Rank Change

The Continuing Education Option for Rank Change provides pathways for certified Kentucky teachers to obtain either a Rank 2 or a Rank 1. The program is driven by the three tenants of the cooperative’s mission: Advocate, Innovate, Lead. The CKEC Rank Change Program enacts meaningful change through true professional development that incorporates modeling, practice, reflection, feedback, and coaching to sustain the learning and impact schools and classrooms. By conducting action research in their school setting, teachers get to know their school and district context at a deeper level. By increasing these ties, our program hopes to foster a deeper passion for the teaching profession.

The CKEC Rank Change program combines research and evidenced-based content in varied modes of learning with targeted, personalized learning plans for each candidate.

Rank Change Program Overview--April 2025.mp4

View this Overview video to learn more about the program.

Program Components

CORE 7 MODULES

Each module consists of two 90-minute, virtual sessions. Candidates will focus on their Pathway standards in each module and submit assignments/artifacts based on the content of the module and the candidate's Content Community of Practice focus. The topics for the modules are:

Module 1: Continuous Improvement

Module 2: Congruence and Clarity

Module 3: Learner Development, Differences, and Advocacy

Module 4: Instruction

Module 5: Collecting, Analyzing, and Using Data

Module 6: Assessing and Learning

Module 7: Collaboration with School, Family/Caregivers, and Community

Content Community of Practice

In conjunction with each Core 7 Module, candidates will participate in a Content Community of Practice. There will be one 90-minute live, virtual session for each Core 7 Module.

The Teacher Performance Pathway is guided by the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards. This pathway is designed for teachers who want to develop their craftsmanship in the classroom setting.

The Teacher Leader Pathway is guided by the Teacher Leader Model Standards. This pathway is designed for teachers who wish to develop a more global perspective in an area of educational pedagogy.

Summer Professional Learning

During the summer between the first and second year of the program, candidates will complete twelve (12) hours of professional learning. Six (6) of the hours will be connected to a Core 7 Module and six (6) hours will be aligned to the Content Community of Practice. Candidates will work with their mentor coach to select professional learning opportunities. Candidates will completes assignments based upon their summer learning.

Mentor CoachING

Each candidate will be assigned a mentor coach to support them throughout the program. Candidates will meet with their mentor coach for twenty (20) hours over the course of the program. The mentor coach will provide feedback and support for the candidate as the candidate engages in:

Self-reflection
Mini-PDSA cycles
Clinical observation
Action research
Developing the Capstone Project

Clinical Observation

The mentor coach will observe the candidate in the candidate’s clinical setting (classroom, coaching session, PLC facilitation, etc.). This may be done live or via a video recording of the setting. The mentor coach will provide feedback and coaching specific to the work observed. This will happen once during the program. Timing of the observation will be decided on in collaboration with the mentor coach. The candidate will be observed by the mentor coach, who will use the Kentucky Framework for Teaching as a tool to promote dialogue about the candidate’s craft. In lieu of an in-person observation, the candidate may opt to video a lesson (at least 30 continuous minutes) and share it with the mentor coach, who will then provide the feedback.

Choose Your Path

Teacher Performance Pathway

The Teacher Performance Pathway is guided by the Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards. This pathway is designed for teachers who want to develop their craftsmanship in the classroom setting and is appropriate for educators with any number of years experience in the field. Options for a Community of Practice in this pathway include:

Numeracy (participants in KCM Numeracy Counts Academy)
Early Literacy (participants in KY Reading Academy--LETRS)
Mathematics
English Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Humanities
Career & Technical Education
Special Education
Health/Physical Education
Multilingual Learners
Gifted/Talented
Preschool

Options for Certification Endorsements

If you choose, you may use one of the following endorsement options from Campbellsville University as your Community of Practice. You must apply to both the CKEC Rank Change Program and Campbellsville University. You must complete all the requirements for both programs to receive both the Rank Change and the Endorsement.

