Registration
 The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) Division of Early Literacy invites you to register for the second annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference on June 13, 2025, at The Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky.
Keynote speaker and educational consultant to state departments and school districts on explicit instruction and literacy, Dr. Anita Archer has presented in all 50 states, all US territories, and many countries, including Australia and Canada, and has received ten awards honoring her educational contributions. Dr. Archer has served on the faculties of three universities, including the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, and San Diego State University. She is nationally known for her professional learning, and she has co-authored numerous curriculum materials and a best-selling textbook addressing reading and writing.
The conference, which will require registration but will be FREE to Kentucky K-12 public educators, will offer focused learning pathways to meet the needs of teachers and administrators. Attendees will learn from KDE Office of Teaching and Learning consultants and partners about:
- Evidence-based instructional shifts for literacy;
- The benefits of structured literacy;
- Why high-quality instructional resources matter; and
- Available resources for implementing the Read to Succeed Act.
Mark your calendar for this June 13 event, and please stay tuned for registration information coming soon.
UNCOVERING THE TRUTHS THAT DRIVE THE “KEY ACTIONS”
Common Misconception: Fluency should be taught in isolation.
Is fluency something students can master through isolated practice? Many assume that fluency is just about reading quickly and smoothly, but research shows that it emerges from strong decoding skills, word recognition and opportunities to engage with text in meaningful ways.
The truth is, several factors contribute to the development of fluency, so it cannot be “taught” as one distinct skill. First and foremost, students must have well-developed word decoding skills in order to achieve reading fluency. As students increase their decoding skills, they begin to store and automatically recognize many words through the orthographic mapping process, which allows for fluent reading (Hindin & Steiner, 2022). Research suggests that opportunities to practice reading a wide variety of text, as well as repeated oral readings of a text with feedback, are effective strategies for developing accurate, fluent reading at an appropriate rate (Hindin & Steiner, 2022). Students also benefit from hearing models of fluent reading so they know what prosody (smoothness) and expression should sound like when they read; although not exclusively, this can be achieved through read-alouds.
To learn about other common misconceptions that may have led to ineffective literacy practices and how to shift to evidence-based structured literacy practices, see Key Actions for Meeting the Needs of ALL K-3 Readers and Writers.
Master Schedule Resource: It’s about time! Understanding the importance of the master schedule in improving literacy outcomes
Would you agree time is one of the most valuable resources in education, yet it’s often overlooked as a driver of change? Dr. Ashley Hill, Assistant Director of Early Literacy for the Office of Teaching and Learning’s Division of Early Literacy (DEL), explored how intentional scheduling can transform literacy outcomes and create conditions for teacher and student success in her recent EdCamp 2025 presentation. You can view the recording and access the slide deck to learn more about how time can work for your school.
New Resource: Early Literacy Assessment Flowchart
 The Early Literacy Assessment Flowchart is a new resource designed to help educators navigate the who, what, when and why of early literacy assessments. This comprehensive tool guides educators through the process of assessing students' literacy development, ensuring students receive the appropriate interventions and support at the right time.
The flowchart outlines the sequence for administering assessments and helps educators identify the next steps in the assessment process. Additionally, the flowchart includes embedded links to related Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) resources, offering quick access to materials and additional support to enhance understanding of the assessment process.
This valuable resource supports data-driven decision-making and targeted interventions, ultimately helping all students achieve literacy success.
Kentucky Reading Academies: Cohort 4 of LETRS Professional Learning COMING SOON!
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. Through LETRS, teachers gain essential knowledge to master the fundamentals of literacy instruction required to transform student learning and create a more vibrant experience for each and every young reader.
The Kentucky Reading Academies LETRS training 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 for the course that pertains to their role:
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LETRS for Educators Cohort 4: This course is recommended for K-5 teachers, interventionists, reading specialists, instructional coaches and anyone providing reading instruction or intervention supports to early readers.
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LETRS for Administrators Cohort 4: This course is recommended for instructional coaches who have completed LETRS for Educators, district leaders and building administrators.
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.
Find out more about the Kentucky Reading Academies on the Kentucky Reading Academies webpage. More information about Cohort 4 of LETRS professional learning will be available soon.
For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
Call for Vendors: Join the KY Reads to Succeed Conference
The Kentucky Department of Education Division of Early Literacy announces the opportunity for vendors to participate in the upcoming KY Reads to Succeed Conference, scheduled to take place on June 13, 2025, at The Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. For this event focused on promoting literacy and educational excellence, we are seeking vendors whose products and services align with our mission to improve reading outcomes throughout our state.
The KY Reads to Succeed Conference provides a platform for vendors to showcase their offerings to a diverse audience of educators and administrators. This is an opportunity to connect with education professionals, demonstrate the value of your products/services and contribute to the advancement of literacy initiatives in Kentucky.
2025 Submission for Vendor Applications
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