ICYMI: Tools for Supporting New School Year Planning
As schools prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) reminds educators of two resources available for informing and improving systems to support all students.
- The Literacy Assessment Flowchart is available as a quick reference for planning assessment practices that support informed instructional decisions. The flowchart outlines the who, what, when and why of early literacy assessments, helping educators understand the sequence of universal screening and diagnostic assessment within a comprehensive literacy system. It also includes embedded links to related KDE resources for additional guidance and support. The Literacy Assessment Flowchart can serve as a valuable tool as schools plan to identify student needs early and provide timely, targeted instruction and intervention.
Access the Literacy Assessment Flowchart.
- The KyMTSS Intervention Inventory is available as a tool to provide a systematic way of compiling, analyzing and planning for all interventions of an effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This inventory includes customizable Excel templates and guiding questions beyond reading. Mathematics and social-behavioral domains are also included. The inventory serves as a planning resource to help MTSS teams make strategic decisions to maximize learning for all students. Reading Improvement Teams may use this tool when they are developing a student’s Reading Improvement Plan.
Utilize the KyMTSS Intervention Inventory to:
- Identify intervention for Tiers 1, 2 and 3;
- Determine if interventions are evidence-based, aligned with student needs and implemented with fidelity;
- Guide professional learning and resource allocation; and
- Inform data-based conversations during intervention planning meetings.
Access the KyMTSS Intervention Inventory on the Resources for Collaborative Problem Solving Teams page.
Input Wanted for New Webinar Series!
The Kentucky Reading Research Center is launching a new webinar series featuring members of the center’s National Advisory Board and expert researchers. Planned topics include adolescent literacy and critical reading, supporting students with dyslexia, phonological awareness, and literacy instruction for multilingual learners.
The Research Center is seeking input to help plan sessions that meet educators’ needs. Educators may take a brief survey—less than 60 seconds—to identify topics of interest and preferred dates and times.
Registration Closed for LETRS Cohort 5
Registration for LETRS Cohort 5 closed on Friday, August 21. Licenses will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Registration does not guarantee enrollment in the professional learning. Registrants will receive an email from Christie Biggerstaff indicating their enrollment status by the end of August.
A virtual LETRS Kickoff meeting will occur on September 24, from 4-5 PM EST, for both LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators participants. Accepted participants will receive a Zoom link from Christie Biggerstaff inviting them to the meeting.
For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email the KDE Early Literacy Team.
Stay Connected with OTL Newsletters!
Want the latest updates from the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for our email newsletters to receive important announcements, guidance and professional learning resources for Kentucky educators.
The OTL offers a variety of newsletters tailored to support your work:
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Standards Newsletter: Updates on Kentucky Academic Standards and implementation support.
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KyMTSS: Resources and updates regarding the Kentucky Multi-Tiered System of Supports.
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Numeracy Counts: Latest news and resources to support implementation of the Numeracy Counts Act.
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Early Literacy: Guidance and resources to support implementation of the Reads to Succeed Act.
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English Learner Educator Connect: Tools and resources to support EL program implementation.
Subscribe today: Kentucky Department of Education Newsletter Sign-Up
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about Early Literacy, please email the Early Literacy Team.
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