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Dear Colleagues,
The summer break has already been busy for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) as we celebrate educators and look forward to plenty of professional learning opportunities over the next few months.
Earlier this month, we got the chance to celebrate our 2025-2026 GoTeachKY Ambassadors. The mission of GoTeachKY, is to ensure that all students across the Commonwealth have equitable access to effective educators. GoTeachKY seeks to recruit and inspire the next generation of teachers in Kentucky, helping address the critical teacher shortage that affects every state in the nation.
GoTeachKY Ambassadors act as the face of the GoTeachKY initiative, connecting with prospective educators and community members to provide valuable information to those considering teaching careers and elevating the teaching profession.
These outstanding educators elevated the mission of GoTeachKY through their passion, leadership, and commitment to inspiring the next generation. Throughout the year, they have served as advocates for the teaching profession, shared their stories, connected with future educators, and helped showcase the incredible impact Kentucky teachers make every day.
Also, earlier this month, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) held a regular meeting and discussed several different issues, including the future of assessment and accountability in Kentucky under House Bill 257.
Over the next few months, leaders with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will continue to meet with stakeholder groups as the KBE develops and adopts policies and administrative regulations surrounding assessment and accountability to begin considering in August. These conversations will be critical to ensuring reimagined assessment and accountability is successful in the Commonwealth.
The June KBE meeting was also the final meeting for our outgoing non-voting student and teacher members, Harper Blake of Marion County High School and Alfonso De Torres Núñez of Bloom Elementary School in Jefferson County. Their voices have been important and highly valued as we navigated issues facing Kentucky schools over the last school year, including the aforementioned assessment and accountability reform, our efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase teacher recruitment, and several other matters.
I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Harper and Alfonso, as well as to their districts for giving them the time and opportunity to contribute to the KBE’s work. The next round of non-voting KBE members will be announced prior to the board’s meeting in August.
KDE Inbox
We have launched a new video series, KDE Inbox, that gives Kentuckians the opportunity to submit questions about education and receive answers directly from me.
Obviously, you have many avenues to provide feedback or ask questions of us here at the department, but I wanted to draw this series to your attention in case you wanted to pass along the opportunity to folks in your communities. All they need to do is email kdecommunications@education.ky.gov for the chance to have their question featured and answered by me on KDE’s social media channels.
We want to keep the conversation about education in Kentucky open and ensure everyone’s voices are involved. We appreciate your help in letting the people in your community know about this avenue to have their questions answered.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
New District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) Informational Seminar
The New District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) Informational Seminar will be presented by the Kentucky Association for Assessment Coordinators (KAAC) on July 23.
The session begins at 9 a.m. ET and will be held at the 300 Building where the Kentucky Department of Education offices are located on Sower Blvd. in Frankfort. Visit the 2026 New DAC Workshop registration form for more details.
House Bill 307 – Invitation to Provide Input
School districts and Infinite Campus play a role with House Bill (HB) 307, recent legislation to make Kentucky K-12 public school students aware of their academic eligibility (e.g., their GPAs) to attend Kentucky public colleges after graduation.
HB 307 necessitates new statewide standard data collections in Infinite Campus for compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). As a result, districts may need to review and update local policies and procedures related to FERPA directory information. Districts that currently allow parents/eligible students to opt-out of individual directory information elements—rather than opting out of all directory information— should be aware that this practice may create barriers for HB 307 implementation.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, statewide Infinite Campus collections will include Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) directory definitions and opt-outs, Proactive Postsecondary Admission Program opt-ins, preferred communication method, and graduate programs.
Before these data collections are finalized, KDE is inviting districts to provide input on the current plans for using Infinite Campus to support the required collection, reporting, and promotion of the Proactive Postsecondary Admissions Program.
District staff responsible for FERPA notifications and tracking of directory information opt-outs are encouraged to participate.
Meeting Details
- Time: 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT
Those interested in participating should sign up through the HB 307 meeting registration form to receive a Teams meeting invitation.
FY 2027 Consolidated Application Now Open in GMAP
The fiscal year (FY) 2027 Consolidated Grant Management Application and Planning (GMAP) Application is now open and due July 31.
Allocations in GMAP are preliminary for the 2026-2027 school year. FY 2027 preliminary allocations are available on the Kentucky Department of Education's Federal Grants webpage. Final allocations will be released in the fall upon receipt of final notification from the U.S. Department of Education.
The release of FY27 funds is based on the following:
- A substantially approved FY 2027 Consolidated Application
- Submission of FY 2027 District Funding Assurances
- Submission of FY 2027 Superintendent District Funding Assurances Statement
- Submission of FY 2027 Federal Cash Request Statement of Assurance
If you have any questions, please contact the following:
KYSHAPE Annual Conference
KYSHAPE is a nonprofit unaffiliated with the Kentucky Department of Education that focuses on student wellness. KYSHAPE invites district and school administrators to participate in a three- hour session titled, “Leading with Impact: Healthy Schools that Thrive,” on Wednesday, June 24, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Tates Creek High School in Lexington.
