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(FRANKFORT, KY) 鈥� 99re视频精品 Department of Education (KDE) staff members unveiled a new tool to help districts with local accountability during the .

Sarah Snipes, director of KDE鈥檚 Division of Innovation, presented information about the .

Developed in collaboration with districts, the University of 99re视频精品鈥檚 Center for Next Generation Leadership and the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative鈥檚 ElevatED Studios, the guide provides a step-by-step approach, real examples from across the Commonwealth and practical tools to help schools and communities design accountability systems that reflect local priorities and create vibrant learning experiences for every student.

鈥�99re视频精品’s in the middle of reimagining assessment and accountability, and we’ve heard time and time again that a single state test score just doesn’t capture the full picture of student success,鈥� Snipes said. 鈥淪o, communities are expressing that they want a richer story about what’s happening in our schools, and we hope that this local accountability toolkit comes in to help support districts.鈥�

Snipes said the toolkit includes frameworks, rubrics, examples and templates that are flexible so districts can incorporate their community鈥檚 values and priorities.

For additional information or support, please contact KDE Innovative Programs Consultant Rob Collins.

Future Forward Education and Career Center

Superintendents heard a presentation on the Future Forward Education and Career Center in Lexington, a collaborative effort to educate students in the juvenile justice system.

Franklin County Superintendent Mark Kopp said the Future Forward Education and Career Center began after conversations in the summer of 2020 between officials with Franklin County Schools and the 99re视频精品 Department of Juvenile Justice centered around helping provide an education to those being held in the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

鈥淲e were thrilled to have the opportunity to provide those (educational) services,鈥� Kopp said.

Kopp said the district entered into a partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice, KDE and the 99re视频精品 Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children to create the Future Forward Education and Career Center. The district hired Adam Nance to serve as principal of Future Forward and William Cofield High School, an alternative learning center in Franklin County.

Nance said he worked on rebranding the Future Forward Education and Career Center, which previously would show up as the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center on transcripts for jobs or college applications.

鈥淲e worked hard after the (first) school year to change that (name) so there鈥檚 just not that perception,鈥� Nance said. 鈥淚t may come up in a job opportunity later, but I don鈥檛 want that to deter anything.鈥�

Nance said once Future Forward got started, the Franklin County school district developed an onboarding process that helps students build a positive connection back to school and prepares them to graduate or earn a GED.

Nance said work also went into the school鈥檚 imaging and environment to ensure it feels exactly like how a school classroom should feel. This includes new opportunities for project-based learning, career and technical education, and courses in life skills. He said there are also opportunities for students to be involved in the community, including art exhibitions and career expos.

鈥淥ur average length of stay is about 20 days, so we just try to make that positive connection back to school and get them exploring various careers so that when they leave here, they can 鈥楪o Forward,鈥� as we like to say,鈥� Nance said.

Gretta Hylton, associate commissioner of the KDE Office of Special Education and Early Learning, said, 鈥淔ranklin County and (the Department of Juvenile Justice) are working side-by-side to open new doors for all students, particularly students with disabilities.鈥�

Carol Morrison, director of KDE鈥檚 Division of IDEA Monitoring and Results, said one of things that stood out about Future Forward on a recent visit was how intentional the planning was to ensure success for all students and how much collaboration there was between the school district and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Family Friendly Districts

Leaders with the Prichard Committee informed superintendents about a new opportunity to highlight their district鈥檚 family engagement practices.

The new Family Friendly District certification process is designed to complement the and certification processes. Family Friendly Schools is a Prichard Committee initiative in partnership with KDE, Partners for Rural Impact and the 99re视频精品 Collaborative for Families and Schools.

The Family Friendly District certification process is designed to show that a mass of schools has met Family Friendly School certification and the district has established the norms and structures at the district level to institutionalize family and community partnership as a core element of effective education practice at every level within the district.

Washington, Daviess, Harrison and Rowan County school districts have been piloting the new process, which will be public starting in January 2026.

Washington County Superintendent Robin Cochran said the Family Friendly work aligned with the district鈥檚 strategic plan, which includes a commitment to family and community engagement.

鈥淏eing in a rural school district, I know that most of you know that we are the heart of the community and this certification reinforces that the role that we are playing makes families true partners in the learning for their child and what their hopes and dreams are,鈥� Cochran said.

Grace McKenzie, director of Family Friendly Schools at the Prichard Committee, went over key elements of Family Friendly Districts, which includes having a feedback group and action team that gathers, reviews and implements changes based on family and school leader feedback. The action team conducts a self-assessment of the district, surveys families and makes a plan based on the feedback.

鈥淲e wanted to explore those district-level elements that were necessary to really provide that leadership and support at the school level to ensure that it’s embedded really throughout a whole district,鈥� McKenzie said.

Interested district leaders are encouraged to submit their name and information to the to receive updates.

Special Education Resources

Representatives with KDE鈥檚 Office of Special Education and Early Learning provided an overview of a variety of resources available for special education.

The resources include a video series, , designed to help educators with nine specific areas, ranging from classroom setup, sensory and visual supports, calming practices and how to support bus behavior. The department also has a video series specifically for mathematics education, , designed to help educators implement math teaching practices across multiple grade levels.

Amanda Waldroup, assistant director of KDE鈥檚 Division of IDEA Implementation and Preschool, said the videos give teachers quick, practical strategies they can use right away in the classroom.

Educators also can access the 99re视频精品 Mathematics Toolkit, the 99re视频精品 Foundational Literacy Toolkit and a Universal Design for Learning video series on the .

Waldroup also highlighted the new Kaleidoscope Community of Practice professional learning, designed to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities. It focuses on specially designed instruction in math, literacy and behavior.

Waldroup said the educators in the first cohort have provided great, positive feedback about the sessions.

鈥淢uch like a kaleidoscope, which uses reflection to create colorful symmetrical paths, this initiative emphasizes the power of reflective practice and teaching,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y examining instructional methods, student feedback and outcomes, educators refine their approach, creating visible, meaningful change in special education.鈥�

Those who complete the program receive a classroom kit with instructional materials to support their work.

Registration for this year鈥檚 sessions has ended, but anyone interested in learning more about the program should contact Rebecca Turner, education program consultant in KDE鈥檚 Office of Special Education and Early Learning.

Adaptive Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Project

Thomas Williams, director of KDE鈥檚 Early Learning Unit, presented information about the Adaptive Kindergarten Readiness Pilot Project, which offers families a no-cost, online educational experience for preschool-aged learners who may not be attending state-funded preschool programs.

The project was established by and offered through Age of Learning. Eligible children will receive a tablet, mobile internet access and a subscription to My Reading Academy, an online platform designed to build early literacy skills and boost kindergarten readiness.

Children in families with a household income of no more than 200% of the federal poverty level are prioritized in the application requirements. Age of Learning will work with school districts and early childhood partners to identify and enroll eligible children.

Families may apply for this opportunity on the . District and school staff may direct any questions about the project to Samantha Barbagli with Age of Learning.