Sept. 20, 2023

Adolescent Literacy Professional Learning: Developing Skilled Middle and High School Readers Cohort

Early literacy in Kentucky continues to transform with the implementation of the Read to Succeed Act (Senate Bill 9, 2022), the establishment of the Kentucky Reading Academies and use of structured literacy practices. This professional learning opportunity for grades 6-12 teachers, coaches and administrators shares how structured literacy principles can positively impact middle and high school reading and writing instruction. 

Join the Kentucky Department of Education's literacy consultants for a free professional learning series built around the following topics:

Final dates and times will be determined based on participant availability. 

• Session 1: Week of Nov. 13 – How Do We Learn to Read? Exploring Theoretical Frameworks for Reading Development
• Session 2: Week of Dec. 11 – Decoding Multisyllabic Words within Complex, Grade-Level Texts
• Session 3: Week of Jan. 22 – Fluency Building within Complex, Grade-Level Texts
• Session 4: Week of Feb. 19 – Vocabulary and Knowledge Building Essentials
• Session 5: Week of March 22 – Comprehension as Both Process and Product
• Session 6: Week of April 15 – Connecting Skilled Reading to Skilled Writing

Selected participants will engage in six online, synchronous monthly learning sessions with asynchronous readings and opportunities to practice skills with students. Each session will conclude with opportunities to connect learning to classroom practices.

See the Developing Skilled Middle and High School Readers Cohort application to apply. Interested applicants should apply no later than Wednesday, Oct. 25. The first 50 applicants will receive a free color copy of the Institute of Education Sciences Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4-9, a free research-based resource to support middle and high school readers. 

For more information, please contact Kristen Tinch.

ICYMI: 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 evidence-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. 

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

Applications for Health Education and Physical Education Standards Committees are due Sept. 29

Applications are being accepted for the Health Education and Physical Education Review Committee and Advisory Panels.  

KRS 158.6453 calls for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to implement a process for reviewing academic standards and aligned assessments. The Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Health Education and the KAS for Physical Education will begin this review process during the 2023-2024 school year.  

KDE is seeking current K-12 classroom teachers and postsecondary educators to participate in this work. Applicants will be required to meet virtually and/or in Frankfort for 5-10 days beginning in the winter of 2023-2024, continuing through summer, with further meetings possibly taking place in the 2024-2025 school year. 

When applicable, selected team members will receive reimbursement for travel expenses and the teacher’s school district will be reimbursed for substitute teacher expenses. Potential applicants are asked to verify the willingness of their school or district to release them for work dates throughout the school year.  

The online application to join the advisory panels and review committees will be posted for 30 days. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 29. Selected team members will be notified by Oct. 13. 

Questions on this process can be directed to the Standards Team. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

standards@education.ky.gov