Join fellow school and district leaders for a focused pre-conference designed to help administrators create healthier, higher-performing schools. Explore practical strategies that connect student wellness, physical activity, and health education to improved academic achievement, behavior, attendance, and school culture.
When an administrator attends, one of their PE/Health teachers may attend the entire KYSHAPE Conference at NO COST. For more information and registration, please visit the KYSHAPE 2026 Conference webpage.
National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program and Application
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) – formerly the National Title I Association – selects examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program.
Every year, states can identify up to two Distinguished ESEA Schools in three possible categories:
- Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years
- Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years
- Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.)
The Kentucky Department of Education is now accepting applications for schools for Categories 1, 2 and 3. Schools interested in applying for consideration must complete and submit the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program and Application by the deadline of Aug. 7. If selected as a finalist, KDE staff will conduct a site visit to interview the principal, selected staff and students.
Two National ESEA Distinguished Schools from Category 1, 2 and/or 3 will be notified by email of their selection in November. For more information, email Tara Rodriguez or call (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.
End-of-Year Technical Education Database System (TEDS) Data Review – Key Reminders
As the academic year draws to a close, it’s essential to ensure all Technical Education Database System (TEDS) data is accurate and complete. Please take the time to carefully review the following items to avoid data discrepancies and potential funding issues:
- Confirm Your School’s Infinite Campus Closure Date
- All TEDS data must be validated prior to Infinite Campus closure and rollover to 2026-2027.
- End dates entered in Infinite Campus to finalize senior records do not impact this requirement.
Review TEDS Tab End Date Guidelines
- Do not remove an end date on the TEDS tab in Infinite Campus unless the student is enrolled in a course within the same pathway for the current school year (2025-2026).
- If the end date is removed during the current Infinite Campus year (2025–2026) and the student is not enrolled in a valid pathway course, this will result in a data violation and may impact funding.
- If the end date is removed after Infinite Campus has rolled over to 2026-2027, the student will appear as active in the 2026–2027 school year — even if they are not enrolled in a valid pathway course — resulting in a data violation and a potential funding violation.
Verify Transcripted Credits
- Ensure that all credit information in TEDS reflects the student’s official transcript. This should be completed through the final export/import process before the school year rollover.
- NOTE: If you are a POSTSECONDARY institution and you are providing courses for SECONDARY students: The correct count is ONE credit for the SECONDARY transcript and in TEDS.
Confirm Student Objective Status
- Verify that each student’s objective (e.g., Explorer or Concentrator) is accurately recorded in TEDS.
- This information must align with the data in the TEDS tab in Infinite Campus and be updated through the export/import process.
- NOTE: If you are a POSTSECONDARY institution and you are providing courses for SECONDARY students:
- A secondary student MUST complete 2 courses in a single program of study to be a concentrator.
- In Kentucky, a course is defined as 1 secondary credit on the student’s official transcript.
Validate Industry Certification Data
- Confirm that all industry certification attempts have been entered into TEDS.
- Ensure that all instructors have reviewed and submitted the necessary certification data.
- Deadline for the submission of industry certificates is Aug. 21, 2026.
2026 Kentucky Incentives for Prevention Survey to be Administered in October
Kentucky will administer the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) Survey statewide in October 2026.
The KIP Survey is Kentucky’s most trusted source of information on student substance use and mental health. The data help districts and communities:
- Track student needs
- Identify disparities and emerging trends
- Guide decisions that support student well-being
- Identify challenges early
- Strengthen prevention efforts
- Guide school and FRYSC planning
- Access and compete for grant funding for prevention and mental health efforts
Your district’s participation matters. Without broad involvement, Kentucky cannot fully understand student needs or direct resources where they’re most needed. Participating gives your district high-quality, local data that supports decision-making and helps shape statewide planning.
The 2026 KIP Survey will be open from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15. It is an online survey for students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. Student answers are completely anonymous and are not linked to names or any personal information. Caregivers will receive clear information about the survey from the school and students may only participate if a parent or caregiver gives permission. Each district will receive its own results, and district-level data are not publicly shared. There is no cost for districts to participate in the KIP Survey.
We encourage your district to take part in the 2026 KIP Survey. Your leadership helps ensure every student’s needs are understood and supports a stronger statewide prevention system.
More information and previous statewide results are available on the KIP Survey website and on the KIP Survey fact sheet. If your district plans to participate or has questions, please contact KIP Survey Administrator Lisa Crabtree via email.
New Teacher Survey for 2025-2026 Academic Year
As part of the annual data collection required under KRS 161.031 regarding district new teacher induction and mentoring programs, we need your support.
Action steps:
- Please designate one district representative to complete the district Kentucky Educator Mentorship Program Survey. This response will provide an overview of your district’s program.
- Share this New Teacher Survey with school-level leaders in your district so they can distribute it to new teachers and mentors who directly participated in the induction/mentoring program.
- Important: Administrators should not complete this survey. Only new teachers and mentors involved in the program should respond.
The surveys will remain open until Aug. 14. The collected data will be compiled into a report for the Legislative Research Commission by the Oct. 1 deadline.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring accurate and timely data collection. For questions, please contact Kentucky Department of Education program consultant Allie Green via email.
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