English Learner Educator Connect: May 11, 2026

May 11, 2026

A Thank You from the Kentucky Department of Education English Learner Team!

On behalf of the cross‑agency English Learner (EL) team at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), thank you for your advocacy, dedication and hard work throughout this school year.

We are also grateful to everyone across the Commonwealth who participated in our in‑person WIDA professional learning, joined the monthly Voices from the Field sessions, or used scholarship opportunities to attend the Kentucky TESOL Conference or Kentucky Coalition for English Learners (KyCEL) Summer Institute during the 2025-2026 school year. Your engagement strengthens our collective work, and we look forward to expanding instructional support in the year ahead.

End of Year Reporting Requirements

Districts should utilize Infinite Campus (IC) reports along with the English Learner Data Standard and Immigrant Data Standard to ensure all data for state and federal reporting purposes are complete and accurate by June 30, 2026. KDE will extract the 2025-2026 EL and Immigrant data on July 6, 2026. EL data can be verified by generating the English Learner Extract in IC. Immigrant data can be verified by generating the Title III Immigrant report in IC.

As a reminder for the 2025-2026 school year, the exit criteria for WIDA ACCESS is a score of 4.5 or higher in tier B/C. For WIDA ACCESS for Kindergarten, the exit criteria is also a 4.5 or higher. The revised exit criteria for WIDA Alternate ACCESS is a PL3 or higher. Students reaching attainment on one of the 2026 assessments must have IC EL records updated with an end date of 6/30/2026.

Important Dates

June 15-16: KyCEL Summer Institute - Owensboro

June 17: Kentucky English Learner Leadership Summit - Owensboro

June 30: Due date for EL and Immigrant data review to be completed in IC

July 6: KDE extracts EL and Immigrant data from IC

July 7: Kentucky English Learner Leadership Summit - Lexington

Quick Links

English Learner and Immigrant Resource Page

District Guide for the English Learners Program

EL Data Standard

Immigrant Data Standard

KDE WIDA ACCESS Page

WIDA Kentucky Page

WIDA Standards Digital

Voices From the Field Recordings from Previous Session

Catch the recording of last month’s Voices from the Field session, featuring Kenton County Schools and Ms. Kacie Adams. In this spotlight, she shares how her EL team strategically analyzes student data to drive meaningful instructional decisions and boost student outcomes.

Explore the YouTube playlist to see practical examples you can apply in your own district.

Kenton County EL Data in Action Playlist Description

• Video 1: Data Analysis at All Levels
• Video 2: Using Data for EL Teams and PLCs
• Video 3: School-Level Data Analysis and Planning
• Video 4: Making Sure All Teachers Have the Tools They Need
• Presentation Slides (link in the video descriptions)

Scholarship Opportunity Still Available: KyCEL 2026 Summer Institute Registration Support

The KyCEL 2026 Summer Institute will take place June 15–16, in Owensboro, KY, featuring nationally recognized presenters and keynote speakers focused on supporting multilingual learners. Registration is open now on the KyCEL website.

KDE-sponsored registration scholarship spots remain available, and districts are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Each district may use up to two scholarships to support educator participation.

Educators interested in applying should contact their local EL Coordinator, who can submit the scholarship request form.

Kentucky English Learner Leadership Summit

Registration continues to grow for the inaugural Kentucky English Learner Leadership Summit, a new, full‑day convening for district EL directors, coordinators and other leaders. If you have not yet registered, please check your email for the registration link and event details.

If you did not receive the communication or have any questions, please contact KDE Multilingual Learner Specialist Will Spalding.

WIDA ACCESS Resources and Reminders

With ACCESS scores now available, you can review updated guidance and family‑friendly materials on the refreshed ACCESS Scores and Reports Website.

Resources include the following:

• WIDA ACCESS Interpretive Guide for Score Reports;
• WIDA Alternate ACCESS Interpretive Guide for Score Reports;
• The revised WIDA ACCESS: Understanding Your Child’s Scores flyer;
• Updated WIDA ACCESS Parent Letters.

Don't Miss the English Learner Educator Connect Newsletter!