Bluegrass Times

Of the 687,294 students enrolled in Kentucky schools during the 2022-23 school year, 0.1% identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

This equals 936 American Indian or Alaska Native students at the time, which is an increase over the year before.

Statewide, white students made up the most represented ethnic group within public schools, representing 72.4% of the student body.

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.

Year	Total Enrollment	Total American Indian or Alaska Native Students	American Indian or Alaska Native %
2022-23	687,294	936	0.1%
2020-21	682,953	916	0.1%
2019-20	698,388	886	0.1%
2021-22	685,401	929	0.1%