District Spotlight

Fort Thomas Independent: Phenomena-Based Science Promotes Vibrant Learning in Middle School

Mike Carr2025-09-21T11:31:17-04:00September 21st, 2025|Categories: Featured, Standards Newsletter|Tags: Deeper Learning, District Spotlight, HQIR, KAS for Science, Science, Vibrant Learning|

An initial professional learning day set the stage for a bigger shift. At Highlands Middle School in Fort Thomas Independent Schools, a session on assessment alignment introduced the sixth-grade science team to storyline instruction. The idea clicked. The team started exploring OpenSciEd, a high-quality instructional resource (HQIR) designed around coherent [...]

Spotlight on Oldham County: Aligning Professional Learning with High-Quality Instructional Resources

Mike Carr2025-08-14T13:30:33-04:00August 14th, 2025|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: District Spotlight, HQIR|

Spotlight on Oldham County: Aligning Professional Learning with High-Quality Instructional Resources When Oldham County launched its district-wide effort to implement high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) K-5 in English/Language Arts, leaders knew that deep, curriculum-based professional learning would be essential to ensuring success. Through intentional planning, cross-role collaboration, [...]

Redefining Learning: How JCPS is Aligning Vision and Resources to Transform Student Literacy

Mike Carr2026-03-19T13:57:43-04:00July 29th, 2025|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: CBPL (Curriculum-Based Professional Learning), Deeper Learning, District Spotlight, Early Literacy, HQIR (High-Quality Instructional Resources), Instructional Practices & Learning Models, KAS for Reading and Writing, KY Reads to Succeed, Professional Learning, Reading and Writing, Resource, Vibrant Learning|

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is on a mission to transform what teaching and learning look like for every student. At the center of this work is Journey to Success, an initiative that goes beyond access to grade-level content and empowers students to actively engage in their learning, demonstrate their [...]

Brooks Elementary Teachers in Bullitt County Make the Shift to Explicit, Systematic Instruction in Foundational Skills

Mike Carr2026-03-19T14:49:54-04:00May 19th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: CBPL (Curriculum-Based Professional Learning), District Spotlight, Early Literacy, EBIP (Evidence-Based Instructional Practices), HQIR (High-Quality Instructional Resources), Instructional Practices & Learning Models, KAS for Reading and Writing, KY Reads to Succeed, PLC (Professional Learning Community), Professional Learning, Reading and Writing, Resource|

Brooks Elementary is currently in its first full year of implementing a resource developed by the University of Florida Literacy Institute called UFLI Foundations, an explicit and systematic program for teaching students foundational reading skills. Teachers from kindergarten to grade 3 are using UFLI in their Tier 1 instruction. With [...]

Spotlight on Science: High-Quality Instructional Resources Transform Elementary Classrooms in the Danville Independent School District

Tabor Placido2025-05-19T10:31:35-04:00May 8th, 2025|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: District Spotlight, HQIR|

Spotlight on Science: High-Quality Instructional Resources Transform Elementary Classrooms in the Danville Independent School District Teachers in the Danville Independent School District are bringing science to life with new high-quality instructional resources (HQIR). Elementary educators use Smithsonian and Carolina Biological resources to foster inquiry-based learning. Chief [...]

Building a Stronger System: How Carroll County Transformed Instruction Through Walkthroughs

Tabor Placido2025-05-05T10:55:42-04:00May 5th, 2025|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: District Spotlight, HQIR|

Building a Stronger System: How Carroll County Transformed Instruction Through Walkthroughs Identifying the Need: A District in Transition Change was happening fast in Carroll County—new leaders, new priorities, and new instructional resources. But with so much in motion, one critical piece was missing: a clear, consistent [...]

Greenup County Kindergarten Teacher Finds Success Through Internalization of High-Quality Instructional Resources

Mike Carr2026-03-19T14:56:49-04:00April 29th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: CBPL (Curriculum-Based Professional Learning), District Spotlight, Early Literacy, HQIR (High-Quality Instructional Resources), Instructional Practices & Learning Models, KAS for Reading and Writing, PLC (Professional Learning Community), Professional Learning, Reading and Writing, Resource|

Kindergarten teacher Cassie Thompson at Argillite Elementary in Greenup County faced a unique challenge this year: Implementing two new high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs), Magnetic Reading Foundations and Wit and Wisdom, for the first time. With eight years of teaching experience and a strong dedication to student success, Thompson approached this [...]

Third Grade Students at Flat Lick Elementary are More Engaged in Their Learning and Taking Ownership

Mike Carr2026-03-19T15:02:58-04:00April 15th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Deeper Learning, District Spotlight, HQIR (High-Quality Instructional Resources), Instructional Practices & Learning Models, KAS for Reading and Writing, Reading and Writing, Resource, Vibrant Learning|

This spring, Mrs. Garrison’s third grade class at Flat Lick Elementary in Knox County, kicked off a study of the earliest known residents of North America with an engaging gallery walk to spark curiosity and initial student interest, also referred to as priming for learning. The unit is part of the [...]

Teachers at Lebanon Elementary Say They’ve Gone from Overwhelmed About Teaching Reading to Thriving

Mike Carr2026-03-19T15:06:27-04:00April 1st, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: District Spotlight, Early Literacy, HQIR (High-Quality Instructional Resources), Instructional Practices & Learning Models, KAS for Reading and Writing, KAS for Science, KAS for Social Studies, Professional Learning, Reading and Writing, Resource|

Lebanon Elementary School (LES) in Marion County, KY, is in its first year of implementing the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) Listening and Learning Strand for grades K-3, emphasizing language comprehension through engaging, content-rich read-alouds. Teachers at LES are seeing increased student engagement and deeper connections between content and real-world [...]

The Power of Coaching at Robert B. Turner Elementary

Tabor Placido2026-03-18T11:10:56-04:00February 25th, 2025|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: District Spotlight, HQIR, KAS for Mathematics, MAF Grant|

The Power of Coaching at Robert B. Turner Elementary In 2023, Robert B. Turner Elementary in Anderson County embarked on a transformative journey with the help of a Math Achievement Fund (MAF) grant. This funding allowed the school to adopt a high-quality instructional resource (HQIR) and [...]

District Spotlight

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