Commissioner's Weekly Message

May 15, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

The heart of testing season is always a stressful time for our students, and we here at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) want to wish you the best of luck for everything to run as smoothly as possible.

State assessments mean we are just that much closer to the end of the school year, when we get to watch our students and children move on to the next stage of their lives. For our high school seniors, this means they’re at the commencement of adulthood and a monumental period in their lives as they approach their careers and any postsecondary education they choose to pursue. Although I know you all will be busy preparing for graduation, finishing up testing and any number of other things that must happen before the end of school, I hope you’ll take a moment and recognize the role you’ve played in the lives of your seniors. Educators have that rare responsibility and privilege of helping young people find their path in life and making sure they are prepared for whatever they want to do. What you do matters.

This is an exciting time, and that vision for the road ahead is something to keep in mind as students buckle down for their exams and the remainder of the school year. We at KDE are proud to cheer them along as they finish out the year strong.

As always, thank you for being …

All In,

Robbie Fletcher

Commissioner of Education

Update on Certified Evaluation Plans

Due to the changes required in House Bill 48 (2025), districts must modify Certified Evaluation Plans (CEP) to ensure all teachers, other professionals, principals, assistant principals, and other certified administrators, that have attained continuing service status under KRS 161.740 or continuing status under KRS 156.800(7) are evaluated on a five-year summative cycle.

Updating the District CEP

Districts should convene the district 50/50 Committee to discuss revisions to the CEP to accommodate a five-year summative cycle for all certified personnel. During the 50/50 Committee meeting, members should:

• Discuss any needed changes to sources of evidence
• Discuss frequency or timelines for sources of evidence
• Discuss requirements for formative years
• Discuss any impact or revisions to decision rules
• Discuss other changes that impact practice and policy
• Make recommendations for local board of education approval.

Following approval by the local board of education, districts shall submit to KDE the updated, approved CEP and Certified Evaluation Assurances by Sept. 1 using the provided 2025 Certified Evaluation Plan and Assurances Google form. Please contact Todd Davis with questions related to Certified Evaluation.

A Message from the U.S. Department of Labor on Summer Student Employment

Every summer, millions of teens work in summer jobs, but there are certain jobs that are off limits for young people. Where you work and how many hours you work depend on your age. So know the rules and work safe.

For more information, call the U.S. Department of Labor's toll free helpline at (866) 4US-WAGE, or visit U.S. Department of Labor's YouthRules website or the U.S. Department of Labor's "Know Your Rights" child labor flyer.

Are Your Schools Ready for Final Transcripts?

High school counselors and others assisting with electronic transcripts (eTranscripts) are invited to participate in the Kentucky Final Transcripts: End-of-Year Training.

Please encourage participation to help ensure those working with transcripts are ready to submit final transcripts and have a good plan for processing summer transcripts. 

Kentucky universities continue to bring up issues caused by incomplete or untimely transcripts. These issues are easily avoidable. Make sure your students aren’t affected! Training will include a review of the transcript process, appropriate settings, and an opportunity to ask questions. Parchment, Infinite Campus and Kentucky Department of Education representatives will be available.

Training is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 at 1 p.m. ET. Participants should register in advance by visiting the register in advance.

Online links to join the training will be shared after registration. Live participation is encouraged but the training will be recorded and available in the KDE Media Portal. Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) credit will be available.

Cognitive Coaching Registration Now Open

The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Continuous Improvement and Support will be offering its fifth cohort of Cognitive Coaching certification for classroom, school and district leaders. This eight-day intensive training supports leaders in learning how to produce self-directed persons with the cognitive capacity for excellence. Cognitive Coaching is the premier coaching structure for all leaders to utilize and it comes at no cost to participants! This training fills quickly, so please register soon!

Participants will utilize intentional structures and tools for planning, reflecting and problem resolving, developing higher levels of efficacy, consciousness, craftsmanship, flexibility and interdependence. The coaching tools of pausing, paraphrasing and posing questions, the use of effective feedback and mediating thinking through conversational structure and data will be the main focus. 

The eight sessions will take place at the Kentucky Department of Education located at 300 Sower Blvd. in Frankfort on Sept. 5, Sept. 8, Sept. 18-19, Oct. 23-24 and Dec. 11-12.

To register, please complete the Cognitive Coaching registration form. Priority will be given to schools designated for comprehensive or targeted support and improvement or those requiring more rigorous intervention, although all Kentucky leaders are invited to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Gullett, KDE educational recovery director.

Registration Now Open for the 2025 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Cognia invite you to a two-day event designed to elevate your impact in education. Registration is now open the 2025 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit on Sept. 22-23 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington!

