In This Issue of the OSEEL Newsletter
- Celebrating Excellence Across Our OSEEL Community
- Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
- Division of State Schools – KSB and KSD
- Transition Education Unit
- Early Learning Unit
- Division of IDEA Implementation and Programming – Gifted & Talented and Extended School Services
Celebrating Excellence Across Our OSEEL Community
 Gretta Hylton (middle), associate commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning, was presented the Glenn I. Latham Annual Excellence Award for her work in special education by H. Norman Ames (left), executive director of Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education, and Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher (right).
 The Kentucky Board of Education honored Rhonda Logsdon, center, the executive director of KY-SPIN, with the 2026 Robinson Award for Diversity and Equity in Public Education. She poses for a photo with KBE Vice Chair Lu S. Young, left, and Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher.
Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results
1.0% Cap on Participation in the AA-AAAS
Following the denial of Kentucky’s request for a waiver from the 1.0% cap on participation in the alternate assessment aligned to alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has taken several steps to address the issue and work toward removal of the grant condition placed on the state’s Federal fiscal year 2026 Title I, Part A grant award by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher and Associate Commissioner Gretta Hylton have communicated the federal decision and next steps to superintendents, directors of special education, Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers (SERTACs) and other stakeholders.
KDE's Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) provided targeted training to SERTACs, which are now working with districts to review participation decisions, provide technical assistance and conduct soft monitoring of due process and student records to identify potential misidentifications for AA-AAAS.
While the 1.0% cap applies at the state level, KDE’s responsibility is to ensure that each student participating in AA-AAAS meets the established participation guidelines. The goal of this work is not to remove students from the alternate assessment solely to meet the cap, but to ensure that participation decisions are appropriate, well-documented and based on each student’s individual needs.
Districts are encouraged to reach out to OSEEL or their SERTAC for support or with any questions as they review participation decisions.
Division of State Schools
Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB)
 KSB Hiking Club enjoyed an unforgettable trip to the Red River Gorge. From scenic hikes and kayaking through a cave to muddy UTV rides, the weekend was full of adventure. Students and staff soaked up the beautiful weather and made lasting memories. A special thank you to the William M. Wood Foundation for supporting this incredible experience!
Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD)
 KSD Middle School Robotics Team headed west to the NRSC-National Robotics Service Center for the VIQRC Deaf & Hard of Hearing Tournament. The Colonel Engineers are hard at work in beautiful Colorado Springs.
Transition Education Unit
SPARK Initiative Update: Building Momentum Across Kentucky
 SPARK (Supporting Postsecondary Achievement and Resources for Kentucky Students with Disabilities) is gaining momentum as districts enhance systems, collaboration and data-driven practices to improve post-school outcomes.
District Transition Teams – bringing together leadership, educators, families and students – are strengthening shared ownership and coordination in postsecondary transition planning. Districts are using the Predictor Implementation School/District Self-Assessment (PISA) to evaluate practices and guide improvement, while prioritizing high-quality, transition-focused professional learning.
Several districts have hosted transition events connecting students and families with community resources for employment, education and independent living.
This early progress reflects a strong foundation for sustainable systems change and better preparation for a “happy adult life.” See the "SPARK grants expand postsecondary transition opportunities for Kentucky students with disabilities" press release for more information.
KATC Caregiver Summit
 OSEEL’s Transition Education Unit (TEU) partnered with the Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) to support more than 40 families at the February KATC Caregiver Summit in Bowling Green. Through workshops and roundtables, caregivers accessed transition resources and connected with partners and district leaders.
For information on upcoming summits, visit the KATC Events webpage.
Kentucky Transition 360 for Educator Program Update
 The KY Transition 360 for Educators professional learning program continues to strengthen post-school outcomes for students with disabilities by building educator capacity through flexible, evidence-based learning. In April 2026, the program celebrated the completion of its third cohort, reaching 454 educators across 81 districts and 14 area technology centers.
Participants report increased confidence and collaboration, with strong satisfaction rates. Districts are applying learning through data-informed planning, goal setting and coaching to improve transition systems and student outcomes.
Early Learning Unit
Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool Training
The Kentucky Department of Education's Early Learning Unit is pleased to announce that registration for Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) reliability is now open for Sept. 8-9. Register by contacting your Early Childhood Regional Training Center (RTC).
The training will be held at the Kentucky Department of Education, located at 300 Sower Blvd., in Frankfort. Training will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET on both days.
The TPOT is a key component of implementing the Pyramid Model Framework and is a required component of the Quality All STARS process. It is designed to guide coaching, show progress and ensure results of the Pyramid Model being implemented.
Successful completion of TPOT reliability training allows the attendees to implement TPOT observations in classrooms. In practice, this could allow time for multiple observations when scoring for Quality All STARS purposes.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Ernst.
State-Funded Preschool Regulations
The Kentucky Department of Education's Early Learning Unit announced that the state-funded preschool regulation 704 KAR 3:410 has been updated for the first time since its creation in 1990. The regulation consists of requirements for program structure, developmentally appropriate practices, teacher certification and other state-funded preschool requirements.
The new regulation will take effect on June 30, 2026. The Early Learning Unit will provide training and technical assistance throughout the summer and fall on this regulatory update.
Information regarding training opportunities will be released in News You Can Use as well as through the Early Childhood Regional Training Centers. For additional information, please contact Andrea Bartholomew.
Division of IDEA Implementation and Programming
New Resource for KY-Special Parent Involvement Network (KY-SPIN)
The Kentucky Department of Education's OSEEL is excited to share a newly published resource from KY-SPIN.
The KY-SPIN A Youth Guide to the IEP was developed to teach students about the Individual Education Program (IEP) process and help them develop self-advocacy skills. It can be found on the Parent and Family Resources webpage under “What is an Individual Education Program (IEP)?”
Please reach out to Marcie Bridges with any questions.
WIDA Resource for English Learners (EL) with Disabilities
WIDA has a new webpage, Supporting Multilingual Learners with Disabilities, designed for multilingual/bilingual specialists, educators and school leaders. This resource is located on KDE's English Learners with Disabilities webpage, along with other resources for EL students with disabilities.
If you have questions, contact Melissa Whalen.
Indicator 8 Parent Engagement Survey
The 2026 Indicator 8 surveys will close on June 30, 2026. The survey and parent letter are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Swahili and Amish. All materials are available in DoSE OneStop under the Indicator 8 Annual Parent Survey tab and on the PreK Coordinator Site homepage.
If you have questions about the Indicator 8 survey, please contact Marcie Bridges.
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