Early Literacy Newsletter: Mar. 3, 2026

Mar. 3, 2026

Register Now for the 2026 March Leadership Meetings 

Join the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning for the 2026 March Leadership meeting, hosted in partnership with the regional educational cooperatives. March Leadership is designed specifically for district and school leaders. This year’s session focuses on the trajectory‑changing practices of consistency and coherence and how leaders can leverage new KDE tools, revised academic standards and aligned instructional systems to provide vibrant learning experiences for every student.

Key Topics 

• Revised Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing: Learn what’s changed, why it matters and how to prepare for local implementation.
• Curriculum Implementation Monitoring Toolkit: New tools to help leaders monitor and support HQIR implementation, professional learning and classroom instruction.
• Aligning Tier 2 Intervention to Tier 1 Instruction: Practical guidance for creating instructional coherence across MTSS.
• Standards Review Update: Hear what's next in the statewide standards review cycle.

Dates and Locations 

Click on the date to learn more and register for your preferred 3-hour in-person session. 

• March 12: Hazard, Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET  
• March 13: Ashland, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET  
• March 17: Shelbyville, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET 
• March 18: Eddyville, Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
• March 19: Bowling Green, Green River Educational Cooperative, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT 

Registration is now open on the KY Learning Hub or by clicking the links above!

Please contact the Standards team with any questions you may have.

NEW RESOURCE: Key Features of Progress Monitoring 

The Progress Monitoring infographic summarizes key characteristics and steps of the progress monitoring process as well as ways to analyze a student’s rate of progress. Visit the Kentucky Department of Education’s Early Literacy Screening Assessments webpage for more information on implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports that utilizes assessments to effectively identify student needs, implement grade-level and targeted instruction, and monitor progress.

NEXT WEEK: DEL Virtual Office Hours 

DEL Virtual Office Hours will be next Tuesday, March 10, from 9:30 A.M.​ ET/8:30 A.M. CT - 11 A.M. ET/10 A.M. CT. This session will feature colleagues from Ashland Independent School District  followed by opportunities for 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.

Quick Links

UPDATED: K-3 Dyslexia Toolkit

Critical Components of Literacy Graphic

KyMTSS Intervention Inventory

Literacy Assessment Flowchart

Literacy At a Glance Collection

Key Actions for Meeting the Needs of All K-3 Readers and Writers

Why the Three-Cueing Model Hinders Reading Proficiency

Reading and Writing Unit Internalization Protocol

Curriculum-Based Professional Learning Guidance Document 

Reading Improvement Plan Template

Read at Home Plan Family Guide (English) (Spanish)

Have questions? 

Join the DEL virtual office hours or contact a regional literacy director:

DEL Virtual Office Hours:

Mar. 10, 2026

Register for DEL Office Hours here.

Voices from the Field:

The first 30 minutes of DEL Virtual Office Hours is reserved for a Kentucky public school district to share their experiences around evidence-based early literacy instruction and HQIR implementation. Join us at office hours for our next district presentation. View past recordings on our Connect and Support page.

Regional Literacy Directors:

WKEC/GRREC
Alison Gregory

JCPS/OVEC
Ashley Andriot 

JCPS
Brittany Jones

CKEC/SESC
Whitney Hamilton

KVEC/SESC
Marcia Ward

NKCES/KEDC
Abby Laber

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about Early Literacy, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff

NOW AVAILABLE: Conference Schedule at a Glance & Hotel Information 

The third annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference will take place at The Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky beginning on Monday, June 8, with afternoon breakout sessions following registration, and continuing on Tuesday, June 9, with a welcome, keynote address, additional breakout sessions and opportunities to engage with vendors and attendees.

Highlights include:

• Multiple breakout sessions across both days
• A featured welcome and keynote on Tuesday morning
• Dedicated time for networking and Vendor Hall Experience
• Lunch will be provided, and structured transition times are built into the schedule

A full Schedule at a Glance is available for review and planning purposes.

Additional details regarding conference registration and session descriptions will be shared in the coming months.

Hotel Information

A hotel room block at the Galt House is available for conference attendees at a special group rate. Rooms must be reserved by May 8, 2026, to receive the discounted rate. We encourage interested participants to book early, as availability is limited. The conference hotel booking link for conference participants is available at Kentucky Division of Education Division of Early Literacy - Start your reservation.

Mark your calendar now and watch for additional details regarding free registration for Kentucky K–12 public school educators and session descriptions coming soon!

ICYMI: DEL Webpage Updates: Early Literacy Screening Assessments

The Early Literacy Screening Assessments webpage has been updated to include one-page overviews of each approved universal screener. The new Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR) assessment has been added, along with the Shaywitz Dyslexia Screener under the Dyslexia Screening subheading. The Amira and Istation assessments have been combined and that assessment is available under "AMIRA ISIP Assess" and the Istation one-pager has been removed.

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