March 2025: Kentucky United We Learn Council Virtual Spring Convening and Kentucky Board of Education Meeting
At the Kentucky United We Learn Council March 20th meeting, The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) presented Framework 3.0, developed from feedback from regional town halls. The framework separates federal and local accountability indicators, offering districts flexibility in defining their measures. Updates include options for interim assessments, optional K-2 assessments, and flexibility in science testing.
During the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) meeting on March 26-27, members voted to advance Framework 3.0 into the advocacy phase. The framework, developed by KDE and the Kentucky United We Learn Council, separates federal accountability indicators from local measures, allowing districts flexibility. Key updates include options for interim assessments, K-2 assessments, and science testing flexibility.
Board members discussed testing, subject priorities, and vibrant learning experiences, and approved revisions to the framework, including adjustments to social studies and writing assessments, title updates, and additional input from the Local Superintendents Advisory Council. The revised framework will be presented for further discussion at the June KBE meeting.
January and February 2025: Regional Town Halls
The nine town halls, hosted by eight regional cooperatives and one Spanish-language town hall, engaged Kentucky communities in shaping the state's assessment and accountability systems. The format began with a welcome from Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, followed by a presentation from the Division of Innovation at Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) on Vibrant Learning Experiences, showcasing real district examples. A local district then shared their progress on developing a local accountability system.
Jennifer Stafford, Director of Assessment and Accountability at KDE, presented Model Framework 2.0, linking it to local efforts and outlining next steps. Commissioner Fletcher led a "Wows and Wonders" session, allowing attendees to ask questions, which were later compiled into a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. These town halls provided valuable feedback, ensuring that community input remains central to the development of Kentucky’s new accountability framework. Recordings and the FAQ document are available on the Reimagining Assessment and Accountability webpage. KDE gains insight from community during assessment and accountability town halls.
December 2024: Kentucky Board of Education MeetingAt the December 4-5 meeting, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) discussed the latest developments in the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) efforts to revamp the state’s assessment and accountability systems. Jennifer Stafford presented Framework 1.0, which separates federal accountability indicators from local district components and allows flexibility for districts to create their own measures. Board members supported moving science performance to a local accountability measure. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher outlined plans for the regional town halls in early 2025 to gather public input. Kentucky Board of Education discusses next steps with assessment and accountability
November 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Virtual Meeting to Launch Model Framework 1.0
The Kentucky United We Learn Council convened virtually on November 20th to discuss the proposed Framework 1.0, which was promised after the fall convening. Members reviewed the framework, engaged in thoughtful discussions, and provided feedback. Framework 1.0 and the feedback from the council will be taken to the Kentucky Board of Education's December meeting, with a future plan of sharing Model Framework 2.0 with the public during regional town hall meetings hosted by KDE and the regional cooperatives, set to take place in January and February 2025.
October 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Fall Convening
At the Kentucky United We Learn Council's fall convening on October 21-22, members advanced the development of new assessment and accountability systems, focusing on student growth and community involvement. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher emphasized creating a system that reflects Kentucky's diverse needs. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the council gathered input from 647 respondents through surveys and focus groups. Key findings included support for a local accountability system, removal of social studies and writing from the accountability model, and discontinuation of the color-coded ranking system. Concerns about equitable resources for vibrant learning experiences were also raised. KDE will review the feedback and present a new framework to the council in November. Kentucky United We Learn Council discusses prototype 4.0 study results during 2024 fall convening
September 2024: Launch Prototype 4.0 and Survey
Following the Superintendent webcast on September 12, 2024, the Kentucky United We Learn Council launched Prototype 4.0 and its accompanying survey on the Reimagining Assessment and Accountability webpage. The page included several helpful resources, such as a glossary of terms, an overview document, a comparison chart, and a series of informational videos created by Jennifer Stafford, the Director of the Division of Assessment and Accountability Support. The survey closed on October 4 for data analysis.
August 2024: Kentucky Board of Education Meeting
During its August 7-8 meeting, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) reviewed prototypes for revising the state's assessment and accountability systems, developed by the Kentucky United We Learn Council. The new prototype, inspired by feedback from various advisory councils, emphasizes an accreditation-style model with a vibrant learning experiences indicator, allowing schools to submit evidence to external evaluators and receive ratings for continuous improvement. The proposed system aims to streamline current practices, phase out the color-coded rating system, and focus on student growth and global competitiveness. The Kentucky Department of Education, led by Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, will continue refining the prototype, with a potential proposal to the Kentucky General Assembly by 2026. Kentucky Board of Education discusses next steps for assessment and accountability prototypes.
