FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2026) — Legislation that provides Kentucky high school students a direct pathway towards teacher certification and employment within their school districts was advanced unanimously Thursday by the Senate Education Committee.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) gives school districts the ability to establish a “grow-your-own” teacher program, a comprehensive apprenticeship approach designed to develop new educators.
“What this program is designed to do is get those students that participate in this, when they graduate from high school, to have an associate’s degree,” he said. “And then go on to college in two years, they’ve finished their teaching certificate and hopefully return to the school that they came from to go to work.”
Higdon said these apprenticeship programs would be distinct because they must be registered with the state Education and Labor Cabinet. Higdon also noted that the bill would allow for students to get their teaching certificates with little to no student debt.
“They’re paid in the apprenticeship. They work, and they’re paid through college. And like I said, this associate’s degree is paid for through KEES scholarship money and the Work-Ready scholarship. So I think that’s something that needs to be celebrated,” he said.
Laura Arnold with Nelson County Schools testified with Higdon on the legislation, Senate Bill 22. She said that the bill was a positive step toward school districts finding their own way to address Kentucky’s teacher shortage.
“We are grateful for you exploring this bill and are hopeful that this is the first step in incentivizing districts and communities to identify ways we can address the teacher shortage in our state,” she said.
Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald A. Neal (D-Louisville) commented on the thoughtfulness of the legislation, and asked about the GPA requirements of the program and what would happen if a person fell behind on those requirements.
“Would it be consistent with what you’re trying to do if that person took additional steps, maybe a summer school that year, and correct that?” he asked.
Higdon said he would not have a problem trying to correct that issue, but stressed that the GPA requirement was created to make sure that the students, once applying to college, would have the necessary GPA to be accepted into a postsecondary teaching program.
Senate Minority Caucus Chair Reginald L. Thomas (D-Lexington) said that he liked the program and wanted to understand the logistics of a student taking all of their apprenticeship classes and other required high school courses.
“That just seems like a lot for me for a child to take when they’ve got to do other courses in high school. I mean, how can they fit that all in and still take advantage of this program?” he asked.
Arnold answered that the program would be an aggressive one, and that the key would be being open and honest to parents and students that the program is accelerated, and a very rigorous path.
SB 22 now heads to the full Senate.
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“Capitol Update” is a non-partisan publication of the Legislative Research Commission
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