Legislation to strengthen school leadership and expand principal training across Kentucky has received final passage by the General Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chair Steve West, establishes a structured, statewide leadership development system for school principals. The framework builds on an existing program led by the Kentucky Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Truist Leadership Institute.
“The ultimate goal is to have the premier principal leadership program in the United States,” West said during a committee hearing, noting research that shows school leadership is one of the top factors influencing teacher retention and overall school performance.
The final version of Senate Bill 4 establishes a statewide, four-year leadership development practicum for new principals, set to begin in the 2027–2028 school year.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will develop and lead the program, designed to provide structured, hands-on training and support as principals step into the role. As part of that framework, the bill permits KDE to partner with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation to deliver a key leadership component during the third year of the practicum, outlined as an intensive summer program and follow-up sessions throughout the year.
During testimony, Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts said the Chamber Foundation created the Leadership Institute for School Principals program in partnership with Truist to equip principals with executive-level leadership skills.
Since 2011, she said the program has trained 641 principals across 112 counties, impacting 3 million Kentucky students and drawing more than $4.4 million in private investment from Kentucky businesses. The program is delivered at no cost to principals through donations from the business community and Truist.
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