Spotlight on the Kentucky Early Literacy Leadership Network (KyELLN)
The Kentucky Early Literacy Learning Network (KyELLN), now in its second year, empowers districts to strengthen K–5 literacy instruction through the use of high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) and evidence-based practices. District and school leaders collaborate to build sustainable systems for early literacy, support effective professional learning communities, and expand access to grade-level reading for all students.
Through partnerships with KDE and initiatives in the Kentucky Reading Academies, participants receive tailored guidance in implementing the Read to Succeed Act (SB 9, 2022) and advancing early literacy outcomes across their districts.
In this edition, hear from Micki Marinelli, Chief Academic Officer in the Office of Teaching and Learning, as she shares the purpose behind the KyELLN, and from Shelby County Public Schools leaders reflecting on their experience in the network.
 Please stay tuned to hear from additional district and school leaders participating in KyELLN as well as opportunities to join future cohorts of this growing statewide network. Access the KyELLN playlist to continue learning more now.
Mark Your Calendar for the 2026 Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Division of Early Literacy (DEL) invites you to the third annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference on the afternoon of June 8 and all day June 9, 2026.
The conference, which will require registration but will be free to Kentucky's K-12 public school educators, will offer focused learning paths 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 8-9 event, and stay tuned for registration information coming in the new year.
Educators indicate their beliefs towards an evidence-based phonics approach to literacy as well as their evidence-based literacy knowledge increased as they progressed through LETRS. Source: Two Years of Outcomes and Impact Infographic (2025)
Zeroing in on the Impact of Read to Succeed on Educator Practice
Over the past two weeks, we’ve shared key takeaways from ICF’s evaluation of the Kentucky Reading Academies and how educator practices and student learning outcomes are being shaped, specifically through the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) course. This week, we’re taking a closer look at the Two Years of Outcomes and Impact Infographic accompanying the report. The infographic provides easy to digest visuals, like the graph below, of some of those most pertinent data found in the report.
Explore the full report on the Kentucky Reading Academies webpage or review one of the last two newsletter editions available on the Division of Early Literacy webpage.
Reading Improvement Plan Custom Report Now Available
Campus release 2543, deployed on November 12th, 2025, included the release of the new Reading Improvement Plan Custom Report. This report is available to help districts capture all their student reading improvement plan information in one place. Please note users must be granted access by local KSIS administrators before they will see the report. Questions can be directed to Tania Arnett at tania.arnett@education.ky.gov.
DEL Virtual Office Hours
DEL Virtual Office Hours will be Tuesday, December 9, from 9:30 A.M. ET/8:30 A.M. CT - 11 A.M. ET/10 A.M. CT. Voices from the Field will kick off the first thirty minutes. The remainder of the session will focus on learning, networking and problem-solving alongside fellow educators from across the state. Flexible breakout rooms will be available for targeted discussions based on participant needs.
To join, register for DEL Office Hours here.
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