English as a Second Language
Gifted & Talented
Moderate and Severe Disabilities (must have current LBD certification)

Teacher Leader Pathway

The Teacher Leader Pathway is guided by the Teacher Leader Model Standards. This pathway is designed for teachers who wish to develop a more global perspective in an area of educational pedagogy and is most appropriate for educators with 4 or more years of experience in the field (see notesbelow*). Options for a Community of Practice in this pathway include:

Artificial Intelligence & Educational Technology*
Numeracy (participants in PIMSER Numeracy Counts Administrator Academy)
Early Literacy (participants in KY Reading Academy--LETRS for Administrators)
Instructional Coaching
Mike Rutherford's Artisan Teacher
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Performance-Based Learning*
Cognitive & Metacognitive Strategies

*This Community of Practice would be appropriate for educators with any number of years of experience.

Early Literacy (KY Reading Academies--LETRS) Requirements

Please note: You must apply for BOTH the KY Reading Academy AND the CKEC Rank Change Program separately.

Numeracy (KY Numeracy Counts Academies) Requirements

Please note: You must apply for BOTH the KY Numeracy Counts Academy AND the CKEC Rank Change Program separately.

Notes:

Based on numbers of applicants, some Communities of Practice may be combined or not offered. Therefore, applicants will be asked to select their top three (3) choices when they submit their Pathway Declaration Form.
None of the Pathways in the CKEC Rank Change Program results in additional certification endorsements, only a change in rank.

Action Research ➡️ Capstone Project

Throughout the program, candidates will engage in a process similar to action research, culminating with the Capstone Project. This will be a four-stage process:

Clarifying vision and targets

Understanding the four-stage process
Finding and refining focus/goals

Articulating theory

Articulating a theory of action
Determining research questions

Implementing action and collecting data

Collecting data
Analyzing data

Reflecting on data and planning for informed action

Creating an action plan
Sharing findings–public presentation of Capstone Project

Based on Sagor, R., and Williams, C. (2017). The action research guidebook: A process for pursuing equity and excellence in education, 3rd ed. Corwin.

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project tells the story of the action research. It will be presented in front of a panel of at least three(3) professionals. As part of the Capstone Project, the candidate will share the following components:

Visual Presentation and Slideshow. Present findings along with a visual presentation slideshow .
One-Pager. Submit a one-page summary (one-pager) of the Capstone Project that would be appropriate to share with educators outside of your school/district context.
Digital Portfolio. Develop and share a digital portfolio. This portfolio contains all of the artifacts developed throughout the program.

Cost & Timeline

For Payment Submission, visit our TCI homepage.

Cost

$5,000 payable by the candidate.

$1,250 due before starting each semester the program

For the Artisan Teacher Community of Practice only, there is an additional cost for the online course, $455.

Additionally, candidates will be expected to purchase their own copy of the anchor text for the program: Marzano, R. (2019). The handbook for the new art and science of teaching. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree.

Note: Additional fees will be incurred if mentor coaching beyond 20 hours is needed to complete the program.

Timeline*

Semester 1

Core 7, Modules 1 and 2
Content Community of Practice

Semester 2

Core 7, Modules 3 and 4
Content Community of Practice

Summer

Personalized Professional Learning (12 hours)

Semester 3

Core 7, Modules 5 and 6
Content Community of Practice

Semester 4

Core 7, Module 7
Content Community of Practice
Capstone Project presentation

*Note: any of the semesters may run concurrently with Summer Session.

On-Going Throughout Program

Mentor Coaching (up to 20 hours)

Clinical (Classroom) Observation (1 time, to be determined with mentor coach)

Application & Acceptance

Admission Requirements

Hold a valid Kentucky Teacher Certification
3 acceptable references (Candidate Disposition Form)
Have not received a previous change of rank through a Continuing Education Option (CEO) program.

NOTES:

Teachers who have previously received a rank change through another Continuing Education Option are not eligible for this program.
Occupation-based Career and Technical Education teachers are not eligible for this program.
Those who have received their National Board Certification as a Rank 2 are eligible to receive their Rank 1 through this program.

Applications now open for Fall 2025!!!!!

Complete the online Application.

Note, you must include a copy of your valid Kentucky Teacher Certification and the completed Candidate Agreement.