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Dear Colleagues,
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has produced a series of guidance documents on the 2026 Kentucky legislative session, continuing our dedication to providing you, your districts and your communities with clarity on bills affecting your day-to-day operations and your lives.
The 2026 Legislative Guidance document focuses on education-related bills that KDE staff identified as needing additional clarification and support. It is a non-regulatory document that does not create any new legal obligations or privileges for school districts. The effective date for legislation passed during the 2026 legislative session, other than general appropriation bills and acts containing emergency or delayed effective date provisions, was July 15.
KDE has produced additional legislative guidance that can be found on KDE’s Legislative Guidance webpage, including information on House Bill 307, House Bill 67, House Bill 253 and funding for career and technical education. The webpage also includes guidance on legislation from previous general assemblies.
As we have noted before, KDE is hard at work implementing House Bill 257 with your voices at the forefront. The legislation provides districts with the flexibility to collaborate more closely with their communities to establish priorities for their schools and help ensure all students have access to vibrant learning experiences.
We have been gathering feedback from a variety of stakeholder groups as we work on proposed regulations surrounding assessment and accountability for the Kentucky Board of Education to begin considering in August. I was joined by Jennifer Stafford, associate commissioner of KDE’s Office of Assessment and Accountability, to facilitate a session dedicated to House Bill 257 and local accountability during the Kentucky School Boards Association conference on July 10. I appreciate the organization for having us so we could hear from your school board members on this topic.
The Local Accountability Design Guide and Toolkit is designed to help Kentucky districts transition toward locally developed indicators of quality. If you have any questions about how to develop local accountability, this resource will help you as you navigate this new and exciting time for education in Kentucky. The KDE How It’s Working in Districts webpage includes several district spotlights and videos that highlight more stories of innovation within Kentucky school districts.
Local communities have so much control when it comes to the local indicators of quality, and many of your districts have already piloted work in this area. We appreciate all of the feedback and support as we reimagine Kentucky’s assessment and accountability systems.
As always, thank you for being …
All In
Robbie Fletcher,
Commissioner of Education
Transportation and House Bill 7
House Bill (HB) 7 permits school districts to install a camera monitoring system on school buses to record stop arm violations for the enforcement of a civil penalty against the operator of a motor vehicle. A stop arm camera violation may be enforced by a law enforcement agency, a certified peace officer, or a school resource officer as defined in KRS 158.441.
Section 7 amends KRS 189.370 regarding when a motor vehicle must stop for a school bus to provide that the stop requirement shall not apply to vehicles approaching a stopped bus from the opposite direction upon a highway of four or more lanes divided by an elevated barrier or unpaved median.
For additional questions regarding HB 7, please contact the Kentucky Department of Education’s Pupil Transportation Branch at (502) 564-5279.
Kentucky School Policy Reminders
On July 10, the United States Department of Education (USED) issued a Dear Colleague Letter regarding sexual harassment in schools. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) encourages school district superintendents and Title IX coordinators to review USED’s recent correspondence. Given USED’s release of this Dear Colleague Letter, KDE is taking this opportunity to remind school districts of related information and resources applicable to Kentucky public schools.
To comply with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, school districts sign annual funding assurances, including the following assurance:
As required by the Every Student Succeeds Act, the school district assures that its employees, contractors, or agents, shall not assist a school employee, contractor, or agent in obtaining a new job, apart from the routine transmission of administrative and personnel files, if the individual or school district knows, or has probable cause to believe, that such school employee, contractor, or agent engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a minor or student in violation of the law. [20 U.S.C.A. 7926]
Districts should also take this opportunity to review district policies 09.227 (Child Abuse) and 09.428111 (Title IX Sexual Harassment), as well as procedure 09.428111 AP.11, to ensure their familiarity with established district policies requiring the reporting of suspect child abuse, as well as the procedures to timely investigate complaints of sexual harassment and provide supportive measures.
You may recall during the 2026 legislative session, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill (HB) 253, which ultimately became law. The legislation prohibits a school district from entering into a nondisclosure agreement relating to misconduct involving a minor or student, including abusive conduct, and also requires investigations into allegations of abusive conduct be completed by the school district, even in the event an employee terminates employment.
Furthermore, HB 253 prohibits a school district from hiring an applicant when there is a finding of abusive conduct or, in the event the applicant is already hired by or is an existing employee of the school district, require the individual be subject to dismissal or termination.
