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Dear Colleagues:
Last week the Kentucky Department of Education began accepting applications for the new Kentucky United We Learn Council, which will help the agency further a shared vision for public education in the Commonwealth.
KDE is looking for a diverse group of stakeholders – particularly those from underserved communities – who are interested in working and learning together. Applications are being accepted through Sept. 30.
United We Learn is Kentuckians’ vision for the future of public education in the Commonwealth. This vision builds around three big ideas: creating a more vibrant experience for every student, encouraging innovation in our schools – especially when it comes to assessment – and creating a bold new future for Kentucky’s schools through collaboration with our communities.
Potential council members are those who are interested in advancing the United We Learn vision. Council members will be expected to:
- Work side-by-side with families, learners and community members;
- Join the overall council and/or one of the standing committees;
- Meet in person twice a year for two days to learn together and create new tools, resources and policies (fall and spring – kickoff meeting tentatively scheduled for Nov. 29-30);
- Meet more frequently if on a standing committee;
- Share standing committee learning with the statewide council and the commissioner of education; and
- Agree to an annual commitment with option for annual renewal.
Some of your principals received an email from me last week seeking help selecting a staff member, student or educators to serve on the Kentucky United We Learn Council. If your principals received such a letter, please encourage them to think thoughtfully and respond.
It is vital for this work that we have a wide range of ideas and backgrounds. We especially are interested in hearing from the voices that often haven’t been at the table when education decisions have been made. Members of this inclusive council will represent all areas of the state and all stakeholder groups identified in the application.
I am excited about the work this council will be doing to drive forward the big ideas behind United We Learn. If you have staff members, educators and community stakeholders who you think would lend a valuable perspective to the Kentucky United We Learn Council, please encourage them to apply.
For more information, email KDE Chief Performance Officer Karen Dodd.
Kind regards,
Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.
Commissioner and Chief Learner
School Report Card Reminder
Three weeks remain to complete the School Report Card (SRC) data entry and approval tasks before the Sept. 30 due date.
The Kentucky SRC Data Approval and Collection Tool is available to complete the Overview, Education Opportunity and Transition to Adult Life domains. District School Report Card contacts can download a summary of approval and collection data for their district within the SRC Data Approval and Collection Tool under the “downloads” tab to monitor school collector and approval requirements.
Please reach out to the appropriate school personnel and encourage them to complete outstanding items by the Sept. 30 deadline.
Transition to Adult Life data is now available for high schools and districts to review.
Tentative dates for public release of the 2022 School Report Card, including assessment, accountability and federal classification data, are:
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Thursday, Oct. 13: District embargo opens
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Friday, Oct. 14: Media embargo opens
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Monday, Oct. 17: KDE media opportunity mid-day; embargo ends 11:59 p.m. ET
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Tuesday, Oct. 18: Public release
Previous communications and SRC resources are available on the SRC Resource webpage.
Nominations Open for SHAPE 2022 Teacher of the Year
Kentucky Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) is accepting nominations for 2022 Teacher of the Year. In partnership with US Games, the following categories are annually recognized:
- Adapted Physical Education (K-12)
- Elementary Physical Education (K-5)
- Middle School Physical Education (6-8)
- High School Physical Education (9-12)
- School Health Education (K-12)
- Dance Education (K-12)
Kentucky winners are eligible to compete for SHAPE America’s district and national teachers of the year.
For more information and to access the application, visit the KY SHAPE website. The deadline to apply is Oct. 1.
Within the past 5 years, Kentucky has had multiple health and physical education teachers who have been recognized at the regional and national level for this honor.
Survey to Identify DEIB Professionals for Community of Practice Meetings
The Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE’s) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Team in the Office of Teaching and Learning facilitates a monthly community of practice meeting with district DEIB coordinators/officers/point people to allow them to share and learn from one another as they work toward helping each student and educator in Kentucky feel a sense of belonging.
The monthly meetings also allow DEIB coordinators to create and deepen partnerships to remove long-standing barriers to equity by providing supports in developing an equity lens, elevating student and educator voice, and promoting equitable, inclusive and healing learning communities.
KDE’s DEIB team has put together a short district DEIB community of practice Google survey to help identify professionals throughout Kentucky who should be invited to these meetings.
Visit the KDE DEIB webpage for additional information, resources and contacts.
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