March Leadership Meeting and Resources
The regional educational cooperatives, in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), hosted leadership sessions in March for district and school leaders. The sessions focused on the trajectory-changing practices of consistency and coherence and highlighted how leaders can leverage KDE tools, revised academic standards and aligned instructional systems to strengthen teaching and learning. As you prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, visit KYstandards.org to access the March Leadership session recording and resources to support instructional planning, implementation and continuous improvement.
Registration for the Kentucky Reading Academies: Cohort 5 of LETRS Professional Learning NOW OPEN!
Interested educators and administrators can visit the Kentucky Reading Academies webpage to learn more about LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators, 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.
Questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies may be directed to KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
NEW Reading and Writing Standards
The revised Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing has been adopted into law. These new standards are effective for classroom instruction in the 2026-2027 school year. Find out more about the standards and professional learning resources at KyStandards.org.
Resource Revisions! Support for Using HQIR to Implement the new Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing.
The KDE Office of Teaching and Learning has revised reading and writing resources to align with the new KAS. Changes support usability while also addressing focuses such as the bundling of standards, establishing the role of texts in instruction and building background knowledge to support comprehension. Visit KYStandards.org to access the revised resources.
Getting to Know the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing Professional Learning Now Available
The Getting to Know the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing professional learning supports educators in synthesizing the newly revised standards with research, evidence-based literacy practices and high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs). This training prepares educators of all grades for implementation beginning this fall. Educators have the opportunity to access the learning through a self-paced course, a school-based module and through an in-person session. Start your learning at KyStandards.org.
Implementing the KAS for Reading and Writing: A Focus on Writing
The KDE has updated its Writing Program Guidelines, which intentionally dedicate instructional time for text-based writing across various modes. Additionally, House Bill 257 (2026) eliminates state-level on-demand writing and mechanics assessments starting in the 2026-2027 school year. In response, superintendents must now adopt and publish local district-wide writing policies that include disciplinary-specific writing across the curriculum. The KDE has developed guidance and Writing Program Guidelines to assist districts in this transition. To learn more about writing and to access support visit Kystandards.org.
Self-Paced Module: Getting to Know the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Visual and Performing Arts
The Getting to Know the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Visual and Performing Arts 3-Part module is designed to build knowledge and capacity around the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) standards and to capitalize on the opportunity to improve teaching and learning aligned to the KAS for Visual and Performing Arts.
The self-paced version of the module allows VPA teachers to explore individually or collaboratively at their own pace. All module materials are available on the KY Learning Hub by visiting catalog.kylearninghub.org.
Science Professional Learning Module: Vibrant Learning Through the Four Instructional Shifts
The Vibrant Learning Through the Four Instructional Shifts Module helps clarify how the instructional shifts in the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Science shape student-centered learning, why they matter and how they move classrooms from coverage to coherence. School leaders shape the conditions that make high-quality science instruction possible. This module provides a shared vision for the four instructional shifts and strengthens the ability to recognize, support and sustain instructional practices that align with the KAS, high-quality instructional resources and your school's broader instructional priorities.
Designed for principals and school or district leaders committed to rigorous and coherent science instruction, this professional learning experience turns vision into action. For more information on this module, check out KyStandards.org.
MTSS Resources
KyMTSS Self Assessment - The KyMTSS Self-Assessment Tool, 2nd Edition is designed to support district and school leaders and teams responsible for MTSS implementation. The tool is aligned with Kentucky’s six essential elements and uses them to drive systematic change. Additionally, the tool is intended to assist with resource identification and action planning for MTSS implementation.
KyMTSS Implementation Guide - The Kentucky Multi-Tiered System of Supports (KyMTSS) Implementation Guide, 2nd Edition, provides guidance from the 2021 edition in response to revised Kentucky administrative regulations that require districtwide use of a multi-tiered system of supports for all students in kindergarten through grade 12 (704 KAR 3:095). This implementation guide is designed to provide educators with a common definition and understanding of the essential elements of KyMTSS. It is a great companion resource for the KyMTSS Self-Assessment Tool.
KyLearning Hub: Coming soon! An asynchronous course, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) (Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) as an integrated Framework, will be available soon for schools and districts. This course focuses on the KyMTSS framework and explores the six essential elements to support a shared understanding of MTSS. It is a great resource for those new to MTSS, as well as a helpful refresher on the foundational practices. The course may be taken as an individual or with a team. Watch for the release in the KyMTSS monthly newsletter.
Stay up to date with KyMTSS specific information and resources: Sign up to receive MTSS Newsletter each month. You may also access past newsletters in the Archive Newsletters. Additional resources available at KyMTSS.org.
Family Resources for Back to School
Start off back to school relationship-building with students and families with these three helpful resources: Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) Family Guides, A Family’s Guide to Understanding Student Assessment and the Read at Home Plan Family Guide. Learn more about family resources on Kystandards.org.
Missed something in previous newsletters?
Visit the newsletter archive to stay up to date on valuable updates and resources on KYstandards.org.
Please email the standards team with any questions.
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