Finally, HB 253 requires the Education Professional Standards Board create and implement procedures for responding to school district staff seeking information on disciplinary actions for abusive conduct. School district staff can request this information from KDE’s Office of Legal Services using the following SharePoint site: Information Request for Abusive Conduct. You can find more information about the requirements of HB 253 in KDE’s 2026 Legislative Guidance Document.
Finally, superintendents are reminded of their duty to report certified school employees to the Education Professional Standards Board pursuant to KRS 161.120(3):
The superintendent of each local school district shall report in writing to the Education Professional Standards Board the name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and position name of any certified school employee in the employee's district whose contract is terminated or not renewed, for cause except failure to meet local standards for quality of teaching performance prior to the employee gaining tenure; who resigns from, or otherwise leaves, a position under threat of contract termination, or nonrenewal, for cause; who is convicted in a criminal prosecution; or who otherwise may have engaged in any actions or conduct while employed in the school district that might reasonably be expected to warrant consideration for action against the certificate under subsection (1) of this section. The duty to report shall exist without regard to any disciplinary action, or lack thereof, by the superintendent, and the required report shall be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days of the event giving rise to the duty to report.
The district superintendent shall inform the Education Professional Standards Board in writing of the full facts and circumstances leading to the contract termination or nonrenewal, resignation, or other absence, conviction, or otherwise reported actions or conduct of the certified employee, that may warrant action against the certificate under subsection (1) of this section, and shall forward copies of all relevant documents and records in his or her possession.
These reports are made electronically using the Kentucky Educator Credentialing System (KECS). If you have any questions on how to make a report using the KECS system, please contact the KDE Office of Legal Services by phone at (502) 564-4606 or by email at EPSBEducatorEthics@education.ky.gov.
New English Learner Program Guidebook Now Available
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has released an enhanced English Learner Program Guidebook, a comprehensive resource designed to support district program leaders, English Language Development teachers and general education teachers in serving English learner students.
Organized into user-friendly chapters, the guidebook provides practical tools, resources and guidance on English learner identification and enrollment, Program Service Plans, the WIDA ELD Standards Framework, instructional supports, annual assessments, monitoring exited English learner students and program requirements. Users can easily navigate to specific topics through linked sections in the table of contents.
Designed to strengthen instruction and support alignment with state and federal requirements, the guidebook serves as a clear and consistent resource for educators working with English learner students across Kentucky. The guidebook is available on KDE’s Title III – English Learner and Immigrant Students webpage. Educators are encouraged to explore the resource and use it to inform their work throughout the school year.
Please email William Spalding with any questions.
Kentucky School Profile Report and Collection Reminders
The School Profile Report is an annual requirement of KRS 158.6453 Section 20(b); each school must make their annual School Profile Report available in the local board office by Oct. 1. The School Profile Report provides schools with the opportunity to showcase their career studies (including essential workplace ethics), health education and physical education, visual and performing arts, and world languages programs. Collection items that are entered into these domains of the collection tool and the course offering detail loaded by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), populate the School Profile Report and the Educational Opportunity/General Education Coursework domain of the School Report Card Dashboard.
Schools should begin entering data into the School Report Card (SRC) Portal, Collection/Submit Collection Data tool now. Other collection data including Access to Technology, Ineffective Teachers, Parent Involvement, Precautionary Measures and Superintendent Message, must also be entered no later than Sept. 25 for the 2025-2026 School Report Card.
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.)
KDE 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.
Comprehensive Improvement Planning in the New Cognia Improvement Platform
Kentucky educators will soon begin accessing improvement planning resources through the updated Cognia Improvement Platform which has been redesigned to create a more user-friendly experience and stronger alignment across the four phases of comprehensive improvement planning.
System platform administrators, as designated by each district who will be responsible for managing user access at both the district and school levels in the platform, are invited to join the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) District 180 staff and members from Cognia for a guided walkthrough of the redesigned interface.
During this session, system platform administrators will explore the redesigned platform, learn what’s new and what remains the same for improvement planning processes, review the KDE’s updated comprehensive improvement planning expectations and receive practical tips for using the platform to support high-quality improvement planning.
