Commissioner's Special Tuesday Message

September 7, 2021

Dear Colleagues:

Today is the first day of the General Assembly’s special legislative session, which was called by the governor Saturday to address many of the issues your schools have been facing in the wake of the highly transmissible COVID-19 delta variant.

While the department has been working with legislative leaders and the governor’s office to suggest solutions that will help you get through the surge as safely as possible, as well as keeping as many students as is practicable benefiting from in-person instruction, we have significant concerns about the current bill being considered.

The current bill does not go far enough in providing the flexibility in different school models that you need to support continued school operations given the disruptions you are currently experiencing due to COVID-19 outbreaks and quarantining. Further, the politically-motivated effort to remove masking requirements in public schools flies in the face of virus mitigation efforts at the very time they are needed most.

The bill does contain important elements that would expand options for staffing. However, I am concerned with language allowing uncertified individuals with no training, experience or support to effectively assume the role of a classroom teacher. Teaching is not something everyone can or should do and such a proposal devalues the profession of education.

In short, this is not enough in terms of the necessary flexibility districts need and it may well make things worse in terms of our efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.

For your awareness, we did provide the governor and our legislative leaders recommendations for what should have been included. Those recommendations include:

• Funding stability: Using a historical funding count number to establish funding levels for the next school year (as opposed to this year’s average daily attendance method), and a separate process for addressing districts which experienced enrollment growth.
• Operational Flexibility: Providing additional non-traditional instruction days and supplementing those with options around shifting to temporary remote instruction for schools, grades or classrooms along with flexibility to temporarily shift to hybrid instructional models.
• Staffing options: Providing greater flexibility and incentives for using retirees, along with leave supports for vaccinated staff members who contract COVID-19.
• Protecting student and staff health: Keeping in place the Kentucky Board of Education’s requirements around universal masking in public schools until such time that the Centers for Disease Control or our Kentucky Department for Public Health recommend otherwise.

Through their actions limiting Gov. Andy Beshear’s powers regarding COVID-19 in the last legislative session, the legislature effectively required that they get a significant say in how the state (and our schools) manage this virus. Therefore, the responsibility is now squarely on them to take the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of our students and staff, and to prioritize the learning experiences of our students. The current proposal falls far short of what is really needed given what you are experiencing in your communities.

I urge you to review the proposals yourselves, form your own reactions, and then let your elected representatives know your perspective.

Kind regards,

Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.

Commissioner & Chief Learner

Quality Control Day for Assessment Data Set for Sept. 8

The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) will hold a Quality Control Day (QC Day) beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 8, for district assessment coordinators (DAC) and their designees to review 2020-2021 assessment data.

The QC review process affords schools and districts the opportunity to conduct a final review of the data to ensure data quality, identify statewide systemic data issues that potentially impact multiple schools and districts, and ensure accurate data before public reporting.

During QC Day, DACs will receive student listings, graduation cohort data, assessed Novice, Apprentice, Proficient and Distinguished by grade and level and summary files. QC Day is the last step in the quality control process prior to assessment data being released publicly.

For questions about the QC Day process, e-mail Jennifer Stafford, director of OAA’s Division of Assessment and Accountability Support.

School Report Card – Action Needed by Sept. 10

The timeline for the School Report Card (SRC) approval and collection period ends on Friday, Sept. 10. The next milestone is to review assessment data prior to public release. 

The Kentucky School Report Card Data Approval Tool remains open this week for districts and schools to (1) enter school-level collection data, (2) enter superintendent messages, and (3) approve data in the Overview and Education Opportunity domains.

New data available for review:

• Education Opportunity/Advanced Coursework: Students with qualifying scores in advanced coursework - Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate. Cambridge Advanced International scores are not yet available.
• Overview/Faculty Profile: Teachers with specialized certifications data is now available. This data is used in the School Profile Report.

New data to be added:

• Education Opportunity/Career Pathways: This data is not yet available for review. Districts can go ahead and approve the domain and review the Career Pathways data later when it is loaded or during the embargo period.
• Overview/Faculty Profile: Inexperienced teacher data will be updated to include teachers with 0-3 years’ experience to align with equity measures.
• Academic Performance and Transition to Adult Life: This data will be available for review during the embargo period beginning Sept. 27 before public release on Sept. 29.

The timeline for public release of the SRC is:

• Sept. 27 – Release to districts under embargo (districts may discuss results internally, but not in public meetings).
• Sept. 28 – Release to working media under embargo (districts may discuss results with media, but not in public meetings).
• Sept. 29 – Public release of the SRC.

CONTACTS:

• Email BrightBytes support
• Email KDE Standards Team for School Profile Report questions.
• Email KDE Data Services for general questions.
• Email Windy Newton for safe schools data questions.
• Contact your local district WAAPOC for user account setup. The KETS Service Desk is available to assist WAAPOCs.

Mathematics Achievement Fund Request for Applications 

The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Teaching and Learning is issuing a Mathematics Achievement Fund (MAF) request for application (RFA) for Kentucky public school districts from individual schools for fiscal year 2022. The Kentucky School for the Blind and Kentucky School for the Deaf also are eligible to apply.

More information about the RFA can be found on the Competitive Grants from KDE webpage. 

