The Nontraditional Instruction (NTI) Program provides school districts with an opportunity to continue instruction on days when the district is closed to in-person instruction for health or safety-related reasons. Districts participating in the program develop a Nontraditional Instruction Plan describing how rigorous educational activities will extend or maintain student progress within the established curriculum and instructional sequence when in-person instruction is not possible due to health or safety reasons.
Districts with an approved Nontraditional Instruction Plan may utilize up to ten (10) NTI days during the school year as the equivalent of student attendance days. NTI implementation should provide a continuation of learning for all students through instructional delivery methods and supports identified within the district's approved plan.
Statute and Regulatory Authority
The NTI program is governed by 701 KAR 5:150 and authorized by KRS 158.070(9): Notwithstanding any other statute, each school term shall include no less than the equivalent of the student instructional year in subsection (1)(f) of this section, or a variable student instructional year in subsection (1)(h) of this section, except that the commissioner of education may grant up to the equivalent of ten (10) student attendance days for school districts that have a nontraditional instruction plan approved by the commissioner of education on days when the school district is closed for health or safety reasons. The district's plan shall indicate how the nontraditional instruction process shall be a continuation of learning that is occurring on regular student attendance days. Instructional delivery methods, including the use of technology, shall be clearly delineated in the plan. Average daily attendance for purposes of Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) program funding during the student attendance days granted shall be calculated in compliance with administrative regulations promulgated by the Kentucky Board of Education.
Nontraditional Instruction (NTI) Overview
KDE has created a webinar providing an overview of Nontraditional Instruction (NTI) including the following topics:
- Application Process
- Allowable and non-allowable items
- Attaining digital/online work samples
- Establishing internal processes
- End-of-Year Monitoring Review
- Commissioner Approval of NTI Days
Nontraditional Instruction (NTI) Plan
To participate, Districts must complete the Nontraditional Instruction Plan within Phase Four of the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP) in the Cognia Improvement Platform. The plan is due to the Kentucky Department of Education by May 1 for implementation during the following school year.
KDE personnel review submitted plans within 45 days and may request revisions or additional information from the district. Upon approval by the Commissioner of Education, the Nontraditional Instruction Plan becomes part of the district's approved CDIP and is effective for one (1) school year.
Nontraditional Instruction Monitoring
KDE conducts monitoring of approved NTI programs to support continuous improvement and verify implementation consistent with district Nontraditional Instruction Plans and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. Districts should maintain required NTI documentation throughout the school year in preparation for monitoring. Additional information regarding district archives, monitoring documentation and the monitoring process is available in the NTI Guidance Document.