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New Learning Management System
The Kentucky Department of Education is proud to launch the KY Learning Hub, a new, centralized platform designed to support educators across the Commonwealth with high-quality professional learning opportunities. Kentucky educators will use their district email and password, making access to the platform seamless.
Whether you're looking to deepen your instructional practice, explore innovative strategies, complete required training or connect with offerings from leading education organizations, the KyLearningHub brings it all together in one easy-to-access hub location. In addition to curated KDE content, the platform features a Professional Learning Bulletin Board catalog, offering listings of learning opportunities from partner organizations.
The Kentucky Department of Education’s SBDM self-paced trainings will be transitioning to the KY Learning Hub, so please keep an eye out for future announcements.
Watch this short video to learn more about how the KY Learning Hub can support your professional growth and help you stay connected to the latest in teaching and learning.
Curriculum Process Resource
SBDM Implications for Schools Identified for Comprehensive and Targeted Support
Due to House Bill 298 (2025), schools will be identified annually for comprehensive support and improvement (CSI) and targeted support and improvement (TSI).
While SBDM councils will continue to operate in schools that are identified for TSI, school council authority in schools identified for CSI are suspended and transferred to the superintendent following the release of audit findings. The SBDM Implications for CSI and TSI document provides some additional information for consideration for identified schools and their councils.
Under KRS 160.346(15), a school that was previously identified as CSI but exits CSI status may have its council restored by the local board of education two years after the school exits CSI status.
SAAR Minority Report
Schools having 8% or greater minority membership in its student population based on the Superintendent’s Annual Attendance Report (SAAR) are required to have minority membership on their school council (KRS 160.345(2)(b)(2)).
To determine whether a school must have at least one minority member on its council, consult the summary sheet in the current SAAR document. Schools also may reference their own Infinite Campus (IC) data from the preceding Oct. 1. If IC data is used, documentation must be archived on site for five years.
If the council does not have a minority member after the general election and is subsequently required to add a minority parent and a minority teacher member in a special election, the principal must work with parent and teacher organizations to select minority parent and teacher representatives. Traditional six-member council membership will increase to eight (one administrator, three parents and four teachers). For further guidance on the minority election process, reference the SBDM Handbook, Chapter 7.
Those schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement (the list can be found on the current SAAR document) are required by KRS 160.346 to create an advisory leadership team (ALT) after its audit has occurred. When forming the ALT, the principal must collaborate with the turnaround team to establish an advisory leadership team representing school stakeholders, including other school leaders, teachers and parents. When establishing the advisory leadership team, the principal must ensure that schools having 8% or more minority students enrolled, as determined by the enrollment on the preceding Oct. 1, also must have at least one minority member serving on the advisory leadership team.
The ALT has several statutory and regulatory responsibilities and must contribute to the three-year turnaround plan. All meetings of the advisory leadership team must be open to the public. The duties of the team must include:
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Providing support for systems that seek to build capacity in school leadership;
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Promoting positive school climate and culture; and
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Supporting the continual use of data-driven decision-making to support school improvement.
KDE SBDM Training Opportunities
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) offers SBDM training modules at no cost to Kentucky's schools and districts.
On the SBDM Training webpage, you’ll find free materials for SBDM 101, Rise to Proficiency, Roles and Responsibilities and Decisions with Data. You also can find the online, self-paced Council’s Role with Continuous Improvement and Roles and Responsibilities modules.
For more detailed information on each KDE module, as well as other KDE-approved SBDM training modules that are offered by individuals and organizations outside of KDE, please review the SBDM Training Modules Flyer. SBDM trainings are to be conducted by KDE-endorsed SBDM district coordinators and SBDM trainers.
School Profile Report for 2024-2025 School Report Card
The review of the Secure School Report Card for 2024-2025 is now open for district/school review and approval. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) recommends you connect with your school principals to ensure the data is accurate and reported on time. Persons in the role of principal have automatic access to this secure site for the school in which they are assigned.
