FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky students have until May 1 to decide whether they want to repeat this school year because of COVID-19. The Kentucky Department of Education released guidance this week on how the Supplemental School Year Program will work.

The program was created last month when Gov. Andy Beshear approved Senate Bill 128, which was often referred to as the ‘redo’ bill. It gives students the option to repeat the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Some students may feel like they missed out on things academically and may want to retake those and have that again,” said Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Jason Glass. “Other students, even though they missed out on that, may want to move forward and catch up on that in different ways. I think it's going to be up to each student."

Glass said he has no idea how many students will choose to repeat this year. No matter how many do, it could create logistical challenges. That’s why school districts need to know soon.

Students have until May 1 to submit a request to their local Board of Education. Then, that board has until June 1 to decide whether to approve the requests. Local boards must submit their implementation plan to the Kentucky Board of Education by June 16.

The ultimate decision is left up to the local school boards, but Glass said those boards have to make an all-or-nothing decision. If members let one student do the supplemental year, they have to approve that request for anyone who wants to. A school district can decide that nobody gets to do it, though. 

The guidance document also outlines the impact the legislation has on assessment and accountability, funding, teaching and learning, special populations, school-based decision making councils, alternative programs, and federal program eligibility.