Standards Newsletter: Teacher Edition
As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, teachers are beginning to prepare for the year ahead. This edition of the Standards Newsletter is dedicated to giving teachers the resources and information needed to ensure a successful start to the year. Below, you will find key resources for Kentucky’s Multi-tiered System of Supports (KyMTSS), evidence-based instructional practices (EBIP), the content areas and resources to share with families. Take time to explore the resources included, and share them with others in your building or district who could also benefit.
MTSS Resources
KyMTSS.org – KyMTSS.org provides an overview of Kentucky’s Multi Tiered System of Supports (KyMTSS), explaining why this comprehensive framework is important. It includes information on the six essential elements and offers a resource library with general and element-specific resources.
Stay up to date with KyMTSS specific information and resources by signing up to receive the MTSS Newsletter each month.
Evidence-Based Instructional Practices
The quality of the day-to-day classroom instruction students receive significantly impacts their overall achievement. As you implement your local standards-aligned curriculum, it is important that you strategically and intentionally use evidence-based instructional practices that support students in reaching the intended learning outcomes. For those using HQIRs, this series can deepen understanding of these evidence-based practices embedded within the resources in order to leverage them more effectively.
The Evidence-Based Instructional Practices (EBIPs) resources include an overview document providing background on EBIPs. There is also an overview video, facilitation considerations and content area specific resources for six EBIPs: Establishing the Learning Environment, Clarifying and Sharing Clear Learning Goals, Explicit Teaching and Modeling, Discussion, Questioning and Meaningful Feedback.
Content Area Implementation Guides
The purpose of the standards implementation guides is to help schools and districts identify resources available from the Kentucky Department of Education to support standards implementation. Schools and districts may be in various stages of the standards implementation process and the standards implementation guides provide a list of resources by the content area that may be utilized at each stage. See the content-specific implementation guides below.
NEW VPA Standards
The Getting to Know the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Visual and Performing Arts 3-Part Module is available now. This module is designed to build knowledge and capacity around the new Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) standards and to capitalize on the opportunity to improve teaching and learning aligned to the KAS for Visual and Performing Arts. Access this asynchronous professional learning module on KyStandards.org.
Don’t miss updates on standards resources, professional learning opportunities and more throughout the year! Visit KyStandards.org and sign up to receive the weekly newsletter.
Ready to Rethink Assessment in Social Studies?
Today’s social studies standards go beyond memorization by asking students to think critically, ask meaningful questions and apply their learning to real-world issues. This shift demands an equally bold reimagining in how we measure learning because meaningful learning deserves meaningful assessment.
Access the Performance Assessments in Social Studies professional learning module series to explore how to design engaging, authentic tasks that reflect the work of civic leaders, economists, geographers and historians. You will learn how to move beyond traditional tests and create opportunities for students to analyze, create and explain as they investigate enduring questions, synthesize ideas across disciplines, and craft compelling, evidence-based conclusions that showcase deep, rigorous social studies learning.
This isn’t just about improving assessments. It’s about supporting student growth, making learning more meaningful, and building classrooms where students take ownership of their learning and develop the skills to engage deeply with the world around them. This learning will support educators in guiding students to think like civic leaders, economists, geographers and historians—empowering them to apply their knowledge in ways that truly matter and inspire change in their communities and beyond.
Calling all Mathematics Educators: Apply now for the Series 2 - Cultivating Vibrant Learning Experiences in Mathematics Workshop for Teams!
The Cultivating Vibrant Learning Experiences in Mathematics Workshop for Teams- Series 2 seeks to deepen content knowledge and pedagogy, clarifying what to teach and how best to teach it through the use of high-quality instructional resources being used in Kentucky classrooms. The workshop will specifically elevate connections across:
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The Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Mathematics;
- Evidence-based Instructional Practices, specifically the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); and
- High-Quality Instructional Resources (HQIRs) in Mathematics.
Series 1 took place last year and focused on Effective Mathematics Teaching Practice 1: Establish mathematics goals to focus learning. Those materials and recordings have been published along with a Facilitator’s Guide for instructional leaders to provide local opportunities to deepen educators’ content knowledge in mathematics. Learn more and access materials on the Cultivating Vibrant Learning Experiences in Mathematics page on KYStandards.org.
This NEW workshop series, Series 2, centers on Effective Mathematics Teaching Practice 2: Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving.
Who Should Apply?
This virtual workshop series provides K-12 educator teams with the opportunity to learn and grow together as both learners and practitioners through a series of 2-hour synchronous sessions. Participants will experience an adult learning environment designed to mirror the classroom experience, utilizing high-quality instructional resources and videos featuring Kentucky classrooms. The workshop series will include small group discussions in breakout rooms, whole-group discussions and meaningful connections with mathematics educators from across the state. Special emphasis will be placed on exploring teaching and learning within specific grade bands (primary, intermediate, middle and high).
Teams can be structured differently depending on the local context. Teams may include, but are not limited to, mathematics educators from the same or different grade levels, instructional leaders, such as instructional coaches, ideally from within the same school or district. Individual applicants are also encouraged to apply. If selected, they will be placed on a team with other individual applicants. Complete the application by September 3.
Session Schedule
There will be four sessions in this workshop series, selected teams will have two options each month to register to attend before each meeting.
A more in-depth description along with meeting materials will be provided in advance of each session.
- Session 1: How can we implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving? Let's share ideas.
Option 1: Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET
Option 2: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET
- Session 2: Why is lesson internalization important? Let's move beyond planning.
Option 1: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET
Option 2: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET
- Session 3: How do we analyze and respond to student thinking? Let's move learning forward.
Option 1: Monday, Nov. TBD
Option 2: Thursday, Nov. TBD
- Session 4: What have we learned together? Let's reflect.
Option 1: Monday, Dec. TBD
Option 2: Thursday, Dec. TBD
Application Details
There are a limited number of spots available for this workshop. Teams interested in this opportunity should complete the Series 2: Cultivating Vibrant Student Learning Experiences in Mathematics Workshop for Teams application, no later than September 3, 2025.
Selected teams will be notified no later than Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
Questions? contact us at kdemath@education.ky.gov
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