Future Professional Learning Opportunities
Voices From the Field
March: Building Capacity for All - An Asset-Based Approach
On Wednesday, March 25, join leaders from the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Office of Multilingual Learners, Dr. Jill Handley, Mr. Justin Matson, and Mrs. Vongmany Edmonds, as they share how they are finding successful ways to support school leaders in developing strong systems and structures that serve ELs.
This special Voices from the Field session is designed for district and school leaders, administrators and teachers who work with multilingual students and are seeking actionable strategies to strengthen their support for ELs.
Session Time & Link:
April: Data to Action-Turning EL Data into Instructional Impact
Learn from Mrs. Kacie Adams, EL Coordinator for Kenton County School District, on Wednesday, April 22, as she shares concrete examples of how her district analyzes multiple data sources, including WIDA ACCESS, KSA and classroom assessments, to identify student needs, guide instructional grouping and plan meaningful language and content supports. Participants will learn strategies for interpreting data trends, aligning language development with academic goals and making actionable decisions that accelerate EL growth, leaving with practical tools to transform assessment results into effective, data‑driven instructional plans.
Session Time & Link
Apr. 22: 10-11 a.m. ET, 9-10 a.m. CT
Kentucky Coalition for English Learners (KyCEL) 2026 Summer Institute - KDE Registration Scholarship!
KyCEL has announced the dates, location and keynote speakers for this year’s in‑person Summer Institute. The institute, taking place June 15-16 in Owensboro, KY, will feature national presenters Elise White Diaz and Dr. Claude Goldenberg, as well as keynote addresses from 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman and Dr. Carol Salva, an award‑winning educator, author and consultant. Registration is now open on the KyCEL website.
KDE will also be offering an important opportunity: Each district may receive two registration scholarships to support educator participation. Educators interested in the registration scholarship should contact their local EL Coordinator, who has access to the scholarship form.
Educational Resources
Virtual Office Hours Resources
Materials from the February session, Supporting Dually‑Identified Students: ELs with Disabilities, will be available soon on the English Learners with Disabilities (ELSWD) webpage and shared in an upcoming newsletter. For additional questions or technical support, please contact Exceptional Children Consultant, Melissa Whalen.
Featured WIDA Focus Bulletin: Designing Assessment Tasks for Kindergarten Multilingual Learners (MLs)
This WIDA Focus Bulletin explores the design and development of kindergarten language proficiency tests. Learn how core principles like task models, scaffolds and stopping rules are intentionally used to give young ELs the best opportunity to demonstrate their rapidly growing language skills in an assessment setting.
Featured WIDA Article: Sensemaking with MLs in Science
Science class is the perfect place for ELs to explore, communicate and make sense of the world through hands-on, language-rich experiences. In its newest article Sensemaking with Multilingual Learners in Science, WIDA outlines key practices that support ELs as they actively figure out how the world works.
Office of Assessment and Accountability (OAA) Committee Work Opportunities
KDE is seeking Kentucky educators to assist with various assessment-related tasks in the upcoming months. OAA needs ELD teachers to support the critical reclassification committee work for our ELs.
K-12 educators interested in participating in assessment development and other committee work for the assessment system are encouraged to complete the application. A pool of candidates is being assembled for these critical steps and related activities. Much of this work will be done virtually, and participants will receive a stipend.
The Application for Assessment Committees is due by Friday, April 17. If not chosen for participation this spring, summer or fall, applicant names will be kept on file for future assessment work.
For questions, please email the DAC team..
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