There were three American Indian or Alaska Native students enrolled in Harlan County schools in the 2023-24 school year, a 50% increase from the two American Indian or Alaska Native students in the previous school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Data showed that Harlan County welcomed a total of 1,654 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, American Indian or Alaska Native students comprised 0.2% of the student body to be the least represented ethnicity in the county.
Harlan County High School, Cawood Elementary School, and Wallins Elementary School was the only school in the county that enrolled American Indian or Alaska Native students in the 2023-24 school year.
Kentucky is in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage as turnover rates spiked to 10.9% in 2023, up from an 8.9% nine-year average. This issue is more prominent in schools with more low-income and minority students.
Between 2019 and 2023, there was an increase of 260% in the number of available teaching posts in Kentucky schools. This often leads to larger class sizes, combining programs, and retaining staff despite potential negative impacts on teacher working conditions.
| School name | % of American Indian or Alaska Native Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan County High School | 0.1% | 1,029 |
| Cawood Elementary School | 0.4% | 228 |
| Wallins Elementary School | 0.3% | 397 |