703 KAR 5:190. Assistance to low-achieving schools

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Centers for Learning Excellence" means collaborative hubs, where multiple support partners and providers will work together to assist schools and districts which are identified for educational recovery and which are clustered and assigned to these centers.

      (2) "District 180 Assistance Program" means a specific organizational unit at the Kentucky Department of Education designated to provide highly skilled leadership, support and education assistance for low-achieving schools through the use of education recovery directors, education recovery leaders and education recovery specialists.

      (3) "Education recovery director" means staff selected by the Commissioner of Education to provide leadership to the Centers for Learning Excellence.

      (4) "Education recovery leader" means the individual selected by the Commissioner of Education, responsible for mentoring and guidance to the principal in a persistently low achieving school as identified through the criteria set forth in KRS 160.346 and 703 KAR 5:180, with functions relating to instructional leadership and school improvement.

      (5) "Education recovery specialist" means individuals with experience in improving student outcomes selected by the Commissioner of Education who are responsible for working with staff in a persistently low achieving school as identified through the criteria set forth in KRS 160.346 and 703 KAR 5:180 with functions relating to instruction and school improvement.

      (6) "Intervention specialist" means individuals with experience in improving student outcomes selected by the Commissioner of Education who are responsible for working with multiple schools identified through the criteria set forth in KRS 160.346 and 703 KAR 5:180 with functions relating to instruction and school improvement.

 

      Section 2. The Commissioner of Education shall appoint an advisory committee to provide feedback and advice to the Department of Education on the implementation and management of the assistance program. The advisory committee may include representation from teachers, school administrators, business, parents, community, higher education, professional education associations, school boards, and the Department of Education.

 

      Section 3. The Application and Selection Process. (1) The application process shall be open to certified educators who meet the requirements established in this administrative regulation and are willing to fulfill the purposes and requirements of the assistance program.

      (2) The application and selection process shall allow for self-nomination and provide for a broad spectrum of instructional positions that include statewide representation.

      (3) The Department of Education shall publicize the program criteria and procedures as established in this administrative regulation and make educators aware of the opportunity to apply to the Kentucky District 180 Assistance Program.

      (4) Applications for participation in the Kentucky District 180 Assistance Program shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Education.

      (5) The Commissioner of Education shall complete the identification and designation of education recovery directors, education recovery leaders, education recovery specialists and intervention specialists by April 1 of each year.

 

      Section 4. (1) Candidates for the Kentucky District 180 Assistance Program staff shall have the following experience and certification:

      (a) Valid teaching or administrative certification;

      (b) A minimum of five (5) years of experience as a teacher or as an educational administrator, demonstrating increased levels of student achievement; and

      (c) Employment as a teacher or administrator within the last three (3) years.

      (2) Candidates shall be evaluated upon the following personal characteristics:

      (a) Integrity;

      (b) Personally committed to the welfare of all children;

      (c) Flexibility;

      (d) Strong sense of purpose and goal orientation;

      (e) Sense of humor; and

      (f) Sound judgment.

      (3) Candidates for education recovery directors or education recovery leaders shall be evaluated based upon leadership and management knowledge and skills and shall demonstrate the capacity to enhance knowledge and skills in order to remain current on effective practices in the following areas relevant to turning around low achieving schools:

      (a) Personnel practices and proper evaluation procedures, policies, statutes, administrative regulations, and due process procedures;

      (b) Written and oral communications;

      (c) Budget management and planning;

      (d) Organization and planning;

      (e) Data analysis and problem solving;

      (f) Collaboration and team building;

      (g) Working productively with colleagues and culturally diverse populations; and

      (h) Initiating, supporting, and sustaining innovations.

      (4) Individuals designated as education recovery specialists or intervention specialists shall have demonstrated curriculum and instructional knowledge and skills or demonstrated the capacity to enhance knowledge and skills in order to remain current on effective practices in the following areas:

      (a) Effective, evidence-based educational practices;

      (b) Curriculum development and alignment focused on the Kentucky curriculum;

      (c) Multiple instructional methodologies; and

      (d) Instructional technology. (37 Ky.R. 1362; eff. 2-4-2011.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 158.6455, 158.782

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 156.070, 158.782

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 158.782 requires the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to set forth the criteria for highly skilled education assistance to schools. This administrative regulation establishes the criteria for the Kentucky District 180 Assistance Program.