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Dear Colleagues,
Part of the United We Learn vision for public education in Kentucky is encouraging innovation in our schools, and I want to inform you about a new pilot project designed to encourage innovative practices.
Senate Bill 263 (2026) amended KRS 160.125 to create the School of Innovation pilot project, which runs until June 30, 2028. For the 2027-2028 school year, two Kentucky schools may each receive up to $2.5 million through the school of innovation pilot project.
Participation in the pilot project is a two-step process. First, a school must apply to the Kentucky Board of Education to be designated as a school of innovation by requesting a waiver from at least one statute or regulation that creates a barrier to innovation. Schools can learn more about the waiver process and how to apply for School of Innovation designation by visiting the Kentucky Department of Education's Kentucky Revised Statutes webpage.
To be eligible for funding, a school’s waiver application must be heard by the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) at its October, December, February or April meeting. These must be submitted at least 20 days ahead of the next KBE meeting so they can go through the substantive review process. There also is an option on the application that allows us to bump it to the following meeting to allow for more review time if needed, which could increase the likelihood of approval.
After receiving a waiver and School of Innovation designation, schools may submit a separate application for pilot-project funding. The funding application is expected to be available later this year and will be due March 1, 2027.
The two selected schools will receive funding beginning July 1, 2027. For more information, contact Matthew Courtney via email.
As always, thank you for being …
All In,
Robbie Fletcher
Commissioner of Education
Kentucky Teacher Workload Survey
The Kentucky Department of Education is conducting a statewide survey to better understand teacher workload and the conditions that shape teachers’ professional time.
The survey will help KDE learn more about:
- How Kentucky teachers spend their professional time;
- Where workload pressures are greatest;
- How planning time, instructional resources and other responsibilities shape teachers’ work; and
- What supports, staffing considerations or structural changes may help create more sustainable teaching conditions.
What teachers should know
- The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.
- Unless otherwise noted, teachers should answer based on their experiences during the last 30 school days.
- Participation is voluntary.
- District information is collected only to help KDE understand differences across regions.
- Responses will be reported in aggregate, and individual teachers will not be identified.
- Findings are intended to help KDE better understand teacher workload and working conditions—not to evaluate individual teachers, schools, districts, curriculum programs or technology tools.
We need to hear from Kentucky teachers!
Broad participation will help KDE develop a clearer picture of teachers’ work across different grade levels, subject areas, districts and school contexts throughout the Commonwealth.
Complete the Kentucky Teacher Workload Survey. It closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 31st, 2026.
ESSA Schoolwide Flexibility
Section 1114(a)(1)(B) of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offers flexibility for the operation of schoolwide programs in schools that don’t meet the poverty threshold required in Section 1114(a)(1)(A). This threshold is typically set at 40%. However, flexibility is offered as follows:
“(B) EXCEPTION. – A school that serves an eligible school attendance area in which less than 40 percent of the children are from low-income families, or a school for which less than 40 percent of the children enrolled in the school are from such families, may operate a schoolwide program under this section if the school receives a waiver from the State educational agency to do so, after taking into account how a schoolwide program will best serve the needs of the students in the school served under this part in improving academic achievement and other factors.”
With approval, the school would have to meet all requirements under ESSA Section 1114.
To request this flexibility, a district must apply on behalf of a school. The request must:
- Describe that the district requests the flexibility;
- Address how the schoolwide program will best serve the needs of students in the school in improving academic achievement and other factors;
- Be written on the district’s letterhead; and
- Include the signature of the superintendent or his or her designee.
Please note, districts that have been approved for this flexibility in the past do not need to request it again and may continue to operate schoolwide programs in those approved schools as long as they remain eligible for services as outlined in ESSA Section 1113. Those districts must maintain documentation of the original approval.
Flexibility requests and questions may be emailed to David Millanti or mailed to David Millanti, Assistant Director; Division of School and Program Improvement; 300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor; Frankfort, KY 40601.
School Report Card – CTE and Transition Open
The School Report Card Secure Portal remains open and includes two additional domains for district review. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) domain is open for review; however, Career Readiness and Perkins data won’t be released until the media embargo Oct. 13. The Transition to Adult Life (Transition) data is also available for review. Both should be reviewed by high schools and districts by close of business Sept. 30.
Reminder that we are down to the last two weeks of data entry and review. Please complete any remaining School Report Card (SRC) tasks as outlined in last week’s SRC communication.
The following data lagged the initial release but is now available in the SRC Portal for review:
- Overview/Faculty, Staff and Community > Faculty Profile > Total Staff Turnover.
- Overview/Faculty, Staff and Community > Faculty Profile > Teacher Certification Data > Rank I and Rank II counts.
- Overview/Faculty, Staff and Community > Faculty Profile > Instructional Staff Turnover.
- Overview/Faculty, Staff and Community > Disproportionality > Inexperienced Staff
- Education Opportunity > Advanced Coursework > Advanced Coursework Participation and Performance > IB exam scores
- Education Opportunity > Advanced Coursework > Advanced Coursework Participation and Performance > CAI exam scores.
- Education Opportunity > Advanced Coursework > Advanced Coursework Participation and Performance > AP exam scores updated to reflect previously unmatched scores.
Select Help in the SRC Portal to access user guides. These guides, along with additional resources, are also available on the SRC Resources webpage to support schools and districts in completing SRC tasks.
KDE presents OSEEL GUIDES workshop series to support new leaders in early learning and special education
New directors of special education, early learning directors and preschool coordinators can build the knowledge, skills, and professional connections needed for success through the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Special Education and Early Learning’s Guiding, Uniting, and Inspiring Directors of Early Learning and Special Education (OSEEL GUIDES) workshop series.
Designed specifically for administrators in their first or second year, OSEEL GUIDES provides support as participants navigate the responsibilities and opportunities of educational leadership.
Offered through a partnership between KDE’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning, Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education, and the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, OSEEL GUIDES is a virtual monthly workshop series that combines practical guidance, leadership development and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the Commonwealth.
Participants will:
- Build knowledge related to key administrative responsibilities;
- Explore effective practices and resources that support children and students with disabilities;
- Strengthen leadership and decision-making skills; and
- Collaborate and network with other new administrators facing similar opportunities and challenges.
Through OSEEL GUIDES, new leaders gain valuable tools, resources, and professional relationships that support their success and contribute to improved outcomes for children, students, families, and staff.
Participation in OSEEL GUIDES is free. Register by completing the 2026-2027 OSEEL GUIDES registration form to reserve a spot. The workshop series begins in September. For additional information, contact Alisha Reeves.
Required Evidence of K-12 MTSS Implementation Survey
The 704 KAR 3:095 legislatively required evidence submission window for district-wide comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for the 2026-2027 school year opened Sept. 1 and will remain open through Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Each district MTSS point of contact or designee has received direction communication and is to complete the Required Evidence of K-12 MTSS Implementation Survey within this time frame. Superintendent support to ensure this survey is completed on time is greatly appreciated. Please reach out to Melissa Wainwright via email with any questions.
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