KY Commissioner of Education Jason Glass 2023 | Kentucky Department of Education
KY Commissioner of Education Jason Glass 2023 | Kentucky Department of Education
Of the 5,152 students attending schools in Harlan County's school districts, 94.5% were white. African American students constituted the second-largest ethnic group in the county's school districts, accounting for 2.2%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Harlan County's school districts, representing 93.7% of the student body.
Harlan Independent School District had the most even distribution of races among county districts, which included 88.4% white students, 4.9% multiracial students, 4.1% African American students, 1.3% Hispanic or Latino students, 1.2% Asian students, and 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native students.
In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students enrolled in school districts in the county increased by 10.3% compared to the previous year.
The main offices of all districts mentioned in the story are located in cities associated with Harlan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan County School District | White | 95.7 | 4,295 |
| Harlan Independent School District | White | 88.4 | 857 |
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