In This Issue of the OSEEL Newsletter
- North Star Priority: Programmatic and Fiscal Responsibilities
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2025 Special Education Teacher of the Year
- Division of State Schools – KSB and KSD
- Transition Education Unit
- Early Learning Unit
- Division of IDEA Implementation and Programming – Gifted & Talented and Extended School Services
North Star Priority: Programmatic and Fiscal Responsibilities
The Programmatic and Fiscal Responsibilities group advances the North Star Priorities of the Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE's) Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) by providing structured oversight, clear guidance and consistent communication to support high-quality and compliant implementation of special education and early learning programs across Kentucky. At the heart of this work is ensuring districts receive timely, accurate information that supports sound decision-making and consistent programmatic and fiscal practices.
One way the group supports districts is through regular communication. Essential upcoming dates, deadlines and regulatory requirements are shared through OSEEL’s News You Can Use (NYCU), which serves as a key means of communicating expectations and reinforcing statewide consistency while supporting districts in meeting state and federal requirements.
The group is also developing comprehensive Fiscal Resources for Guidance to strengthen district understanding of IDEA fiscal requirements and promote appropriate use of funds. These resources are designed to provide clear, accessible tools and reference materials to help districts meet fiscal obligations while keeping student-centered priorities at the forefront of fiscal decision-making.
Jessica Youart, middle, stands with Sheena Wethington, left, exceptional children consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education, and Stacy Bewley, president of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children
2025 Special Education Teacher of the Year
OSEEL, in collaboration with the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children (KYCEC), is proud to recognize Jessica Youart of the Meade County School District as the 2025 Special Education Teacher of the Year.
The KYCEC Teacher of the Year award celebrates special educators who go above and beyond in providing direct services to children and youth with exceptionalities, demonstrating excellence in supporting students with disabilities.
Division of State Schools
Commissioner Fletcher Visits Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) and Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB)
Commissioner Fletcher Visits KSD
Commissioner Fletcher Visits KSB
Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher recently visited both the Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) and the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) to connect with students and staff and learn more about each campus’ programs and student experiences.
During his Jan. 20 visit to KSD, student ambassadors led tours of classrooms where Fletcher observed engaging instructional activities, learned about student leadership initiatives and career and technical education programs, and interacted with students and staff throughout the morning.
On Dec. 18, Fletcher visited KSB, where he toured classrooms with the leadership team, participated in a bowling game with students, and observed a winter concert rehearsal. Both visits highlighted strong student engagement, vibrant learning environments and the meaningful work taking place across Kentucky’s state schools.
Transition Education Unit
OSEEL Awards $1.5 Million to Strengthen Postsecondary Transition Programs
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) OSEEL has awarded KY Transition 360 SPARK: Supporting Postsecondary Achievement and Resources for Kentucky Students with Disabilities (SPARK) grants to 20 public school districts across the Commonwealth. Each district will receive $75,000 to strengthen transition programming and improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
SPARK enhances postsecondary transition services by expanding student supports, deepening collaboration with community partners and strengthening family–school engagement. This comprehensive approach helps districts build sustainable systems that prepare students with disabilities for a "happy adult life."
Following a competitive application process, KDE selected districts with strong proposals and a demonstrated commitment to improving transition outcomes. Grants were awarded to Breathitt, Butler, Campbell, Christian, Cumberland, Elliott, Jefferson, Montgomery, Nelson, Spencer, Taylor, Union and Washington counties, as well as Covington, Danville, Dayton, Fairview, Frankfort, Paducah and Paintsville independent school districts.
Kentucky Transition 360 for Educators: Statewide Update
Across Kentucky, Transition 360 for Educators is building more than strong transition programs; it's growing a movement of bold leaders and post-secondary transition ambassadors. Program participants are stepping onto big stages, serving as panelists at the Kentucky Student Access Summit and as presenters at regional events, helping spark a powerful statewide community of practice around high-quality transition programming.
This statewide professional learning initiative helps educators expand real-world, post-school opportunities for students with disabilities, enabling them to lead meaningful, independent and purpose-driven lives. As one participant shared, “As a result of our Transition 360 for Educators action plan, the relationships we are building with our seniors really have opened conversations. Students are now sharing post-secondary goals in ARC meetings, as I want them to lead the conversation.”
The program’s Tier 1 application is open to all Kentucky public educators and offers tiered learning, coaching and Deeper Dives, such as "The Power of Story: Making Data Speak," plus a high-energy Summer Institute focused on collaboration, networking and predictor-driven action planning.
Since launching, more than 400 educators from 70+ districts have joined, with more than 90% reporting an increased understanding of transition regulations, better knowledge of postsecondary pathways and a deeper alignment with Kentucky’s Happy Life vision.
KY-SPIN (Kentucky’s Special Parent Involvement Network): New Resource
KY-SPIN is excited to announce the launch of KY Transition 360 for Parents, an online, self-paced learning course designed to help families better understand effective postsecondary transition practices for students with disabilities.
Developed in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning Transition Education Unit, this course provides parents with high-quality content aligned to the KY Transition 360 for Educators program, supporting families as they prepare their students for life after high school.
Please share this printable KY Transition 360 For Parents informational flyer widely!
Early Learning Unit
Pyramid Model Implementation
KDE's Early Learning Unit (ELU) would like to highlight the incredible commitment of 50 districts that have partnered with their Regional Training Centers (RTCs) and KDE. Together, we are implementing Program-Wide Pyramid Model key practices.
The Pyramid Model is a multi-tiered framework designed to promote the social, emotional, and behavioral development of children from birth to age five. It is not a standalone curriculum, but rather an evidence-based "roadmap" that enhances whatever teaching materials a district already uses.
District feedback indicates the success of the framework can be attributed to three key pillars:
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Challenging Behaviors: By focusing on Tier 1, teachers create environments where children feel safe. When expectations are clear and relationships are strong, the need for "discipline" decreases because children are taught the social skills they need to navigate conflict.
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Support for Teachers: The Pyramid Model provides educators with a toolkit and, more importantly, ongoing coaching from RTCs. When teachers feel competent and supported, they are more likely to stay in the profession.
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Family Engagement: The framework encourages a “bridge” between school and home. By using consistent language and strategies, districts are helping families support their children’s social-emotional growth.
For more information about this work in Kentucky, please contact Stephanie Ernst.
Preschool Quality Partnership (PQP) District Partners
KDE's Early Learning Unit would like to highlight the 15 districts that participated in the Preschool Quality Partnership Grant (PQP): Butler, Calloway, Casey, Graves, Greenup, Metcalfe, Nelson, Owsley, Pulaski, Trigg, Warren, Washington and Whitley counties, along with Dawson Springs and Paducah independent school districts.
The PQP Grant was from July 2024 through December 2025. The grant was designed to support and increase the availability of full-day, year-round, high-quality preschool services in these districts’ communities. Many of these grantees utilized funds to support additional service days for students, classroom and programmatic improvements related to Kentucky All STARS requirements, and an increased focus on early numeracy and early literacy.
Division of IDEA Implementation and Programming
Newly Released Guidance
Family Guide to Special Education Videos: These resources were developed to explain the Individual Education Program (IEP) process to parents and promote shared understanding among families and educators when planning student support.
Episode 1: Evaluation and Eligibility and Episode 2: The Individual Education Program (IEP) can be found on KDE's Parent and Family Resources webpage. For further information on this series, please contact Marcie Bridges.
Extended School Resources (ESS)
Below is information on how to enter student information into Infinite Campus:
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