Local Superintendents Advisory Council meeting graphic 7.25.23(FRANKFORT, KY) – Members of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Local Superintendents Advisory Council (LSAC) discussed the latest framework to revamp Kentucky’s assessment and accountability systems during the LSAC meeting on May 27.

As mandated by KRS 156.007​, LSAC is charged to “advise the chief state school officer and the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) concerning the development of administrative regulations and education policy.”

KDE and its Kentucky United We Learn Council started working on the future of assessment and accountability after KDE conducted a survey during the COVID-19 pandemic and a listening tour in 2021, asking people what worked for their students, what could be improved and what kind of education system they wanted to see.

The vision for advancing education focuses on three big ideas: creating a more vibrant learning experience for every student, encouraging innovation in our schools – especially when it comes to assessment – and creating a bold new future for Kentucky’s schools through collaboration with our communities.

The council, which is comprised of a wide-ranging group of people – families, students, educators, legislators, business leaders and community members – has designed a series of assessment and accountability model frameworks. As part of the process, KDE hosted nine regional town halls earlier this year, with more than 600 people attending to give their feedback on the proposed framework.

Jennifer Stafford, division director in KDE’s Office of Assessment and Accountability, said the council developed Framework 3.0 following those town halls. At their March meeting, Kentucky Board of Education members made two adjustments which resulted in Framework 4.0.  

Stafford explained the revisions to the technical document and framework have been modified so districts are encouraged to develop their own assessments in social studies and writing or use state-developed assessments once per grade band – 5th, 8th and 10th grades – to alleviate the amount of testing included in the previous framework. The federal accountability part of the framework also has been rebranded to “state accountability indicators that meet federal requirements.”

Stafford said the main goals and objectives of Framework 4.0 remained the same as the previous framework.

“The priorities are still around spreading vibrant learning experiences, innovation in accountability and assessments, and also collaborating across communities and within our districts,” Stafford said.

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher said KDE’s attention with the assessment and accountability framework has now turned to the advocacy phase, including meetings with state lawmakers. Fletcher said he will be joined by a couple of district superintendents to discuss their work with local accountability and the updated Framework 4.0 during the Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting on June 3.

“I do mention a lot of our districts to our legislators to let them know these are things that are already going on; that districts work at a very high level on,” Fletcher said. “And we’re very proud of that and we want to try and spread it throughout the Commonwealth.”

More information about the current framework and the Kentucky United We Learn Council’s timeline can be found on KDE’s Reimagining Assessment and Accountability webpage.

In other business, LSAC members recommended approval of the following, which will next be considered by the KBE:

  • Recommendations for work-based learning placements as a measure of postsecondary readiness, as reference in KRS 158.6455;
  • Amendments to 704 KAR 8:080, required academic standards in career studies and financial literacy;
  • Amendments to 704 KAR 4:010, physical education;
  • Amendments to 704 KAR 8:030, required academic standards for health;
  • Amendments to 704 KAR 8:050, required academic standards for physical education; and
  • Amendments to 702 KAR 5:130, standards for vehicles designed to carry nine passengers or less, to align with legislation passed in the 2024 and 2025 regular legislative sessions.