Kentucky Department of Education

 

2007-08 Important Due Dates for Superintendents
When I sent out the message at the end of January on the necessity of getting reports submitted to KDE in a timely manner, several superintendents asked if I could send them a listing of the various KDE required reports and their due dates.  In response to this request, I am ... More

 

2007-2008 Amended School Calendars
The Kentucky Department of Education has received several questions from school districts as they amend their 2007-08 school calendars to adjust for weather days, early dismissal days and other events and still be in compliance with the 2006 Budget Bill (House Bill 380) calendar requirements. Language in HB 380 requires 2007-08 ... More

 

2007-2008 Audit Contract
The State Committee for School District Audits approved the fiscal year 2007-08 Audit Contract on March 20, 2008. As a reminder, the FY 2007-08 audit contracts are due to KDE's Division of District Operations on May 30 and districts are to submit to the Division of District Operations the initial Annual ... More

 

2007-2008 Final SEEK Calculation
Your district’s 2007-2008 Final SEEK calculation is available on the KDE Web site at 2007-2008 FInal SEEK calculation The Division of Data Management has posted the 2007-2008 Final SEEK as a requirement of House Bill 380. However, the Kentucky Department of Education has not yet received all updated district data. We ... More

 

2008 Annual Notice of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) September 2008
We have been asked by the U.S. Department of Education to forward the information below relative to the 2008 Annual Notice of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) to each local district superintendent in Kentucky.  Please make sure that the appropriate individuals ... More

 

2008 Behavior Institute
Please find attached information regarding the 2008 Behavior Institute to be held on June 23-25, 2008, at the Lexington Convention Center. For questions regarding the 2008 Behavior Institute, please contact Toyah Robey, Office of Exceptional Children, at 502-564-4970 or via email at mailto:Toyah.Robey@education.ky.gov

 

2008 Insurance Replacement Costs Information
Please find below information regarding 2008 Insurance replacement costs. For the purpose of insurance coverage, the estimated replacement costs per square foot for school buildings have been revised as follows: Elementary schools $143Middle schools $146High schools $156Vocational schools $146Central office $144Bus garages $120Storage buildings $80 Carefully review 702 KAR 3:030, especially ... More

 

2008-09 SEEK Forecast - June 08
Your district’s 2008-2009 SEEK Forecast calculation is now available on the KDE website at 2008-09 SEEK Forecast Calculation The 2008-2009 SEEK Forecast which was posted on June 16, 2008 will reflect data revisions which were requested by districts since the last SEEK Forecast web posting in April 2008. Payments for July, ... More

 

2008-09 SEEK Forecast Calculation
SEEK Forecast Calculation: Your district’s 2008-2009 SEEK Forecast Calculation is available on the KDE Web site at: 2008-09 SEEK Forecast. The SEEK forecast will reflect data received from your school district and a per pupil base of $3,822. We have chosen not to post an example with the 7% reduction that ... More

 

2008-2009 Constitutionally Protected Prayer Email and Certification August 2008
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that each local educational agency (LEA) certify in writing to its state educational agency (SEA) that it has no policy that denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer as set forth in the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance. The link for the newly ... More

 

2008-2009 Forecast SEEK Calculation based on the proposed 2008-2010 biennial budget
Your district’s 2008-2009 SEEK Forecast Calculation based on the proposed biennial budget is now available on the KDE Web site at 2008-2009 SEEK Forecast Calculation The SEEK Forecast will reflect data received from the Office of the State Budget Director. This data includes a per pupil base of $3,822, a statewide ... More

 

2009 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Program (KTOY)
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) would like to recognize exemplary teachers in your school district through the 2009 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Program (KTOY), which awards cash prizes, professional development opportunities, and other recognitions to 24 teachers in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Commonwealth. While all nominations ... More

 

21st Annual Conference for Academically Proficient African American High School Juniors and Seniors
Please find attached information regarding the 21st Annual Conference for Academically Proficient African American High School Juniors and Seniors to be held June 13-14, 2008 on the Murray State University campus.  Please note all forms must be returned no later than March 28, 2008. Should you have any questions, please contact ... More

 

Achievement Gap Targets September 2008
As the improvement planning process begins for schools across the Commonwealth, it is time to set achievement gap targets. Kentucky's achievement gap legislation, KRS 158.649 (SB 168), became effective July 15, 2002. This statute requires all school councils (principals if there is not a council) to set biennial targets eliminating any ... More

