August is Final Month to Register for the Kentucky Reading Academies: Phase 2 of LETRS Professional Learning
Registration for the second LETRS cohort of the Kentucky Reading Academies will be open until Aug. 31. If you haven’t done so yet, please register now! And if you’ve already registered, please forward this email to five colleagues or friends you think would benefit from participating.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has an exciting partnership that brings 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 chosen because of its demonstrated success on a national scale in bringing significant increases in literacy achievement.
The Kentucky Reading Academies is a comprehensive no-cost professional learning opportunity open to all K-5 public school educators.
Two different courses are being offered through the Kentucky Reading Academies: LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators. Interested educators can join the Kentucky Reading Academies by registering for the course that pertains to their role:
More than 1,800 Kentucky educators and administrators are completing the LETRS professional learning in Phase 1. On a survey of Phase 1 participants, 433 responded, and 95% noted that the information they are learning through the LETRS professional learning is new information. A further 95% stated the learning is relevant to their role and 93% of the respondents said the learning has helped them to better meet the diverse reading needs of their students.
NOTE: Phase 1 participants will not need to register for Phase 2, as they are already enrolled in the professional learning.
Find out more about the Kentucky Reading Academies on the Kentucky Reading Academies webpage.
For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
Senate Bill 9, the Read to Succeed Act, Implementation Timeline
Kentucky's Read to Succeed Act aims to ensure “all children learn to read well before exiting grade three (3).”
The act introduced key provisions to reach literacy proficiency for all students. It established a comprehensive early screening program to identify students with growth areas in the five components of reading, enabling timely interventions and support. The act also emphasized evidence-based reading instruction and teacher professional learning, which equip educators with effective strategies to promote literacy development.
The Read to Succeed Act implementation timeline can be found online. Below is a snapshot of the act's components that must be fulfilled.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, a reliable and valid universal screener shall be:
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Given in the first 45 days of the school year for all kindergarten students; and
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Given in the first 30 days of the school year for grades 1-3.
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Based on the data from the above, a reading improvement plan shall be developed and implemented by a reading improvement team for any student in K-3 identified as needing accelerated interventions to progress toward proficient performance in reading.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, if the reading diagnostic assessment demonstrates that a student's rate of progress toward proficiency in reading needs accelerated interventions, the local school district shall provide:
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Accelerated interventions through grade 3 using evidence-based reading instruction;
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Intensive instructional services, progress monitoring measures and supports to students through grade 3; and
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Parents and legal guardians of students identified for accelerated interventions in reading with a Read at Home Plan.
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