LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Board of Education is accepting nominations for the 2026 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education, according to an announcement from the state education agency. The award is given annually to a Kentuckian or Kentucky organization to honor outstanding dedicat ion to improving achievement for students with disabilities. Eligible nominees demonstrate leadership or implementation of innovative practices in curriculum, instruction or assessment that lead to improved learning outcomes, or represent districts and schools showing significant improvement or sustained excellence in outcomes for students with learning or behavior differences. The award is named after the late Johnnie Grissom, a longtime Kentucky Department of Education employee who served as associate commissioner for the Office of Special Instructional Services. Nominations are accepted online and based on historical practice typically close in early May, with the award presented at the KBE’s August meeting. Recent recipients have included educators and school district leadership from across Kentucky who have implemented transformative approaches to special education. In 2025, two Grissom Award winners were recognized, with one honoree’s work described as having moved their district out of corrective status by establishing sustainable, systemic improvement in services for students with disabilities. Educators, administrators, and community members interested in nominating candidates should contact the Kentucky Department of Education for additional information on the nomination process and specific deadlines. The award underscores the state’s commitment to recognizing innovation and excellence in special education across Kentucky. This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Kentucky Teacher, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/news/2026/04/nominations-open-for-2026-grissom-award-for-innovation-in-special-education/. The post Kentucky Board opens nominations for 2026 Grissom Award appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less