 

Action Plan for Alternative Education A5 and A6
As you may know, the Kentucky Department of Education has been reporting regularly to the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) on ways to ensure quality educational services are provided to students in alternative education programs. The most recent initiative of the Department involved the creation of the attached Action Plan for ... More

 

Appointment of Committee to Address Transportation Issues - May 08
Issues regarding transportation were brought to my attention at the recent superintendents' meeting. Apparently, funding and other issues are very complicated. To address the transportation issues, I am appointing a committee consisting of representatives from the Legislature, Legislative Research Commission, the Kentucky Department of Education, Superintendents and local school district Finance ... More

 

Budget situation
I have been notified by the Governor’s administration that the budget outlook for 2008-10 is extremely bleak.  As a result, the SEEK formula is being considered for a possible reduction.  In my opinion, a reduction in the SEEK formula would be devastating for elementary and secondary education.  It is important that ... More

 

Call for Art for High School Juniors and Seniors
Attached is a letter and nomination form from the Department for Environmental Protection describing an environmental art opportunity for high school juniors and seniors.  It is a call for juniors' and seniors' visual artwork that would be hung in the Environment and Energy Cabinet's new training facility.  If you have questions, ... More

 

Chart of Accounts Revisions for Districts November 2008
Members of the Kentucky General Assembly and other interested parties have expressed concern for several years that some of the financial data collected and reported by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) does not contain a sufficient level of detail to adequately inform certain decisions or to allow valid comparisons with ... More

 

Clarification regarding identification of Other Health Impaired (OHI) students
Some of you have requested specific clarification regarding the eligibility and assessment of students identified as having a disability under the category Other Health Impaired (OHI). I thought that I would share our discussion and response with all of you. Pursuant to 707 KAR 1:280, OHI is defined as; "having limited ... More

 

Clarification regarding Special Education Regulation relative to preschool
As you are aware, Kentucky’s special education regulations were revised in December 2007 to incorporate new requirements from the 2004 IDEA Reauthorization. Training on one of the regulatory changes (707 KAR 1:300) was recently provided by KDE to several Regional Training Centers’ Leadership meetings for preschool coordinators. This regulation deals with ... More

 

Communication from Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation regarding District Employees Retiring July 1, 2008
Carol Cummins, with the Kentucky Public Employees' Deferred Compensation Authority, asked that I share the attached information with you. If you have questions, please contact Carol at mailto:carolv.cummins2@ky.gov or call (800) 542-2667.   

 

Critical Teacher Shortage Areas for 2007-08 School Year
In response to Kentucky's submission of critical shortage areas, the United States Department of Education has designated the following areas as teacher shortage areas during the 2007-08 school year. Biology - SecondaryChemistry - SecondaryEarth ScienceEnglish - Middle SchoolEnglish - SecondaryEnglish as a Second LanguageExceptional Children (EBD, FMD, LBD, PD)Mathematics - Middle ... More

 

Current law requires the provisions of HB 380 to be met
I want to take this opportunity to explain KDE's efforts to implement HB 380. Prior to my arrival, under the direction of Commissioner Gene Wilhoit, superintendents were notified of the requirements of HB 380 in regard to the school calendar.  The notices date back to April 21, 2006.  Since then, superintendents ... More

 

Delay of Textbook Adoption Cycle for 2008-2009 School Year
As you know, we are anticipating potentially significant budget cuts to programs in the Flexible Focus Funds, including textbooks, as a way to avoid making cuts to SEEK. Due to the uncertain nature of the eventual outcome, KDE leadership has decided to delay the textbook adoption cycle for the 2008-2009 school ... More

 

District Assurances - May 08
  When meeting with your board to approve the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan District Assurances, please use the updated assurance document that has been posted on the following website at: District Assurances For further information, please contact Susan Ronca at 502-564-1979 or via email at mailto:Susan.Ronca@eduction.ky.gov .

