Question of the Week
Q: When will the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program Calendar be Available?
A: The Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program Calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year is now available. This comprehensive calendar is an essential resource for teachers and administrators involved in the Kentucky Alternate Assessment Program. It outlines important dates and deadlines to ensure all assessments are conducted smoothly and efficiently.
Key Dates and Highlights:
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Assessment Windows: The calendar details specific periods for each alternate assessment, ensuring all schools align with the statewide schedule.
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Preparation Deadlines: Important dates for preparation activities, such as materials ordering, training sessions, and data uploads, are clearly outlined to help schools stay on track.
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Submission Deadlines: Critical deadlines for the submission of assessment results and other required documentation are included to ensure timely reporting and compliance.
The calendar supports our commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students, including those with significant cognitive disabilities. By adhering to the schedule and guidelines provided, educators can effectively plan and administer assessments, ensuring that every student’s achievements are accurately measured and reported.
For questions about the Kentucky Alternate Assessment, please contact Krista Mullins. Please contact Sherri Craig for questions regarding alternate career readiness.
WIDA ACCESS Exit Criteria Committee Work
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is in the process of revising the WIDA ACCESS English Learner (EL) exit criteria because of new WIDA Standards. This work requires the support and expertise of Kentucky educators with a background in English Learner education. Therefore, KDE is inviting EL specialists to participate in this important committee work to review and redefine the EL exit criteria to ensure the exit criteria accurately reflect student readiness for academic success. This collaborative opportunity will bring together EL classroom teachers, specialists, and EL administrators to share expertise, examine data, and provide valuable input that directly impacts English Learners across the Commonwealth. Participants will play a key role in shaping equitable and effective exit criteria while contributing their firsthand knowledge of student needs and instructional practices.
The meeting date is Saturday, Sept. 19, and participants will receive a stipend for their participation. If educators are interested, please complete the WIDA ACCESS Reclassification Application by Aug. 17. KDE encourages interested educators to join this important work and help strengthen outcomes for Kentucky’s Multilingual Learners (MLs).
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
New WIDA Focus Bulletin on the Language for Reading
Get a better understanding of how WIDA assesses the language for Reading on WIDA ACCESS by exploring the new Focus Bulletin. The Focus Bulletin covers the following topics:
- How language development is assessed in the Reading domain
- Connections between the WIDA ELD Standards and the skills assessed on the ACCESS Reading test
- How the ACCESS Reading test differs from English language arts assessments
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
Family Engagement is a System: Leading with CARES and WIDA ABCs
There is broad agreement: family engagement is not supplemental. It is foundational. Educators and families must work as partners to build systems where all children can thrive. Jenni Torres, WIDA Executive Director, offers a framework and tangible takeaways in this article on family engagement for building these systems in schools.
For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
WIDA Educator Perspectives on AI-Powered Writing Support
A new study from WIDA researchers gathered insights from more than 750 K-12 educators across the U.S., exploring the use of automated writing scoring and feedback tools. The findings highlight educators' interest in the potential for consistent scoring and personalized feedback, while also raising important concerns about bias, accessibility and the need for continued human involvement.
Read the summary to learn more. For questions, please contact Chris Williams.
Reminder: G Code Status for Summer Graduates Deadline July 31
G-code end status and graduation tab for summer graduates must be entered in Infinite Campus (IC) by Friday, July 31. This information is monitored by Rodney Bennett in the Division of District Services and used by the Office of Assessment and Accountability for Graduation Rate reporting in the School Report Card. Initial graduation rates will be generated after the July 31 deadline, followed by data quality reviews and final graduation rate calculations in early August.
For cohort-related questions in the Student Data Review and Rosters (SDRR) application, districts may use the I NEED HELP button and select Cohort. Additional questions can be directed to KDEassessment or (502) 564‑9853.
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