Commissioner's Monday Message

July 24, 2023

Dear Colleagues,

As we continue to gear up for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has kicked off the second phase of registration for the Kentucky Reading Academies, which brings the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) professional learning opportunity to educators across the Commonwealth.

The Kentucky Reading Academies is a comprehensive, no-cost professional learning opportunity open to all K-5 public school educators and registration for the second cohort is open through Aug. 31.

Two different courses are being offered: LETRS for K-5 Educators and LETRS for Administrators. Interested K-5 public school educators can join the Kentucky Reading Academies by registering for the course that pertains to their role:

• LETRS for K-5 Educators Phase 2 Registration: This course is recommended for K-5 teachers, interventionists, reading specialists and anyone providing reading instruction or intervention supports to early readers.
• LETRS for Administrators Phase 2 Registration: This course is recommended for district leaders, building administrators and instructional coaches.

More than 1,800 Kentucky educators and administrators are currently completing the two-year LETRS professional learning in Phase 1. As of July 21, we have 1,662 educators and 328 administrators who have registered for Phase 2.

A child’s ability to read is a critical predictor of both educational and lifelong success. Students must have every opportunity to gain and strengthen this skill, and teachers must be equipped and empowered in the teaching of reading to best support their students.

In a survey of Phase 1 participants, 433 responded, and 95% noted that the information they are learning through the LETRS professional learning is new information, and 95% further stated the learning is relevant to their role. In addition, 93% of the respondents said the learning has helped them to better meet the diverse reading needs of their students.

With results like these, I hope you will encourage your teachers and administrators to take advantage of this free professional learning. While it is a true commitment in time and effort, I believe this opportunity is a game changer for our students.

Kind regards,

Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.

Commissioner and Chief Learner

National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program and Application for Category 1, 2 and 3

The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) – formerly the National Title I Association – selects examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program. Every year, states can identify up to two Distinguished ESEA Schools in three possible categories:

• Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years;
• Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years; and
• Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.).

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is now accepting applications for schools for categories 1, 2 and 3. Schools interested in applying for consideration as a Distinguished School in Categories 1, 2 or 3 must submit a completed application signed by the school principal and district superintendent by Aug. 25. If selected as a finalist, KDE staff will conduct a site visit to interview the principal and selected staff.

Two National ESEA Distinguished Schools (one from Category 1, 2 and/or 3) will be notified by email of their selection in November. For more information, email Tara Rodriguez or call (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.

Nominations Open for 2023 Kentucky Special Education Teacher of the Year

Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 Kentucky Special Education Teacher of the Year Award. Any full-time special education teacher in the Commonwealth is eligible for this recognition.

Special education teachers may be nominated by students, parents, teaching peers, superintendents, directors of special education or anyone from the community interested in honoring an extraordinary educator. Nominations, which must be submitted by Aug. 4, may be submitted using the 2023 Special Education Teacher of the Year Google form.

The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning and the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children (KYCEC) sponsor this recognition.

Three special education teachers will be announced as finalists by Aug. 28. The 2023 Kentucky Special Education Teacher of the Year awards will be announced at the annual KYCEC Conference held on Nov. 19-21 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.

Each finalist will be recognized and honored with a cash prize of $250 from KYCEC. The 2023 Kentucky Special Education Teacher of the Year winner will receive $500 awarded from KYCEC, along with a scholarship to attend the Special Education Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

Please consider nominating teachers who deserve to be recognized for their outstanding work in special education.

Share your ESSER Stories

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is sharing how schools and districts are using funds they received through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding.

KDE recently highlighted how it used ARP ESSER funding to support tutoring programs in Jefferson and Fayette counties.

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is providing two out-of-school programs in Jefferson and Fayette counties with $500,000 each in federal funds this summer.

The federal money, which comes from the American Rescue Plan and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds (ARP ESSER), will support two programs, run by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) and the St. George’s Scholar Institute. ARP ESSER funding supports the safe and sustained return to in-person learning and expands equity by supporting students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both efforts, the National Center for Families Learning in Jefferson and Fayette counties and the St. George’s Scholar Institute program in Jefferson County, support one of the three big ideas from United We Learn – encouraging innovation in our schools to better prepare students for life after graduation.

If you would like to share how your schools or district is using ESSER money to help students succeed, send your information to Chief Communications Officer Toni Konz Tatman.

2023 Continuous Improvement Summit: Save the Date and Registration Link

Mark your calendars to attend the annual Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit. Co-hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Cognia, the summit will be held Sept. 25-26 at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.

During this two-day event, attendees will enhance their professional learning, make new connections and build upon existing relationships with peers across Kentucky. They also will hear up-to-date information from KDE leaders and learn how Cognia can help address unique challenges in their journey of continuous improvement. Please join us for this opportunity to explore a variety of topics, engage in conversations that will enrich your understanding of continuous improvement, and be energized by the keynote speaker, Mike Rutherford.

Registration is available on the 2023 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit event webpage.

Those receiving this at KSB and KSD, please make sure all employees receive it. Also, ATC principals are asked to forward it to their staffs.

Please send your questions, comments and suggestions on the Monday Message to Jennifer Ginn by 10 a.m. Friday to be published in the upcoming week.