 

Driver Education Cards
The Kentucky Department of Education will no longer be distributing driver education completion cards because it is the local district staff that has verification of student course completion. After contacting many insurance companies across the state, the Department of Education has determined that a student can simply submit a copy of ... More

 

Follow-up message on May 2009 Testing Windows
Thanks for your feedback about the May 2009 test windows. Overall, the reaction has been very positive statewide. One issue that was identified is the conflict of high school Advanced Placement tests that take place in May. We will offer an optional window for high schools to avoid this conflict. As ... More

 

Federal Cash Request - June 08
Please find attached the Federal Cash Request Form, Instructions and the Assurance Statement.  The Federal Cash Request process allows email transmission of the Federal Cash Requests forms.  As a part of this process, thedistrictsuperintendents should sign a Statement of Assurance, identifying the individuals in their district office who are authorized to ... More

 

GED Test Fees to Increase October 2008
I've been asked by Kentucky Adult Education to share the following information with you. For more details, contact B.J. Helton, senior associate and GED administrator, Kentucky Adult Education, (502) 573-5114, ext. 102, e-mail bj.helton@ky.gov.   Kentucky Adult Education, Council on Postsecondary Education, has filed amendments to the GED Testing Program regulation, ... More

 

Green Team Kentucky Online Film Festival
Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller asked that I share the following information with you. For more information, contact Valeria Cummings Swope, director of communications for the cabinet, at valeria.cummings@ky.gov or (502) 564-4240.   Ashley Judd joins First Lady Jane Beshear to launch online film festival Kentuckians are asked ... More

 

Growth Factor 2008-09 Submission October 2008
The Growth Factor Report is due to KDE ten (10) days after the last day of the second school month, but not later than November 1 of each school year. This report includes the following information for the first two (2) school months: aggregate days’ attendance and absence; race and gender ... More

 

HB 91 August 2008
House Bill 91, often referred to as the "Bullying Bill," was passed during the 2008 legislative session.  The legislation requires the Kentucky Department of Education to provide guidance to local school districts to assist with the implementation at the local level.  Additionally, the legislation requires that a "model policy" be provided ... More

 

Health Insurance Open Enrollment Ends Soon October 2008
The Kentucky Personnel Cabinet asked me to share the following information with you. For more details or if you have questions, please contact the health insurance coordinator in your district, or the Department of Employee Insurance's Member Services Branch at (502) 564-6534 or toll-free at (888) 581-8834.   Dear Kentucky Employee ... More

 

Highway Safety Important for Students September 2008
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has asked me to share the attached information with you, so that you can remind your students and staff of the importance of highway safety. For more information, please contact the Transportation Cabinet's Office of Highway Safety at (502) 564-1348 or toll-free at (888) 374-8768.

 

I-Jam Internet Safety Conference Registration October 2008
I've been asked by Kentucky Child Now! to share the following information with you. For more information, please contact Doris Settles, Kentucky Child Now!, (502) 227-7722, e-mail dorissettles@kychildnow.org.   Kentucky Child Now!, along with the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General and the Kentucky Department of Education, sponsors i-Jam, an initiative ... More

 

Individual Learning Plan - June 08
As we continue to transition remaining districts to the Infinite Campus product, I want to remind each district that KDE will again pay the license and support fees for the Kentucky Student Information System for the upcoming school year. For the districts in the Pilot and Wave 1 group, you will ... More

 

Information regarding 2008 TItle I Allocations - May 08
The Kentucky Department of Education has received numerous calls regarding Title I district allocations. In response to questions received, I would like to share with you information that the U. S. Department of Education has shared with us on how they figure the allocations for every school district in the nation. ... More

 

Intervention Strategies Document - June 08
Dear Superintendent,   The Kentucky Department of Education supports and recommends that each school and district implement a system of interventions, P-12, that responds to any student need, based on appropriate data.  In addition to prior data sources, Kentucky now has the opportunity to identify students’ high school and postsecondary readiness ... More

 

Invitation to Present at Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference September 2008
Dear Colleague, Do you have a successful program in your district or school that supports the theme: Building to Proficiency and Beyond: Sharing Success from Kentucky Schools? Why not share that winning model with administrators and teachers across the state? It’s time to show your stuff! Let other educators in on ... More

 

Journalism Scholars Day September 2008
I've been asked by the School of Journalism and Broadcasting at Western Kentucky University to forward the following information to you. For more details, please contact Katherine Clark, Journalism Scholars Day program director, at (270) 745-3055 or katherine.clark@wku.edu.   Dear Journalism/Media Adviser and Teacher, The School of Journalism and Broadcasting at ... More