This year’s keynote speaker is Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year. She teaches English as a second language to students from kindergarten through 8th grade and is a passionate advocate for her students, their families and fellow teachers. A Tennessee native and first-generation college graduate, Testerman takes pride in her former students’ success and is dedicated to ensuring the next generation receives a broadened education while living in a rural setting. She emphasizes the importance of teachers holding high expectations for all students from the moment they step into the classroom.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional learning, strengthen existing relationships or tackle unique challenges with fresh strategies, this conference is for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to spark new ideas, gain insights from KDE leaders and join Kentucky’s continuous improvement movement! Visit the 2025 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit registration page to register.

Persistence to Graduation Summit 2025: Registration Open and Keynote Speaker Announced

Register now to attend the 2025 Persistence to Graduation Summit.

Hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education's Division of Student Success, the summit will be held June 12-13 at the Hilton in downtown Lexington. 

We are excited to announce Justin “Jay” Miller, dean of the University of Kentucky’s School of Social Work, as this year’s keynote speaker. At the time of his appointment in 2019, Miller was the youngest dean in the country, aligning with this year’s theme of elevating student voice. Miller is passionate about his work as an educator and scholar, with research and academic interests focusing on child welfare and youth involvement in juvenile systems. His work has shaped practice with foster youth and has informed a myriad of policies and practices related to participatory engagement with youth and families.

During this two-day event, superintendents, district level personnel, school administrators, school counselors, educators, family resource and youth services center coordinators, school mental health and social service professionals, and community partners from across Kentucky will convene to share information and best practices to support students who may experience challenges to reaching graduation.

Engaging and interactive sessions will be led by facilitators from across the state and content will include:

• Student transition and re-engagement strategies;

• Alternative education programming;

• Well-rounded educational opportunities;

• Safe and supportive learning environments; and

• Effective use of education technology.

The full schedule will be available soon and registration is limited to the first 300 participants. For more information contact Lalah Brewer.

Keynote Speaker Announced for Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Teaching and Learning, Division of Early Literacy invites you to register for the second-annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference on June 13 at The Galt House in Louisville.

Keynote speaker and educational consultant to state departments and school districts on explicit instruction and literacy, Anita Archer has presented in all 50 states, all U.S. territories, and many countries, including Australia and Canada, and has received 10 awards honoring her educational contributions. 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.

Accepting Applications for Diagnostic Review Team Members

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Cognia are accepting applications for diagnostic review team members to serve during the 2025-2026 school year.

The Cognia diagnostic review process is a performance-driven approach that relies on data from student performance, stakeholder feedback, classroom observations and a review of documents, artifacts and school practices.

Diagnostic reviews yield a comprehensive analysis of an institution in an extensive report intended to energize and guide continuous improvement planning for underperforming schools and districts.

All diagnostic review team members must have experience or expertise in the following areas:

1. School or system administration with a specific emphasis on instructional leadership such as superintendent, principal, instructional supervisor, director of curriculum and instruction, assessment, special education, etc.
2. Leading or supporting turnaround/improvement initiatives at the school, system or state department levels.
3. Familiarity with the analysis and use of data as a driver for improvement.

Diagnostic review team members are required to complete specialized training. While there is no compensation for participating as a diagnostic review team member, all expenses associated with travel for an onsite visit will be reimbursed by Cognia.

If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please begin by submitting your contact information on the diagnostic review team member interest form.

We will send next step information to support you through the training process. We will have multiple training options available throughout the next few months in preparation for reviews scheduled for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have questions, please email the Cognia team.

KDE to Offer Statewide Federal Programs Training

The Kentucky Department of Education is pleased to offer a virtual federal programs training at no cost to school districts across the state on June 17-18. The same content will be offered both days.

The training will benefit district staff who are responsible for the oversight and administration of federal education programs and compliance with legal requirements. We strongly encourage the district superintendent, finance officer and federal programs coordinator to attend.

The training will be provided by The Bruman Group, a legal firm that is nationally recognized for its federal grants management and education regulatory and legislative practice.

Agenda items include federal updates, requirements under the Uniform Grants Guidance, fiscal requirements, preparing for an audit, and other topics of importance for district federal program administrators. The full agenda is available on the registration site.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits will be available; 1.5 credits will be awarded for each two-hour block, so attendees may earn three credits for the full four-hour training. We anticipate that Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) and finance officer credits also will be available. To register for this training, please complete the KDE virtual federal programs training registration form. After completing the registration form, attendees will receive a link which will allow them to join any session on June 17 and 18.

For more information, email Leslie Bridges or call her at (502) 564-3791, ext. 4040.

Funding Options Due to House Bill 241

House Bill 241 (2025) allows districts to drop the five lowest attendance days or the 10 lowest attendance days when calculating the average daily attendance used for funding. Adjustments have been made to the Superintendent’s Annual Attendance Report (SAAR) in Infinite Campus to allow this.

