A Message from Dr. McCormick 9/8/17

 

Indiana Department of Education
Friday, September 8, 2017

 

Dear Educators:

Thank you for your hard work and continued dedication. The Indiana Department of Education is committed to your success. Working together, I am confident we will continue to build upon the great education being provided to our 1.2 million students. I am honored to be serving with all of you.

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

Dr. Jennifer McCormick

Assessment
UPDATED - Assessment Transition Guidance: In response to educator feedback, the State Board of Education approved updated assessment transition guidance for high schools. This memo provides more information. Grade 9 students in 2017-18 will not be assessed in Mathematics for state or federal accountability. Please contact the Office of Student Assessment or the Office of Accountability with any questions.

HELP NEEDED - ILEARN Assessment Committees: In preparation for Indiana’s transition to ILEARN, the Office of Student Assessment invites all Indiana educators interested in participating in the ILEARN test development process to complete a survey. Once surveys have received administrator approval, educators become eligible to participate in assessment committees. The first ILEARN assessment committees will take place this fall. For more information, please see this memo.

2017 ISTEP+ Grade 10 Winter Retest Scheduling Guidance: Guidance and flexibility are now available for schools administering the winter retest this December. This memo includes Math and ELA testing times and suggestions schools may find helpful when scheduling students for the winter retest.

2017-18 Date Change Request Form: Schools who wish to formally request a change to an established assessment window must complete this year’s Date Change Request Form. Guidelines for requesting window adjustments are detailed on the form.

Legislative Updates
Communicating with legislators is vital to the legislative process. To find contact information for your state and federal legislators, simply click here and enter your home address.

Office of Accountability
The 2016-17 embargoed A-F grades are projected to be released on Monday, September 11.  Any questions can be emailed here. Please note the following:

  • We will make an announcement when they are available. 
  • The grades will be released in the Accountability PortalThis is the interactive portal that was first used last year.  Please see this video for more information, and use your DOE Online Username and password.
  • The Audit process (for data issues) is essentially the same as last year.  Guidance can be found in Files & Bookmarks -> A-F Audits and Appeals Process->IDOE A-F Audit: Please note the deadline to request an audit is September 25, 2017.
  • The Appeals process (for non-data related issues) has changed slightly from last year.  Guidance can be found in Files & Bookmarks -> A-F Audits and Appeals Process -> SBOE A-F Appeals: Appeals should be submitted through the Accountability PortalPlease note that while the deadline to request an appeal is October 16, 2017, those schools that request an appeal after September 25, 2017 will not have their 2016-17 A-F grade embargoed until the appeal is decided. 
  • Schools are projected to be placed into grade categories at the October 4, 2017 State Board of Education meeting.

Office of Title Grants and Support
UPDATED - New and Significantly Expanded Charter Schools Guidance: The Every Student Succeeds Act requires the Department to provide initial allocations for Title I, II, III, IDEA, and Part B funds to newly opened charter schools and additional funds to significantly expanded charter schools. Please read the attached memo for the qualification criteria, process, and expected timeline for funding. For questions or concerns, please email Cole Dietrich or call (317) 233-0786.

Title IV Application Walkthrough: Please visit the Title IV Website to access a recording of the Title IV application walkthrough for prospective applicants. Title IV applications are due October 16, by 4:30 p.m. Completed applications can be sent to the Title IV Office. For any questions regarding Title IV funding, please email Cole Dietrich or call (317) 233-0786.

Office of School Finance
Please see the following memos regarding the September 15 Adult Learner Fund Count Date and ADM Count Date.

Office of eLearning
Indiana Digital Citizenship Week is September 11-15. School corporations participating in Indiana Digital Citizenship Week signal their commitment to empowering Indiana’s K-12 students to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly with technology both in and out of school. Click here to view a joint letter in support of Digital Citizenship Week, and do not forget to follow #INDigCitWeek on Twitter and Instagram.

High Ability Grant
This memo provides information on the 2017-18 request to participate in High Ability Grant funding.

Hurricane Harvey and Irma - Displaced Students
Please see this memo regarding the educational needs of students who may be displaced by natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Social Media
Follow IDOE 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.