KY SB4

Establishes a five-year principal leadership development practicum for all new Kentucky principals, beginning July 1, 2027, with years 1-2 providing mentorship and professional learning, year 3 offering personalized training, year 4 requiring an intensive summer leadership program in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and year 5 providing high-level leadership training opportunities

School districts and principals incur no cost for participation in years 1, 2, and 4 of the practicum; principals receive a stipend toward year 5 costs

Required professional learning topics include personnel evaluation, school-based decision making, instructional leadership, assessment and accountability, multitiered systems of support, services for exceptional children, and school safety, aligned to National Policy Board of Educational Administration standards

Eliminates the existing internship program requirement for new principals and replaces it with the practicum; principals may count practicum hours toward the 21 annual participant hours required under the Effective Instructional Leadership Act

Kentucky Department of Education must submit an implementation plan to the Legislative Research Commission by November 1, 2026, including minimum requirements for successful completion and any needed statutory amendments