A Message from Dr. McCormick 11/17/17

 

Indiana Department of Education
Friday, November 17, 2017

 

Dear Educators:

As we end another week of school, I would like to sincerely thank each of you for your continued hard work and dedication to providing a high-quality education to our Indiana students. As we move toward the mid-point of the school year, we continue to focus on future challenges and opportunities. We truly appreciate the flexibility and commitment you show every day.

Have a great weekend!

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

Dr. Jennifer McCormick

Assessment
ISTEP+ Breach Form Availability: The Department developed breach forms for limited use in 2017-2018 to minimize undetermined results for groups of students with a compromised test administration. In the rare event a corporation or school experiences a large-scale testing irregularity, the Department may determine the affected student population (e.g., classroom, grade, school) can be administered an online breach test form to be given in place of completion of the primary ISTEP+ form. Please read this memo for more information.

Educator Resource! ISTEP+ Part 1 Rubric and Scoring Training: In response to questions regarding the scoring of Part 1 items, the Office of Assessment has created several online courses which provide specific scoring information for ISTEP+ Part 1. These 45-minute trainings are provided for current Indiana educators only, and the content is secure. In addition, PGP certificates are available on completion. The online courses will:

  • Explain the process for scoring open-ended items;
  • Provide examples of student responses from a range of score points;
  • Provide scoring notes to clarify what is expected of students; and
  • Provide opportunities for participants to practice scoring student responses based on the current rubrics.

Currently, the Department offers trainings for English/Language Arts High School and Math Grades 6-10. Other grade levels will become available within the next several weeks. Educators should contact their Corporation Test Coordinator for directions on accessing the material.

Computer Assessment Survey: The Department requests educators provide feedback on current uses of technology in classroom English/Language Arts instruction and assessment. Please complete this survey no later than December 8. 

ISTEP+ Spring 2018 Part 1 and Part 2 Testing Times: The Office of Student Assessment has finalized ISTEP+ Spring 2018 Part 1 and Part 2 testing times for each grade level and content area. This memo also outlines the process by which testing times were derived for the spring test administration. Be sure to share with educators in your school.

eLearning
Please see this memo regarding Summer of eLearning Conference Grants.

School Finance
Please see this memo regarding the November 2017 State Tuition Support Monthly Distribution.

School Improvement
Recently, the Department held a virtual meeting for schools receiving a School Improvement Grant, within cohorts five through seven. The meeting allowed schools to learn more about the support the Department can offer their school improvement efforts. Presentations from that meeting can be viewed here.

SAVE THE DATE! An Important IDOE Roadshow: Assessment-Accountability-Statute Flexibility
If you are a superintendent, principal, district administrator, corporation test coordinator, and/or school counselor, you will not want to miss December’s roadshow presentation, entitled “Assessment - Accountability - Statute Flexibility,” presented by Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Dr. Charity Flores, and Maggie Paino. Please click here for the final 2017 dates and times.

Title Grants and Support
Neglected and Delinquent Annual Survey Count Data Collection: The Neglected and Delinquent Annual Survey Count Data Collection is open November 17 – December 15. Title I, Parts A and D, of ESSA requires the IDOE to collect data to determine grants to LEAs responsible for providing free public education for children in institutions and programs devoted to children who are neglected or delinquent. Please see the memo, survey form, and instructions for more information. Please Note: This collection is not for Charter Schools.

Charter School Program Grant: The Department will offer in-person technical assistance for interested applicants to learn about Indiana’s Quality Counts Charter School Program grant on the following dates:

  • November 17 (Gary)
  • November 30 (Indianapolis)
  • December 4 (Trafalgar)

Two of the three sessions will be geared toward charter school developers, while the third session will focus on traditional public school corporations interested in learning more about the authorization or charter development process. See the Charter School Website for more details.


Stay Up-to-Date
Miss a message? View previous weekly emails here. Want daily updates? Be sure to follow the Department on
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A message from Dr. McCormick will be sent every Friday.