual instruction, small groups, multisensory approaches, tutoring, mentoring, and the use of technology that targets specific reading skills and abilities; and "Three-cueing system" means any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues, which may also be known as "MSV."
(2) The Kentucky Department of Education shall establish an approved list of reading curriculum and interventions that are scientifically researched and evidence-based that may be used by schools to meet the requirements of subsection (3)(b) of this section and that do not include instructional strategies that employ the three-cueing system of reading.
1. (a) By the 2029-2030 school year, no public school district shall use any curriculum, reading intervention, or program of instruction that utilizes the three-cueing system of teaching students to read.
(3)
(b) Each public school district shall ensure that: 1. All curriculum, reading interventions, and programs of instruction utilized to teach students to read are high-quality, fully aligned to state content standards, and based on literacy strategies that are scientifically researched with proven results in teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; 2. Beginning with the 2029-2030 school year, no school in the district is utilizing a three-cueing system of teaching students to read; and 3. By June 30, 2029, all interdisciplinary early childhood through grade five (5) educators have completed a science of reading professional learning program approved by the department.
(4) Beginning with the 2030-2031 school year, if the Kentucky Board of Education determines that a public school district has violated subsection (3) of this section, the board shall notify the public school district of the violation.
(5) The department, the Education Professional Standards Board, educational cooperatives, special education cooperatives, early childhood regional training centers, and local school districts are prohibited from providing or utilizing any professional development that uses the three-cueing system of teaching students to read.
(6) The Education Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish criteria for reading curriculum for each state-approved educator preparation program.

Effective: April 10, 2026

History: Created 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 74, sec. 1, effective April 10, 2026.