Dear Colleagues,
Last week, your districts received the assessment and accountability data for the 2023-2024 school year.
The picture we see with the 2023-2024 school year data is not a straightforward one. There are several areas to be proud of, some areas of concern and some areas where we as a Commonwealth have plateaued.
The percentage of students who performed at proficient or distinguished levels maintained or rose with the 2024 assessment data in several areas, including reading and mathematics across all assessed grade levels. The rate of students performing at proficient or distinguished levels in writing on-demand and combined writing also rose at the middle and high school levels, while elementary school students maintained the same numbers as last year following an increase from 2022.
The rate of students testing at a proficient or distinguished level in science was lower across all grade levels than any other content area, continuing a multi-year trend.
For me, science performance is concerning. We must analyze science assessment, instruction and student performance to develop actionable steps to improve science education and performance for Kentucky’s students.
We know student learning and performance can fluctuate due to various factors. Students may experience periods of rapid progress, plateaus or even setbacks. Similarly, change isn’t always a linear process, nor is it always positive.
As school and district leaders, it is important that we dig deep into the data and see where each of us can grow and improve.
Recognizing that there is still plenty to be done to ensure that every kid in the Commonwealth performs proficiently on state assessments, I would like to acknowledge each of you for your unwavering commitment to your students, families and communities.
Kentucky Board of Education Meeting
Today and tomorrow, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) will gather for their regular meeting. We plan to discuss numerous items on the agenda. Some of those topics will cover the KBE goals and legislative priorities, their goals for me as commissioner, various Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) updates and a resolution supporting the use of state dollars to exclusively fund the common system of public schools.
As always, these meetings are streamed live on the KDE Media Portal.
Thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
School Report Card Collection/Approval Portal
The School Report Card (SRC) Suite Collection and Approval Portal tools are open to schools and districts to:
- Enter collection detail;
- Print School Profile Report;
- Preview and flag data; and
- Approve data domains.
Schools and districts are encouraged to complete this work by Nov. 8 to prepare for public release Nov. 20.
Recorded training videos are available and AnLar is offering office hours to assist schools and districts on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET. Details including links to recorded training and other resources are available on the SRC Resource webpage.
The new SRC tools continue to be worked on as schools and districts are reviewing data. Table views are currently available, while the charts and trend views will be introduced in late October. If data issues are found, they can be flagged in the preview tool for Kentucky Department of Education review and response. Issues with the views, functionality of the system or questions about the training or Quick Reference Guides should be reported to the AnLar help desk.
Flood Damage Assistance
If your school district facilities sustained damage due to the severe weather caused by remnants of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26, please contact your local emergency management agency or Jessica Mitchell, recovery branch manager for Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), at (502) 607-5762 or by Jessica Mitchell’s email.
KYEM has been notified that several local jurisdictions have been impacted; incurring cost for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure repairs. Please send damage estimates as soon as possible. KYEM is trying to determine if the event will warrant federal assistance.
Superintendent Assurances for House Bill 6 (2024) Website Requirements
The 2023-2024 assessment and accountability data was publicly released on Oct. 3. Within the data files provided to district assessment coordinators is a spreadsheet that includes percentages of accountable students performing at Proficient and Distinguished levels in reading and mathematics. This data should be used to update student performance information required on each district and school website, as required by House Bill 6 (2024). See the House Bill 6 (2024) Requirement to Report Academic Performance on Websites guidance document for more information.
As a reminder, the data should be displayed for each level (elementary, middle and high) of the school or district as provided in the spreadsheet, not averaged or otherwise calculated differently.
Districts should update websites with the 2023-2024 student performance data by Oct.16.
Any subsequent data files provided (e.g., post-10-day regulatory period) will require another website update within 14 days if there are changes to a district’s reading and mathematics proficient and distinguished percentages.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 student performance results, superintendents must assure that the required data has been posted on the district and school websites. This assurance will be added to the Grant Management Application and Planning (GMAP) system in the coming weeks. Superintendents must sign the assurance by no later than Dec. 15.
Important Deadline Information for Career and Technical Education Data Reporting
Technical Education Database System (TEDS) attend hours data must be entered and uploaded by Nov. 15 for students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) pathways in Term 1 (fall 2024).
Once the data has been imported, the Term 1 Attend Hours Report must be uploaded to the TEDS Attend Hours Confirmation Upload website. Because the TEDS system refreshes overnight, data imported today will not show until tomorrow.
Funding for CTE pathways for the 2025-2026 school could be impacted if the TEDS data has not been imported and the Term 1 Attend Hours Report has not been completed by Nov. 15. By submitting this report on the TEDS Attend Hours Confirmation Upload website, you are confirming that the data is accurate and should be used for funding purposes.
If you have any questions related to this process, please feel free to reach out to Amy Tracy. Detailed instructions on how to run the report and how to upload it have been sent to CTE coordinators, CTE TEDS users and CTE points of contact.
Fiscal Year 2025 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cycle 22 RFA Posted
As authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for local school districts, community and faith-based organizations, as well as other qualifying private and governmental organizations to design and implement effective out-of-school programs that improve student achievement and social development.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program provides academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools, to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects such as reading, math and science. Programs provide students with homework assistance and a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs and promote youth development. The programs also offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
Programs must ensure that the academic services they provide are aligned with the school’s curriculum in the core subject areas. The RFA is located on the KDE Competitive Grants webpage.
To assist applicants in preparing a quality application, KDE will host an additional technical assistance session. The session will address essential grant requirements, budget preparation and state and federal guidance.
Participation in a session will be the only opportunity for applicants to ask face-to-face questions. Pre-registration is not required, but is available by visiting the Cycle 22 RFA technical assistance session registration webpage.
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Monday, Oct. 21 at the Administrative Office of the Courts building, 1001 Vandalay Drive in Frankfort, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.
The deadline to submit questions is Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. ET. All questions must be sent to the KDE RFP email inbox. The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. ET.
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