(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has appointed Jennifer Stafford to serve as the new associate commissioner of the Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA), effective July 1.
Stafford will replace longtime Associate Commissioner Rhonda Sims, who is retiring on June 30. Sims has worked at KDE for almost 31 years, having served every commissioner of education since the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990.
Stafford brings more than two decades of experience in education and assessment to her new role. A long-time leader within KDE, she has served as the director of the Division of Assessment and Accountability Support since 2015. She also has been actively involved with the Kentucky United We Learn Council and its efforts to help transform the Commonwealth’s assessment and accountability systems.
“Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Stafford on her appointment as associate commissioner of the Office of Assessment and Accountability. Her deep expertise, unwavering dedication to student success and strong leadership make her exceptionally well-suited for this role,” said KDE Commissioner Robbie Fletcher. “We look forward to the positive impact she will continue to have on Kentucky’s education system.”
As associate commissioner, Stafford will oversee Kentucky’s statewide assessment and accountability systems, ensuring they are fair, accurate and aligned with state requirements. She also will guide KDE’s efforts to support educators and schools in using data to improve outcomes for all students.
Stafford graduated from Walton-Verona High School and holds degrees from Berea College and Northern Kentucky University. In 2019, she received her doctorate in education in Education Leadership from Northern Kentucky University.
She lives in Owenton with her husband, Rob, and their two children.
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