Bill > HB249

This bill amends Kentucky's educational scholarship laws to extend Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) benefits to students from noncertified private, parochial, or church schools beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill introduces a new category of "eligible noncertified school students" and establishes methods for calculating their equivalent grade point average (GPA), primarily using Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores or dual credit courses. Specifically, the bill creates a conversion scale for AP exam scores to GPA, allowing students from schools not certified by the Kentucky Board of Education to qualify for KEES scholarships. Students from noncertified schools can earn base scholarship amounts and supplemental awards similar to students from certified high schools, with the equivalent GPA calculated based on AP exam scores, dual credit course grades, or a combination of both. The legislation aims to provide more educational financial support opportunities for students from private schools that do not meet state certification standards, ensuring they have access to the same scholarship benefits as students from public or certified private schools. Key changes include defining terms, establishing GPA conversion methods, and modifying eligibility criteria to be more inclusive of different educational backgrounds.