In This Issue of the OSEEL Newsletter
- North Star Priorities: Improved Outcomes and Results
- American Rescue Plan Funds: A Year in Review
- State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR)
- Kentucky's Fast Facts
- Child Outcome Summary (COS)
- Applications Sought for KY LEADS Academy
- Updated Preschool Household Income Verification Form and Poverty Guidelines
- KSB Wrestling and Cheerleading Conference Championships
- Kentucky School for the Deaf Celebrates Bicentennial Month
- 2023 Special Education Teacher of the Year Application Process
 North Star Priorities: Improved Outcomes and Results
Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to submit a State Performance Plan (SPP) and to annually report data on the status toward meeting the targets on the indicators contained in the plan. This status report is called the Annual Performance Report (APR). Kentucky's APR is submitted annually by Feb. 1.
To determine Kentucky's status toward achieving these goals, the Office of Special Education and Early Learning collects data from local school districts, parents and other sources. These data are reviewed, interpreted and reported in the APR. The APR contains information about how the state performed for each of the indicators and explanations for meeting or not meeting targets, as well as continued activities for maintaining or improving performance.
Every state is required to submit a new SPP to the federal Office of Special Education Programs at least every six years. The KDE Office of Special Education and Early Learning solicits stakeholder input on setting new state targets for the SPP, including input and feedback from parents, school administrators, educators, advocacy organizations, community members and other stakeholders, on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
Part C of IDEA, the program for infants and toddlers with disabilities, is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers ages birth through 2 with disabilities, and their families.
IDEA Part C 618 data can be found on the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Kentucky Early Intervention System webpage.
Data Resources and Supports
American Rescue Plan: A Year in Review
Early Learning
- COVID Relief funds were used to provide many areas of guidance and support statewide.
- Through the implementation of the Pyramid Model, support has been provided to address the social-emotional and behavioral needs of preschool students. Currently, 40 districts, 83 schools and 249 classrooms are working with their early childhood regional training center to implement the Pyramid Model.
- An Early Childhood Teacher Leader Community was launched, with 71 teacher leader participants from 40 districts.
- OSEEL and Martin County have partnered to design and transform a bus into a mobile classroom for early learning.
- Five competitive grants, $1 million in total, were awarded to the state’s Early Childhood Regional Training Centers.
- Professional learning opportunities were provided to hundreds of Kentucky educators in early literacy and the simple view of reading.
Transition
- COVID Relief funds were used to provide many areas of guidance and support statewide.
- Thirty-four districts have partnered with OSEEL through the Post-School Predictor Implementation Project.
- Upcoming opportunities at this year’s CTE Summer Program.
- Providing guidance and resources (e.g., immersive virtual reality) to support students with disabilities in 24 area technology centers across the state.
- Engaged business and community through innovative program opportunities (e.g., The Purpose in Action Design Challenge).
- Provided postsecondary education/training scholarships to students through the Powered by Inclusion Scholarship Program.
- Awarded nine competitive grants, nearly $2 million in total, to the state’s Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers.
Kentucky’s Fast Facts
In response to the OSEP Fast Facts: Educational Environments of School Aged Children with Disabilities, the Kentucky’s Fast Facts: Educational Environments of Kentucky Children with Disabilities, Ages 5 (in kindergarten) - 21, Served under IDEA Part B was released winter 2023.
The Kentucky Fast Facts infographics are designed to summarize key facts related to specific aspects of the data collection authorized by Section 618 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Data presented includes information from child count, educational environments and settings, discipline and exiting data collections.
Kentucky's Fast Facts infographics can be found on Kentucky's Fast Facts IDEA Data - Kentucky Department of Education webpage.
To access and compare your district's Educational Environments data, please visit the Special Education Data Dashboard - Kentucky Department of Education webpage.
Child Outcome Summary (COS)
COS data must be entered into Infinite Campus by May 15. Microsoft Bookings allow preschool coordinators to schedule one-to-one consultations regarding the Child Outcome Summary process.
Additional resources may be found on the Preschool COS website, the Latest OSEEL Communications and Resources webpage, and the Preschool Coordinator SharePoint site.
For more support, please email Andrea Bartholomew.
 Applications Sought for KY LEADS Academy
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking applications for the fourth cohort of the Kentucky Leading, Educating and Advocating for Directors of Special Education (LEADS) Academy.
KY LEADS is designed to improve outcomes for children with disabilities by facilitating systemic change and increasing the number and capacity of certified directors of special education (DoSEs). Academy implementation is supported by a partnership with Morehead State University, Western Kentucky University, Murray State University, Part C Early Intervention Services, the Kentucky Parent Training and Information Center and the Kentucky Department of Education.
If selected, the Kentucky LEADS Academy scholars will receive tuition reimbursement made possible by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
Eligible candidates must be:
- Enrolled in Morehead State University, Western Kentucky University or Murray State University (currently or within the next 3 months);
- Available to participate in monthly Saturday Seminars and professional learning communities;
- Pursuing a director of special education (DoSE) certification; and
- Willing to serve as a mentor to future academy participants aspiring for leadership experience and support.
Completed applications are due to the Office of Special Education and Early Learning by June 2, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Atkins.
You may also wish to visit the Kentucky LEADS Academy webpage.
 KSB Wrestling and Cheerleading Conference Championships
The Kentucky School for the Blind hosted the North Central Association of Schools for the Blind Wrestling and Cheerleading Conference Championships Jan. 21-22. The Wildcats competed against students from schools for the Blind from Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, Arkansas, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas and Ohio.
More than 200 athletes competed in wrestling and cheerleading, with the KSB cheerleaders winning 1st place overall. On the evening of Jan. 21, students, coaches and volunteers participated in a Silent Disco, hosted by Louisville Silent Disco.
 Kentucky School for the Deaf Celebrates Bicentennial Month
Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD), the fourth-oldest school for the Deaf in the United States, celebrated its bicentennial in April! Several events, including the 200th Anniversary Gala on April 15, attracted deaf and hearing visitors from across the United States.
KSD was established on April 10, 1823, in Danville/ Boyle County. It was the first deaf school established west of the Allegheny Mountains and the first state supported Deaf School. The legislation establishing KSD was proposed by Green County Senator General Elias Barbee, whose 23-year-old daughter Lucy was deaf.
KSD, where deafness is a difference, not a disability, serves approximately 70 K-12 residential and daytime students on its campus. Additionally, the KSD Outreach program services many students in conjunction with their local education agencies.
The KSD team is dedicated to meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of students, as well as supporting their partnering school districts and families. Students are challenged and engaged through a total language approach for full access to teaching and learning opportunities.
We are excited to congratulate KSD on 200 years of service to Kentucky’s deaf and hard of hearing community!
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