Members of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Teachers Advisory Council heard about a new K-8 social studies curriculum being developed by the agency in partnership with the Core Knowledge Foundation at their meeting on Sept. 9.
The curriculum is called “Our Commonwealth, Our Nation, Our World,” with its shorthand name being “Our Commonwealth.” It’s a new high-quality instructional resource for districts to use that doesn’t need local adaptation.
Lauren Gallicchio, assistant director of KDE’s Division of Program Standards, said the curriculum is the first comprehensive resource of its kind specifically developed to support the implementation of the revised Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies.
“By combining Kentucky’s vision for social studies education with Core Knowledge’s expertise and curriculum development, we are able to create a resource that reflects both strong instructional design and the unique priorities of Kentucky’s educators and students,” Gallicchio said.
She explained that the curriculum was developed in direct response from districts and teachers across Kentucky as they have regularly expressed the need for instructional materials that are both high quality and fully aligned to the KAS for Social Studies, rather than adapting materials developed for other states.
“This curriculum is being developed to provide districts with an option for high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials that support students in demonstrating mastery of the Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies,” Gallicchio said.
Our Commonwealth will reflect Kentucky communities and provide opportunities for K-8 students to have access to vibrant, coherent social studies instruction. The curriculum will integrate civics, economics, geography and history around grade-level themes that build knowledge cumulatively across K-8. The curriculum reflects the KAS for Social Studies design principle that content knowledge and inquiry are inseparable, and that deep knowledge in civics, economics, geography and history strengthens students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary and academic language.
The opt-in resource, including all units and lesson plans, will be free for digital download with assessments and answer keys hosted on KY Learning Hub.
The release will happen in two phases between 2027-2029. The curriculum for the grade levels of kindergarten and grades 3, 5 and 8 will be released in the 2027-2028 school year. The remaining grade levels – grades 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 – will be released during the 2028-2029 school year.
There will be comprehensive professional learning available upon the Our Commonwealth’s release, including regional in-person, curriculum-based summer sessions, virtual follow-up sessions throughout the academic year and self-paced asynchronous modules on the KY Learning Hub.
“Our goal is to ensure districts have both materials and the professional learning needed to make informed local decisions about adoption and use,” Gallicchio said.
For questions and more information, people can email Lauren Gallicchio.
Kentucky Academic Standards for World Language Public Comment
Sara Merideth, world language consultant for KDE’s Division of Program Standards, also shared that KDE is seeking feedback on the current Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for World Language. She explained that KRS 158.6453 calls for KDE to review one or two content areas each year, and every six years after that on a rotating basis.
People can fill out the Kentucky Academic Standards for World Language public comment form to provide feedback on the world language standards. Feedback on the current world language standards will be collected through Oct. 5.
Applications sought for World Language Standards and Assessment Review Committees
Merideth also shared that KDE 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.
Individual Learning Plan Video Showcase
Susan Strange, strategic plan program manager in KDE’s Office of the Commissioner, shared information about a video showcase to raise awareness of the importance of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The ILP is a framework for advising students in grades 6 through 12 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 the opportunity 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.
Members of KDE’s Teachers Advisory Council also set priorities that they want the council to focus on this year. Those priorities are the gap in student readiness, workload affecting the well-being of teachers, truancy and attendance, teacher mentorships and artificial intelligence used in the classroom.
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