Kentucky LEADS Academy

​​The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE's) Office of Special Education and Early Learning has been awarded the Kentucky Leading, Educating, Advocating for Directors of Special Education (LEADS) grant, a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.

In partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Kentucky’s Part C Early Intervention Services, Morehead State University, Western Kentucky University, Murray State University and the Kentucky Parent Training and Information center, the Kentucky LEADS Academy will work toward three goals:

Increase the number of persons who attain the state's initial level of Advanced Educational Leader – Director of Special Education certification to ensure that there is an adequate pipeline of eligible applicants to serve as state, regional, and local leaders to promote high expectations and improve early childhood and educational outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.

Increase and nurture the number of persons whose job description includes supervising, directing, administering, or coordinating special education programs who have attained the state's highest level of Advanced Educational Leader – Director of Special Education certification.

Expand and enhance the existing state network to ensure that state, regional and local leaders have the knowledge, skills and access necessary to improve early childhood and educational outcomes for children with disabilities and their families through the systems that serve them.​