(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) unveiled the latest framework to revamp the Commonwealth’s assessment and accountability systems during the School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council’s (SCAAC’s) meeting on May 6.
KDE and its Kentucky United We Learn Council started working on the future of assessment and accountability after KDE conducted a survey during the COVID-19 pandemic and a listening tour in 2021, asking people what worked for their students, what could be improved and what kind of education system they wanted to see.
The vision for advancing education focuses on three big ideas: creating a more vibrant learning experience for every student, encouraging innovation in our schools – especially when it comes to assessment – and creating a bold new future for Kentucky’s schools through collaboration with our communities.
The council, which is comprised of a wide-ranging group of people – families, students, educators, legislators, business leaders and community members – has designed a series of assessment and accountability model frameworks. As part of the process, KDE hosted nine regional town halls earlier this year, with more than 600 people attending to give their feedback on the proposed framework.
Jennifer Stafford, division director in KDE’s Office of Assessment and Accountability, said the council developed Framework 3.0 following those town halls. After a series of discussions with Kentucky Board of Education members and other education stakeholders, Framework 4.0 has been developed.
Stafford said the main goals and objectives of the new framework remain the same, but there have been some modifications.
Stafford explained that the technical document and framework have been modified so districts are encouraged to develop their own assessments in social studies and writing or use state-developed assessments once per grade band –5th, 8th and 10th grades – to alleviate the amount of testing included in the previous framework. The federal accountability part of the framework also has been rebranded to “state accountability indicators that meet federal requirements.”
Alan Young, a teacher in Jefferson County who serves on the council, said he likes the substance of the framework, although he said there is room for improvement with the clarity of communication around the options and flexibility districts have.
Jana Beth Francis, chair of SCAAC and assistant superintendent in Daviess County, said she wanted to see more discussion around how vibrant learning experiences are measured. Among some of her other critiques of the framework, she talked about ensuring consistency across different districts, treating science the same as social studies and writing in local accountability, and measuring students in reading and mathematics at 9th grade, where she said students are making a critical transition between middle and high school.
KDE plans to present the KBE-approved revisions to the model framework to members of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council on May 27 for more discussion. More information about the current framework and the Kentucky United We Learn Council’s timeline can be found on KDE’s Reimagining Assessment and Accountability webpage.
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