Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, second from left, discusses proposals for a new assessment and accountability system during the Kentucky Department of Education’s Local Superintendents Advisory Council meeting. Photo by Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education, July 30, 2024
Members of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council (LSAC) discussed prototypes for the Commonwealth’s assessment and accountability systems during the council’s meeting on July 30.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Kentucky United We Learn Council have been working on the prototypes following the 2021 formation of the United We Learn vision, which focuses on vibrant student experiences, encouraging innovation and collaborating with the community.
Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher said one of his top priorities is a new assessment and accountability system that the Commonwealth can be proud of.
“How do we ensure that every single child has those vibrant learning opportunities?” Fletcher said.
The Kentucky United We Learn Council has been gathering input from advisory councils, stakeholder groups and school leaders on two prototypes, which should not be viewed as mutually exclusive; rather, the council plans to incorporate elements of both into its next prototype.
The first prototype is an accreditation-style model that would allow for ongoing collection and submission of evidence of learning throughout the school year. In this model, schools would submit evidence to an external evaluator and the local board of education and receive ratings on rubrics with feedback for improvement.
The second prototype values vibrant learning experiences. This system would focus on making sure students, families and communities are engaging in “authentic, joyful and relevant learning opportunities.” This system also allows students to be creative in their learning and applying their knowledge and skills through their personalized projects and experiences.
Discussion during the LSAC meeting focused on various elements of the two prototypes, federal requirements and the level of input that has been gathered so far.
Harrison County Superintendent Harry Burchett said he likes an approach that emphasizes local control over how vibrant learning experiences are judged.
“That’s my mindset: a reduction in state assessments. Use what tools we have and meet the federal requirements, and demonstrate to the public that yes, we are meeting our charge in education, but also, look at all this great local work that’s going on with these students and where they are and how they’re prepared in life, because that’s what we’re charged with,” he said. “When they walk across that (graduation) stage, are they ready to go out and compete in life?”
The presentation comes a day after Kentucky United We Learn Council members met to discuss the prototypes in workgroups and move forward with an updated version to present to the Kentucky Board of Education on Aug. 7-8.
Jennifer Stafford, director of the KDE Division of Assessment and Accountability Support, presented some of the feedback that has been received so far on the two prototypes and each option within the prototypes.
Work will continue in 2025 and the goal is to have a finalized proposal to present to the Kentucky General Assembly during its 2026 regular legislative session.
Online, Virtual and Remote Learning Program Procedures and Guidelines
LSAC members recommended approval of amendments to Kentucky regulations on accountability administrative procedures and guidelines related to online, virtual and remote learning programs.
The proposed amendments to 703 KAR 5:240 are the result of the addition of full-time enrolled online, virtual and remote learning programs as defined by 704 KAR 3:535.
There is currently no method under existing state law for attributing accountability or reporting for students attending these types of programs.
The proposed amendments to 704 KAR 3:535 would require these students to be primarily enrolled in an accountable school and their accountability to be attributable to that school in accordance with other accountability guidelines.
LSAC Leadership
Following the departure of Fletcher, who was chair of LSAC in his previous role as superintendent of Lawrence County, LSAC members voted to name Cumberland County Superintendent Kirk Biggerstaff as chair and Harrison County Superintendent Harry Burchett as vice chair.
In other business, LSAC members recommended approval of:
- Amendments to 704 KAR 3:305, minimum requirements for high school graduation, following changes from House Bill 535 on civic literacy; and
- Amendments to 703 KAR 5:080, the administration code for Kentucky’s educational assessment program, adjusting guidelines for test administrators to account for online testing and other proposed amendments.
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