Awards and Recognition Programs

​​​​The Kentucky Department of Education oversees several annual awards and recognition programs that honor exceptional teachers, students and schools in the state.

Educator recognitions include:

• Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional (KESSP) Awards and National RISE Nominations - for classified staff working in Kentucky public schools
• Kentucky Exemplary Educators Program (KEEP) - for certified teachers, teacher specialists and school leaders in Kentucky public schools
• Kentucky Teacher of the Year (KTOY) Program - for distinguished certified teachers in Kentucky public schools with at least three years of experience
• Milken Educator Awards Program - a national recognition program that honors teachers for their achievements and promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Each awardee receives an unrestricted award of $25,000.
  

Student recognitions include:

• U.S. Senate Youth Program - Two student delegates (junior or senior status) are selected to represent Kentucky during the U.S. Senate Youth Program's (USSYP) Washington Week. Delegates also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study from The Hearst Foundations.
• U.S. Presidential Scholars - contact Kathie Anderson

School recognitions include:

• National Blue Ribbon Schools - Kentucky public schools must be nominated by the commissioner of education to be considered for the recognition. Public schools do not need to request consideration to be included in the nomination process. Nominated schools are selected based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates, measured by state assessments.

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