English Learner Educator Connect: June 15, 2026

June 15, 2026

New KDE English Learner Program Guidebook Now Available!

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has released a new English Learner (EL) Program Guidebook, an updated resource designed to support district program leaders, English Language Development (ELD) teachers and general education teachers in serving ELs.

Organized into user-friendly chapters, the guidebook covers enrolling and identifying ELs; Program Service Plan (PSP) procedures; the WIDA ELD Standards Framework; supporting ELs in the general education classroom; annual assessments; supporting exited ELs; and EL program requirements.

This guidebook offers practical tools and clear guidance to strengthen instruction and support alignment with state and federal expectations.

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

Find key EL program information, timelines, newsletter archives and support documents on KDE’s Title III – English Learner and Immigrant Student website.

Explore tools and resources to support EL program implementation on KDE’s English Learner & Immigrant Resources website.

Visit KDE’s WIDA ACCESS website for training videos, resources and important WIDA links.

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.

Register for LETRS Cohort 5 by Aug. 21 

English Language Development (ELD) teachers, this is for you too! LETRS for Educators offers powerful strategies to strengthen literacy instruction with evidence-based literacy practices that are highly applicable to multilingual learners. Visit the Kentucky Reading Academies webpage to learn more. Review enrollment information and complete the registration form.

Please note: Limited licenses are available for Cohort 5, and registration will be first-come, first-served. 

Also of note: Cohort 4 participants will not need to register for Cohort 5, as they are already enrolled.

Questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies may be directed to KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.

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. To reserve your spot at the summit, complete the summit registration form.

Additional questions can be directed to KDE’s Multilingual Learner Specialist Will Spalding.

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