A Message from Dr. McCormick 3/17/17

Indiana Department of Education
Friday, March 17, 2017

 

Dear Educators:

IREAD-3 concludes today. The State Board approved revised dates for the Summer ECA window based on feedback received from the field. The updated dates are June 22-28 and August 24-30. 

We have already had a tremendous response to our ESSA outreach meeting schedule. If you have not yet, I hope you will take a moment to look to see if one fits your schedule. 

Thank you for your hard work and your support! 

Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer McCormick
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Indiana Department of Education

Dr. Jennifer McCormick

In the News

Supt. McCormick Advocates for New Assessment Approach

Assessment 

Recruitment began for the upcoming ISTAR Standard Setting this summer. ISTAR is administered to students with significant cognitive disabilities in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for grades 3-8 and 10; in Science for grades 4,6, and 10; and in Social Studies for grades 5 and 7. The ISTAR assessments are aligned to alternate academic achievements standards, known as content expectations, based on the Indiana Academic Standards. Superintendents, Principals, Test Coordinators, and Special Education Directors are invited to nominate special education and general education teachers or curriculum specialists to serve as participants on the Cut Score Setting Committee. During these meetings, Indiana educators and subject matter experts will establish recommended cut scores for ISTAR and draft of Performance Level Descriptor language. Please submit the survey no later than Friday, March 31, 2017.   

Finance

Attached is information regarding the collection of an estimated September ADM count beginning March 15 and ending March 31. 

Legal

Please read this reminder on the reporting requirements for unused instructional buildings. 

School Safety

Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week is scheduled for March 19-25, 2017 and the statewide tornado drill take place Tuesday, March 21 at 10:15 EDT. We realize this may take place during many spring breaks, but the date was chosen to avoid conflict with statewide testing dates. Though state law requires every school to conduct at least one tornado drill per semester, this drill is not required to be in coordination with the statewide drill. Your school tornado drill can take place at a time or date that best fits your needs. 

Special Education 

The Office of Special Education publishes a biweekly newsletter filled with updates and information about special education. Visit this link for the latest news.

Work Based Learning Opportunities 

Work Based Learning Teachers in Industry is a summer internship project that allows Indiana teachers to gain valuable industry knowledge while completing an internship with a partnering business or industry. They will have the opportunity to apply the principles of Work Based Learning and to meet and work with other CTE teachers. Apply here.

Work Based Learning Counselors in Industry is a summer internship project that allows Indiana School Counselors to gain valuable industry knowledge while completing an internship with a partner business or industry and participating in an industry tour of high demand fields. It allows counselors the opportunity to apply the principles of Work Based Learning and to meet and work with other CTE teachers and counselors. Apply here.

The National Governors Association awarded Indiana $100,000 in funding and technical assistance to participate in the 18-month NGA Policy Academy on Work-Based Learning. This grant will be used to determine best practices and create programs designed to align work-based learning experiences to employer demand. We need your help to do this and ask that your please complete this 20 minute survey. This data will inform decisions about future funding and state-level support to education institutions supporting work-based learning for students. More info is available here and here

STEM Team Nominations Open 

The Mr./Ms. Science and Math awards are now the STEM Team awards. STEM Team will honor the top high school students in STEM classes as well as extracurricular activities, work/research projects, leadership roles and community service. Nominations are open now through April 9.

Commission for Higher Education

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education recently announced they are extending the deadline for filing the FAFSA to April 15. For more information, click here

Each year DOE and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education partner to ensure local schools and communities know how their graduates are performing in college. The 2017 Indiana College Readiness Reports include an interactive online dashboard for custom data reporting (available now) as well as printer-friendly data profiles for every Indiana high school, school corporation and county (coming soon). This information will be shared broadly with the media next week. 

Performance Evaluation 

Superintendents recently received communication regarding a review of their LEAs' staff performance that were submitted for the 2016-2017 school year. The Office of Educator Effectiveness is committed to providing guidance and resources to support LEAs' revision of their plans and processes to improve implementation. Please submit requests for technical assistance here or email eel@doe.in.gov

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Weekly Updates

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A message from Dr. McCormick will be sent every Friday.