The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Division of District Support will be having a Q&A session for all directors of pupil personnel on May 21 at 2 p.m. ET. This session will include guidance on how to run the SAAR report using five low attendance days or 10 low attendance days. The session will be recorded and posted to the SAAR page on the KDE website.

Directors of pupil personnel should look for the invitation in their email and may forward the invite to anyone else who would like to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Ronda Devine.

Kentucky School District Exit Surveys

Per KRS 160.382, Kentucky school districts are responsible for collecting exit survey data from all employees who voluntarily leave the school district.

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has developed a process to collect this data from districts without personally identifiable information. Information submitted by an employee and reported to the department include the position vacated, the employee’s years of service in the position and in the district, if the employee is taking a similar position in another district, and the reasons provided for leaving the district. The purpose of this data collection is to provide a means for analyzing the factors that impact teacher retention both at the district and state levels.

KDE has created a survey that districts can use to satisfy this requirement. Districts retain the option to purchase or use their own exit survey so long as they reported their data to the KDE annually.

For additional information, please email KDE Program Consultant Justin Edwards.

Nominations Open for 2025 Kentucky Exemplary Educators Program

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Kentucky Exemplary Educators Program (KEEP).

Superintendents, curriculum and professional development supervisors, principals, representatives from teacher training institutions and other education leaders are invited to recommend up to three individuals. Those recommended should have at least five years of experience and showcase exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective and innovative instructional practices and student learning results. Qualified individuals recommended for KEEP will receive a certificate of excellence from the Kentucky Department of Education and may be considered for other recognitions and opportunities, including invitations to sit on advisory councils and committees.  

To nominate a candidate, visit the 2025 Kentucky Exemplary Educators Program recommendation form. Refer to the KEEP information sheet for required information and additional details about the recommendation process. Please note that nominations will require a resume and letter of recommendation. The deadline for submission is May 16.

Schools and Districts Encouraged to Submit Best Practices

The Kentucky Department of Education’s Best Practices and Sustainability webpage is open for submission of best practices from schools and districts.

The Best Practices website is designed to serve as a clearinghouse to promote practices that motivate, engage and provide measurable results in student learning, achievement and school/district processes. Any aspect of a school or district system that can impact student outcomes through improved instruction or operations can be submitted as a best practice.

Best practices should be submitted to the Best Practices database by May 9 to be considered for acknowledgement at the Continuous Improvement Summit, scheduled for Sept. 22-23.

For more information, email Natasha Stein.

Join Us for the 2025 Kentucky Coalition for English Learners Summer Institute

Registration is now open for the Kentucky Coalition for English Learners (KCEL) 2025 Summer Institute, taking place June 9-10 at the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro. This dynamic event will empower, engage and elevate educators with proven strategies, resources and insights to support English learners at all proficiency levels. Whether you're an experienced educator or just beginning your journey, this institute is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on English learners across the Commonwealth.

This year, the institute will feature two keynote speakers. Carol Salva, author and Seidlitz Education consultant, will share research-based strategies for supporting students with limited or interrupted formal education and teaching newcomers during her sessions and morning keynote. Valentina Gonzalez, author, educator and advocate, will deliver a keynote and session focused on promoting literacy and language development for English learner students. The institute will also feature presentations from Kentucky educators, representatives with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and education specialists offering valuable insights and best practices.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow! Visit the KCEL Professional Learning webpage for the full agenda and additional details. KDE will be sponsoring participant registration. Please use the KCEL 2025 Summer Institute scholarship registration link to take advantage of this opportunity. Scholarship registration will close May 31. If you have any questions, contact Kaiman Triplett by email or phone at (502) 564-3791, ext. 4089.

Free Leadership Development Through National Institute for School Leadership

The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Continuous Improvement and Support has partnered with the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) to implement its National Institute for School and System Leadership (NISL) program.

This nationally recognized leadership development program was designed to help school and district leaders transform schools into high-performing learning environments and has been in place in Kentucky for the past 14 years. NCEE’s NISL program is the most widely used research-proven professional learning program for school leaders in the country.

Built on decades of research into the world’s emerging and highest-performing education systems, NISL equips leaders with the skills, strategies and vision to drive meaningful and sustainable change. This experience prepares leaders to explore global education trends, set a clear strategic vision and design rigorous instructional systems and build a culture of continuous improvement, ethical leadership and long-term school success. The monthly interactive experience focuses on the key themes for capacity-building and for transforming the school as an organization while improving student success.

School and district staff interested in participating in this free professional learning are encouraged to complete the NISL interest form no later than June 6. Questions regarding the training opportunity should be directed to Charlotte Jones.

Those receiving this at the Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf, please make sure all employees receive it. Also, Area Technology Center (ATC) principals are asked to forward it to their staffs.

Please send your questions, comments and suggestions on the Commissioner's Weekly Message to Joe Ragusa by 4 p.m. Monday to be published that week.