In This Issue of the OSEEL Newsletter
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Spotlight on North Star Priority: Attract, Recruit and Retain
- Division of IDEA Implementation
- Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
- Gifted and Talented
- Extended School Services
- Early Learning Unit
- Division of State Schools - KSB and KSD
- Transition Education Unit
Spotlight on North Star Priority: Attract, Recruit and Retain
This quarter, the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) is spotlighting the North Star Priority: Attract, Recruit and Retain, which focuses on building a strong special education workforce through clear pathways, targeted supports and practical resources.
OSEEL funds several statewide initiatives that help current and aspiring educators earn certification while continuing to serve students:
Kentucky Special Education Traineeship Program: Administered by Morehead State University, but includes a network of university partners, offers tuition and textbook assistance to full-time district employees working toward certification in special education or early childhood education.
Alternative Certification Program at Murray State University: Supports teachers pursuing certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders or Moderate to Severe Disabilities. Educators receive tuition reimbursement and complete coursework through alternate routes while working in the classroom.
University of Kentucky Partnership: Prepares Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialists.
Eastern Kentucky University Partnership: Trains interpreters through the American Sign Language Interpreter Education (ASLIE) Program, which includes coursework, internships and professional development for those working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students.
In addition to these university partnerships, OSEEL provides 100% of the funding for Kentucky’s Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers. These centers support districts through regional coaching, training and technical assistance aligned with recruitment and retention needs.
OSEEL’s Quarterly Newsletter now includes a Teacher Hub section with updates, tools and training opportunities. Additional information can be found on the OSEEL Technical Assistance Network webpage.
If you have questions about any of the resources mentioned above, please contact Veronica Sullivan.
Division of IDEA Implementation
 Kaleidoscope Community Drives Real Impact
The Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) is pleased to announce the success of the Kaleidoscope Community of Practice (CoP).
Over the past five months, approximately 50 dedicated special education teachers from 26 districts have come together to participate in this professional learning experience centered around Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). Their commitment to enhancing the implementation of SDI has been truly inspiring.
Through this CoP, participants expanded their understanding of SDI through collaboration and co-creation. They also left with a collection of resources, tools and skills that will grow their capacity to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the impact and value of this initiative.
OSEEL is proud of the progress and collaboration fostered through the Kaleidoscope Community of Practice. Together, we are making a significant difference in the field of special education.
Indicator 8 Parent Engagement Survey
We are now approaching the halfway mark for the 2025 Indicator 8 surveys. The survey can be accessed through the Indicator 8 Annual Parent Survey tab of the DoSE OneStop.
Please contact Marcie Bridges with questions.
Newly Released Guidance
New short, online trainings are available to assist teachers in removing learning barriers for students by reviewing the benefits of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The UDL video series includes four presentations and accompanying videos and is available on the KDE's Instructional Resources webpage.
For questions, please contact Marcie Bridges.
Key Documents and Resources Now Available in Arabic, Spanish and Swahili
OSEEL is pleased to offer several key documents and resources translated from English into Arabic, Spanish, and Swahili. Directors of special education (DoSE) may access all translated documents and forms via the DoSE OneStop under the Guidance Resources tab.
The newly translated resources are available on the KDE website for district staff.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Stacy Liguori.
Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results (DIMR)
The Kentucky Department of Education's DIMR staff would like to thank the directors of special education for their hard work on all monitoring activities for the 2024–2025 school year. We look forward to continued collaboration as we wind down the monitoring activities for this school year and look ahead to the upcoming 2025–2026 school year. Thank you for all your hard work and perseverance in improving outcomes for Kentucky students with disabilities.
DIMR Monitoring Activities
DIMR will continue monitoring the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children (KECSAC) facilities and the districts identified for Risk Focused Monitoring for the 2024-2025 school year.
Desk reviews are underway for the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report Indicator 4 and Participation Decisions for the Alternate Assessment Aligned with Alternate Academic Achievement Standards. Notification letters regarding these monitoring activities have been sent to districts.
More information on the monitoring selection and measurement criteria can be found in the 2023 Monitoring Brief.
DIMR Document Upload Reminders
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Documents containing personally identifiable information (PII) must be uploaded to the KDE OSEEL DoSE Secure Server.
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Please do not email any documents (to avoid lost documents or PII being shared).
For district-specific questions, please contact Jessica Jones, DIMR Individual Programming Branch Manager at (502) 564-4970, ext. 4144.
