District coordinators are encouraged to share this newsletter with others in their district.
COVID-19 Guidance
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has released a guidance document on implementing English learner (EL) programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The "COVID-19 Considerations for Reopening Schools: Frequently Asked Questions about English Learner Programs at Reopening" document provides answers to frequently asked questions from Kentucky’s school districts.
As the situation with the pandemic evolves, KDE will work to keep districts updated on implementing EL programs as new information develops. Email Jessica Sanderson or Erin Sudduth if you have questions or concerns.
Beginning-of-the-Year Training Videos
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has created a series of webinars to serve as this year’s beginning-of-the-year training. The webinars and accompanying PowerPoints are available on the English Learner and Immigrant Resources webpage.
The training webinar series includes the following videos:
Providing Information in a Language Parents can Understand
The importance of providing parents and families with information in a language they can understand has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Compliance with nontraditional instruction procedures or Healthy at School requirements depends on the parents’ ability to understand the information being shared by the district and/or school.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act require districts and schools ensure meaningful communication with limited English proficient (LEP) parents in a language they can understand. This includes adequately notifying LEP parents of information about any program, service or activity that is called to the attention of non-LEP parents.
According to the Title III non-regulatory guidance, districts “must provide language assistance to LEP parents effectively with appropriate, competent staff or appropriate and competent outside resources.” The parent, family and community engagement section of the guidance document discusses these requirements under civil rights laws, Title I, Part A and Title III.
Section 1116(f) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires districts and schools to provide information to parents and family members in a language they can understand. Additional information on this requirement is found in the January 2015 Dear Colleague Letter, as well as Chapter 10 of the English Learner Toolkit.
Immigrant Subgrant
Section 3114(d) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to reserve no more than 15% of the Title III allotment to award subgrants to eligible districts that have experienced a significant increase in the percentage or number of immigrant children and youth compared to the average of the two preceding fiscal years.
Eligibility for the immigrant subgrant can fluctuate from year to year, and therefore, eligibility during a preceding year does not guarantee future eligibility. Although a district’s immigrant population may increase from one year to the next, it may not constitute a “significant increase.”
Any district may be eligible for the immigrant subgrant, not just districts receiving Title III funds. More information about the immigrant subgrant, including a list of allowable activities, is located in the District Guide for the English Learners Program.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will run the Title III Immigrant report in Infinite Campus and use this data to determine which districts have had a significant increase as compared to the two preceding fiscal years. Eligible districts will be contacted by KDE to determine participation. Participation is optional and districts may decline the subgrant.
KDE will schedule phone calls with participating districts to further discuss the grant. Participating districts will be required to complete an application in the Grant Management Application and Planning (GMAP) System.
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