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Dear Colleagues,
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is proud to announce the official launch of “The AI-Empowered Teacher,” a new online course designed to guide instructional staff in exploring how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can safely, securely, and responsibly integrate with teaching and learning.
Developed as part of a multi-state partnership with North Carolina, New Mexico, Wyoming, the Council for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, the course establishes a conversational and operational baseline of knowledge for teachers across the state.
While aiming to support educators at all levels of familiarity with AI technology, the course focuses on generative AI and AI-enabled tool use while maintaining strong instructional practices, fostering vital human connections and prioritizing student impact. “The AI-Empowered Teacher” emphasizes critical AI literacy, preparing educators to use these emerging tools responsibly in order to protect student data, to uphold ethical standards, and to promote equity and integrity in their professional practice.
As generative AI continues to rapidly impact the educational landscape, we must set foundational knowledge for our teachers, no matter their experience level, and stress the promises and hurdles that come with all emerging technologies. This course embeds the KDE AI Guidance Brief imperatives throughout, emphasizing that human relationships, core values, and professional judgment remain at the center of the learning process.
Through a series of reflective, practice-based modules, participants will:
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Understand AI Terminology: Clarify terms like AI and generative AI, recognizing them as the consumer-facing tools currently available to educators and students.
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Establish a Human-Centered Vision: Clarify professional values and construct a clear vision for human-centered generative AI use in the classroom.
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Build Foundational Knowledge: Learn how generative AI systems work, where they excel, and where they currently fall short.
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Practice Ethical Decision-Making: Evaluate generative AI tools for bias, transparency, and fairness.
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Prepare for Ongoing Change: Cultivate adaptability and informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
“The AI-Empowered Teacher” is for any instructional staff ready to apply critical thinking to generative AI integration. While the course is unfacilitated and self-paced, educators and administrators are highly encouraged to establish cohort learning within their local districts. Collaborating with peers allows educators to deepen their understanding, share insights, and effectively apply new ideas in real-world educational settings.
To access “The AI-Empowered Teacher” and to dig deeper into additional AI literacy resources, please visit the KY Learning Hub website.
Guidance on House Bill 67
Lawmakers approved House Bill 67 during the 2026 legislative session, a bill that cleans up Senate Bill 181 from the 2025 legislative session about traceable communication systems.
KDE’s non-regulatory guidance document on House Bill 67 is designed to assist schools, districts, and staff by providing answers to frequently asked questions on how to best implement the changes in the legislation. This guidance, along with guidance on other pieces of recent legislation, are available on the KDE Legislative Guidance webpage.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
Free Leadership Development Through National Institute for School Leadership
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Continuous Improvement and Support has partnered with the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) to implement its National Institute for School and System Leadership (NISL) program.
This nationally recognized leadership development program was designed to help school and district leaders transform schools into high-performing learning environments and has been in place in Kentucky for the past 15 years. NCEE’s NISL program is the most widely used research-proven professional learning program for school leaders in the country.
Built on decades of research into the world’s highest-performing and most rapidly-rising education systems, NISL equips leaders with the skills, strategies and vision to drive meaningful and sustainable change. This experience prepares leaders to explore global education trends, set a clear strategic vision and design rigorous instructional systems and build a culture of continuous improvement, ethical leadership and long-term school success. The monthly interactive experience focuses on the key themes for capacity-building and for transforming the school as an organization while improving student success.
School and district staff interested in participating in this free professional learning are encouraged to complete the NISL interest form no later than June 1. Questions regarding the training opportunity should be directed to Charlotte Jones.
Applications Now Open for KCM K-5 Numeracy Counts Teacher Academy and PIMSER Administrator Academy
Applications are now open for both the Kentucky Center for Mathematics (KCM) K-5 Numeracy Counts Teacher academies and Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform (PIMSER) Administrator Numeracy Counts academies.
KCM will be launching its second cohort, a two-year hybrid learning experience for K-5 educators in summer 2026. Developed and facilitated by KCM in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), these teacher academies feature a blend of in-person summer launch sessions and both synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning opportunities designed to meet the needs of Kentucky K-5 math teachers.
PIMSER also will launch Leadership Academies in summer 2026. The Leadership Academies provide a mix of in-person, synchronous virtual, and asynchronous virtual learning opportunities. Developed by PIMSER in collaboration with KDE, these academies prioritize instructional leaders (district leaders, building principals, assistant principals, etc.) from schools where teachers are participating in the KCM K-5 teacher academies.
Applications are available on the KCM Numeracy Counts Academy website and the PIMSER Numeracy Counts Administrator Academy website.
RFA Issued for Migrant Regional Center for the Northern Region
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has posted a request for applications (RFA) for a regional center for the migrant education program (Title I, Part C).
The award amount is up to $280,000 per year for up to four years. Regional centers may be administered by local educational agencies, educational cooperatives, public universities/colleges or other educational services providers. The regional center’s mission will be to develop and implement services, technical assistance, and professional learning programs that support identified migrant children and their families in the northern region of the state.
