This guide is intended to provide direction to Kentucky districts and schools as they develop local curricula designed to meet the state's six learning goals and academic expectations as identified in the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). Specifically, the guide provides direction to local curricula development teams; effects change by establishing capacity in districts and schools; and provides support as districts and schools plan and initiate the transformation process. Volume one of the guide contains the goals, academic expectations, and their expansions. Each academic expectation has one or more accompanying pages that include: (1) definitions of the academic expectations which indicate student progress toward the outcome; (2) ideas for making connections to real-life situations; (3) samples of topics and processes within content areas; (4) teaching and assessment strategies; (5) ideas for incorporating community resources; (6) activities to involve students; and (7) reflections on academic expectations. Volume two focuses on the main processes which local districts and schools will use to develop curriculum and instruction to meet local needs. This volume addresses: (1) transforming the learning environment to foster change; (2) alternative uses of school time to address curricular needs; (3) local curriculum development guide; (4) teachers' questions about implementation; and (5) resources which identify teaching and assessment strategies, sources, models, and key readings. (Author/SD)