In March 2009, Kentucky's General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1.  Passage of this bill established the implementation of a program review to be included as part of a new assessment and accountability model. At this time neither the accountability model nor the role program reviews will play have been determined.

A "program review" is

...a systematic method of analyzing components of an instructional program, including instructional practices, aligned and enacted curriculum, student work samples, formative and summative assessments, professional development and support services, and administrative support and monitoring KRS 158.6453(1)(i)

Program reviews have been written for three (3) areas:  Arts & Humanities, Writing, and Practical Living and Career Studies.  They will serve a number of purposes, which include

1. improving teaching and learning for all students in all programs
2. allowing equal access to all students the skills that will assist them in being productive citizens
3. allowing students to demonstrate their understanding beyond a paper-and-pencil test

The review of a program should be an on-going, year-round, reflective process.  Through careful review schools will be able to identify strengths, which can be shared with other programs within the building.  A careful review will also allow for the identification of weaknesses and areas of growth.