- August 2024: Kentucky Board of Education Meeting
- July 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Summer Convening
- April 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Fourth Convening
- March 2024: Local Laboratories of Learning and Kentucky United We Learn Council Meeting
- January 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Calls Special Vote
- November 2023: Kentucky United We Learn Council Third Convening
- April 2023: Kentucky United We Learn Council Second Convening
- November 2022: Kick-off Kentucky United We Learn Council
- August 2022: KDE's Strategic Plan
- Fall 2021: Launch of Local Laboratories of Learning (L3s)
- June 2021: Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education
- November 2021: Kentucky Education Summit
- Spring 2021: Commissioner's Listening Tour
August 2024: Kentucky Board of Education Meeting
During its August 7-8 meeting, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) reviewed prototypes for revising the state's assessment and accountability systems, developed by the Kentucky United We Learn Council. The new prototype, inspired by feedback from various advisory councils, emphasizes an accreditation-style model with a vibrant learning experiences indicator, allowing schools to submit evidence to external evaluators and receive ratings for continuous improvement. The proposed system aims to streamline current practices, phase out the color-coded rating system, and focus on student growth and global competitiveness. The Kentucky Department of Education, led by Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, will continue refining the prototype, with a potential proposal to the Kentucky General Assembly by 2026. Kentucky Board of Education discusses next steps for assessment and accountability prototypes.
July 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Summer Convening
The Kentucky United We Learn Council Summer Convening on July 29th brought together key education stakeholders, including members of the Kentucky United We Learn Council, members of the Kentucky Board of Education, legislators, and officials from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), to discuss and refine the state's education assessment and accountability system. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher opened the event, which featured presentations and discussions led by Jennifer Stafford on Prototype 2.0 and its critical components. The day included in-depth group explorations, policy pathway discussions, and planning sessions for Prototype 3.0, with input from various education leaders. The convening concluded with members outlining work plans and deliverables for the Fall convening, as they prepare for Year 3 of the Competitive Grant for State Assessment.
April 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Fourth Convening
During the Kentucky United We Learn Council convening April 25-26, the council made significant strides in its collective mission. The council unanimously voted to adopt the Kentucky United We Learn Council charter, marking a pivotal step forward. Penny Christian was promoted to the role of council chair, with Jim Flynn, Ed.D., elected as vice chair. Four key workgroups were established: Learning with Local Districts, Engaging and Communicating with Communities, District Support for Technical Quality and Menu of Options; these workgroups will work to address the council objectives.
March 2024: Local Laboratories of Learning (L3) and Kentucky United We Learn Council Meeting
The L3s, using design principles from the Kentucky United We Learn Council’s Accelerating Innovation Committee, shared their prototypes to reimagine assessment and accountability, focusing on prioritizing vibrant learning experiences, valuing local context and expertise, and continuously improving within state policy context. This collaborative session highlighted the power of shared learning and co-creation to meet the unique needs of each community.
January 2024: Kentucky United We Learn Council Calls Special Vote
The Kentucky United We Learn Council approved a guiding “moonshot” statement and definition of vibrant learning experiences, one of the key tenets of United We Learn, during the council’s virtual meeting on Jan. 24. Kentucky United We Learn Council approves 'moonshot' statement.
November 2023: Kentucky United We Learn Council Third Convening
The 2023 Fall Convening of the Kentucky United We Learn Council showcased substantial progress and strategic planning. Committee updates highlighted a year's worth of work, while the moonshot draft envisioned a prosperous Kentucky through a meaningful and inclusive accountability system for all learners.
April 2023: Kentucky United We Learn Council Second Convening
The Kentucky United We Learn Council met for their second convening in April 2023. During the meeting the council was introduced to the statewide Portrait of a Learner which they decided to use as a "North Star" to guide their work. Digging Deeper: Kentucky United We Learn Council focuses on families, Portrait of a Learner.
November 2022: Kick-off Kentucky United We Learn Council
The Kentucky United We Learn Council was created to give a broad stakeholder voice to the process of learning in Kentucky. This will go along with the Kentucky United We Learn work already underway in the field, and the council will evaluate and recommend strategic practice, policy and investment ideas to state policymakers and the citizens of Kentucky. The state commissioner of education and the council’s chair will work with KDE staff, KBE and if necessary, the Kentucky General Assembly to respond to the United We Learn Council’s recommendations.
Fall 2021: Launch of Local Laboratories of Learning (L3s)
Local Laboratories of Learning (L3s) are districts that are engaging in a collaborative improvement process in their communities that mimic the work done by the Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education. Some are already piloting new assessment processes and ideas to reimagine the student experience through equitable and deeper learning opportunities. There are three L3 cohorts:
- Cohort #1: Allen County, Fleming County, Frankfort Independent, Jefferson County, Johnson County, Logan County and Shelby County
Cohort #2: Berea Independent, Boone County, Bullitt County, Corbin Independent, Greenup County and Lawrence County
Cohort #3: Carter County, Floyd County, LaRue County, Rowan County and Washington County
Lessons learned from the L3s are shared with districts across Kentucky and help inform how the statewide assessment and accountability system will evolve. KDE will create a tool kit so all school districts can use a similar collaborative approach with local stakeholders to continuously improve student experiences in the classroom.
L3 Program Information and Agreement Form 2022
June 2021 to June 2022: Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education 
The Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education – a diverse group of more than 50 stakeholders from across the Commonwealth – was formed in June 2021 to dig into the information from the town halls and do more empathy interviewing to create a report on this new vision for education called United We Learn: Hearing Kentucky’s Voices on the Future of Education.
November 2021: Kentucky Education Summit
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) hosted the 2021 Kentucky Education Summit at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville on Nov. 1-2, 2021. The statewide summit focused on the future of K-12 education in the Commonwealth. Over two days, the event pulled in some of the nation’s top education reform leaders to help begin a discussion about how to build a stronger education system with high standards in Kentucky.
Spring of 2021: Commissioner's Listening Tour
In the spring of 2021, Former Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass held a series of 13 virtual town halls to hear from Kentuckians about what is and isn’t working in education for them and their families.