There were nine African American students enrolled in Owsley County schools in the 2023-24 school year, a 350% increase from the two African American students in the previous school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Data showed that Owsley County welcomed a total of 452 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 2% of the student body to be the second least represented ethnicity in the county.
Owsley County Elementary School was the only school in the county that enrolled African American 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 African American Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Owsley County Elementary School | 2% | 452 |