(FRANKFORT, KY) – Members of the Commissioner’s Principal Advisory Council heard about the new Kentucky Leadership Development Program during their meeting on Sept. 17.
The Kentucky Leadership Development Program is a new statewide initiative being developed by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) in response to Senate Bill 4 (2026).
Senate Bill 4 directs KDE to establish a statewide four-year principal leadership development practicum. The department has grounded that work in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, a national framework that defines effective school leadership.
The legislation identifies seven mandated topics that the program must address:
- Personnel evaluation and feedback;
- School-based decision making and councils;
- Implementing instructional leadership and high-quality instructional materials and curriculum alignment;
- Assessment and accountability;
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports;
- Services for exceptional children and youth; and
- School safety.
KDE is designing the Kentucky Leadership Development Program so that each of these seven areas is addressed through three connected domains of leadership development: the knowledge required to understand the research and systems behind the work, the skills required to apply that knowledge and lead effectively, and the core values that shape how a principal leads with integrity and empathy.
Kelly Foster, associate commissioner of KDE’s Office of Continuous Improvement and Support, said the new program is giving KDE staff the opportunity to combine efforts across the agency to ensure new principals have the support they need to succeed.
“We do recognize there are already lots of positive supports coming from the department to help principals, aspiring principals and assistant principals,” Foster said. “But this legislation really gives us an opportunity to join forces from office to office and make sure that things that are statutorily and regulatorily required are also in here, as well as just best practices, having a mentor and being able to really have support from day one.”
KDE is developing the curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year, and it will be implemented by KDE during the 2027-2028 school year.
“Over time, our goal is to build this out where we will continue to have supports for assistant principals, aspiring principals. … We recognize that not only do we have a teacher shortage, we have a shortage of people ready to take that principal role, and then we also have a shortage of people that want to stay in the principal role,” Foster said. “… We want to make sure that eventually, we get to the point where we have some additional training for principals that are in year three to seven to try to continue to grow them (so they want to) stay in that role.”
KDE held a series of regional listening sessions in Bowling Green, Lexington and Hazard to gather input from principals, superintendents, legislators and educational partners about the Kentucky Leadership Development Program. Foster said KDE will host other events throughout the school year where principals will be invited to give feedback on the program.
For more information and to share ideas, email Nick Pannel or Kelly Foster.
Individual Learning Plan Video Showcase
Susan Strange, strategic plan program manager in KDE’s Office of the Commissioner, shared a video showcase to raise awareness of the importance of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The ILP is a framework for students in grades 6 through 12 helping them to engage in coursework and activities that will prepare them for opportunities after graduation.
The Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council is inviting students, teachers and counselors around the state to submit commercials that define what the ILP is and how they use it in their district as part of the ILP Video Showcase. People can submit their videos by going to the Individual Learning Plan Awareness Showcase application.
Kentucky Academic Standards for World Language
KDE is seeking feedback on the current Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for World Language. People can fill out the Kentucky Academic Standards for World Language public comment form to provide feedback on the world language standards through Oct. 5.
KDE also is seeking current K-12 classroom teachers to participate in the review of the KAS for World Languages. People interested in this opportunity can fill out the KAS for World Language Review Committee and Advisory Panel application.
Applications will be accepted through Oct. 5. Selected team members will be notified by Oct. 12. Applicants selected for this work will meet approximately five to 10 days between fall 2026 and spring 2027.
Questions about the application process may be directed to standards@education.ky.gov.
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