The Kentucky Academic Standards for Technology define the minimum technology-related competencies every Kentucky K‑12 student must achieve before graduation—not curriculum, but outcomes. These standards promote digital literacy and integrate technology into all academic content areas, ensuring students use it responsibly and effectively (Kentucky Department of Education).

Importantly, these standards are distinct from—but complementary to—the Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science, which focus on creating and understanding technology, whereas the Technology Standards emphasize everyday digital fluency and application across subject areas (Kentucky Department of Education).

Structure & Organization
  1. Grade Bands: Organized into four bands—K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12—with grade-by-grade performance indicators showing progression from one band to the next (Kentucky Department of Education).
  2. Seven Conceptual Areas (adopted from the ISTE Student Standards framework):
    • Empowered Learner
    • Digital Citizen
    • Knowledge Constructor
    • Innovative Designer
    • Computational Thinker
    • Creative Communicator
    • Global Collaborator

Each concept includes grade‑band standards, learning priorities, and specific performance indicators (Kentucky Department of Education).

  1. Standard Identifiers: Each is coded by grade band, concept area, and standard number for clarity and alignment across grade levels (Kentucky Department of Education).
Sample Indicators (Primary Grades K‑2)

Here are examples of how indicators are structured at the primary level:

  • Empowered Learner (EL1): Students set personal learning goals using technology (e.g. recording reading fluency), reflect via digital portfolios, and seek technology‑delivered feedback to improve performance (Kentucky Department of Education).
  • Digital Citizen (DC1–DC2): Students manage their online identities, understand digital permanence and privacy, seek trusted help when needed, and respect intellectual property online —crediting creators and avoiding copying without permission (Kentucky Department of Education).
  • Knowledge Constructor (KC1–KC2): Students perform keyword searches, evaluate digital resource credibility, curate information via bookmarks or digital folders, and create artifacts from synthesized information (Kentucky Department of Education).
  • Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, Global Collaborator concepts likewise include indicators around real-world problem-solving, basic coding, digital design, publishing, and collaborating with peers locally and globally (using digital tools) (Kentucky Department of Education).
Graduation & Legal Context
  • As of April 2019, demonstrated performance‑based competency in technology is a minimum graduation requirement in Kentucky (704 KAR 3:305) —and the Technology Standards define those competencies (Kentucky Department of Education).
  • The incorporation of the Technology Standards by reference in administration regulation (704 KAR 8:090) makes them legally binding for all public school graduates in Kentucky (Legal Information Institute).
How They Work with Curriculum
  • Standards are not curriculum: The state sets what students must know/do, but curriculum design, lessons, and resources are decided locally, such as through school councils (SBDMs) under statute KRS 158.6453 (Kentucky Department of Education).
  • Integration across disciplines: Technology standards are designed to be embedded into all subject areas—math, science, literacy, etc.—often through collaborative planning and project-based instruction (tigernet.campbellsville.edu).
  • Supporting document: Kentucky’s Model Curriculum Framework supports educators in designing standards-aligned, future‑oriented local curricula, though curriculum itself remains a local decision (Kentucky Department of Education).