July 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Summer Convening
The Kentucky United We Learn Council Summer Convening on July 29th brought together key education stakeholders, including members of the Kentucky United We Learn Council, members of the Kentucky Board of Education, legislators, and officials from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), to discuss and refine the state's education assessment and accountability system. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher opened the event, which featured presentations and discussions led by Jennifer Stafford on Prototype 2.0 and its critical components. The day included in-depth group explorations, policy pathway discussions, and planning sessions for Prototype 3.0, with input from various education leaders. The convening concluded with members outlining work plans and deliverables for the Fall convening, as they prepare for Year 3 of the Competitive Grant for State Assessment.
April 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Fourth Convening
During the Kentucky United We Learn Council convening April 25-26, the council made significant strides in its collective mission. The council unanimously voted to adopt the Kentucky United We Learn Council charter, marking a pivotal step forward. Penny Christian was promoted to the role of council chair, with Jim Flynn, Ed.D., elected as vice chair. Four key workgroups were established: Learning with Local Districts, Engaging and Communicating with Communities, District Support for Technical Quality and Menu of Options; these workgroups will work to address the council objectives.
March 2024: Local Laboratories of Learning (L3) and Kentucky United We Learn Council Meeting
The L3s, using design principles from the Kentucky United We Learn Council’s Accelerating Innovation Committee, shared their prototypes to reimagine assessment and accountability, focusing on prioritizing vibrant learning experiences, valuing local context and expertise, and continuously improving within state policy context. This collaborative session highlighted the power of shared learning and co-creation to meet the unique needs of each community.
January 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Calls Special Vote
The Kentucky United We Learn Council approved a guiding “moonshot” statement and definition of vibrant learning experiences, one of the key tenets of United We Learn, during the council’s virtual meeting on Jan. 24. Kentucky United We Learn Council approves 'moonshot' statement.
November 2023: Kentucky United We Learn Council Third Convening
The 2023 Fall Convening of the Kentucky United We Learn Council showcased substantial progress and strategic planning. Committee updates highlighted a year's worth of work, while the moonshot draft envisioned a prosperous Kentucky through a meaningful and inclusive accountability system for all learners.
April 2023: Kentucky United We Learn Council Second Convening
The Kentucky United We Learn Council met for their second convening in April 2023. During the meeting the council was introduced to the statewide Portrait of a Learner which they decided to use as a "North Star" to guide their work. Digging Deeper: Kentucky United We Learn Council focuses on families, Portrait of a Learner.
November 2022: Kick-off Kentucky United We Learn Council
The Kentucky United We Learn Council was created to give a broad stakeholder voice to the process of learning in Kentucky. This will go along with the Kentucky United We Learn work already underway in the field, and the council will evaluate and recommend strategic practice, policy and investment ideas to state policymakers and the citizens of Kentucky. The state commissioner of education and the council’s chair will work with KDE staff, KBE and if necessary, the Kentucky General Assembly to respond to the United We Learn Council’s recommendations.
Fall 2021: Launch of Local Laboratories of Learning (L3s)
Local Laboratories of Learning (L3s) are districts that are engaging in a collaborative improvement process in their communities that mimic the work done by the Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education. Some are already piloting new assessment processes and ideas to reimagine the student experience through equitable and deeper learning opportunities. There are three L3 cohorts:
- Cohort #1: Allen County, Fleming County, Frankfort Independent, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Logan County and Shelby County
Cohort #2: Berea Independent, Boone County, Bullitt County, Corbin Independent, Greenup County and Lawrence County
Cohort #3: Carter County, Floyd County, LaRue County, Rowan County and Washington County
Lessons learned from the L3s are shared with districts across Kentucky and help inform how the statewide assessment and accountability system will evolve. KDE will create a tool kit so all school districts can use a similar collaborative approach with local stakeholders to continuously improve student experiences in the classroom.
L3 Program Information and Agreement Form 2022
June 2021 to June 2022: Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education 
The Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education – a diverse group of more than 50 stakeholders from across the Commonwealth – was formed in June 2021 to dig into the information from the town halls and do more empathy interviewing to create a report on this new vision for education called United We Learn: Hearing Kentucky’s Voices on the Future of Education.
November 2021: Kentucky Education Summit
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) hosted the 2021 Kentucky Education Summit at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville on Nov. 1-2, 2021. The statewide summit focused on the future of K-12 education in the Commonwealth. Over two days, the event pulled in some of the nation’s top education reform leaders to help begin a discussion about how to build a stronger education system with high standards in Kentucky.
Spring of 2021: Commissioner's Listening Tour
In the spring of 2021, Former Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass held a series of 13 virtual town halls to hear from Kentuckians about what is and isn’t working in education for them and their families.