A team of four content specialists from the Kentucky Department of Education taught each Kaleidoscope Community of Practice session: from left, Math Specialist Anne Simpson, Literacy Specialist Lori Bean, Specially Designed Instruction Specialist Shasta Hensley and Behavior Specialist Rebecca Turner. Photo submitted by Veronica Sullivan, division director in the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Early Learning.
(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Special Education and Early Learning recently hosted the final session of the first year for the Kaleidoscope Community of Practice.
About 50 special education teachers from 26 districts participated in the transformative professional learning class, which took place over five months.
The Kaleidoscope Community of Practice aims to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities. It focuses on specially designed instruction in math, literacy and behavior, with a strong emphasis on learning and reflection for teachers.
Specially designed instruction involves adapting content and tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. The project creates change in special education by refining teaching practices through continuous reflection and improvement.
The class included two-hour virtual sessions each month from November to March, and a six-hour in-person session.
A team of four content specialists from KDE taught each session: Literacy Specialist Lori Bean, Math Specialist Anne Simpson, Behavior Specialist Rebecca Turner and Specially Designed Instruction Specialist Shasta Hensley.
They taught a framework to integrate planning, preparation and implementation of specially designed instruction across grade levels. Participants left with a collection of resources, tools and skills that will grow their capacity to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
KDE Associate Commissioner Gretta Hylton said she is proud of the progress and collaboration fostered through the Kaleidoscope Community of Practice.
“Through collaboration and co-creation, our teachers are learning valuable ways to better address the educational needs of Kentucky’s students with disabilities,” Hylton said. “Their commitment to enhancing the implementation of specially designed instruction has been truly inspiring. Together, we are making a significant difference in the field of special education.”
For each class session, teachers participated in pre- and post-assessments of the session materials and provided monthly session feedback. They also made monthly self-reflections of their classroom practices.
Through the data collected from these assessments and reflections, teachers demonstrated growth in all core components of specially designed instruction.
Hylton said that the feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, which highlights the impact of the initiative.
Class participant Angela Dye, who is an elementary special education teacher in the Logan County school district, said the class taught her how to better analyze student data.
“The Kaleidoscope program has been invaluable in growing my teaching practice,” Dye said. “They have given me skills to analyze student data and match the best instruction to increase student growth. I would recommend new and old teachers participate in this program.”
Another Kaleidoscope Community of Practice is planned for the 2025-2026 school year. Information about registration and dates of the sessions will be posted on the Kentucky Teacher website.
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