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Dear Colleagues,
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released the 2024-2025 assessment and accountability results on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
First off, I just want to say how proud I am of the commendable performance Kentucky students have demonstrated during their assessments. The results this year show students performed better across several grade levels and subjects than they have in recent memory.
While we see several positive signs in this year’s assessment and accountability results, it’s important for us to look deeply into the data rather than just focusing on the ratings. This deeper analysis can provide valuable insights into specific areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. While this is valuable data, it is important for all of us to remember that this is information from one point in time. We at KDE are looking to keep students on an upward trajectory, just as I know all of you are with the students in your buildings.
You can find more details about the results in our 2024-2025 assessment and accountability results press release on Kentucky Teacher, but I do want to reflect on some of the initiatives we have participated in together during the past year or so that have already started making an impact on assessment and accountability results.
This includes the thousands of educators who have participated in programs like the Kentucky Reading Academies, which have already rapidly advanced outcomes for early learners since the professional learning program began three years ago, according to a recent independent report. We want to thank all of you for allowing your educators to participate in this intense training and for those who have participated in it themselves.
KDE and various partners have initiated numerous efforts to advance access to high-quality numeracy instruction, per the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act. The Kentucky Center for Mathematics’ K-5 Numeracy Counts Academy and the Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform’s (PIMSER’s) Numeracy Counts Administrator Academy began in 2025, along with other professional development opportunities for educators and administrators, including an expansion of AdvanceKentucky’s Access to Algebra and EPIC’s Kentucky Numeracy Alliance pilot program. More information on district and school implementation can be found on KDE’s Kentucky Numeracy Counts webpage and the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act implementation timeline guidance document.
We also have been ramping up our community outreach work over the past two years to reduce chronic absenteeism, which is defined as when a student misses 10% or more of their time in school, including both excused and unexcused absences. In 2024-2025, Kentucky’s chronic absenteeism rate was 25%, a drop from 28% in 2023-2024 and 29.8% in 2022-2023. We hope to see this decline continue during the current school year as we continue our efforts to reach students, families and communities.
We know chronic absenteeism has been an issue for years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The steps Kentucky schools have taken in recent years to bring students into the classroom and keep them engaged in learning, along with the efforts of us here at KDE to bring more public awareness to chronic absenteeism, have already made a difference. We plan to share more information about how your students can become involved in the next “You Belong!” campaign during the next Superintendents Webcast on Dec. 11.
We know chronic absenteeism has been an issue for years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The steps Kentucky schools have taken in recent years to bring students into the classroom and keep them engaged in learning, along with the efforts of us here at KDE to bring more public awareness to chronic absenteeism, have already made a difference.
These encouraging results are a testament to the dedication and teamwork of educators throughout our schools, as well as the collaboration with KDE. Achieving a decrease in chronic absenteeism and marked improvements in state assessment scores would not have been possible without the persistent efforts, shared commitment, and innovative approaches of teachers, administrators and support staff working together. I want to express my deep appreciation for every member of our educational community who has contributed to these accomplishments; your hard work continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Kentucky’s students.
Family Engagement Week
KDE launched the Parent and Family Connection Hub during Kentucky Family and Community Engagement in Education Week, which is this week, Nov. 17 -21.
The Parent and Family Connection Hub was developed in response to the Family Partnership Council’s recommendations to KDE. The Family Partnership Council – comprised of parents from across Kentucky who serve in an advisory role to KDE – recommended the creation of a resource to provide easy access to age-appropriate strategies, along with ways for families to be more actively engaged and effective in supporting their child’s success.
When family members are engaged in their child’s education, it leads to more positive outcomes for that student, it is why it’s important to ensure family involvement in all of our school activities and build relationships with the people who are closest to our students.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
School Bus Pricing Guide
Attached is the 2026 School Bus Pricing Guide for Kentucky. The online bus ordering portal opened on Nov. 14. Prior to submitting an order, districts must secure board approval and obtain the necessary signatures. Orders may now be entered and supporting documentation uploaded.
For districts intending to utilize Kentucky Interlocal School Transportation Association (KISTA) financing, please notify RSA representative Lincoln Theinert via email at your earliest convenience. The deadline to initiate KISTA orders is Jan. 15, 2026. Additionally, please inform your designated bus dealer if KISTA will be used as the processing timeline requires early coordination.
If you have any questions, please contact Carl Meehan via email.
Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Fund: Read to Achieve Grant Deadline Extension
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Teaching and Learning has extended the application submission date for the fiscal year 2027 Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Fund: Read to Achieve Grant due to changes made within the request for application (RFA).
The updated RFA and FAQ can be found on the Competitive Grants from KDE webpage.
New RFA Schedule
Application submission deadline is Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. ET. All applications must be sent to KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
Review the links within the RFA for further guidance when writing the submission. If you have any questions, please contact KDERFP@education.ky.gov.
Please pay close attention to the blinding/redacted language within the RFA. Improperly blinded grants will be deemed non-responsive and not eligible for award.
Fiscal Year 2026 KY Transition 360 Spark Request for Application Posted
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is issuing a request for applications (RFA) for KY Transition 360 SPARK: Supporting Postsecondary Achievement and Resources for Kentucky Students with Disabilities (SPARK).
Grants will be awarded to 20 districts, with each district receiving $75,000. These funds will strengthen existing systems and build sustainable practices that improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
General Information
Applications will only be accepted from public school districts that submit a complete application, including narrative responses for a comprehensive needs assessment, project design, transition team and budget plan. Applications must clearly describe how the district will strengthen transition programming by increasing interagency collaboration, enhancing family-school partnerships, using high-quality transition assessments and building sustainable systems that continue beyond the grant period.
Grant Period and Contract
The grant is anticipated to begin Feb. 2, 2026, and go through June 30, 2027.
Submission
To assist applicants in preparing a quality application, please review the prerecorded technical assistance webinar that addresses essential grant requirements, budget preparation and state guidance.
The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. ET. The application and technical assistance webinar can be found on the KDE Competitive Grants webpage.
New Data Verification for the Technical Education Database System (TEDS)
As we grow in our data collection processes, there is a need to adjust our data validation. Infinite Campus no longer requires a social security number, and it has been removed as a collection point for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
Beginning Oct. 1, TEDS import data will be validated based on the State Student Identification (SSID) number, date of birth (DOB), first name and last name.
If there is a mismatch, you will see the following message:
- Error: The specified SSID and DOB combination does not match the SSID and DOB stored on the existing TEDS student Demographic record. Verify DOB.
Please test your import early and often until you are prepared to complete an official import.
If you see an error, it is because the data already in TEDS does not match what you are attempting to import. Please do the following:
- Verify the SSID.
- Use documentation, other than Infinite Campus, to verify date of birth and name.
- Correct any errors discovered in Infinite Campus, then create new export files from Infinite Campus and test the import into TEDS.
- If data is verified and there is still an error on import, email KDE CTE Data Services.
An import can be tested at any time. Please do not finalize an import until the data is error-free. If an import is finalized with errors, any records with identified errors will not be imported into TEDS.
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