Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Education uses ESSER pandemic relief money to support professional deeper learning collaboration
Kentucky educators listen and learn from shared deeper learning experiences during the Momentum 2024 conference. Photo by Crystal Sicard, Kentucky Department of Education, July 9, 2024
(LEXINGTON, KY) – At the Momentum 2024 conference on July 9, educators from all around the state convened at the STEAM Academy in Lexington to share deeper learning techniques with their colleagues.
Sarah Snipes, director of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Division of Innovation, said it was an event that prioritizes the creation of more vibrant learning experiences, innovative assessments and collaboration, which are the big ideas in the United We Learn vision.
“Educators all across Kentucky have invested in creating deeper, more vibrant learning experiences for every student,” she said. “Momentum 2024 is a celebration of their dedication to transforming education.”
Momentum is an event developed by KDE, the regional educational cooperatives and the University of Kentucky (UK) Center for Next Generation Leadership to encourage educators to share their knowledge and insights with one another about creating more vibrant and meaningful learning for students.
The collaboration was made possible by money provided to KDE from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program. The federal ESSER funding supports the safe and sustained return to in-person learning. It expands equity by supporting students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In prioritizing deeper learning, the eight regional cooperatives received a total grant of $24.5 million. ESSER funding was given to each educational cooperative, which then created Deeper Learning Teams. A total of 157 districts opted to take part in the deeper learning initiative
Karen Perry, the executive director for the UK Center for Next Generation Leadership, said this conference is a result of a months-long collaboration.
“What an inspiration to watch the unstoppable power of teachers when they connect with one another, authentically building momentum toward the statewide deeper learning movement,” said Perry.
The educational co-ops and participating districts focused their deeper learning efforts on supporting students to master academic content, think critically and solve complex problems, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn how to learn, and develop academic mindsets.
“The Momentum 2024 collaborative is the culmination of two years of work, providing deeper learning experiences for all students. I couldn’t be prouder of our public schools and our public educators,” said Robb Smith, director of the deeper learning grant.
Speakers during the event addressed topics including student voice, creating thinking maps, using artificial intelligence inside their classrooms and high-quality instructional learning strategies. These districts can access 63 evidence-based vendor partnerships to support their unique district plans. According to the cooperatives’ deeper learning website and impact data, the first year of services reached 7,903 public school educators through professional learning.
“There has truly been a paradigm shift around deeper learning. This event is indisputable proof that the student experience has changed and will continue to change for the better,” said Smith.
Perry said they are excited to carry on in the future as they continue to collaborate and build relationships with teachers to assist their students’ deeper learning opportunities.
“Next Gen is thrilled to be part of this shift toward vibrant, student-centered learning that is taking root across Kentucky,” said Perry.
Momentum created a platform they hope to continue for years to come as these educators support their colleagues and share the practices they have learned through these professional learning experiences.
“This day of sharing and learning together shows how the United We Learn vision is becoming a reality in Kentucky classrooms from east to west, north to south,” said Snipes. “We’ve called this event ‘Momentum’ because this important work is far from over and stronger than ever.”
GRAYSON, Ky. (WSAZ) – New information has been released in the search for a missing woman at Grayson Lake.
According to game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Marly Kinney, 19, of Ashland, was last seen at Grayson Lake on Wednesday afternoon.
They say search efforts are focused on the water at this time and include Kentucky State Police aerial support, drones, boats, and K9 assistance.
Crews suspend search for missing teen for the night
The search is now into its third day, with officials saying on and off rain has hindered their search and that a group of 50 volunteers are walking the banks of the lake to help in the search.
Search and rescue boats have been seen at the lake as well.
Officials say there are still many questions, including if Kinney is still alive and where exactly she went missing.
They also say they’ve been using a variety of equipment, including sonar and thermal detectors, as well as helicopters and underwater drones.
WSAZ received a statement from Kinney’s family Friday afternoon:
“We are very appreciative of the absolute surplus of support from law enforcement, search and rescue, 1st responders, and all of the community and its volunteers that are here with us and for us searching for Marly. We do not even know how to express our absolute gratitude to you all. We continue to have faith she will be found and brought back to us. We know we have the very best people doing all they can to bring her home.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
We are still working to get more information.
Previous coverage can be found here.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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