BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Two Martin County students are among 87 Kentucky students who received Powered By Inclusion scholarships.

The Kentucky Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Learning used federal American Rescue Plan funding to award these 87 high school students with disabilities.

Dena James, Martin County School District director of Exceptional Education, told MC Board of Education members in a July 11 meeting that the KDE Powered by Inclusion scholarship is a nonrenewable $2,500 award.

“It’s a one-time scholarship,” James said. “When they enroll this fall, the program pays that money directly to the university, vocational or whatever school the students choose.”

Local boards of education nominated up to two students per public school district. Eligible applicants had an Individual Education Program and obtained postsecondary readiness through career or academic readiness.

James said the two students were the only district students eligible to apply for the scholarship.

“This is the first time that we’ve had students that received that,” she added.

“In the future, if more students are eligible, the BOE will select two from a list of qualified candidates.”

The scholarships were awarded in 57 Kentucky public school districts.