Superintendents Webcast graphic 4.18.23

Kentucky superintendents received an update on state-mandated assessments during the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Superintendents Webcast on April 18.

KDE Associate Commissioner Rhonda Sims in the Office of Assessment and Accountability said there have been several successful testing experiences this calendar year with the senior retakes of the ACT in the fall, spring ACT testing for juniors and one window of Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment testing.

Now the focus is shifting towards test windows: the Kentucky Summative Assessment, administered in the last 14 days of district calendars, and the Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment second window from April 17-May 30. The Transition Attainment Record will be submitted by May 30 as well.

“We know that testing and accountability can bring quite a bit of stress with it, so we put a lot of emphasis in our office … on what supports your district assessment coordinators and building assessment coordinators have to make this a smooth testing experience,” said Sims.

KDE Office of Assessment and Accountability Division Director Jennifer Stafford told superintendents about upcoming office hours with KDE representatives and testing vendors to help prepare for assessments. The sessions will be on:

  • Friday, April 28 from 10-11 a.m. ET; and
  • Wednesday, May 17 from 10-11 a.m. ET.

KDE also provides several resources to help schools with assessments that can be found on the Kentucky Summative Assessment webpage and the Alternate Kentucky Summative Assessment webpage. Stafford discussed opportunities for summer assessment projects for teachers as well.

Legislative Update

Brian Perry, KDE’s director of government affairs, updated superintendents on what legislation came out of the 2023 regular legislative session.

The department already has issued guidance for 2023 legislation with an emergency clause – meaning legislation that takes effect immediately when it is signed by the governor or when a veto is overturned by the General Assembly. Perry said guidance on other pieces of legislation that did not include an emergency clause will likely be released in June.

“There’s a lot to go through,” he said. “A lot of the bills are pretty prescriptive, so we do not have all the answers that I think some of you are looking for, but if you have questions that we can assist with, please let us know.”

The upcoming guidance will include information about House Bill 319, which adopts the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact along with several other education topics. Guidance also is coming on House Bill 538, which deals with student discipline.

Interim legislative meetings begin in June.

The next Superintendents Webcast is May 9.