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Dear Colleagues,
This is the final week to register for the second Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) cohort of the Kentucky Reading Academies. Registration closes Thursday, Aug. 31. Please share this information with your district’s principals and teachers and encourage them to take advantage of this free professional learning opportunity.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has an exciting partnership called the Kentucky Reading Academies that brings the LETRS professional learning to educators across the Commonwealth. This course of study was chosen because of its demonstrated success on a national scale in significantly increasing literacy achievement.
The Kentucky Reading Academies is a comprehensive, no-cost professional learning opportunity open to all K-5 public school educators.
Two different courses are being offered through the Kentucky Reading Academies: LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators. Interested educators can join the Kentucky Reading Academies by registering for the course that pertains to their role:
More than 1,800 Kentucky educators and administrators are completing the LETRS professional learning in Phase 1. On a survey of Phase 1 participants, 433 responded, and 95% noted the information they are learning through the LETRS professional learning is new. Also, 95% stated the learning is relevant to their role and 93% said the learning has helped them to better meet the diverse reading needs of their students.
For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
Tomorrow will be the next Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council meeting. As my time at KDE draws to a close, I want to state once again how much I appreciate this council and Kentucky’s dedication to student voice.
These students spend time with KDE staff every month to provide valuable insight to us on how initiatives at the agency are impacting them in their schools. Many of them also are taking a challenging course load and holding leadership positions in their schools and communities while serving on the council.
They have taken on large projects that can impact the more than 630,000 students attending public schools in the Commonwealth.
I know the department’s commitment to these students will not end after I leave at the end of September.
The Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council meeting will begin at 9 a.m. ET and you can watch it on the KDE Media Portal.
And on Wednesday, I will be part of a conversation with Kentucky Board of Education Vice Chair Lu S. Young at the University of Kentucky-Fayette County Public Schools Urban Executive Leadership Academy. The program brings together aspiring school and district leaders and university faculty to examine the unique challenges faced by today’s urban schools.
I will be sharing my leadership journey with this new group and I am looking forward to spending some quality time with them, as they are Kentucky’s next generation of education leaders.
Kind regards,
Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.
Commissioner and Chief Learner
Feedback Sought on Health Education and Physical Education Standards
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking feedback on the current Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Health Education and the KAS for Physical Education.
KRS 158.6453 calls for KDE to implement a process for reviewing all academic standards and aligned assessments. The schedule calls for one or two content areas to be reviewed each year and every six years after that on a rotating basis.
Standards outline what students are expected to learn in each grade to successfully transition to the next level of learning. The curriculum or methods and resources used to teach the standards is a separate issue and is decided at the local level.
To provide feedback on the KAS for Health Education and the KAS for Physical Education access the public comment form. Due to the amount of text within the survey, it is recommended that surveys be completed on a full-size computer or laptop screen. Participants are provided with the opportunity to give feedback on all standards or self-selected areas of interest.
Feedback on the current KAS for Health Education and KAS for Physical Education will be collected through Sept. 29.
Questions on this process can be directed to standards@education.ky.gov.
Applications Sought for Health Education and Physical Education Standards Committees
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking applications for the Health Education and Physical Education Review Committee and Advisory Panels.
KRS 158.6453 calls for KDE to implement a process for reviewing academic standards and aligned assessments. The Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Health Education and the KAS for Physical Education will begin this review process during the 2023-2024 school year.
KDE is seeking current K-12 classroom teachers and postsecondary educators to participate in this work. Applicants will be required to meet virtually and/or in Frankfort for 5-10 days beginning in the winter of 2023-2024, continuing through summer with further meetings possibly taking place in the 2024-2025 school year.
When applicable, selected team members will receive reimbursement for travel expenses, and the teacher’s school district will be reimbursed for substitute teacher expenses as well. Potential applicants are asked to verify the willingness of their school or district to release them for work dates throughout the school year.
The online application to be on the Health and Physical Education Review Committee and Advisory Panels will be posted for 30 days. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 29. Selected team members will be notified by Oct. 13.
Questions on this process can be directed to standards@education.ky.gov.
2023-2024 Application for the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network Deadline is Sept. 22
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Innovation has released the 2023-2024 application for the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network’s (KY ILN’s) second cohort of Innovative Teacher Fellows. This fellowship will engage 10 trailblazing teacher leaders from across the Commonwealth in professional networking and collaboration, professional learning and project development, and provide leadership and advocacy opportunities.
Each Innovative Teacher Fellow will design, implement, reflect on and share a classroom project centered on the three big ideas of the United We Learn’s vision:
- Vibrant learning experiences;
- Accelerating innovation (especially in assessment), and
- Collaborating with communities.
The network is designed to empower these teachers with the community and tools to create meaningful and transformative learning experiences in the classroom.
The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. ET Sept. 22. Applicants will be notified of selection on Oct. 2.
To participate, teachers’ districts must have been members of the KY ILN during the 2022-2023 school year or have committed to joining for the current school year. Interested teachers may review the 2022-2023 list of KY ILN districts.
The KY ILN is currently in the recruitment and recommitment phase. To join the KY ILN, a district leader needs to complete an annual Letter of Commitment document and return it to Rob Collins by Sept. 22. For more information, contact Rob Collins.
Don't Forget to Register for the 2023 Continuous Improvement Summit
Don’t forget to register for the annual Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit!
The event is co-hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Cognia, and will be held on Sept. 25-26 at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.
Attendees will hear up-to-date information from KDE leaders, including an assessment and accountability update from Rhonda Sims and team, 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 sessions being offered.
Sign Up for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Paint the Plow Program
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is holding its first statewide Paint a Plow program to promote safe driving during snow and ice season, and they 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 KYTC's 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.
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District 1: Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken and Trigg: View the District 1 invitation.
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District 2: Caldwell, Christian, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster: View the District 2 newsletter.
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District 3: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Todd, and Warren: Contact Wes Watt.
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District 4: Breckinridge, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Taylor and Washington: View the District 4 invitation.
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District 5: Bullitt, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble: View the District 5 invitation.
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District 6: Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson: View the District 6 invitation.
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District 7: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford: View the District 7 invitation.
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District 8: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Wayne: View the District 8 invitation.
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District 9: Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas and Rowan: View the District 9 invitation.
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District 10: Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell and Wolfe: View the District 10 invitation.
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District 11: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie and Whitley: View the District 11 invitation.
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District 12: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Martin and Pike: Contact Shantana Woodward.
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