As specified in KRS 158.844, the MAF was created to provide developmentally appropriate diagnostic assessment and intervention services to students (primary through grade 12) to help them reach proficiency in mathematics. The grant provides funding for professional learning and release time for teachers to serve as coaches. The mathematics coach will improve mathematics teaching practices aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Mathematics by working with teachers in their classrooms to: 

• Observe and provide feedback; 
• Model appropriate evidence-based instructional practices; 
• Conduct workshops or institutes; 
• Establish professional learning communities; and 
• Ensure high-quality instructional resources that are aligned to the KAS for Mathematics in order to meet the needs of primary students and other students who are struggling to meet grade-level standards in mathematics.

The school-level mathematics coach shall engage in ongoing professional learning (PL) for the two-year renewable grant focused in four areas: 

• Intensive PL on the KAS for Mathematics; 
• Intensive PL in mathematics coaching;
• Intensive PL in cognitive coaching; and
• Enrollment and completion of the elementary mathematics endorsement.

Important Dates 

• Sept. 15, 4-6 p.m. ET, Technical Assistance Webinar via Microsoft Teams meeting. Attending or watching this recorded session is recommended. 
• The questions deadline is Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. ET. All questions must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov. 
• The application submission deadline is Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. ET. All applications must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov. 
• Please review the links within the RFA for further guidance when writing the submission. If you have any questions, please contact the KDERFP@education.ky.gov. 
• Please pay close attention to the blinding/redacted language within the RFA. Improperly blinded grants WILL be deemed non-responsive and NOT eligible for award.

Learn More about the K-12 COVID Test to Stay Program

The K-12 School COVID-19 Testing Program is a voluntary program offered by the Kentucky Department for Public Health in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program is for schools that wish to participate in school-based COVID-19 screening testing for teachers, staff and students to assist schools in opening safely for in-person instruction. Laboratory service providers will supply all services and materials necessary to provide a testing service to schools that sign up and agree to the program requirements.

Learn more about the program by reading K-12 School COVID Testing Program (Update).

KY LEADS Applications Due by Sept. 13

The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning is accepting applications for KY LEADS Academy, Cohort 2. Completed applications are due by Sept. 13.

For more information, email project coordinator Peter Hoechner or executive strategic policy analyst Thomas Williams.

Apply Now to Participate in Free Spanish Lessons Program

The Kentucky Education Association (KEA), in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), is seeking educators – both certified and classified – to participate in a program to equip them with Spanish language skills to help address opportunity gaps created by language barriers. Selected participants will receive 80 hours of private Spanish language instruction over a two-month period.

The program, called Grammarless, is provided by the BaseLang language school. Upon successful completion of the program, participants who fully engage should be able to hold a brief conversation in Spanish on general, everyday topics. In addition to the lessons, participants will be asked to complete interviews and surveys to provide feedback on the experience. The selected participants will receive the program at no cost.

Due to the limited number of spaces available in this pilot program, participants will be selected through an application process with priority given to educators who need the language skills and serve high numbers of Spanish-speaking students. Selected participants will be notified by Sept. 30.

There will be four cadres, with each assigned a start date beginning this fall. An orientation will occur prior to beginning lessons. For more information, email Eddie Campbell. Applications are available online.

Trauma-Informed Practices for Educators (TIPE) Learning Collaboratives Switch to Virtual

The team at the University of Kentucky’s Center on Trauma and Children (CTAC) has converted all upcoming TIPE Learning Collaboratives to virtual events as a COVID-19 precaution.

CTAC is offering three completely virtual learning collaboratives this year so participants can choose which collaborative works best for them. CTAC has restructured the learning sessions to make them more conducive to online learning and has decreased the length of each session and added two sessions. Registration is available on the CTAC website.

For questions or more information, email Tracy Clemans or Josh Fisherkeller.

National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program and Application for Category 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.

States can identify up to two Distinguished ESEA Schools every year in three possible categories. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) reviews student performance data to identify Distinguished ESEA Schools in Category 1 and Category 2. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, KDE will begin accepting applications for schools from Category 3, Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homeless, migrant, English learners).

Schools interested in applying for consideration as a Distinguished School in Category 3 must submit a completed application signed by the school principal and district superintendent by the deadline of Sept. 17, 2021. If selected as a finalist, KDE staff will conduct a site visit to interview the principal and selected staff. See the attachment for further information and the application for Category 3.

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 her at (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.

Continuous Improvement Summit Registration Now Open, Keynote Speaker Larry Bell - Mask Required

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Cognia™ invite you to the 2021 Continuous Improvement Summit on Sept. 22-23 at the new Central Bank Convention Center, adjacent to Rupp Arena in Lexington. 

Through a partnership focused on ensuring success for all learners, KDE and Cognia are excited to offer a valuable professional learning experience to meet your needs.

During the Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit, KDE leaders, Kentucky teachers and administrators and Cognia staff will provide up-to-date information to help you effectively lead your district, school or classroom during the 2021-2022 academic year and beyond. Together we’ll learn and explore a wide range of valuable themes you can apply in your everyday practice:

• How to use Continuous Improvement resources to improve learning;
• Improvement planning and key processes for the upcoming school year;
• Accountability system updates from Senate Bill 158;
• Intervention plans focused on the loss of instruction from COVID-19; and
• Non-traditional instruction (NTI) programs, supports and ideas.

Join us to discuss these topics and more. Educators from across the state will connect and network during this two-day event. Do not miss out on the opportunity to learn from experts and peers to enhance your continuous improvement efforts. 

Registration is available on the Cognia website.

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 Monday Message to Jennifer Ginn by 10 a.m. Friday to be published in the upcoming week.