Message from Jacqueline Coleman, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Cabinet for Education and Workforce Development
Team Kentucky,
Since before the pandemic began, caregivers of school aged children juggled with their child’s education plan. Caregivers and educators frequently asked: is their child or student possessive of the tools they need to succeed? Are they progressing academically? Are they maintaining the engagement needed to become a successful learner in a safe environment? These questions have become even more relevant in the light of COVID-19.
The involvement of a caregiver in a child’s education plan can lead to better learning results and outcomes. The United States Department of Education (USDE), [Office of Educational Technology](https://tech.ed.gov/) developed a resource guide to empower students to learn skills in a personalized manner and to take responsibility for their own learning. This [“Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide](https://tech.ed.gov/files/2020/10/Parent-and-Family-Digital-Learning-Guide.pdf)” will inform caregivers or educators, as they monitor the child’s progress as the child accesses and uses technology.
**Let’s meet the learning need of every Kentucky child and make the most of this guide provided by USDE, Office of Educational Technology:**
· **Scan:** Each section of the [Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide](https://tech.ed.gov/files/2020/10/Parent-and-Family-Digital-Learning-Guide.pdf) can be read independently. Please scan the guide for content and resources that are most helpful to you.
· **Discuss:** Find time to discuss the principles explained in the guide with your children. You can also use the questions at the end of each section to start conversations with teachers, school leaders, and other parents.
· **Create:** Use the content of the guide to create resources to help your community better understand digital learning (checklists, social media content, or short video clips). Send us what you create and you just might be featured on our website or social media*. **Send your examples to [ED.Tech@ed.gov](mailto:ED.Tech@ed.gov) and use the subject line “Creating with the Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide.**
Lastly, one of the most important messages we can convey to the caregivers of our students at this time is to grant themselves some grace. We don’t have a playbook from our last pandemic. We are all figuring it out together.
Thank you for being a valuable part of #TeamKentucky.
https://tech.ed.gov/files/2020/10/Parent-and-Family-Digital-Learning-Guide.pdf