Please visit the Cognia Improvement Platform session registration page to register for the session that fits your needs. District designees responsible for district-wide improvement planning and other reporting requirements (safety reports, trauma-informed care plan, etc.) should register for one location and time only. Morning and afternoon sessions will be made available from 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-3:30 p.m. local time.
Kentucky High School Alternatives Stakeholder Survey
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Kentucky State Action Collaborative on High School Alternatives invites educators and community partners to complete the Kentucky High School Alternatives Stakeholder Survey to inform the policies and supports that strengthen alternative education programs statewide. The survey includes approximately 20 questions (depending on the role of the respondent), is confidential and voluntary. Respondents who complete the survey can opt to enter to win one of five $25 Visa gift cards. Additional information about the survey is attached and can be shared with others. Questions can be emailed to Delaney Stephens.
Title II, Part A Survey Due Sept. 25
Under section 2104(b), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires local education agencies to report how they spend Title II, Part A funds each year.
Since last year, each state education agency is required to administer the survey. Prior to last year, the U.S. Department of Education’s (USED’s) annual survey on the use of funds was administered by the American Institutes for Research. Collecting this data is crucial for USED’s annual budget discussions in Congress and reporting on Title II, Part A program performance indicators. The survey covers financial data, professional development plans and staffing allocations to ensure compliance with the Title II, Part A program requirements.
District Title II, Part A Coordinators will receive an email providing directions to access the survey in Grant Management Application and Planning system (GMAP). The deadline for completion of the 2025-2026 school year survey is Sept. 25.
Please note: The information provided for this survey may be stored without identifying information and may be used for studies in the future without additional informed consent. Please contact Dana Kelly with any questions.
Regional Innovation Specialists are Partners for Sustainability and House Bill 257 Success
The progress we have seen across Kentucky over the last several years is the result of local vision. With the passage of House Bill (HB) 257, Kentucky formally recognizes that communities are well-positioned to define and measure the quality of their local education system. At the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Division of Innovation, our goal for the 2026-2027 school year is to help you embed these systems - from Portrait of a Learner to performance assessments - into your district’s DNA.
KDE is pleased to offer the continued support of our regional innovation specialist. Funded through June 30, 2027, your regional innovation specialist serves as a sustainability architect to help you engineer the policy, data, and leadership systems for long-term success.
During the 2026-2027 school year, your regional innovation specialist is prepared to partner with you on five key sustainability objectives:
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HB 257 Strategy and Local Indicators of Quality: Assisting with the design process for a set of local success indicators aligned with HB 257.
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Systems Coaching: Coaching a local innovation lead to ensure expertise remains in-house.
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Spreading and Codifying Success: Co-creating strategic implementation plans to transition local pilots to scale and board policy (e.g., embedding Portrait of a Learner into local graduation requirements).
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Evidence Systems: Acting as a “critical friend” to ensure local data collection and assessment systems are rigorous and manageable.
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Professional Learning & Peer Networking: Facilitating collaborative, multi-district professional learning opportunities on topics such as vibrant learning, Portrait of a Learner, performance assessments, and local indicators of quality.
For more information or to connect with the specialist in your region, contact Robert Meacham.
KDE to Offer Statewide Federal Programs Training
The Kentucky Department of Education is pleased to offer a virtual statewide federal programs training at no cost to school districts on Sept. 9-10. Each session will cover different topics (there may be some overlap of content, but the agendas will not repeat). The topics covered during the two day training include:
- An overview of the requirements in EDGAR (Education Department General Administrative Regulations)
- Procurement
- Case studies of fraud, waste and abuse of federal funds
- Proposed changes to the Uniform Grants Guidance (UGG)
- Interagency agreements
- Appropriation of funding at the federal level
- Hot topics in Washington, D.C.
The training will be provided by The Bruman Group, a legal firm that is nationally recognized for its federal grants management and education regulatory and legislative practice.
The training will benefit district staff who are responsible for the oversight and administration of federal education programs and compliance with legal requirements. We strongly encourage the district superintendent, finance officer and federal programs coordinator to attend. CPE credit will be available, and we anticipate offering EILA and finance officer professional development (PD) credit as well.
To register, please complete the online registration form. The training will be recorded and anyone who registers will be able to access the recording (although you must participate in the live training to be eligible for CPE or other PD credit).
For more information, email Tara Rodriguez or call (502) 564-3791, ext. 4042.
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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