Kentucky School Advocate
December 2024
Kentucky Board of Education discusses assessment and accountability
The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) during its Dec. 4-5 meeting discussed the latest developments in the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) and the United We Learn Council’s efforts to revamp the state’s assessment and accountability systems.
Jennifer Stafford, division director for KDE’s Office of Assessment and Accountability, provided an update and reviewed the process, core values and the proposed phased-in implementation.
“We’ve had several prototypes that we’ve been working with and developing over the summer, and those prototypes have evolved into a framework,” she said. “We have something on paper that we can respond to, taking into consideration all of the study that was conducted and all of the feedback that we received.”
She also highlighted how the latest proposal, Framework 1.0, incorporates a distinct separation of the required federal accountability indicators that are used to identify the lowest-performing schools, from other components that could be included in each district’s local accountability reporting.
Board member Mike Borchers said he would like to see an accountability system that continues to test and assess science performance, but moves it from a federal school quality measure to a local one. Previous prototypes included science performance as an item reported to the federal government.
Several board members expressed interest in moving science performance to a local school quality measure as well.
Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said the new framework includes flexibility for districts to develop their own local accountability measure, opening the door for groups of districts to work together to implement ideas for their communities.
KDE staff members are currently organizing a series of town halls across the state to get input from educators, students, families, legislators and community members on the framework and how new assessment and accountability systems could work locally. Fletcher said there will be a revised Framework 2.0 before those town hall meetings.
“This is a very exciting time in education as we move forward with these assessment and accountability models,” he said.
Online, virtual and remote learning regulations
The Kentucky Board of Education has approved an agency amendment to 704 KAR 3:535 regarding full-time enrolled online, virtual and remote learning programs.
The amendment follows actions taken by the KBE during its meeting in August related to these programs. During that meeting, board members approved amendments to state regulations requiring students enrolled in these programs to be primarily enrolled in an accountable school and their accountability to be attributable to that school in accordance with other accountability guidelines.
The new amendment would, starting with the 2025-2026 school year, prohibit a district from enrolling more students in a full-time enrolled online, virtual and remote learning program than 10% of the total student enrollment in the district on Oct. 1 of the previous school year.
Floyd County ATC receives grant for facility
The Floyd County Area Technology Center (ATC) secured an $812,000 grant to help support the expansion of career and technical education programs.
The money will repair damage from mine drainage. The funds will be used for design and grading, new drainage controls and repairs to tile, plumbing and lighting within the building.
“Receiving this grant will have such a positive impact on Floyd County and surrounding areas,” said Floyd County ATC Principal Jeff Shannon. “These upgrades empower our Floyd County ATC students to reach their training goals and fill the many skilled trades positions in our region.”
The grant will also help Floyd County ATC convert shops to LED lighting.
The grant was awarded during the SOAR Summit in Pikeville on Oct. 18, with funds specifically dedicated to helping ensure eastern Kentucky students are well-prepared for high-demand careers.