KY Commissioner of Education Jason Glass 2023 | Kentucky Department of Education
KY Commissioner of Education Jason Glass 2023 | Kentucky Department of Education
Of the 4,877 students attending schools in Bell County's school districts, 93.4% were white. African American students constituted the second-largest ethnic group in the county's school districts, accounting for 3%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Bell County's school districts, representing 92.8% of the student body.
Middlesboro Independent School District and Bell County School District had the most diverse student body in the county, which included African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, multiracial, and white.
In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in school districts in the county increased by 5% compared to the previous year.
The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Bell County.
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.
Data also shows that 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.
| District | Most Prevalent | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell County School District | White | 97.5 | 2,847 |
| Middlesboro Independent School District | White | 83.9 | 1,395 |
| Pineville Independent School District | White | 95.7 | 635 |
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