A Message from Dr. McCormick 7/28/17

Indiana Department of Education
Friday, July 28, 2017

 

Dear Educators:

Last Friday, I mailed a letter to each member of the Indiana Congressional Delegation regarding concerns about the proposed federal Medicaid cuts and the impact those cuts have on students and schools. I also wrote a different letter to the Indiana Congressional Delegation articulating my concerns about the way Indiana must now calculate graduation rates and the impact this new calculation will have on Indiana's schools, students, and communities. 

As always, feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.

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

Dr. Jennifer McCormick

Back to School Greeting
Dr. McCormick recorded a special back to school greeting for teachers and administrators. Please click here to view and consider sharing with your staff as you return to the classroom this month or next month.  

Assessment
WIDA Screener is the new assessment used to determine whether a student enrolling is an English Learner for the first time in Indiana schools. It must be administered within 30 days of the first day of school. The WIDA Screener is online-only except for the writing component for students in grades 1-3 (download under the WIDA Screener Training, Materials, and Resources). WIDA Screener Paper is allowed only for students with accommodations, religious observations, or little to no formal education (i.e. refugee population). WIDA Screener paper kits arrive soon at corporations for distribution to schools. 

Legislative Updates
We have provided updated information on HEA 1079. For additional information regarding the recently passed legislation from the Indiana General Assembly, click here

Fall Regional Meetings
The locations for the Fall 2017 Regional Meetings have officially been set. Please register via the RSVP link for the meeting you will be attending. The Regional Meetings are geared toward administrators, school board members, business officials, and other school leaders. 

Mobile App: Legal Guidance on Sharing Juvenile Info
The Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana has produced a free mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. The app is populated from a 200-page legal white paper in sharing information related to children. The app enables users in the field to quickly determine whether they can share records and if so, how to do it. For example, if a youth's probation officer wants copies of the child's grade reports and test scores, the app will explain under what circumstances the records can be shared, and whether a release or a court order is required. Look for "Information Sharing Guide" in app stores. Please visit the following links to download the app on iOS devices or Android devices. Users may also access a desktop version

21st Century Community Learning Center Grantee Orientation
On September 28, the 21st Century CLC team will be hosting an orientation and training day for new and returning 21st CCLC grantees at the Finish Line Boys & Girls Club located in Indianapolis. Grantees will get a chance to meet the new 21st CCLC team in addition to receiving training around best practices, financial compliance and reporting data, and evaluation expectations. Further information will be provided at a later date to subgrantees. Questions can be sent to Erin Busk

State School Mental Health Technical Assistance Opportunity
The Office of Student Services and the Office of Special Education are excited to announce that Indiana has been selected as 1 of 9 states to be a part of the National Coalition for the State Advancement of School Mental Health, through Center for School Mental Health (CSMH). CSMH will provide technical assistance to Indiana schools with use of the SHAPE System, a school 
performance and mental health assessment system. A benefit of this assessment system is that it will help to expand the capacity for schools and districts to meet the social, emotional, and mental health needs of their students and staff. For more information, please contact Jeff Wittman or Kristan Sievers-Coffer

Social Media
Follow DOE and Dr. McCormick on social media: IDOE TwitterDr. McCormick TwitterFacebook, and Instagram


Weekly Updates
Miss an update? View previous weekly updates here.

 
 

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