Professional Learning

Content Area Teacher Resource Guides

2026-07-20T11:31:06-04:00July 20th, 2026|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

The Teacher Resource Guides help educators quickly access Kentucky Department of Education resources that support high-quality, standards-aligned instruction. Organized by content area, these guides connect teachers to professional learning, instructional supports, standards resources, family engagement tools and other evidence-based materials. Explore the content-specific guides below to find resources that support [...]

Implementing the KAS for Reading and Writing: A Focus on Writing

2026-07-20T11:25:18-04:00July 20th, 2026|Categories: ELA Resources, Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , |

The revised KAS for Reading and Writing was adopted into law May 5, 2026, and is effective for the 2026-2027 school year. The standards outline a text-centered instructional model and prioritize writing that is grounded in the texts and topics students are studying. The standards call for integrated reading and [...]

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Grant County Schools: Leading Literacy Through Intentional Systems

2026-05-29T08:37:32-04:00May 27th, 2026|Categories: Featured, Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

https://youtu.be/vQuL3UB7lzY Nestled in a predominantly rural area of northern Kentucky, Grant County Schools  serves approximately 3,100 students across six schools- four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Nearly 70% of the district’s students are identified as economically disadvantaged. Recognizing the critical role literacy plays in student [...]

Preparing for the Next School Year: Rediscover the Social Studies Student Assignment Library

2026-06-17T15:10:36-04:00May 20th, 2026|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , |

With the current school year wrapping up, it is time to begin thinking about planning learning experiences for the 2026-2027 school year. Whether you are a new or experienced teacher, the Social Studies Student Assignment Library provides examples of student assignments that are weakly, partially and strongly aligned to the [...]

New Science Professional Learning Module:  Vibrant Learning Through the Four Instructional Shifts

2026-06-17T15:12:55-04:00May 20th, 2026|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , |

Vibrant science classrooms are not accidental, but are intentionally designed. Vibrant science learning involves students making sense of meaningful phenomena and collaborating with evidence. This instruction is tightly aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Science, positioning students as thinkers and problem solvers. The Vibrant Learning Through the Four [...]

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Recording of 2026 March Leadership Meeting Now Available

2026-05-15T09:01:54-04:00May 1st, 2026|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , |

Recording of 2026 March Leadership Meeting Now Available Recording of 2026 March Leadership Meeting Now Available  In order to provide vibrant learning environments for all students, it is important for schools and districts to translate the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) into a guaranteed and viable curriculum. [...]

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Simpson County Schools: Cultivating Conceptual Understanding through Intellectual Preparation

2026-04-10T07:58:41-04:00April 10th, 2026|Categories: Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , |

https://youtu.be/mKZ3eRQl19U   Guided by a strong commitment to academic excellence, Simpson County Schools set out to strengthen coherence and rigor in mathematics instruction across its elementary classrooms. To move this vision forward, the district sought a unified approach that would ensure every student had access to high-quality, evidence-based instruction aligned with the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) [...]

  • Students at a table use blue math manipulatives as two adults in red shirts support them, with a “Spotlight: Calhoun Elementary School” banner behind them.

Calhoun Elementary: Shifting the Focus to High-Quality Math Representation 

2026-03-20T09:17:57-04:00March 6th, 2026|Categories: Featured, Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , |

Calhoun Elementary School set out to strengthen Tier I mathematics instruction by aligning classroom practice more closely with the intent of the Kentucky Academic Standards for Mathematics and fostering productive struggle among students. In pursuit of this goal, school leaders selected Illustrative Mathematics, a high-quality instructional resource (HQIR) that received strong ratings [...]

  • Learning coach and principal pictured beside graphic highlighting “Spotlight: Howell Elementary School.”

Howell Elementary: Embracing ‘Cognitive Grappling’ to Build Student Mathematicians 

2026-02-10T08:53:05-05:00February 6th, 2026|Categories: Featured, Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , , |

https://youtu.be/Q1aNhbH1LCU   At Howell Elementary School in the Erlanger-Elsmere Independent school district, a shift in mathematics instruction began with a realization: Teachers were working hard to design their own curriculum, but the lack of alignment K-5 was leaving gaps in student learning. Data revealed a "massive need" for a [...]

Corbin Independent: Shifting Professional Learning to Transform Math Instruction

2025-12-12T09:21:52-05:00December 12th, 2025|Categories: Featured, Standards Newsletter|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Two years ago, Corbin Independent Schools faced a realization familiar to many districts: Students were not consistently demonstrating the mathematical practices necessary for deep understanding. Data from district “learning walks” revealed that classroom tasks didn't always provide opportunities for students to engage in the math practice standards.  Rather than settling for a quick fix, the district asked "why" until they [...]

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