 

KBE approval of waiver of the March 1 school council allocation deadline extended to May 1
The Kentucky Board of Education took action that will have an impact this year on the timing of school council allocations in some school districts. The information below will assist you as you communicate this decision to the affected individuals and what it means for school districts and councils. During its ... More

 

KDE Will Search Actively for External Grant Opportunities October 2008
In an effort to help schools and districts find external grant opportunities, the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Internal Administration and Support is offering a new service. A list of grant opportunities pertaining to schools and districts is now posted on KDE’s Web site in the Administrative Resources section. ... More

 

Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline (KYCID) Professional Development Opportunity - June 08
Please find attached information from the Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline regarding the opportunity to offer quality professional development to local school districts. For further information, please contact Mike Waford, Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline, at 502-564-9671 or toll free at 866-270-3186 or via email at mailto:mike.warford@eku.edu

 

Kentucky School for the Deaf Kindergarten through Grade 8 Academic Summer School
The Kentucky School for the Deaf's Kindergarten through Grade 8 Academic Summer School will be held Sunday, June 1 through Friday, June 13.  This program is open to deaf and hard of hearing students attending both public schools and the Kentucky School for the Deaf.  Your assistance is needed in distributing/forwarding ... More

 

Kentucky Title III Annual Measurable Objectives (AMAOs) October 2008
  Please share this email with your Title III and Title I Coordinators and Instructional Support Network Staff (ISN).  If you are a Superintendent, a Title III/ELL District Coordinator or a DAC in a district without limited English proficient students, you can disregard this message.   The purpose of this letter ... More

 

KOIN Health Alert - FDA Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination
KDE was asked to send out the email message below providing an FDA Health Information Advisory on Melamine Contamination relative to Mr. Brown coffee/milk tea and White Rabbit Creamy Candy.  If you have questions, contact Barbara Fox at BarbaraJ.Fox@ky.gov .  Please distribute to appropriate audiences. FDA Updates Health Information Advisory on ... More

 

KSIS License 2008-09 - June 08
As we continue to transition remaining districts to the Infinite Campus product, I want to remind each district that KDE will again pay the license and support fees for the Kentucky Student Information System for the upcoming school year. For the districts in the Pilot and Wave 1 group, you will ... More

 

KVHS Spring 2008 registration dates
Registration for Kentucky Virtual High School’s (KVHS) Spring 2008 semester is currently open and will end on December 7, 2007, which is earlier than usual. The early registration date will allow adequate time to open sections of courses, ship textbooks, and to ensure sufficient faculty are in place. Many courses filled ... More

 

Legislators Back to School Program
I was asked by the Legislative Research Commission to make sure you are aware of possible contacts about legislators participating in this year's America's Legislators Back to School Program. The National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL's) annual America's Legislators Back to School Program for the school year 2008-2009 will kick off ... More

 

May Testing Window Change
Good news!  Ken Draut, Associate Commissioner of the Office of Assessment and Accountability, and I have determined a proposed solution to the problem educators have voiced on the earliness of the spring CATS testing window that now occurs in late April and the first few days of May.  Beginning in 2009, ... More

 

Minority Recruitment and Retention Report September 2008
Each year districts are required to submit a Minority Recruitment and Retention (MERR) report (attached) of the district’s efforts to increase the percentage of minority teachers. To assist districts with the reporting process we have provided step by step procedures. The following information describes the reporting requirements and offers guidance to ... More

 

NAILE Field Trips Offer Resources September 2008
I've been asked by the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center to share this information with you in the event your schools are able to take advantage of the opportunity. For more details, contact Alice Hayse, NAILE Education Program, ahayse@ksfb.ky.gov, (502) 367-5212.   A North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) field trip ... More

 

National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) Legislation October 2008
As part of our ongoing efforts to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 all districts must be aware of and assure procedural compliance. One new component of reauthorization has potential to benefit students with disabilities. The National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) is a new standard ... More

 

National Student Parent Mock Election October 2008
A democracy only works when everyone participates, and that's why it's important to show our youth the need for active participation in our democratic system. The National Student/Parent Mock Election is a great tool to help schools teach the importance of a participatory democracy. Early education can help promote lifelong voting ... More

