Question of the Week
Q: When will the embargo of assessment and accountability data end?
A: The 2024-2025 assessment and accountability data release began with an email sent from the Desk of the Commissioner this morning at 8:00 a.m. ET and will remain under embargo until Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
During the embargo period, district and school staff may view datasets and discuss the data results internally. After 1 p.m. ET today, the data may be discussed with media representatives who have agreed to abide by the embargo in preparation for public release. However, embargoed data may not be shared via email or discussed in public meetings. Anyone reviewing embargoed data, either in the secure embargoed data portal or from files in the secure web application, should sign an Embargoed Data Release Nondisclosure Agreement to be kept on file by the District Assessment Coordinator (DAC).
Embargoed data can be accessed in two locations: in the School Report Card Dashboard and through the Secure Web Application. Please see the email sent this morning at 8 a.m. ET from the Desk of The Commissioner for more details.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, the embargo will lift completely at 12:01 a.m. ET, and the public release of school accountability results and test data will be available statewide.
Immediately following the public release, the Ten-Day Regulatory Data Review window begins on Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 4. During this period, districts can submit new individual student change requests in the Student Data Review and Roster (SDRR) application. This review opens at 9 a.m. and closes for new tickets at 5 p.m. ET on the last day.
Spring 2026 SAT Junior State Administration – Resources
To support Kentucky educators in preparing for the Spring 2026 SAT Junior State Administration, College Board has developed several key resources to help schools and districts prepare for the Spring 2026 SAT Junior State Administration (testing window: March 2-April 10). A new grade 11 test means there are new scores and reports to understand for educators, students and their families. College Board also provides several resources for families to guide them in their understanding of their student’s score report, including Understanding SAT School Day Scores Guide for Students and Families.
Direct Support
- Contact Kentucky College Board Support at kentuckysat@collegeboard.org or call (866) 609-2430 with questions specifically related to the Spring SAT Junior State Administration.
- Visit the Kentucky SAT Administration webpage for updated information, key dates, policies and downloadable resources. Bookmark this page and share it with colleagues to stay prepared.
For any questions, contact Christen Roseberry.
New WIDA Self-Paced Workshops Flyer
WIDA updated the Self-Paced Workshops flyer! Share the flyer with colleagues through email or post a printed copy in the breakroom and spread the word about this free professional learning opportunity. WIDA Self-Paced Workshops are free for educators on Kentucky's WIDA Consortium member state page. Explore all 12 workshops on the Self-Paced Workshops page on the WIDA website.
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
New WIDA Snapshot Series: Key Language Uses in Marco Dale Framework
The Key Language Uses (KLUs) of the Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (el Marco DALE) are derived from the KLUs of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, 2020 Edition, and provide a functional approach to language development in multilingual learners. This four-part series of WIDA Snapshots centers on each of the four KLUs of the Marco DALE and on how they support the framework for teaching Spanish language development in a bi/multilingual context.
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
WIDA and New Mexico Bilingual Multicultural Education Program Study: Focus on Spanish English Programs
A new collaborative study between New Mexico and WIDA examines learners’ language learning and outcomes in Spanish English Bilingual Multicultural Education Programs (BMEPs) in New Mexico. Read the new working paper to learn how study findings could inform assessment practices in bilingual programs, including dual language immersion models.
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
Educators Learn, Lead and Innovate at the WIDA Annual Conference
The 2025 WIDA Annual Conference was a celebration of innovation, learning and connection among educators dedicated to multilingual learners. This year’s theme, “Igniting Innovation for Multilingual Learners,” and WIDA’s bright future within the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education came to life across keynotes, sessions and conversations. Read the conference highlights article to learn all about it.
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
2026 WIDA Annual Conference Call for Presenters
The 2026 WIDA Annual Conference will take place on Sept. 15-18 in St. Louis, Missouri. WIDA welcomes proposals from first-timers and pros alike; WIDA wants to hear from educators! Learn more and submit concurrent session and workshop proposals by Jan. 20 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
Reminder: Upcoming WIDA Assessment Webinar
Please join WIDA to learn about the following topic:
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WIDA Alternate ACCESS for New Test Administrators Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. CT.
Learn more and add the upcoming webinar to the calendar on the Webinars page (login required). WIDA Assessment Webinars typically take an hour.