Please see below for the following action items:
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Parental Involvement collection form must be entered by each A1 school. Reference the SRC Collection Item guidance document.
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Review of School Based Decision-Making Council members on the school’s Overview domain dashboard. Note these are the members who served during the 2024-2025 reporting year.
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School Profile Report requires SBDM review and approval.
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KRS 158.6453(20)(b) requires all principals to have a signed School Profile Report available in the local board office by Oct. 1 each year. This report includes information on visual and performing arts, health education and physical education (practical living), career studies and world languages programs in schools.
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The School Report Card satisfies the requirement of KRS 158.6453(20)(b), which requires KDE to include a link to each school’s profile report on its website. The school profile report will be available for download from the School Overview page in the Overview domain once all collector items have been entered.
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Reference the School Profile Report Instructions for additional information.
Beginning with the 2024-2025 School Report Card, only A1, A2, A3, A5, A8, B1 and D1 classified schools need to complete the School Profile Report.
2025 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.
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September Webinar
SBDM webinars occur on the second Tuesday of the month, with the next webinar scheduled for September 9 at 10 a.m. ET. A link to join will be emailed out closer to the webinar date.
SBDM coordinators are encouraged to reserve the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. ET. SBDM coordinators are encouraged to attend at least eight webinars a year.
Monthly Agenda Topics
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has compiled a list of topics and reminders for planning monthly SBDM agendas. Below are suggested topics for consideration at your September SBDM meetings:
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Conduct a needs assessment based on analysis of state and local data, including Kentucky Summative Assessment data once released by KDE.
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Begin review of the following policies:
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Alignment with state standards
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Committees
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Instructional practices
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Wellness
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The following diagnostics are due in the Continuous Improvement Platform (CIP) by Oct. 1:
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Continuous Improvement Diagnostic for Schools
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Executive Summary for Schools
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School Safety Report
As always, please remind council members that the goal of their work is to increase student achievement and that this should be at the forefront of every discussion, policy and decision.
Advanced Coursework Policy
Council Verification Data
Pursuant to KRS 160.345(6), the principal, through the superintendent, is required to forward to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) the names and training verification of all SBDM council members by Nov. 1.
This information is entered into the SBDM verification database that is housed in the KDE Web Applications. If you need access to it, please contact your district’s web application admin point of contact (WAAPOC).
In addition, Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools must enter the names of their Advisory Leadership Team (ALT) members.
Comprehensive Improvement Planning for Schools
School improvement efforts are a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders. Through the improvement planning process, leaders focus on priority needs, funding and closing achievement gaps among identified subgroups of students. When implemented with fidelity, the comprehensive school improvement plan (CSIP) cultivates an environment that promotes student growth and achievement.
You can find the timeline for comprehensive school improvement planning outlined in 703 KAR 5:225. Additional information regarding the 2025-2026 planning phases can be found on KDE's Comprehensive Improvement Planning webpage. More information regarding the planning process for 2025-2026, including updated goal building templates, will be shared at the 2025 Continuous Improvement Summit.
Please note that for schools operating a Title I Schoolwide Program, this comprehensive school improvement plan meets the requirements of Section 1114 of the Every Student Succeeds Act as well as state requirements under 703 KAR 5:225. No separate Schoolwide Program Plan is required.
Success Stories of Effective Partnerships with Families
Family Partnership Council (FPC) members conducted an in-depth analysis of the latest research on family partnerships and collaborated to create the
KDE has been encouraging all Kentucky districts and schools to share their stories of creating trusting relationships with families as partners that are making a positive impact for both students and families. You can find some of these stories within the District and School Success Stories website and there will be updates soon.
To learn more about the FPC, please visit the Family Partnership Council website.
RESOURCES
School-Based Decision Making webpage
Comprehensive Improvement Planning webpage
CONTACTS
Mia Morales
Program Consultant
(502) 564-2116, ext. 4046
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