Learn more about this opportunity on the KDE Competitive Grants web page, and submit any questions to KDERFP@education.ky.gov. Grant applications are due by May 12 at 4 p.m. ET.
Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for the third-annual Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference taking place at the Galt House in Louisville June 8-9.
This event, hosted by the Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Early Literacy, is free for Kentucky K-12 public school educators and will include:
- Multiple breakout sessions across both days.
- A featured welcome and keynote the morning of June 9.
- Dedicated time for networking with education professionals, including a vendor hall experience.
- Lunch will be provided and structured transition times are built into the schedule.
Visit the Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference 2026 webpage to register. The full Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference 2026 Schedule at a Glance is available for review and planning purposes.
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 to receive the discounted rate. We encourage interested participants to book early, as availability is limited. Please visit the Kentucky Reads to Succeed Summer Conference 2026 hotel booking link to reserve your room!
2026 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit Keynote Announced and Registration Open
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Cognia invite you to a two-day event designed to elevate your impact in education. Mark your calendars to attend the 2026 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit on Sept. 21-22 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington!
Mike Rutherford, 2026 Continuous Improvement Summit keynote, will engage participants with conversations on high-performance teaching and learning, leadership development, creating and leading team-based organizations and results-based organizational improvement.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional learning, strengthen existing relationships or tackle unique challenges with fresh strategies, this conference is for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to spark new ideas, gain insights from KDE leaders and join Kentucky’s continuous improvement movement! Visit the 2026 Kentucky Continuous Improvement Summit registration webpage to register.
Comprehensive District and School Improvement Planning: Phase Four
Phase Four Diagnostics
Phase Four of the continuous improvement planning process includes three district level diagnostics and a school level diagnostic that are each due May 1. The Non-Traditional Instruction Continuation of Learning Plan for Districts will support the district in designing and implementing a plan for a continuation of learning during times when nontraditional instruction may need to be implemented in order to prevent a loss of learning. This diagnostic will describe the plan for the following school year. For questions regarding the Non-Traditional Instruction Continuation of Learning Plan for Districts, please contact Steve Kissinger.
The English Learner Plan for Districts (Lau Plan) diagnostic supports the district’s commitment to ensuring that English learner (EL) students can meaningfully participate in the district’s educational programs and services. It outlines the affirmative steps taken by the district to overcome educational barriers that impede equal participation by EL students in their instructional programs. For questions regarding this district level diagnostic, please contact Neil Watts.
The final diagnostic is the Professional Development Plan for both schools and districts. Each school and district must design a professional development plan that supports their efforts to meet the goals established in KRS 158.6451 and addresses the priorities identified in their local needs assessment. The 2025-2026 Professional Development Plan will be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year and incorporated into the improvement plan for that year. For questions regarding the Professional Development Plan, please contact Renee Yates.
Progress Monitoring, Online Posting and Phase Four Diagnostics
The last phase of the comprehensive district/school improvement plan process also includes the vital process of progress monitoring.
Districts and schools may choose a flexible and customized approach to monitoring and implementing the comprehensive improvement plan. Districts/schools should be collecting both input and outcome data to reflect on the following questions regarding their plan:
- Are the planned strategies and activities being implemented as intended?
- Are the strategies and activities meeting the needs of learners?
- Will we adjust or stay the course?
Pursuant to 703 KAR 5:225, comprehensive district improvement plans (CDIPs) and comprehensive school improvement plans (CSIPs) must be posted online. CDIPs must be posted to the district’s website while CSIPs must be posted to each school’s website.
With Phase Four diagnostics to be completed by May 1, it’s important to follow local policy regarding the timeline for posting and remember to include any attachments referenced in a diagnostic. Please see below for additional information on what should be posted for each improvement plan:
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District’s Improvement Plan:
- Continuous Improvement Diagnostic for Districts
- Executive Summary for Districts
- Needs Assessment Diagnostic for Districts
- District Assurances
- Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (including the Goal Building Template)
- Superintendent Gap Assurances
- Professional Development Plan for Districts
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School’s Improvement Plan:
- Continuous Improvement Diagnostic for Schools
- Executive Summary for Schools
- Needs Assessment for Schools
- School Assurances
- Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (including the Goal Building Template)
- Professional Development Plan for Schools
Title III and Title IV, Part A Intent to Participate Open in GMAP
The Title III and Title IV, Part A Intent to Participate are now open in GMAP. Districts must complete the Intent to Participate and select if they want to receive grant funding, choose to join a consortium, or have their funds reallocated to other districts. Districts can visit the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Federal Grants webpage to view their FY 2027 preliminary allocations.
The deadline to complete the Intent to Participate for both programs and have superintendent approval is Friday, May 1. Please visit KDE’s Title III webpage and Title IV, Part A webpage for information and resources.
Please contact your KDE staff for additional questions.
Title III: Kaiman Triplett or Brandy Neal
Title IV, Part A: Morgan Rhodes or Lee Bowling
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