 

New Curriculum Resource September 2008
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Curriculum Development has developed and released a new curriculum resource for educators, the Program of Studies and College Readiness Standards Alignment.  This alignment is designed to help educators understand how Kentucky curriculum standards, the Program of Studies, align to the Educational Planning and Assessment ... More

 

New resource on family health available from KET August 2008
I've been asked by KET to share the following information with you. For more details, please contact Kathy M. Day, Ready to Learn Coordinator, KET/The Kentucky Network, 600 Cooper Dr., Lexington KY 40502; phone (859) 258-7451; e-mail Kday@KET.org.   Did you know that one child in three born after 2000 will ... More

 

Yearly 2008-2009 Classified Newspaper Advertisement - July 08
In compliance with federal guidelines, prior to the beginning of each school year, recipients of federal career and technical (vocational) funds must advise students, parents, employees, and the general public that all career and technical educational opportunities will be offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. The ... More

 

On the Radar Update September 2008
Below is the latest “On the Radar” update from KDE staff.  The contacts are noted for each item if you have questions. On the Radar:  The Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Interventions in Low-Performing Schools, The Improvement Imperative:  Successful Intervention Strategies, a Different Approach to Kentucky Department of Education ... More

 

Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Begins Soon September 2008
I've been asked by the Department of Employee Insurance to forward the following information to you. For more details, please contact the health insurance coordinator in your district or the Department of Employee Insurance's Member Services Branch at (502) 564-6534 or toll-free at (888) 581-8834. Welcome to Open Enrollment Mandatory Open ... More

 

Participation in the Lincoln bicentennial commemoration - July 08
Below is a letter from Kentucky Board of Education Chair Joe Brothers and me encouraging all schools to participate in the Lincoln bicentennial commemoration.  The letter also offers a link to the Kentucky Lincoln Commissioner’s Web site to assist you and a source for materials that teachers can access at the ... More

 

Picturing America October 2008
Content specialists at KDE have reviewed the materials regarding "Picturing America" outlined in letter copied below and found them to be a valuable resource for teachers. Although they could be used in a number of ways, these free resources will be especially useful for Social Studies and Arts and Humanities teachers. ... More

 

Poetry Out Loud Contest September 2008 (Reminder)
I've been asked by the Kentucky Arts Council to share the following information with you. For more details, please contact Suzanne Gray at suzanne.gray@ky.gov or by phone, toll-free, at (888) 833-2787. The Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) invites interested Kentucky high schools to submit an application to participate in the 2008-2009 Poetry ... More

 

Potential budget cuts need impact by December 3 2008 URGENT
Late yesterday, in a meeting with staff from the Office of the State Budget Director, I was informed that the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) must submit a plan for a 4% cut across the board. This will reduce the state budget for P-12 education by approximately $132 million.  At this point, ... More

 

Preparation for New Processing November 2008
As a result of new enhancements to the SEEK application at the Kentucky Department of Education, beginning October 31, 2008, some forms that were traditionally submitted to KDE on paper will be replaced by a web-based counterpart. The first example will be the SEEK 2009-2010 Trend form and we anticipate it ... More

 

Preschool FY 08 Shortfall Explanation - June 08
Attached is an estimated calculation of the Preschool FY 08 shortfall. The Preschool rates are calculated by estimating the negative adjustment and the supplemental 3’s by using prior year’s figures. The differences in the estimated and actual figures were greater than anticipated. This difference created a shortfall of $1,120,711 for the ... More

 

Program to help with physical activity November 2008
I've been asked by the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet to forward the following information to you. For more details, please contact Sharley Hughes at sharley.hughes@ky.gov.   Beginning in January 2009, the Kentucky Employees Health Plan (KEHP) is partnering with Humana and Virgin HealthMiles to bring our employees another great benefit. After looking ... More

 

Reaffirmation to diversity in hiring by the Kentucky Department of Education August 2008
Diversity Statement With the issuance of this statement, I am reaffirming my commitment to diversity in hiring at the Kentucky Department of Education.  I understand and support the value of creating a diverse workforce. The Kentucky Department of Education, under previous commissioners of education, has done a great job in improving ... More

 

