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Dear Colleagues,
This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to celebrate and thank all of our educators who play such a vital role in shaping young lives.
Kentucky is home to more than 42,000 public school educators, and all of them work diligently to make sure each student is well-equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. I wish you all the best as your district celebrates the teachers who make your schools special for the children who learn in their classrooms.
I also wish you all the best as the testing window begins. The anxiety level during this time is always high among students, teachers and the community as a whole as we measure how our children are performing in the classroom. We at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) hope everything runs smoothly and your students shine brightly as they reach the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work.
On a related note, I want to bring your attention to Senate Bill 197 (2026). The bill includes supplemental funding for a variety of programs, including several involving education, but it also includes a section on Kentucky’s college entrance exam that would place limitations on the use of general funds and require a new procurement for a college entrance exam for the 2026–2027 school year.
Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the reference to the limitation on the use of general funds but did not veto the reference to a new competitive procurement process, so KDE will be required to begin a new procurement for the state-provided college entrance exam to be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year.
This means the 2026-2027 school year will begin without a decision on which college entrance exam will be administered to juniors.
In July 2025, KDE completed a competitive procurement pursuant to the Kentucky Model Procurement Code as set forth in KRS Chapter 45A and as facilitated by the Finance and Administration Cabinet. The contract was awarded to the College Board to administer the SAT Junior State Administration beginning in spring 2026. Their initial four-year contract, which could be renewed for up to nine years, included the potential to save the Commonwealth up to $350,000 annually.
As required by the legislation, KDE is working with the Finance and Administration Cabinet to repeat the competitive procurement process. This legislation brings understandable concern and uncertainty for students, families and educators as the 2026-2027 school year begins. We will continue providing updates on this as the procurement process moves forward.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
EPSB Approves Certification Workgroup Recommendations
At its April 21 meeting, the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) approved recommendations from the Certification Structure Workgroup, including the expansion of grade bands and a proposal to add a secondary general science certification.
The EPSB also approved a recommendation to allow middle school math teachers permission to teach Algebra 1 and Geometry in grades 10-12, offering added flexibility as districts build master schedules for the 2026-2027 school year. While some of the proposed changes will take more time to implement, the expanded math permissions can have a more immediate impact.
Updates to certification and course permissions have been completed in the Local Educator Assignment Data (LEAD) system. Districts can verify changes through the Infinite Campus LEAD Extract or LEAD daily validation updates. LEAD can also serve as a useful tool when making 2026-2027 teacher assignments and scheduling decisions.
Registration Open for LETRS Cohort 5 Through Aug. 21
Registration is now open for Cohort 5 of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). This statewide initiative equips educators and administrators to strengthen early literacy instruction and consistently implement evidence-based practices that lead to stronger results for students.
In 2022, the Kentucky General Assembly passed the Read to Succeed Act to improve literacy outcomes for all Kentucky students. The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning, through the Division of Early Literacy, has led a focused and coordinated effort to turn that legislation into strong classroom practice across the state.
A child’s ability to read predicts their success in school and beyond. Students need daily access to clear, high-quality instruction, and educators and administrators need the knowledge and tools to deliver it with precision. The Kentucky Reading Academies were built to support that work.
LETRS builds a clear understanding of how students learn to read and how to apply that knowledge during daily instruction. It aligns directly with daily classroom instruction and supports improved student outcomes.
Join more than 8,000 educators and administrators who have already strengthened their literacy instruction and improved student outcomes. Register for Cohort 5 of LETRS through Aug. 21!
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.
School Resource Officer Funding – Notice of Intent to Participate
Appropriations of $11.5 million in general funds and $11.5 million in restricted funds in both fiscal years, 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, have been set aside in House Bill 500 and Senate Bill 197 this year to assist local school districts and nonpublic schools in funding salaries for certified full time school resource officers (SRO).
The appropriation bills state: “The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) shall reimburse local school districts and nonpublic schools up to $20,000 in funding salaries for each full-time certified school resource officer.”
Please note: The language in the legislation has changed from previous years. Districts can fund salaries for full-time certified school resource officers regardless of assigned location within the district. There is no longer a requirement that an SRO be assigned on a full-time basis to a single campus.
In order to meet the requirement outlined above, KDE is asking districts that will seek reimbursement to complete the School Resource Officer (SRO) Funding – Notice of Intent to Participate by June 1.
Completion of this Notice of Intent to Participate form is a prerequisite to receiving any award. However, completion of this Notice of Intent to Participate form does not guarantee receipt of an award. The information contained within this Notice of Intent to Participate form will be used by the KDE for the following:
- Determine the total number of full-time certified SROs that potentially qualify school districts and non-public schools for an award;
- Determine whether the total appropriation is sufficient to make awards of $20,000 per full-time certified school resource officer, or whether awards will be made on a pro rata basis; and
- Establish a contact directory to communicate with school districts and non-public schools the next steps in applying for an award.
No school district or non-public school will be eligible to submit additional forms or requests related to this award if the Notice of Intent to Participate is not submitted by the deadline stated above.
For questions, please contact Karen Wirth or Lalah Brewer.
District and School Request for KDE HQIR Support
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Office of Teaching and Learning has created an intake form for districts and schools to request technical assistance for high-quality instructional resource (HQIR) implementation support. This new HQIR implementation support request form provides a streamlined process for districts and schools to request targeted support aligned to their specific needs and stage of implementation.
Targeted areas for support include:
- Instructional visioning and HQIR adoption;
- Yearly curriculum implementation planning and monitoring,
- Curriculum-based professional learning and intellectual preparation (unit/lesson internalization, lesson rehearsal, student work analysis); and/or
- Instructional Practice Guide Observations and Feedback Support
The form will also gather important information about HQIRs currently in use, grade bands impacted, timelines for support and existing partnerships or initiatives. Submissions are reviewed to determine alignment and next steps for providing coordinated, responsive support.
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!
Infinite Campus Invoicing
Infinite Campus began sending 2026-2027 invoices to districts on May 1. Please review your invoice carefully to confirm that Campus Learning (CL) and/or Online Registration (OLR) are listed if you intend to continue using these tools.
The Kentucky Department of Education ‘s (KDE’s) additional budget request was not approved by the legislature so districts must pay to keep using for the 2026–2027 school year. If CL or OLR are not shown on your invoice, you will need a new contract to continue use. To add services, contact Kent Willette by email. Districts with contracts signed last year were billed unless the district requested cancellation by April 15.
If your district does not wish to continue using CL and/or OLR, the deadline to request cancellation and avoid charges for the 2026–2027 school year is June 1. If these tools are not on your district's invoice, no further action is required. If they do appear, submit a ticket to Campus support to cancel your contract(s) by June 1 to avoid charges.
If you choose to cancel Campus Learning, the Google grade pass back function will not be available for 2026-2027.
Infinite Campus invoices are issued early so districts can choose to pay with funds from the current or upcoming year. Payments are due no later than Aug. 15. To avoid late fees; please ensure approval at board meetings is completed timely to meet this deadline.
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.
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.
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