Standards Newsletter - July 13, 2022

July 13, 2022

Reading and Writing Instructional Resources Consumer Guide Now Available!

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has created a consumer guide to support districts in evaluating and selecting high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) for reading and writing.

The "Reading and Writing Instructional Resources Consumer Guide" is intended to help decision-makers in Kentucky districts select high-quality reading and writing instructional resources aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing that meet the unique needs of students, educators and local communities. The guide includes:

• An introduction that highlights the importance of HQIRs and how selection of instructional resources fits within the Curriculum Development Process;
• An overview of specific characteristics and markers of high-quality reading and writing instructional resources;
• Four key steps districts may use as they seek resources, evaluate their effectiveness and ultimately select high-quality primary and supplemental resources for use in schools;
• Key questions to consider when working through each step; and
• General and content-specific tools to support local teams in the selection process.

The "Reading and Writing Instructional Resources Consumer Guide" is available now on the High-Quality Instructional Resources webpage on KYstandards.org.

Updated Curriculum Development Process Now Available!

Per KRS 158.6451, the CDP provides guidance to district leaders on implementing a systematic process for developing a local curriculum, selecting high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards and supporting effective implementation. Updates have been made to align the CDP to Senate Bill 1 (2022) and address feedback from participants in the Designing High-Quality Local Curriculum pilot program.

In addition to a more streamlined, user-friendly document, each phase of the process now includes:

• A brief description of its purpose;
• Key questions to consider when working through the phase; and
• Key tools to support work within the phase.

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Don't Delay! Register by Aug. 5 for the Kentucky Reading Academies

A child’s ability to read is a critical predictor of both educational and lifelong success. Kentucky’s youngest readers must have every opportunity to develop their literacy skills, but as our schools tackle unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teacher must have unprecedented support.

In response to this critical need, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has a new, exciting partnership to bring the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) professional learning to educators across the Commonwealth, called the Kentucky Reading Academies. This course of study was specifically chosen because of its demonstrated success on a national scale in bringing significant increases in literacy achievement.

The Kentucky Reading Academies will offer comprehensive no-cost professional learning in three phases starting in fall 2022, beginning with up to 2,400 K-5 educators.

Find out more about the Kentucky Reading Academies in the recording of the informational webinar!

For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email KDE Chief Academic Officer, Micki Ray.

CONTACT INFORMATION

standards@education.ky.gov