Fiscal Year 2026 Community Education Request for Application Posted
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is issuing a request for application (RFA) to implement local community education initiatives for a maximum of four grants.
Community education is defined in KRS 160.155 as a program in which a public building, including a public elementary and secondary school, is used as a community center operated by a local education agency in cooperation with other groups in the community, community organizations and local government agencies to provide educational, recreational, cultural, health care and other related community services in accordance with the needs, interests and concerns of the community.
Grants will be awarded based on the availability of funds. $20,000 will be awarded to four grantees to employ a full-time community education director. The community education director must implement a comprehensive community education initiative county-wide. Only one grant per county will be awarded. Counties that have more than one school district must collaborate in implementing the community education initiative for all schools and communities. Applicants are required to provide a 25% ($5,000) cash match. Grant and match funds can only be used for salary to hire a full-time community education director.
General Information
Applications will only be accepted from public school districts that submit a plan to implement community education activities county-wide. If multiple school districts are located within the county, then all school districts must be involved in the development and design of the application. Only one grant per county may be submitted for consideration. If more than one grant from the same county is submitted, both will be disqualified and not scored.
Grant Period and Contract
The grant is anticipated to begin Sept. 1, 2025. Pending funding availability, community education grants are renewable annually if all grant assurances and requirements are met.
Grant Requirements
A public school district may receive funding for a community school program if the following criteria established in KRS 160.157 are met:
- Submits an application for approval;
- Submits a plan to the Kentucky Department of Education, approved by the local board of education, which outlines the proposed community education program, including procedures for obtaining the involvement and cooperation of other agencies and groups in identifying and recommending programs for meeting locally determined needs;
- Establishes an advisory council to assist in conducting community needs assessments and recommending program priorities to district leaders; and
- Employs one (1) full-time community education director.
Submission
To assist applicants in preparing a quality application, please review the prerecorded technical assistance webinar that addresses essential grant requirements, budget preparation and state guidance. The deadline to submit questions is June 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET. All questions must be sent to the KDE RFP email inbox. The deadline to submit applications is July 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET. The application can be found on the KDE Competitive Grants webpage.
National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program and Application
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) – formerly the National Title I Association – selects examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program.
Every year, states can identify up to two Distinguished ESEA Schools in three possible categories:
- Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years
- Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years
- Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.)
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is now accepting applications from schools for Categories 1, 2 and 3. Schools interested in applying for consideration must submit a completed application signed by the school principal and district superintendent by the deadline of Aug. 8. If selected as a finalist, KDE staff will conduct a site visit to interview the principal, selected staff and students.
Two National ESEA Distinguished Schools from Category 1, 2 and/or 3 will be notified by email of their selection in November. For more information, email Tara Rodriguez or call (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.
Persistence to Graduation Summit 2025: Registration Open
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.
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.
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