In This Issue of the OSEEL Newsletter
- North Star Priorities: Stakeholder Engagement
- Transition Education Unit
- Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
- Division of IDEA Implementation
- Gifted and Talented
- Extended School Services
- Early Learning Unit
- Division of State Schools - KSB and KSD
North Star Priorities: Stakeholder Engagement
The State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children (SAPEC) is a stakeholder engagement panel required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires states to establish advisory panels to advise and assist state education agencies on special education and related services for children with disabilities.
The SAPEC members represent various agencies, individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, service providers and administrators. Feedback from this group shapes the Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE's) OSEEL policies, practices and procedures for implementation throughout the Commonwealth.
The SAPEC has several duties outlined in federal regulation, including:
- Advise the KDE of unmet needs within Kentucky in the education of children with disabilities;
- Comment publicly on rules or regulations proposed by the Commonwealth relating to the education of children with disabilities;
- Advise KDE in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the U.S. secretary of education;
- Advise KDE in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in federal monitoring reports under Part B of the act; and
- Advise KDE in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.
For more information on SAPEC, contact Misty Green.
Transition Education Unit
Indicator 14
On April 1, 2024, the data collection window for the Youth One Year Out (YOYO) survey opened. Districts will have until Aug. 31, 2024, to collect data for reporting on Indicator 14.
Please see the Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center (KYPSO) for any questions regarding data collection.
Kentucky’s State Personnel Development Grant planning is well underway. The KY Transition 360 For Educators will provide development opportunities for educators across the state related to transition education for students with disabilities.
The program seeks to improve post-school outcomes. The KY Transition 360 For Educators curriculum advisory committee includes the following professionals:
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April Miller, Morehead State University
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Christina Noel, Western Kentucky University
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Abigail Morris, Murray State University
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Angel Mobley, Knott County Schools
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Jessica Tipton, Madison County Schools
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Brittany Hill, Jefferson County Schools
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Jenny Hogg, Kentucky Education Development Cooperative
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Rob Stafford, Parent and former superintendent of Owen County Public Schools
- Tony Lobianco, Kentucky Post-School Outcomes
- Rhonda Logsdon, Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network
KY Transition 360 Disability Innovation Fund Pathways to Partnerships grant recently convened its stakeholder cadre through a kickoff event on March 19. KY Transition 360 will build capacity across local communities to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities by strengthening connections among systems of support and relevant agencies.
The stakeholder cadre includes the following organizations:
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Henry County Public Schools
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Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
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Center for Accessible Living
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Independence Place
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Disability Resource Center
- Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network
Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires state education agencies (SEAs) to limit the total number of students assessed in a subject area using an alternate assessment aligned with alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS).
The limit on the percentage of students assessed by the AA-AAAS is set by federal regulation, which states the total number of students assessed with the AA-AAAS per subject area shall not exceed 1.0%. States that anticipate exceeding 1.0% in AA-AAAS participation in any subject area must submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (USED).
Based on 2022-2023 assessment data, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) submitted a waiver request to USED on Aug. 15, 2023. KDE was notified on April 10, 2024, that USED had granted the waiver request with the expectation that KDE continues to demonstrate positive results in reducing the percentage of students participating in AA-AAAS.
Division of IDEA Implementation Updates
Indicator 8 Parent Engagement Survey
This year’s survey opened on Jan. 15. The survey and parent letter are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Swahili and Amish. Electronic access to the survey is available on the Kentucky Post School Outcomes Parent Involvement webpage. The parent letter template and a printer-friendly version of the survey are sent via the Director of Special Education and Preschool Coordinator Listservs.
The survey window will close on June 30, 2024. If you have questions about the Indicator 8 survey, please contact Marcie Bridges.
Dispute Resolution Processes
Early Learning Unit
Pyramid Model State Leadership Team Reviews Federal Guidance on Mixed Delivery
The Kentucky Pyramid Model State Leadership Team (SLT), comprised of early childhood leaders from various state agencies, meets monthly to collaborate and deepen their understanding of promoting social and emotional development in young children. On March 28, the SLT discussed a Dear Colleague Letter on Mixed Delivery released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education.
The letter recommends serving more young children through a mixed delivery approach that includes high-quality early care and education settings such as community-based childcare providers, early intervention, schools, Head Start programs and family childcare homes. The benefits of mixed delivery include expanding preschool services, enhancing program quality and supporting smooth transitions between preschool and kindergarten.
The SLT agreed with the letter’s message of working in partnership to serve more young children through a mixed delivery system. The team acknowledged the importance of finding opportunities to strengthen collaboration across settings when planning statewide implementation of the Pyramid Model.
Preschool Coordinators Learn about Quality during Regional Technology Center (RTC) Spring Leadership Meetings
In March, the Early Learning Unit updated districts during the RTC Spring Leadership meetings.
Preschool coordinators learned about the Kentucky State-Funded Preschool All STARS process and information on pyramid model implementation, training requirements and timelines. The RTCs will continue to support districts as they move through the updated Kentucky State-Funded Preschool All STARS process.
Division of State Schools: KSB and KSD
 KSB Varsity Bowling Team
Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB)
KSB students were practicing for the Swimming Championships the school hosted April 19-20.
The weekend of March 23, five KSB students participated in the first National Abacus Bee, sponsored by the American Printing House for the Blind. Three students placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their respective categories.
KSB Varsity Bowling Teams competed in the North Central Association of Schools for the Blind Bowling Championships at the Missouri School for the Blind. The Wildcats came home with 2nd place! Congratulations to the Wildcats Team and coaches!
 KSD students at Toyota.
Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD)
KSD has been a hub of activity this semester. Students have been given opportunities for career exploration, driver's permits, internships and college visits.
All high school students were given the opportunity to attend a farm machinery show in Louisville. Another career opportunity was for a select group of students who have shown interest in areas that would be employable by the Toyota Manufacturing Group. Students could tour the manufacturing plant and learn about the variety of jobs Toyota offers, from assembly lines to doctors in their clinics.
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