Blind/VI and Deaf/HH Services
The Blind/VI and Deaf/HH Team provides informational, technical, and regulatory support to the Kentucky School for the Blind and Kentucky School for the Deaf. Additionally, we provide resources and supports to districts, parents, and service providers throughout the state in areas regarding students who are Blind/VI, Deaf/HH, or Deaf-Blind. This site ... More
Career & Technical Education
Mission: The mission of Career and Technical Education is to assist schools in providing students with skills necessary for a successful transition to postsecondary education or work and a desire for life-long learning in a global society. Purpose: Career and Technical Education is an essential component of the high school ... More
Community Engagement
A community's engagement in schools is a way to focus public attention on the partnership necessary to bring every student to his or her fullest potential. Within the Kentucky Department of Education several initiatives and programs focus on engaging communities in the educational success of students. Among these are Community Education ... More
Curriculum Documents & Resources
Kentucky's Curriculum Documents and other resources for improving instruction in Kentucky schools. Documents include the Program of Studies, Core Content for Assessment, Transformations, and other supporting documents such as the Implementation Manuals, Instructional Materials (formerly referred to as textbooks) Adoption information. Other resources include released test items and student performance ... More
Early Childhood Development
The Governors Office of Early Childhood under the leadership of Executive Director Terry Tolan, is now located at State Office Building, 125 Holmes Street, Suite 3, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. To contact the Early Childhood office please call 502-782-0200. Early Childhood has oversight of the KIDS NOW initiative (Kentucky Invests in Developing Success NOW!) ... More
Elementary School
Students entering public schools at the Primary Level, traditionally known as Kindergarten, through the Intermediate Level, typically grade 5. Information about the elementary program in Kentucky, including content specific resources. For additional information about the early elementary program, please refer to the Kentucky Primary Program link below.
English Learners
English Learners (ELs) are those students in Kentucky schools whose primary language is other than English. English Learners enter Kentucky schools with a variety of language backgrounds, educational experiences and levels of English proficiency.
Exceptional Children
Welcome to the Division of Learning Services. This site includes information on all aspects of special education programs in public schools. We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you need further assistance with finding information on special education programs in Kentucky's public schools, please contact us. ARRA Guidance Documents for IDEA Part B ... More
Gifted & Talented
Kentucky offers gifted education services for identified students across all grade levels. Primary students are screened and selected as high potential learners and students in grades 4-12 are formally identified for services in one or more of the following areas: • general intellectual aptitude • specific academic aptitude • creative or ... More
High School
Typically grades nine through grades twelve. Includes information on the Middle Level Initiative, curriculum, and content specific information.
Highly Effective Teaching and Learning
The Kentucky Department of Education has been working in teams to develop Characteristics of Highly Effective Teaching and Learning as support focused on the instructional core. The teams have looked at the research that establishes what the characteristics are and they have organized the characteristics around five components: learning climate; classroom assessment ... More
ILP - Individual Learning Plan
Individual Learning Plan (ILP) contacts, related links, professional development, data, tools and resources.
Instructional Equity/Closing the Achievement Gap
NEW ACHIEVEMENT GAP DOCUMENT RELEASED The Commissioner's Raising Achievement/Closing Gaps Council (CRACGC) has released a new document that is designed to help parents and community members become engaged in schools and districts with useful knowledge of the expectations KDE has for its schools with regard to the achievement gap This ... More
Kentucky System of Interventions
Library Media
The area of Library Media emphasizes teaching students to become information literate and lifelong learners; working in collaborative partnerships to meet individual needs; and providing access to information resources and technology.
Literacy
Literacy includes reading, writing, and the creative and analytical acts involved in producing and comprehending text. From Read to Succeed: Kentucky's Literacy Plan, developed by the Kentucky Literacy Partnership, June 2002. Literacy Without Limits: Help for Struggling Students, Grades 4-12Produced in partnership with KDE's Early Literacy Branch, this DVD-ROM resource showcases ... More
Mathematics Achievement Fund (MAF) Grant
The Mathematics Achievement Fund (MAF) grant provides schools with funds for teacher training (otherwise not provided by the KCM) and implementation of mathematics diagnostic assessment and intervention services and program(s) that address the needs of students in the primary program who are struggling with mathematics. The diagnostic assessment and intervention services and ... More
Middle School
Typically grades six through grades eight. Includes information on the Middle Level Initiative, curriculum, and content specific information.
Operation Preparation
Preschool
Kentucky's preschool education programs are available for all four-year-old children whose family income is no more than 150% of poverty; all three and four-year-old children with developmental delays and disabilities, regardless of income; and other four-year- old children as placements are available based on district decision. The preschool program is designed ... More
Program Reviews
In March 2009, Kentucky’s General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1. Passage of this bill established the implementation of a program review to be included as part of a new assessment and accountability model. A Program Review is …a systematic method of analyzing components of an instructional program, including instructional practices, aligned and ... More
Read To Achieve
Read to Achieve: Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grant ProgramThe Read to Achieve Grant Program was created to focus on reading diagnostic and intensive reading intervention for struggling readers within the state primary program. The Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grant Program is a competitive program that provides funds to schools to implement ... More
Reading First in Kentucky
Reading First is a major federal initiative within the new reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: No Child Left Behind to improve reading for primary age (K-3) children throughout the state.
Secondary and Virtual Learning
Secondary and Virtual Learning Division information.
Student & Family Support
This section provides resources to help students and families address instructional challenges, particularly those barriers affecting students with special needs.
Technology
Knowing how to use technology is critical for students, teachers, administrators, and parents in the 21st Century. In these pages you will find valuable resources related to how technology is a part of standards, curriculum documents, teaching and learning strategies, and assessment instruments.
Textbooks and Other Instructional Resources
Update on Textbook Adoption (September 2010) According to KRS 156.400 (3), the chief state school officer may delay the purchase of textbooks due to insufficient funds. Due to the inadequate amount allocated for textbooks in the current state budget, the textbook cycle will be delayed until sufficient funds are in place ... More
Thinkfinity Kentucky
What is Thinkfinity Kentucky?Verizon Thinkfinity Kentucky is a partnership with Verizon Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Education. The goal of the program is to raise awareness and train teachers throughout the state to use the thousands of free educational resources available on Thinkfinity.org. The intent of the resources is to help meet the ... More