Input sought on proposed waiver to allow carryover funds to be spent on professional learning supports for Kentucky educators

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking public comment on its request for a waiver (called a Tydings waiver) to use carryover federal funds rather than returning them to the federal government.

According to 34. C.F.R. 76.709, KDE must return to the federal government any federal grant monies not obligated by the end of the grant carryover period. KDE has approximately $647,400 carried over from Fiscal Year 2021 Title II, Part A, Supporting Effective Instruction funding and will be requesting a waiver period of one additional year to obligate the funds.

If the waiver is granted, the Title II, Part A funds will be used to acquire and implement a professional learning management system to facilitate educator professional learning across the state. The system shall have the capacity to offer asynchronous and synchronous learning, networking for communities of practice and micro-credentialling for successful course completion. It should generally function as a statewide learning hub that may be used by local districts and KDE.

Professional learning initiatives to date have utilized available free tools or other existing applications. A sustainable learning hub environment will allow KDE to provide better service to local districts and higher-quality professional learning experiences to Kentucky educators.

The intent is that increased access to more engaging professional learning opportunities will support:

• Effective instruction in challenging academic standards;
• Build increased leadership capacity for principals and other school leaders;
• Provide more equitable access to effective teachers; and
• Ultimately, increase student achievement.

A description of the proposed waiver is available on KDE’s website.

Any individual or organization may submit written comments on the proposed waiver through the close of business on July 21. Send written comments to Chrystal Rowland, Kentucky Department of Education, 300 Sower Boulevard, Fifth Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 or email her at chrystal.rowland@education.ky.gov.