Kentucky’s Premiere Academic Competition
Governor's Cup encourages depth and breadth of academic knowledge, cultural literacy, teamwork, leadership, creativity, risk assessment, and critical thinking, and provides the fun that comes with being part of a team. Established in 1985, KAAC now serves over 20,000 students and nearly 1200 schools at over 400 competitions each year.
2023-24 Rules Updates
Player number
Team events must begin with four competitors in each Quick Recall match. Play may continue with no fewer than three competitors if, at the discretion of the Chief Official, an illness prohibits one competitor from continuing/participating.
Required officials
Region 1st Place QR teams must provide two officials, and 2nd Place QR teams must provide one official. Additionally, this requirement mandates that one of the two officials supplied by the 1st place team must be qualified to serve as a Moderator and/or Judge.
MG Match Timing
Middle Grades matches at State Finals will no longer be timed.
HS State Format
The 2024 High School State Finals preliminary day will use the “Swiss Pairing” format. More details will be available on the KAAC.COM website.
Harassment Policy
While KAAC promotes sportsmanship at all competitions we will also comply with KRS 525.080, 525.070, 158.148, and state required school codes of acceptable behavior and discipline. Any violations of these statutes shall be reported to the KAAC office. Once a violation has been reported the KAAC staff, board of directors, and/or school administrators may take disciplinary action against the student, school representative(s), and/or spectators up to and including disqualification from competition or sanctions against the member school. If events rise to a higher level then the violation may also be referred to law enforcement.
Governor's Cup Events
Governor’s Cup values and rewards varied academic skills and learning styles across a broad range of disciplines and competition formats. Your school can take part in all our events, or selected events. Each student can participate in up to three of the following eight events:
- Composition - Competitors participate in on-demand writing activities consistent with Kentucky Academic Standards. Each division uses unique writing prompts which provide the necessary information for students to write well-developed essays. All booklets are completed in an electronic, web-based format available on the KAAC homepage.
Elementary students write opinion pieces and complete their essays within 60 minutes. Middle and High School students write in argumentative style and complete their essays within 90 minutes. - Quick Recall - Competitors form teams of four for this fast-paced event. Teams listen to a moderator read a question, then try to beat the clock and the opposing team by buzzing in with the correct response. Quick Recall is the only Governor’s Cup event open to the public.
- Choice of Five Content Assessments - Competitors can participate in multiple-choice exams for Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, or Arts and Humanities. Each subject area assessment is broken down further into various content areas for each division.
- Future Problem Solving - Competitors can participate in Future Problem Solving (FPS) events both as part of Governor’s Cup and separately as FPS Component Events. Certified evaluators read and rank student writing in FPS. All booklets are completed in an electronic, web-based format available on the KAAC homepage. Learn more about FPS here.
- Opportunities to Excel in Every Grade - In the Elementary Division (grades 5 and below), students take part in District and Regional competitions. The Middle Grades Division (grades 6-8) and High School Division (grades 9-12) may participate in District, Regional and State competitions. Students advance from one competition to the next based on their performance in the prior competition.
2023-24 Key Dates
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Elementary
Thursday, January 25
District–Coaches’ Planning Meeting
Tuesday, January 30
District–Future Problem Solving & Composition
Saturday, February 3
District–Written Assessment, Quick Recall
Thursday, March 14
Regional–Coaches’ Planning Meeting
Monday, March 18
Regional–Future Problem Solving & Composition
Saturday, March 23
Regional–Written Assessment, Quick Recall
Middle Grades
Thursday, January 4
District–Coaches’ Planning Meeting:
Tuesday, January 9
District–Future Problem Solving and Composition
Saturday, January 13
District–Assessment, Quick Recall
Thursday, February 1
Regional–Coaches’ Planning Meeting
Monday, February 5
Regional–Future Problem Solving & Composition
Saturday, February 10
Regional–Assessment, Quick Recall
March 8-11
State Finals – Galt House, Louisville – Schedule TBA
High School
Thursday, January 11
District–Coaches’ Planning Meeting:
Tuesday, January 16
District–Future Problem Solving and Composition
Saturday, January 20
District–Assessment, Quick Recall
Thursday, February 8
Regional–Coaches’ Planning Meeting
Monday, February 12
Regional–Future Problem Solving & Composition
Saturday, February 17
Regional–Assessment, Quick Recall
March 8-11
State Finals – Galt House, Louisville – Schedule TBA
Questions?
Don’t let your questions go unanswered! Give us a call at (502) 223-0088 or email us at [email protected].