Commissioner's Monday Message

July 31, 2023

Dear Colleagues,

After three fulfilling years of serving as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education, I have accepted a position as associate vice president of teaching and learning at Western Michigan University. My last day will be Sept. 29, 2023.

I wanted to personally extend my deepest gratitude to each one of you for your unwavering support and collaboration during my tenure. Working with you as partners in education has been an immense privilege, and together, we have accomplished remarkable progress for the students of Kentucky.

Your leadership and dedication as superintendents have been pivotal in shaping the landscape of education in our state. Your commitment to our students' welfare, even in the face of unprecedented challenges, has been truly inspiring. From navigating the complexities of the pandemic to addressing the impact of natural disasters, your resilience and unwavering focus on student success have set an exemplary standard for educators everywhere.

As we move forward, I urge you to continue fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and inclusivity within your school districts. Your dedication to providing quality education and empowering our students has been the cornerstone of our progress. Together, let us continue to ensure that every student in Kentucky has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition during the next two months. I will work closely with the Kentucky Board of Education and the KDE leadership team to provide support and continuity for the ongoing initiatives. I hope to see you on the Aug. 15 Superintendents Webcast.

Our collective efforts have made a significant difference, and I am confident that the exceptional team we have built will continue to lead Kentucky's education system with distinction.

Kind regards,

Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.

Commissioner and Chief Learner

School Report Card – Data Review Window Opens Aug. 3

The School Report Card (SRC) Data Approval Tool will include the Overview and Education Opportunity domains data beginning, Thursday, Aug. 3. The system is already open with the School Safety domain data for district review and approval.

On Thursday, schools and districts can begin verification of the additional data, enter school collection items through the collection tool and flag data issues. The review period for the School Safety domain has been extended to Aug. 7 and the review period for the other domains ends on Sept. 29. In addition, all collection items should be entered by Sept. 29.

Schools can wait until all data is available in the Overview and Education Opportunity domains before finalizing their approvals.

The SRC timeline and resource documents are posted on the KSIS SRC Resources webpage. The SRC Annual Tasks and Data Approval Tool User Guide are also available on that page.

KDE’s Transformational Change Series for School Leaders

The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Transformational Change Leadership Series consists of three one-day conference experiences offered in Lexington at the Hilton Downtown and the Central Bank Center, and in Bowling Green at the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time.

Participants interested in attending the sessions in Lexington should mark their calendars to attend on Sept. 1, Oct. 19 and Dec. 12. Participants interested in the Bowling Green sessions should mark their calendars to attend on Aug. 31, Oct. 23 and Dec. 13.

Each conference experience is designed for optimal engagement, relevance and applicability. The conference series comes at no cost to participants.

The first conference will engage participants in an in-depth study of the nature and logic behind transformational school leadership and how transformational change leadership differs from leadership for continuous, incremental improvement.

Topics will include the leadership concepts of self-awareness, characteristics of high-trust organizations, servant leadership values, developing a personal leadership platform, collecting and interpreting data to support school transformation and the role of instructional leadership for transformational change.

The second conference will focus on designing and leading change, improvement science, leadership transitions, futuring and paradigm studies, creating meaningful work and principles of sustainability.

The third conference will center on the study of how organizational culture can be assessed and shaped to catalyze transformational change, creating community, developing constituent voice, attracting and retaining talent, leading great groups and how to effectively market/brand a school’s improvement vision.

Each attendee interested in participating in the training series must complete the KDE Transformational Change for School Leaders registration form no later than Aug. 28. Questions regarding the training should be directed to Tim Godbey.

2023 Clean School Bus Program Grant Program Deadline Reminders

• As a reminder, applicants must submit all grant application materials via gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
• All applicants should review the 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Grant Program Question and Answers Document to review questions asked by other applicants and ensure your application meets all program requirements.
• The last day to submit a question to the Q&A Document via email is Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Email cleanschoolbus@epa.gov to submit a question.
• You must keep your SAM.gov and Grants.gov accounts active to apply for and receive funding from the CSB Grant Program. To do so, make sure you login to each account once every several months.

Register for the EPA’s final Summer Clean School Bus Grant Program webinars this summer:

• Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. ET: OIG Fraud Prevention and Best Practices
• Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. ET: 2023 Grants: Feedback and Next Steps

Sign up for the Clean School Bus Program Newsletter and visit the EPA Clean School Bus Program website.

U.S. Department of Education (USED) Releases Title VIII Equitable Services Non-Regulatory Guidance

The USED has released new guidance titled Title VIII, Part F of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) of 1965: Equitable Services for Eligible Private School Children, Teachers, and Other Educational Personnel, Non-Regulatory Guidance.

The guidance consolidates and updates information previously included in multiple documents to support state educational agencies, local educational agencies and private school officials in the implementation of the equitable services requirements under Title VIII, Part F of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Note: the guidance covers the following programs under the ESSA, but is not applicable to Title I, Part A, which has its own requirements and guidance document.

• Title I, Part C: Education of Migratory Children;
• Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction;
• Title III, Part A: English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement and Academic Achievement;
• Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; and
• Title IV, Part B: Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

As you review the document, please reach out to your Kentucky Department of Education program contacts with questions.