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, please contact Chris Williams.
November DAC Webcast Highlights
The Office of Assessment and Accountability, Division of Assessment and Accountability Support (DAAS), hosted its live monthly DAC Webcast on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. ET. Director Shara Savage, along with Christen Roseberry and Krista Mullins, shared timely updates on assessment and accountability, including:
- Public Reporting Timeline
- Public Release Resources
- House Bill 6 Website Requirement
- College Admissions Exam – SAT Update
- Alternate Assessment Reminders
The recording and presentation materials are now available on the KDE Media Portal and the KDE Meetings and Trainings page. Future broadcasts are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. ET.
Reminder: 2025-2026 Career Ready Database (CRD) is Open
The Career Ready Database (CRD) is open for data entry of the Career Work Experience Certification (CWEC) completion status and Employability Skills Attainment Records (ESAR) score entry.
The Qualified ESAR Administrator must pass the qualification quiz before ESAR administration begins. The CWEC and ESAR qualifying quizzes are now open and scheduled to close on Monday, Dec. 22. Teachers must pass both the CWEC and ESAR quizzes in the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program (KAAP) Online Training System (OTS) to access the CRD for data entry. Administration of the ESAR must be completed by Friday, May 22, 2026. Due to data reporting timelines, the deadline to enter all CWEC completion status and ESAR scores into the CRD is Friday, May 29, 2026.
Refer to the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program Calendar for more information related to CWEC and ESAR deadlines.
For questions, please email Sherri Craig or call (502) 564-4286.
Reminder: Dec. 1 Deadline - School Testing Window Selection - 2025-2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) End-of-Program (EOP) Assessment
The CTE EOP Assessment is administered through E-SESS, an online assessment system from Pitsco Education.
2025-2026 CTE EOP Assessment Testing Window: Feb. 23 - March 27.
Reminder– Action Requested – Select School Testing Window: District Assessment Coordinators or CTE EOP Assessment Coordinators may assign school testing windows using the 2025-2026 CTE EOP Assessment School Testing Window Selection form by Dec. 1.
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2025-2026 CTE EOP Assessment and initial TRACK Pre-Apprenticeship Assessment testing windows are March 23 - March 27. Schools will select a consecutive two-week school testing window during the assessment testing window to complete all CTE EOP Assessment testing. Also, if applicable, TRACK Assessments should be completed during the same school testing window as CTE EOP Assessments. All testing must be completed by March 27, 2026. Districts and schools are responsible for scheduling and administering the assessments. CTE EOP Assessments and TRACK Pre-Apprenticeship Assessments must be administered in person pursuant to the 703 KAR 5:080, Administration Code for Kentucky's Educational Assessment Program and 703 KAR 5:070, Inclusion of Special Populations in the State-Required Assessment and Accountability Programs.
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2025-2026 Retest Window - TRACK Pre-Apprenticeship Assessment(i.e., TRACK Carpentry, TRACK Electrical, TRACK Welding) is April 15-30. Schools may schedule assessment administration anytime within the TRACK Pre-Apprenticeship Assessment retesting testing window.
Resources: Visit the CTE EOP Assessment web page for more information.
Critical Deadlines: Schools must meet CRITICAL DEADLINES for students to be eligible to test. Note: A student must be identified as a “concentrator” and have at least two credits in the pathway in the Technical Education Database System (TEDS) data by the Feb.1, 2026 deadline to be eligible to test and receive a test ticket in 2025-2026 in the CTE EOP Assessment.
Assessment Regulations Training: All individuals participating in the administration of CTE EOP Assessment shall comply with 703 KAR 5:080, Administration Code for Kentucky’s Educational Assessment Program and 703 KAR 5:070, Inclusion of Special Populations in the State-Required Assessment and Accountability Programs. The required assessment regulation trainings must be completed prior to the administration of CTE EOP Assessment at the local level. Nondisclosures and Group Signature Sheets verifying training should be kept on file locally.
The 2025-2026 CTE EOP Assessment Coordinator and Administrator Manuals are scheduled to be available at CTE EOP Assessment web page by Dec. 1.
Please contact KDE EOP Support or Sherri Craig, Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE), or 502-564-4286 Ext. 4226 with any questions.
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