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Dear Colleagues,
Summer is upon us and I want to take this opportunity to discuss with you the Summer Electronic Benefits Program (SEBT).
The program provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer. SEBT is a permanent nationwide program authorized by Congress in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
It is always a top priority to help our children across the state, ensuring they are fed and have the resources they need not only during the school year but year-round. I encourage you to use these resources to help cover the cost of meals during the summer when our schools are not in session.
Something to keep in mind with this new SEBT program is that not all children who were eligible for Pandemic EBT will be eligible because of different guidelines.
The following students are considered eligible for SEBT benefits:
- School-aged students (ages 6 to 18 as of Aug. 1, 2023) who have taken part in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP), and/or Kinship Care for at least one month since July 1, 2023, are eligible and will automatically receive benefits.
- School-aged students that do not fall into the above category but are within the guided income eligibility limits, can apply for SEBT benefits online.
School district support will be critical in making this program a success. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) will provide a media toolkit for districts to share with their families.
In the coming weeks, districts will be asked to provide student enrollment data necessary to operate this program. Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff will be helping CHFS streamline the process by providing instructions for providing the data for upload to the CHFS SEBT portal when it is available.
More information will be available for you and your district during the Superintendent’s Webcast tomorrow, May 14.
As interim commissioner of education, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many of your districts and see firsthand the hard work your districts are doing to create a bright future for every student across the state. With graduation time upon us, I want to say thank you once again for all that you do for your districts, staff, students and communities.
For some of you, this school year will be the end of a long career in education. From the department and I, we want to say thank you for all that you have done to improve Kentucky’s education throughout the years and the impact you have made. In addition, we will also be welcoming new superintendents across the state and look forward to sharing innovative ideas with them as they join us on July 1.
I hope you all have a wonderful week and I look forward to speaking with you all tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Robin Fields Kinney
Interim Commissioner of Education
Kentucky Sets the Standard in Special Education Excellence
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) has emerged as a leader in special education excellence.
OSEEL successfully completed the Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) 2.0 audit from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), marking a significant milestone for our state.
“We are honored to be the first state to achieve this accomplishment without the need for a Corrective Action Plan, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional education and support to all students,” said Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner and state director of special education. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the OSEEL team, strong leadership within our local districts and invaluable support from our families and other interest groups.”
At the heart of this achievement lies the diligent oversight of IDEA Part B programs nationwide, orchestrated through DMS 2.0. The recent milestone marks the successful navigation of an exhaustive multi-year OSEP audit under the DMS 2.0 framework.
"OSEP appreciates the state’s continued efforts to improve the implementation of IDEA Part B and the development and implementation of a reasonably designed general supervision system which ensures compliance and improving results for students with disabilities," said Valerie Williams, OSEP director, acknowledging Kentucky's strides in advancing special education initiatives.
As the spotlight shines brightly on Kentucky, this milestone highlights a singular achievement and sets a new standard for special education oversight nationwide. With Kentucky leading the charge, the path towards inclusive and equitable education for all students gains renewed momentum and inspiration.
Registration for the Kentucky Reading Academies: Cohort 3 of LETRS Professional Learning Now Open
Registration for the third Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) cohort of the Kentucky Reading Academies will be open through Aug. 30.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has an exciting partnership that brings the 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 4,000 Kentucky educators and administrators are completing the LETRS professional learning. Participants in both cohorts have stated that LETRS is a comprehensive professional learning that is enlightening, eye-opening and life-changing.
Jim Masters, superintendent of Henry County Schools, shared his experience with the LETRS for Educators course and the impact it has had on his leadership.
"As a superintendent, my participation in the LETRS for Educators training has equipped me with essential background knowledge, empowering me to make more informed, evidence-based decisions regarding curriculum, instruction, and assessment,” said Masters. “This training has broadened my perspective, enabling me to consider the viewpoints of both students and teachers."
Please note: Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 participants will not need to register for Cohort 3 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.
Final Week for Kentucky School Report Card Finance Domain Review and Data Entry
The Kentucky School Report Card Finance Domain will close Friday, May 17. Districts who have not entered the required school-level spending-per-student data WILL NOT be able to enter data past May 17.
Districts are required to validate/approve district-level financial data entered by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and calculate/enter school-level spending-per-student data.
Again, this year, districts have the option to enter a financial narrative to be displayed on the school report card. KDE strongly encourages districts to create a narrative.
The 750-character narrative will be displayed on the district’s financial transparency page under the header: A message from the superintendent. This narrative will give parents, community members and researchers a better understanding of the district’s financial picture, which cannot be gathered by looking at the data alone.