Registration Form for 2008 KCSS Annual Conference September 2008
We have been asked by the Kentucky Council for Social Studies to send out the information found below.  Contact Jana Kirchner at jana.kirchner@grrec.ky.gov if you have questions.   2008 KCSS Annual Conference"Leadership and Advocacy for Social Studies Education"September 23-24, 2008Galt House HotelLouisville, KY "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to ... More

 

Reminder of Statute on High School Credit Earned in Middle School
KDE’s Division of Curriculum staff prepared the following information related to questions we received concerning middle school students who complete high school credits. This is a reminder to ensure that your district is following the current statute and that students are receiving credit accordingly. It does not represent new policy but ... More

 

Reminder of Veterans Day activities as mandated by KRS 158.075 August 2008
Veterans Day is celebrated this year on Tuesday, November 11. A concern has been brought to my attention that not all schools may be observing Veterans Day as mandated by KRS 158.075.  As a reminder, in 2006, the Kentucky legislature amended state law (KRS 158.075) to mandate certain activities for all ... More

 

Schools to Watch - May 08
The Kentucky Schools to Watch program is an ideal platform for watching and recognizing Kentucky middle schools that grow and achieve as they strive toward a focused mission of high expectations for all students. These schools are committed to promoting the academic performance and healthy development of young adolescents. The National ... More

 

SESPTC Scholarship Application and information for 2008
The Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference (SESPTC) is a non-profit corporation created over 55 years ago to host an annual conference focused on educating student transportation professionals working in the southeast. The member southeastern states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia ... More

 

Special Education Determinations
This is just a reminder regarding some information that we are sure your Director of Special Education shared with you some time ago. The reminder is that federal mandates now require KDE to make annual “Determinations” on the performance of local school district programs for students with disabilities. The new mandate ... More

 

Student identifiers needed for P thru 20 data sharing SSID should be included on transcripts immediately
Please share the information found below with guidance counselors in your districts, since many student transcripts are generated at the school level.  I will also be forwarding this message to district technology officers and pupil personnel directors. Recent discussions with higher education officials have increased our determination to begin sharing data ... More

 

Students Invited to Commemorate Lincoln Bicentennial
The Kentucky Historical Society has asked me to forward the information below to you. This project is specifically targeting 4th-, 5th- and 8th-graders, but students in other grade levels may participate.   For more information, contact Laura Coleman at laura.coleman@ky.gov.         Who: 4th -, 5th - and 8th-grade classes, and any other ... More

 

Task Force to review State Assessment and Accountability System
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – A statewide task force of policymakers and experts in the field will review Kentucky’s Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS), with the primary goals of providing a blueprint for the system’s progress in the future and ensuring that the system meets the best interests of public school students.   ... More

 

Teacher and ADministrator Standards Changes - April 08
The intent of this e-mail is to inform you of the recent changes in the teacher and administrator standards. In February 2008, the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) revised the administrative regulation, 16 KAR 1:010, which establishes the standards required for certified school personnel to obtain or maintain certification. The revised ... More

 

Tentative SEEK Calculation - 2008-09 September 2008
Your district's 2008-09 SEEK Tentative Calculation is available on the KDE Web site at Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) Data used in the Tentative SEEK Calculation: The calculation is based on data from the 2007-08 Superintendent’s Annual Attendance Report, Forecast SEEK growth data, 2007-08 actual at-risk student amount, 2007-2008 final ... More

 

Textbook Review Cycle - April 08
On February 14, 2008, I sent a message indicating that the textbook review cycle would be put on hold due to expected cuts in funds for textbooks and instructional resources. Now that the budget has been finalized and these funds are back to their original allotment, we will return to the ... More

 

Timely submission of reports to KDE
After meeting with staff from the Office of Education Accountability, it has come to my attention that a reminder needs to go out to local districts on the critical nature of submitting reports/data to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) in a timely manner.  When reports/data are not submitted to KDE ... More

 

Title VI Dear Colleague Letter on Principles Regarding Assignment of Students to Elementary and Secondary Schools September 2008
We received the email found below from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and have been asked to share the information with state education staff as well as local districts.  It is guidance on how the Office of Civil Rights assesses the use of race in assigning students ... More

 

Update on status of the state budget
I wanted to update you on the status of the state budget as it proceeds through the General Assembly.  Yesterday, it was passed by the full House.  It will now proceed to the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee for consideration and will then have to be approved by that committee and ... More