In this edition of Fast Five on Friday, you will find articles on the following:
Ø Kentucky’s ESEA Wavier Request Submitted to USDOE
Ø Arne Duncan’s Speech at the November 10 Kentucky Improving Schools and Districts Productivity Conference
Ø Next Superintendents’ Webcast to Occur on December 16
Ø Discovering Best Practices in CCR, Graduation Rate and Common Core
Ø First Lady’s Essay Contest
Ø December 6-7 Kentucky Board of Education Meeting (Attachment)
Fast Five on Friday
(Six this Week)
v Kentucky’s ESEA Wavier Request Submitted to USDOE - I am proud to report that KDE’s waiver request from NCLB requirements was submitted to the United States Department of Education (USDOE) on Saturday, November 12, in advance of the required November 14 deadline. Kentucky is one of 11 states that met the deadline for submission of the waiver request. The 11 states are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Much recognition and thanks need to go to the core KDE team that worked intensively and tirelessly to complete the waiver request. I also appreciate the written comments we received from several folks that reviewed the waiver. The final product showed increased clarity and emphasized the vision and innovation of Kentucky’s model.
To see the final version that was submitted to USDOE, which was revised due to the review and comments received, click on the following link:
http://www.education.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E5A11449-D23E-4B9C-93E8-CA94277B17D2/0/ESEAflexibilityrequestFINAL.pdf
The Appendix appears in two parts and is found at the following links:
· Part I -- http://www.education.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/252E3800-6113-4F5A-A9FF-57A17F05CC6B/0/ESEAWaiverRequestAppendixFinalPart1.pdf
· Part II -- http://www.education.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/A03B6231-2D11-407A-94B3-5014CC6C060E/0/ESEAWaiverRequestAppendixFinalPart2.pdf
The peer review on the waiver request will occur in early December and USDOE has indicated we will know whether it is approved by sometime in January. I will keep you apprised of the status of the waiver request.
v Arne Duncan’s Speech at the November 10 Kentucky Improving Schools and Districts Productivity Conference – For those of you who were unable to attend the November 10 Kentucky Improving Schools and Districts Productivity Conference in Louisville, I am providing the following link to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s keynote address:
· Video link mms://video1.education.ky.gov/On-Demand2011/Arne_Duncan_11-10-2011.wmv
Also, check out this week’s blog that relates to the Productivity Conference at: Blog
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v Next Superintendents’ Webcast to Occur on December 16 – Please mark your calendars for the next superintendents’ webcast that will occur on December 16 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (EST). The topic will be an update on the final version of the ESEA waiver request that was submitted to USDOE, specifically the revisions that occurred from the version that was posted for public review.
v Discovering Best Practices in CCR, Graduation Rate and Common Core -- When looking at the most recent college/career readiness (CCR) rates and graduation rates, it is clear that some districts are making significant strides toward student success. In an effort to better understand how districts are effectively reaching their goals and how the state might work to spread these practices, KDE will conduct targeted site visits. The site visits will focus on topics related to:
· school/district culture
· tools/resources for improving teaching and learning
· programs/strategies
· leadership
· school-wide practices
· Common Core implementation
Targeted districts will be those that have achieved the highest growth in their CCR rates or those that are high-performing and continue to maintain growth. Invitations will be forthcoming, with visits scheduled for January. For more details, contact Karen Dodd at karen.dodd@education.ky.gov or (502) 564-4201.
v First Lady’s Essay Contest – To celebrate the 59th Governor’s Inauguration, First Lady Jane Beshear is sponsoring an essay contest for middle school students. Students will be asked to explore how they can take an active role in moving Kentucky forward.
The theme of the contest is “Kentucky Forward – I Can Help.” Moving Kentucky forward is not a task for just one person or institution. All Kentuckians can participate. In 250 words or less, students should describe what they can do to help move Kentucky toward a better and brighter future.
Students in grades 6-8 are eligible, and each school should select one essay to represent its students. Essay submissions are due to KDE on Friday, December 2. All essays will be reviewed by a state panel of judges. The winner will be notified as soon as scoring is complete, and the essay will be highlighted during inaugural events on Tuesday, December 13 in Frankfort.
Essays may be sent to Donna Melton in the Division of Innovation and Partner Engagement, Community Engagement Branch, at the following address:
Donna Melton, Community Engagement Branch
Kentucky Department of Education
1st Floor, 500 Mero St.
Frankfort, KY 40601
For more information, contact Melton at donna.melton@education.ky.gov or (502) 564-1473.
v December 6-7 Kentucky Board of Education Meeting – The next Kentucky Board of Education meeting will occur on December 6-7 in Frankfort. On the afternoon of Dec. 6, the board will participate in the study session on the ESEA waiver request and the Teacher and Principal Professional Growth and Effectiveness System. The agenda for the full meeting is attached for your review.
If you have questions on any of the articles included in this edition of Fast Five, please contact me at the e-mail address or phone number found below.
Terry Holliday, Ph.D.
Commissioner of Education
Kentucky Department of Education
Office 502-564-3141
Fax 502-564-5680
E-mail Terry.Holliday@education.ky.gov