Finance officers were provided guidance on calculating spending per student data last week and the guidance can also be found on the KDE’s School Report Card Resources webpage. Additional guidance on entering the data and narrative has been provided to finance officers. Data entry must be completed by May 17.
Please reach out to your finance division to ensure this is completed. With KDE changing School Report Card vendors, there will be no extensions this year for entering data. All data entry MUST be completed by May 17.
Contact Jessi Carlton at (502) 564-3930, ext. 2468, with questions.
Online Tools Provide Access to Data Points Students Need to Make College and Career Decisions
A recent national student poll – led by the Kentucky Student Voice Team – found 80% of high school students across the U.S. agree that they would feel more confident about college and career decisions if they had better access to data. Students are looking for answers to questions such as:
- What programs meet my needs?
- Where can I meet my goals without unnecessary debt?
- Should I go to a four-year college or will an apprenticeship better fit my needs?
- What outcomes can I expect?
The Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) provides valuable information to students of the Commonwealth with its online, publicly available student-facing tools to help address these questions:
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Kentucky Students’ Right to Know: This interactive report was designed to help prospective students make more informed decisions about their futures and ensure that they are adequately aware of career paths, employment outcomes, and the cost of college.
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Career Explorer: This online tool allows students to self-assess their knowledge, skills and abilities, find careers that match their profiles, and learn where they can get the education they need to obtain credentials and degrees that will lead to sustainable employment.
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High School Feedback Report: This report allows users to explore data that show student outcomes for each high school, including graduation rates, FAFSA completion, postsecondary success over time and wages.
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Career and Tech Ed Feedback Report: This dashboard examines high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) trends in Kentucky and its association with employment and postsecondary outcomes later in life. The report also displays training locations and future demand for employment.
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Postsecondary Education Feedback Report: This interactive report allows users to explore outcomes for students by Kentucky’s postsecondary institutions, major, credential type and demographic.
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Life Outcomes for High School Experiences: This online dashboard explores the relationship of high school experiences and 2022 educational and wage outcomes for 2015 high school graduates.
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Kentucky Apprenticeship Report: This dashboard summarizes data used in the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System and provides wage information about Kentuckians who participated in Registered Apprenticeships.
Registration Now Open for Momentum 2024 at STEAM Academy
Registration is now open for Momentum 2024, set to take place on July 9 at the STEAM Academy in Lexington. This event is co-hosted by the Kentucky Association of Educational Cooperatives (KAEC), The University of Kentucky's Center for Next Generation Leadership, and the Kentucky Department of Education's Division of Innovative Learning.
Join us for a day full of inspiration and vibrant learning experiences. Engage with a diverse panel of students and hear firsthand about their journeys with deeper learning. Learn from fellow Kentucky educators who are making impactful shifts in their classrooms and discover practical insights and strategies to bring your Portrait of a Learner initiative to life. Participants will earn six hours of Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) credit for attending the full day.
Visit the Momentum 2024 registration page to sign up. Spaces are limited to 300 participants and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early to guarantee your spot!
We look forward to seeing you there and building momentum together as we explore the power of deeper learning!
FY 2025 Mathematics Achievement Fund Math Coaching Cohort 2 RFA
The KDE Office of Teaching and Learning is issuing a Request for Application (RFA) for Kentucky public school districts to apply on behalf of individual schools for the FY 2025 Mathematics Achievement Fund (MAF) Math Coaching Cohort 2. The Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf also are eligible to apply.
As specified in KRS 158.844, the MAF 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 MAF grant provides funding for professional learning and release time for teachers to serve as coaches. The mathematics coach will improve mathematics teaching practices aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards by working with teachers in their classrooms:
- Observing and providing feedback to them;
- Modeling appropriate evidence based instructional practices;
- Conducting workshops or institutes;
- Establishing professional learning communities; and
- Ensuring high quality instructional resources are aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Mathematics in order to meet the needs of primary students and other students who are struggling to meet grade level standards in mathematics.
The school level mathematics coach shall engage in ongoing professional learning for the two-year renewable grant focused in four areas:
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KAS for Mathematics implementation;
- Mathematics coaching;
- Cognitive coaching; and
- Enrollment and completion of the elementary mathematics endorsement.
MAF Math Coaching Cohort 2 RFA important dates:
- The application submission deadline is June 4 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 or redacted language within the RFA. Improperly blinded grants WILL be deemed non-responsive and NOT eligible for award.
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