• Title I, Part C – Education of Migratory Children: Christina Benassi or Duane Kline
• Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction consultants
• Title III, Part A - English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement and Academic Achievement: Kaiman Triplett or Brandy Neal
• Title IV, Part A – Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants: Lalah Brewer or Lee Bowling
• Title IV, Part B – Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Brigette Stacy
• General ESSA Equitable Services Questions: David Millanti

Sign Up for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Paint the Plow Program

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is holding its first statewide Paint a Plow program to promote safe driving during snow and ice season, and we want your participation!

Winter weather can create hazardous conditions for all that share the road. Paint a Plow is an opportunity for your students to paint one of our snowplow blades to promote safe driving habits for your community during inclement winter weather and prepare your students to operate vehicles responsibly as they become eligible to drive.

Plow availability is limited, so please reach out to your county’s corresponding highway district contact.

• District 1: Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken and Trigg: Contact Keith Todd for more information.
• District 2: Caldwell, Christian, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster: Contact Keirsten Jaggers for more information.
• District 3: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Todd, and Warren: Contact Wes Watt for more information.
• District 4: Breckinridge, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Taylor and Washington: View the District 4 invitation.
• District 5: Bullitt, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble: View the District 5 invitation.
• District 6: Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson: View the District 6 invitation.
• District 7: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford: View the District 7 invitation.
• District 8: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Wayne: View the District 8 invitation.
• District 9: Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan: View the District 9 invitation.
• District 10: Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell and Wolfe: View the District 10 invitation.
• District 11: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie and Whitley: View the District 11 invitation.
• District 12: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Martin and Pike: Contact Shantana Woodward for more information.

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.

Seeking Dropout Prevention Coordinators and Similar Roles for a Professional Learning Community

The Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Student Success is seeking participants who play a role in dropout prevention at the district or school level to participate in a professional learning community (PLC).

The PLC will meet quarterly to learn and share school - and district - level dropout prevention strategies. We’ll also discuss ways to navigate challenges around supporting systems of interventions and support for persisting toward graduation. The meetings with be virtual, with an opportunity to meet in-person at the 2024 Persistence to Graduation Summit.

If you are interested or know of someone who would be a good fit and is interested in participating, please add the name, role and contact information to the Dropout Prevention Coordinators Professional Learning Community Google form by Sept. 15.

For more information, please contact Michelle Wilson or Judi Vanderhaar.

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 expand the number of students participating in the Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) for the third year.

The additional funding provided by KDE has allowed GSP to focus on equity by opening spots for 30 more students and providing opportunities for students from historically underserved areas and backgrounds. Centre College’s campus director, Bryan Rich, was a Governor’s Scholar himself 26 years ago and has seen firsthand the impact on students.

“It has allowed these kids to enhance their leadership skills, to grow as an individual, to maybe start processing what their future looks like and how much Kentucky is part of that process,” Rich said. Staring at the posters lining his office with hundreds of past students in GSP, he said, “I know it’s a little hokey, but I often use the word and many of our graduates will use this word: It can be a life-changing experience.”

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.

Reading Improvement Plan Template Available

Per Read to Succeed Act amendments to KRS 158.305, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, if a student’s rate of progress toward proficiency in reading needs accelerated interventions as demonstrated by the results of an approved universal screener and reading diagnostic assessment, the local school district shall provide students and families with a Reading Improvement Plan.

This plan should be developed in collaboration and accordance with any existing program services plan, individualized education program or Section 504 Plan unless the program services plan, individualized education program or Section 504 Plan already addresses improving reading.

To assist districts in effectively developing and implementing Reading Improvement Plans, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has developed a Reading Improvement Plan Template as an example that incorporates the requirements of KRS 158.305. Districts may modify the template to fit the local context as needed.

This template can be used during the problem-solving process to document intervention plans, progress monitoring data and parent notification. An existing student intervention plan developed, implemented and monitored as part of a multi-tiered system of supports also may meet the requirements of the reading improvement plan if it addresses the components required by Senate Bill 9 – The Read to Succeed Act (2022).

The template can be found on the Early Literacy Resources webpage. For more information, please contact Christie Biggerstaff, KDE director of early literacy.

Read At Home Plan Family Guide Now Available!

Per Read to Succeed Act amendments to KRS 158.305, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, if a student’s rate of progress toward proficiency in reading needs accelerated interventions as demonstrated by the results of an approved universal screener and reading diagnostic assessment, the local school district shall provide families of identified students with a Read At Home Plan.

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) values strong partnerships between schools and families and recognizes strong partnerships are built on clear communication and support. The “Read at Home Plan Family Guide” is created on these values and supports the implementation of the student’s Reading Improvement Plan.

The “Read At Home Plan Family Guide” includes learning experiences families can have with children at home to support their reading skills development. Additionally, the guide includes information about Senate Bill 9 (2022), Reading Improvement Plans and the key role families play in student success. A glossary of literacy terms and general tips for reading at home also are included. The at-home learning experiences contained in this document are organized into the five essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension).

The Kentucky Department of Education is happy to partner with district and school administrators and teachers to offer support through the “Read at Home Plan Family Guide” to help districts effectively implement Read At Home Plans.

 For more information, please contact Christie Biggerstaff, KDE director of early literacy.

2023 Continuous Improvement Summit: Save the Date, Registration Link and Event Schedule

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.

Attendees are encouraged to view the 2023 Continuous Improvement Summit schedule to learn more about the learning sessions being offered.

Registration is available on the 2023 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit event webpage. Register by Sept. 1 to receive early bird pricing of $185 per ticket.

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.