Question of the Week
Q: Are new assessment and accountability resources available for the 2025–2026 school year?
A: Yes. The Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) has released two sets of training resources to support District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) for the 2025–2026 academic year: Back-to-School Trainings and Accountability Trainings. These PowerPoint presentations and videos provide information on upcoming assessments, updates on Kentucky’s school accountability system, and performance indicator details to help DACs start the year fully informed and prepared.
Back-to-School Trainings Available
- K Screen PowerPoint
- Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program PowerPoint
- Test Security PowerPoint
- WIDA ACCESS/WIDA Alternate ACCESS Modules 1–5
Accountability Trainings Available:
- Accountability Overview
- English Learner Proficiency Indicator
- Graduation Rate Indicator
- Postsecondary Readiness Indicator
- Quality of School Climate and Safety Indicator
- Reading and Math; Science, Social Studies, and Writing Indicators
All PowerPoint presentations and videos can be found on the Meetings and Trainings webpage. Additionally, training videos may be viewed by visiting the KDE Media Portal.
DACs are encouraged to become familiar with these resources to sharpen understanding and strengthen school-wide readiness for the new academic year and upcoming accountability release.
For questions about training resources, please email dacinfo@education.ky.gov.
Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment (AKSA) DAC Binder Pre-Orders
New this year, DAC Binders, which include a district copy of the Required Assessment Materials (RAMs), will not be automatically shipped to districts with AKSA testing materials as in previous years. Additional details may be found in the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Back to School Training.
DACs who wish to receive a DAC Binder must pre-order by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 15. In lieu of pre-ordering a DAC Binder, DACs may choose to retain school-level binders from each grade band (elementary, middle, and high) after Window 1 for any required make-up testing. School-level binders, including RAMs, will continue to be shipped to schools as in prior years.
For districts without students eligible for the AKSA, district-level materials will still be provided in the event a student moves into the district and requires participation in the alternate assessment.
To place a DAC Binder order for Window 1, please use the DAC Binder Pre-Order for Window 1 link.
For questions or additional support, contact Krista Mullins. For technical support with the ordering link, please contact Ben Riley.
Upcoming WIDA Webinar About MLs and Writing
Writing instruction is an integral part of supporting Multilingual Learners’ (MLs) academic growth. This webinar explores how to leverage the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework to guide explicit language instruction. Educators will leave with practical strategies to help multilingual learners build the skills MLs need to be confident and effective writers.
Register for this webinar today and join WIDA on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 12-1 p.m. CT.
Please contact WIDA Customer Service by phone (866) 276-7735 with questions about the webinar.
Reminder: Upcoming WIDA Assessment Webinar
Please join WIDA and DRC to learn about the following assessment topic:
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WIDA Screener Online- Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 1-2 p.m. CT
Learn more and add this upcoming webinar to your calendar on the Webinars page (login required).
Can’t make it? The recordings for Assessment Webinars are posted to the WIDA Secure Portal on the Webinars page within a week of the presentation.
For questions about assessments, please contact Chris Williams.
Sharing the Results of the Kindergarten Entry Screener (K Screen) with Parents
Effectively communicating the results of the K Screen with parents is essential to support early childhood development. According to state regulation 704 KAR 5:070, screenings must be conducted within the first 30 instructional days of the school year. The results should be shared promptly with parents to ensure timely intervention and support. Each parent will receive a report outlining their child's performance in developmental areas assessed by the BRIGANCE® Kindergarten Screen III.
Schools are encouraged to offer opportunities for parents to discuss these results in detail through face-to-face parent-teacher conferences. These discussions should focus on interpreting the results, addressing any concerns, and developing a collaborative plan to support the child's progress. Clear and concise communication is vital in helping parents understand their child's readiness for school and engaging them in their child's early learning experiences.
For further details, refer to Kentucky Administrative Regulation 704 KAR 5:070 and the 2025-2026 K Screen Implementation Guide.
Please contact Tiffany Christopher if you have any questions.
Child Care Facility Prior Setting Request Form for K Screen Implementation
The Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS) has provided a method for communicating the need to add specific childcare facilities when reporting prior settings in Infinite Campus (IC) for the 2025-2026 K Screen Implementation
Please access the Child Care Facility Addition Request Form, fill out all required fields, including the facility name, address, contact information, and details about the childcare services provided. Review for accuracy, then click "Submit".
Collecting and inputting prior setting data in IC is crucial for documenting each child’s early learning experiences. This data must be entered into IC on the "Early Learning/Prior Settings" tab.
This form is designed to streamline the process, improve data accuracy, and enhance communication surrounding Prior Settings Facilities in IC. For more detailed information about Prior Settings, please refer to the K Screen Implementation Guide and our training resources located on the Common Kindergarten Entry Screener Webpage.
For further assistance, please contact Tiffany Christopher.
Assessment Scores in Infinite Campus
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) strives to publish student results data in Infinite Campus (IC) as it becomes available. KDE will publish 2024-2025 scores for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) beginning Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Please email KDE data services inbox with any questions.
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