Early Learning Unit
Summer Resources for Preschool Families
The Kentucky Department of Education's Early Learning Unit is pleased to announce upcoming summer resources, brought to you in partnership with The Parent Institute.
Daily Learning Planners for June, July and August, along with Summer Learning Spotlights on reading and math, will be sent with the Helping Children Learn newsletter via the preschool listserv. These planners are packed with engaging activities that families can implement during summer.
Look for these valuable resources when you receive the May edition of the newsletter. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support families with their children's learning throughout the summer months!
Successful Completion of KY LEADS Academy
The Kentucky Leading, Educating, Advocating for Directors of Special Education (LEADS) Academy successfully concluded its final Saturday session on March 28. Melody Cooper, policy advisor with the Office of Special Education and Early Learning, shared a presentation on policy and special education law with scholars.
In 2020, OSEEL partnered with Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Murray State University and the Human Development Institute to increase the number and capacity of certified directors of special education. In return for scholarship funding, KY LEADS Academy scholars agreed to enroll in higher education and participate in monthly academy seminars. Saturday seminars focused on administration and finance, instructional leadership, early childhood education, complaints and compliance, and effective collaboration.
Sixty-four scholars completed the academy, and 75% are currently employed in high-need districts. According to post-academy surveys, several scholars are serving in leadership roles that support students with disabilities, including director of special education (DoSE), assistant DoSE, building principals, special education consultants and state education agency employees.
Division of State Schools: KSB and KSD
Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB)
 KSB Student Showcase 2025.
On March 25, American Printing House (APH) Braille Readers Theater brought student-written plays to life, performed by talented KSB students. These original works were created by KSB high school students in their English language arts classes as part of a collaborative project with teaching artists from Arts for All Kentucky and Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Congratulations to Ben A. (Black Cat High), Allonah L. (The Fruity Disaster), and Gabby G. (Rainbowville) for their incredible creativity and storytelling. Outstanding work by all!
Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD)
 KSD heart-shaped mosaics.
Our talented KSD high school students created these heart-shaped mosaics, each reflecting their creativity and attention to detail. Using colorful tiles, beads and glass pieces, students designed unique patterns ranging from bold geometrics to nature-inspired themes.
The variety of styles and techniques on display highlights individual expression and the effort behind each piece. Neatly arranged on a table, this collection showcases the students' artistic dedication and craftsmanship.
Congratulations! What an amazing job well done!
Transition Education Unit
 Virtual Reality and Hands-On Learning Inspire Career Awareness at Kentucky's STEM-a-THON
Students across south-central Kentucky explored future careers at the third annual STEM-a-THON, hosted by the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC). The event featured interactive exhibits such as 3D printing, flight simulators, and robotics – bringing STEM experiences to students who may not otherwise have access.
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning, through its Postsecondary Transition Education Unit, enhanced the experience by providing Meta Quest 2 headsets for immersive virtual reality career exploration. This hands-on activity helped students visualize future possibilities in a dynamic and engaging way.
This year’s event reached nearly 600 students.
Virtual Career Journeys Connect Kentucky Students with Local Industries
Students across Kentucky will soon explore local careers through virtual reality (VR) field trips, thanks to a partnership between CareerViewXR and Kentucky employers. Supported by the Kentucky Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Learning, this initiative aims to enhance career literacy and engagement for students of all abilities.
The VR experiences will highlight careers in construction, marine transportation and tourism, offering students an inside look at in-demand industries.
Recognized as one of the largest VR rollouts led by a state education agency, the initiative also seeks to improve postsecondary transition outcomes for all learners, focusing on students with disabilities in career and technical education.
“Career exploration should be engaging and accessible for every learner.," said Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner of the Office of Special Education and Early Learning, "With VR technology, students of all abilities can gain firsthand experiences in industries that are shaping Kentucky’s future workforce.”
This groundbreaking initiative promises to make career exploration more immersive and inclusive, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore Kentucky-specific experiences in a meaningful way.
 Kentucky Youth Post School Outcomes (KYPSO)
The Youth One Year Out (YOYO) data collection window is now open.
Full district participation is crucial for comprehensive and accurate reporting for Indicator 14. Higher response rates provide a more reliable and valid representation of post-school experiences for students with disabilities. By increasing this rate, we can better understand student outcomes and make more informed decisions to support their transitions.
All local education agencies are encouraged to prioritize YOYO data collection. Train your staff, reach out to students and ensure that every student's experience is captured.
For more information and support, please contact Tony Lobianco.
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