Kentucky Department of Education Partners with engage2learn to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Efforts in Public Schools Across the State

FRANKFORT, Ky. — engage2learn (e2L), a leader in supporting public school districts through data-informed talent development, has been selected by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to partner in embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in statewide district operations. KDE and engage2learn will leverage evidence-based educator coaching to ensure Kentucky public school students receive equitable access and opportunities to pursue a successful future.

As part of KDE’s comprehensive commitment to educational equity announced by the Kentucky Board of Education in July 2020, KDE’s goal is to ensure that all students have the support to reach their full potential. By forging partnerships that eliminate long-standing barriers to equity, KDE’s Division of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging is dedicated to designing an inclusive learning environment that values diverse experiences, amplifies each learner's voice, and fosters a strong sense of belonging. The partnership with engage2learn advances KDE’s goal of preparing educators for transformation so they can empower students to embrace their sense of purpose and thrive in our ever-changing world. 

“The partnership with engage2learn and the launch of the Equity Playbook will move equity in Kentucky’s public schools to a new level,” said Dr. Thomas S. Tucker, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer. “We can only create a better educational environment by listening, learning and taking strong action to ensure our public schools are a place of equity and opportunity for all. This work is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth and we are excited to see the impact it will have on our students, teachers, and communities.”

With more than a decade of providing forward-thinking solutions for nearly 300 districts, 79,000 educators, and 4.5 million students, engage2learn is a leader in powering high-performance educational cultures. Leveraging this expertise, KDE and engage2learn will conduct needs assessments and collaborate closely with regional cooperatives and local schools to understand the unique challenges and opportunities educators face across the state. By empowering educators to identify the strengths and needs of current policies, the partnership will deliver evidence-based coaching to address opportunity gaps and support the implementation of new skills.

“Access to a bright and fulfilling future starts with equitable access to learning opportunities for educators and learners alike,” said Shannon Buerk, CEO of engage2learn. “We are honored to partner with the Kentucky Department of Education to deliver evidence-based, educator-centered coaching that infuses diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in statewide district operations and supports an equitable learning environment for all.”

Over the next two years, the partnership will fund participation for up to 74 of the 171 public school districts across Kentucky and provide educators across the state access to engage2learn’s coaching platform as well as connected data on growth and outcomes. Recognizing that schools throughout the state have varying needs, engage2learn and KDE will develop and implement customized strategies to maximize the local impacts of the partnership. The two organizations will collaborate to facilitate coaching so districts and educators can grow in the areas of self-awareness, cultural competencies and community building in order to support the school and district priorities. 

To learn more about engage2learn’s passion for creating high-performance cultures in public schools, visit https://engage2learn.org/.