Sept. 13, 2023

Two New Resources to Support Curriculum Implementation Now Available

The Model Curriculum Framework (MCF), per KRS 158.6451, provides guidance for districts and schools in implementing educational best practice to enhance curricular coherence at the local level in order to positively impact student outcomes. The framework supports leaders in aligning their local curriculum, instructional resources, assessments and evidenced-based instructional practices with the Kentucky Academic Standards.

The first section of the MCF, the Curriculum Development Process, provides guidance to districts and schools in:

• Articulating an instructional vision for teaching and learning in a content area;
• Selecting high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) aligned to the vision to support development of a local curriculum; and
• Implementing and monitoring the curriculum over time. 

To further support effective curriculum implementation, which research shows is essential for a local curriculum and its HQIR(s) to support high-quality instruction and improve student outcomes, the Kentucky Department of Education has released two new resources:

• The Curriculum Implementation Framework provides a detailed roadmap of key responsibilities by role group for the three stages of curriculum implementation (launch, early, ongoing).
• The Curriculum-Based Professional Learning Guidance Document defines curriculum-based professional learning and describes the learning to occur across the three stages of implementation with tools specific to each to support. 

FY24 Mathematics Achievement Fund Mini Grant RFA

The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Teaching and Learning is issuing a request for applications (RFA) for Kentucky public school districts to apply on behalf of individual schools for the FY24 Mathematics Achievement Fund (MAF) Mini Grant. The Kentucky School for Blind and KSD are also eligible to apply. Schools that have been previously awarded the MAF Mini Grant may apply, but only to further implement the high-quality instructional resources (HQIR) identified in the previous award or to select an HQIR for a different tier of instruction.

As specified in KRS 158.844, the Mathematics Achievement Fund was created to provide developmentally appropriate diagnostic assessment and intervention services to students, primary through grade 12, to help them reach proficiency in mathematics. The grant provides funding for the purchase of materials needed for modification of instruction (tier one, tier two and/or tier three) in mathematics and pay for extended time or release time for teachers to engage in professional learning of the new mathematics materials purchased.

A district/school shall use funding to purchase instructional materials for mathematics (including intervention programs and diagnostic assessments) that are high-quality instructional resources, which the KDE defines as being:

• Aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Mathematics.
• Research-based and/or externally validated;
• Comprehensive, to include engaging texts (books, multimedia, etc.), tasks and assessments;
• Based on fostering vibrant student learning experiences
• Culturally relevant, free from bias; and
• Accessible for all students.

Important Dates

• Sept. 14, 4-5 p.m. ET: Technical Assistance Webinar via Microsoft Teams meeting. Attending or watching this recorded session is recommended.
• The questions deadline is Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. ET. All questions must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
• The application submission deadline is Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. ET. All applications must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
• Please review the links within the RFA for further guidance when writing the submission. If you have any questions, please contact KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
• Please pay close attention to the blinding/redacted language within the RFA. Improperly blinded grants will be deemed non-responsive and not eligible for an award.

Standards Newsletter Archive

Did you miss last week's Standards Newsletter? You can access all previous editions of the newsletter on the Standards Newsletter Archive webpage.

Standards Quick Links

KYstandards.org

Model Curriculum Framework webpage

Standards Resources webpage

KY Academic Standards webpage

Apply for Social Studies Performance Assessment Workshop for K-12 Teachers

The goal of the Social Studies Performance Assessment Workshop is to support K-12 classroom teachers in effectively designing and implementing performance assessments that demonstrate students' mastery of the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies. 

Teachers who participate in this workshop will engage in professional learning to learn how to create and implement a social studies performance assessment in their classroom. Selected teachers will engage with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Performance Assessment module through Google Classroom to learn about the value of performance assessments to assess students' mastery of the KAS for Social Studies.

Participants will receive a $950 stipend for at the conclusion of this workshop upon successful completion of the following requirements:

• Attending one virtual synchronous meeting on Sept. 25 at 5-6 p.m. ET.
• Completion of the Google Classroom assignments from the Performance Assessment module.
• Submission of high-quality deliverables: a social studies performance assessment and scoring rubric, a strongly, partially and weakly aligned student sample, and a completed Student Work Review Protocol evaluating each of the three samples.

To apply for this opportunity, please complete the Performance Assessments in Social Studies Workshop application by Sept. 15.

If you have any questions, please contact the KDE social studies team.

CONTACT INFORMATION

standards@education.ky.gov