Standards Newsletter - January 11, 2023

Reminder: Reading and Writing Instructional Resources Consumer Guide 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. 

After completing the introduction, additional topics are provided that can be used based on educators’ needs: 

• Unpacking the KAS for Social Studies: Including Diverse Groups in Local Curriculum 
• Creating Safe Schools 
• Creating Safe Classrooms 
• Understanding Correct Terminology 
• Addressing Gaps in Content Knowledge 
• Appropriate Pedagogical Methods 
• Using Evidence to Include Diverse Groups 
• Considerations for Including Diverse Groups in Local Curriculum 
• What This Would Look Like in Practice: Teacher Notes Collections 
• Reflection 

The following compelling questions are addressed throughout the module: 

• Why is including diverse groups, as defined by the KAS for Social Studies, important for students in Kentucky classrooms? 
• What are the opportunities and challenges of including diverse groups in Kentucky classrooms and local curriculum? 
• What strategies will support educators when including diverse groups in Kentucky classrooms and local curriculum?  

Visit the Social Studies Professional Learning Modules webpage.to engage with this module.