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Dear Colleagues,
Last week, some exciting news broke regarding 2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Michelle Gross: she has been named a finalist for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award by the Council of Chief State School Officers!
Gross is a 7th-grade math teacher at Spencer County Middle School, where she also teaches a gifted and talented class called The Academy. Gross has made it her mission to go above and beyond in providing students with vibrant learning experiences and is a shining example of the dedication Kentucky educators have for their students, their families and their communities. Congratulations to Mrs. Gross as we wish her the best of luck as a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year award!
The Kentucky United We Learn Council met in Frankfort on Jan. 23 to discuss progress made with assessment and accountability reform and efforts to reimagine the high school experience in Kentucky, two key areas of emphasis for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
The council has been at the forefront of our initiative to rethink how assessment and accountability works in Kentucky. I continue to appreciate the thoughtful conversations with council members and with all of you as we see what happens with House Bill 257 in Frankfort and with the continued work of our districts in the assessment and accountability space. Many of you are involved in this work, and we are thankful for the efforts you have made at the local level to prioritize vibrant learning experiences, innovative practices and collaboration with your communities to build a system that prepares students for life after graduation.
As we watch the legislative process play out, our work remains focused on how we are preparing students for their careers and postsecondary education opportunities. Kentucky Board of Education Vice Chair Lu S. Young led an enlightening discussion on the work we have done with the High School Transformation State Network, which builds the capacity of state boards to enable rich student experiences that foster content mastery and durable skills. We also heard from leaders in several different schools who shared their work on transformation efforts, including many students who provided input on what they are looking for in an enriching high school experience.
We welcomed 15 new members to the council this past meeting, including nine students, meaning we are getting fresh new insights into this work. For years, we have been dedicated to listening to as many voices as possible – from community members, families, students, fellow educators and lawmakers – to understand exactly what people want out of assessment and accountability. That commitment to listen and cocreate will only continue as we look at ways to transform the high school experience and ensure we have community-driven systems that are meaningful and useful to all learners.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
Schools and Districts Encouraged to Submit Best Practices
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Best Practices and Sustainability database is open for submission of best practices from schools and districts.
The Best Practices and Sustainability website is designed to serve as a clearinghouse to promote practices that motivate, engage and provide measurable results in student learning, achievement and school/district processes. Any aspect of a school or district system that can impact student outcomes through improved instruction or operations can be submitted as a best practice.
Best practices should be submitted to the Best Practices and Sustainability database by May 8 to be considered for acknowledgement at the 2026 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit, scheduled for Sept. 21-22. For more information, email Natasha Stein.
KDE Seeking High School Seniors for CTE Recognition
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Career and Technical Education is looking for high school seniors who have secured a full-time position upon graduation which is related to their career and technical education (CTE) pathway.
KDE is partnering with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to recognize students on March 31 at the KCTCS Systems Office in Versailles as part of the annual GOING PRO initiative. If you have a 12th grade student within your district who has obtained a postgraduation job, please email the KDE Office of Career and Technical Education’s email inbox including your name, contact number and school name.
Districts Can Apply for Summer Boost: Reading and Mathematics Program
Applications are open for the Summer Boost: Reading and Mathematics Program, which is designed to help districts provide a boost in reading and mathematics to fight summer learning loss.
The program is a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Teaching and Learning and the Summer Food Service Program.
The Summer Boost program promotes family engagement in reading and math by giving away free books and fun items such as wristbands, bookmarks and backpacks. Each awarded site will receive books to distribute at their meal sites to motivate continued learning throughout the summer months.
Summer meal programs can help ensure hunger doesn’t keep students from reaching their full potential. Through the Summer Boost program, districts have the opportunity to feed children while also providing support for reading and mathematics.
To be considered for participation in the Summer Boost Program, districts must complete an online application. If selected to participate, districts will receive, at no cost:
- Books to give away and digital math games for students to play;
- User-friendly training on how to use the materials to engage students and families;
- Ideas to share with parents or caregivers to promote literacy and numeracy in everyday life; and
- An opportunity for a guest reader to visit your site(s) and read to students.
Applications to participate must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 27. They should be submitted by districts’ Summer Food Service Program director or point of contact.
For additional questions, email Danielle Ward.
Final Initial Certified Evaluation Training Session Coming Up This Month
The final Initial Certified Evaluation Training for the 2025-2026 school year will be held February 10–11, 2026 and will be conducted virtually.
This training is required for all NEW evaluators of certified school personnel in accordance with KRS 156.557 and 704 KAR 3:325. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is the official provider of this required training. Please reach out to Stacy Noah via email if additional information is needed. Visit the GoTeachKY Initial Certified Evaluation Training webpage for more information.
AED Information for Superintendents
Kentucky public school districts interested in acquiring an automated external defibrillator (AED) when none exists in a school, wishing to update AEDs more than 8 years old or wishing to add to the district's current AED inventory may submit an application to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) by March 6 at 4 p.m. ET.
The 2024 Kentucky Legislature earmarked funds to be used during the current biennial budget for greater access to such equipment in the event of a cardiac event. A virtual technical assistance session will be held on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. ET. More information, including the request for applications (RFA) for the KDE grant and frequently asked questions, is available on KDE’s Competitive Grants webpage.
Additional inquiries may be sent to the KDE RFP email inbox before Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. ET.
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