Message from the KYCEC President
Jennifer Green

     President-Elect Arden Goodman and President Jennifer Green 
representing Kentucky at CEC Representative Assembly in Denver. 

What a fantastic and wonder-filled time of year for our students with the exciting opportunities of summer break just ahead!  However, in the eyes of educators this is a time of uncertainties and anxieties regarding the statewide assessments just ahead.  We have faith in our students and their attitudes to do their best.  We have seen them accomplish great things and make enormous strides toward proficiency in the year leading up to these moments.  We have done our best to implement new Common Core Standards and to instruct students with integrity and fealty toward achievement of their individual goals and objectives.  So why are we still so anxious?  Because we are teachers, administrators, and service providers and we CARE!  Simply put, this is the characteristic of teachers and our profession that makes us so unlike any of hundreds of other careers.  Teachers deserve professional respect and reverence that should be associated with the sculpting of tomorrow’s leaders.  

It is with this thought in mind, that I was invited and attended a National Conversation About the Teaching Profession with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for Exceptional Children at the CEC 2012 National Convention and Expo in Denver Colorado.  I feel it is my duty to report back to our membership that the U.S. Department of Education is currently at work on the development of the framework for a competitive grant program entitled The RESPECT Project that would seek to reward teachers and principals in ways commensurate with the valuable work they do.  Currently, discussions are happening nationwide to gather feedback toward the vision and development of this project.  It is hoped that these conversations will inform future policy and program directions.  If you would like to be involved, email your request to read The RESPECT Project discussion document to teachtalk@ed.gov.  

On a note closer to home, KYCEC is still at work to get you the latest updates and information regarding the proposed regulation changes outlined in 703 KAR 5:070. Kentucky Department of Education has submitted a rewrite of the original proposed regulation change regarding inclusion of special populations in state required assessment and accountability systems.  The previous proposal, 703 KAR 5:070, was met with enough opposition and argument over technicalities and proposed revisions, that it was not passed in time for implementation in this assessment cycle.  The revised version of this same regulation provides much more clarification about accommodations for students with disabilities, those with 504 Plans, and English language learners.  It continues the elimination of a reader for reading portions of the assessments, with only rare instances in which the District Assessment Coordinator can apply for a waiver.  The public comment period for this revised, proposed regulation change is open through May 31, 2012 if the comment is provided in writing.  The public comment hearing will be held on May 25, 2012 if one prefers to make public comments in person. 

Please navigate to http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Administrative+Resources/Legal+and+Legislative+Services/KDE+Public+Hearing+Information.htm
If you are interested in any information regarding how you can be involved with public comment, on this page you will find two documents listed alongside the Regulation name 703 KAR 5:070.  The first document outlines details regarding how one can be involved with public comments or hearings.  The second document gives the reader specific information regarding the proposed changes.  The proposed regulation changes are expected to go before the KBE in its June session for implementation in the next school year.
    
   I would also like to make our membership aware that Arden Goodman, our KYCEC President and Elect, and I attended the Council for Exceptional Children Representative Assembly held on April 13th at the Denver National CEC Convention.  Of greatest importance within that day’s meetings were discussions regarding teacher evaluation practices and CEC membership categories.  National CEC President Margaret McLaughlin, facilitated the discussion of the Council’s Teacher Evalaution Background Paper.  It is hoped that with the added recommendations of the Representative Assembly, that CEC will have developed a final position paper in the Fall of 2012.  Dan Ratner, Assistant Executive Director, Membership Services, facilitated the discussion of Membership Categories and Member Benefit structures.  It is hoped that through the participation and comments of the Representative Assembly, the organization will restructure its membership categories in such ways to provide greater benefits and cost-sensitivity to its members.

       Finally, if you would like to become more involved with National Council for Exceptional Children, you have an opportunity to nominate yourself or someone you know to serve on the CEC Board of Directors.  Positions in need of applications are: President Elect, Member-at-Large Non-Designated (3 positions), Member-at-Large Diverse Ethnic and Multicultural Groups (2 positions), and Student Member.  You may find more information at http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutCEC/GovernanceLeadership/BoardofDirectors/Want_To_Make_a_Diffe.htm.

               PROCEDURES FOR THE INCLUSION OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS IN THE
                 STATE-REQUIRED ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAMS
                  REFILED AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND HEARING SCHEDULED 

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO OVERVIEW INFORMATION  +++   PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO PAGE 4 ABOUT   HOW TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS (UNTIL MAY 31) AND HOW TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING  (MAY 25) +++ AND PAGES 9 AND 10 WHICH OUTLINE SOME MAJOR  CHANGES SUCH AS REMOVAL OF READERS FOR READING  ASSESSMENT PORTION OF STATE ASSESSMENT.

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FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO THE REGULATION WHICH WILL OUTLINE ALL CHANGES FOR STUDENTS WITH IEPS AND 504 PLANS AS WELL AS  HOME/HOSPITAL, ESL AND ALTERNATIVE/STATE AGENCY PROGRAMS.  DETAILS WILL INCLUDE USE OF READERS, CALCULATORS, MANIPULATIVES, ETC.

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