Kentucky Students Sue State Over Education Shortfalls, Citing Broken Promises and Widening Inequalities

Frankfort, Ky. – In a renewed push to address educational deficits, Kentucky students and the nonprofit group Kentucky Student Voice Team have taken a pivotal step by launching a lawsuit against state education leaders. The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County, claims that Kentucky’s education system has not lived up to constitutional standards set by a landmark 1989 state Supreme Court decision.

The 1989 ruling, known as Rose v. Council for Better Education Inc., declared the state’s public school system “constitutionally deficient.” This historic decision catalyzed the Kentucky Education Reform Act, reshaping education funding distribution, setting new curriculum standards, and boosting accountability measures across the state. However, recent evidence suggests that progress has stalled, and in many cases, reversed.

According to the lawsuit, Kentucky’s basic education funding has diminished approximately 25% when adjusted for inflation since the 1990s. The plaintiffs, including students from various Kentucky schools, argue this has resulted in insufficient educational resources and widening disparity in spending between wealthier and poorer districts—a gap that now reportedly exceeds levels previously deemed unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.

The group of students announced their litigation stance powerfully, stating, “We are here, the children of the Rose generation, to say that the legacy of Rose has wilted.” Their lawsuit points to dismal test scores and insufficient school funding as evidence of the state’s failure to meet its educational obligations.

The students and their legal team are not merely seeking additional funding. They emphasized the importance of broader educational quality, including civics education, career development opportunities, adequate teacher salaries, and support for student mental health.

“This lawsuit transcends beyond just monetary aspects,” said student plaintiff Luisa Sanchez of Boyle County High School. “It’s about ensuring that every student has access to a supportive, enriching, and safe educational environment.”

The legal action specifically targets leaders of the state’s Republican-controlled legislature and the Kentucky Board of Education, seeking a declaratory judgment that could compel legislative reforms should the courts find the education system unconstitutional.

Supporters of the lawsuit hope it will enforce the principles established by the 1989 Rose decision. “Our goal,” explained Kentucky constitutional lawyer Michael Abate, “is to impel our courts to uphold the promise of an adequate and efficient education for all students in the commonwealth, as they did over three decades ago.”

In contrast, some state officials argue the current funding levels are adequate. GOP House Speaker David Osborne, defending the legislature’s actions, claimed the state continues to fund education at record levels even when adjusted for inflation. He stressed the need for accountability over increased funding.

The issue of educational adequacy has implications beyond Kentucky. Attorney Michael Rebell, associated with the Center for Educational Equity at Columbia University, noted that the Rose case inspired similar educational reform efforts nationwide, including a lawsuit he won in New York. He sees potential for the current Kentucky lawsuit to spark another wave of educational litigation across the country.

As part of their ongoing advocacy, the Kentucky Student Voice Team plans to conduct public hearings statewide over the next year to gather input on educational improvements.

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