A Message from Dr. McCormick 03/16/2018

 

Indiana Department of Education
Friday, March 16, 2018

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jennifer McCormick

Dear Educators,

Wednesday marked the conclusion of the Indiana General Assembly. While much was accomplished, there is much more work ahead. I appreciate the support, advice, and guidance offered by those of you in the field, and from our staff here in Indianapolis. Please continue to share your experiences with the Department. Together we are working for student success!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer McCormick 

 

Office of Workforce and STEM Alliances

STEM and CTE Grant Opportunities Are Still Available

Please read here for more information about the STEM Acceleration Grant opportunity for K-6 open through March 23.

Please see more information here concerning the CTE Summer Expansion Grant opportunity open through March 23. 


Office of Assessment

2018-2019 Windows Approved

The State Board of Education has approved administration windows for 2018-2019. Please note changes to single test windows as we transition to ILEARN and I AM (Indiana’s Alternate Measure). 

ILEARN Technology Flyer

This flyer provides information about the technology requirements for Indiana’s upcoming ILEARN assessments for 2019, including AIR’s network diagnostic tool.

Spring ISTEP+ Part 1 Paper/Pencil Rejected Test Attempt Cleanup Window Continues (March 19 through April 13)

CTCs must resolve any Part 1 rejected test attempts that may appear in PearsonAccessnext until April 13 as paper test documents are received and processed. More information about rejected test attempts and how to resolve them is available in the Indiana Online Testing Guide.

ISTEP+ Part 2 Examiner’s Manuals and Practice Tests – Available Now

Electronic versions of the Part 2 Examiner’s Manuals are in the Test Coordinator Corner (TCC) and the Indiana Resource Center. Printed copies will arrive in schools on April 2 based on December DOE-TL submissions. Electronic versions of the Part 2 practice tests are also in the TCC and may be used until printed copies arrive in schools.

IREAD-3 Satisfaction Survey – Open Through Friday, March 23

Help us know what went well during the Spring 2018 IREAD-3 test window and how we can improve prior to the Summer IREAD-3 test window by completing this short survey

IREAD-3 Status Report – Good Cause Exemption Information Available

CTCs and other school administrators with permissioned access may generate IREAD-3 status reports (grades 3-5) in Learning Connection. In addition to IREAD-3 Pass/DNP data, Good Cause Exemptions reported for students via the DOE-IR collection through March 8 now render on IREAD-3 status reports. The IREAD-3 Status Report will be updated on May 15 to reflect any additional exemptions reported ahead of the Summer IREAD-3 test window.

WIDA ACCESS Pre-Reporting Data Validation Window is March 19-23

ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Pre-Reporting Data Validation window is March 19-23. This opportunity allows CTCs to update student demographic information, accommodations, and Not Tested Codes. Pre-Reporting Data Validation occurs before reports are generated and any changes made will be applied to reports. 


Updates from the Indiana State Board of Education

The Indiana State Board of Education (ISBOE) will hold an additional public hearing on the SBOE’s proposed Accountability Rule. The additional hearing will take place in Indianapolis on Monday, March 19 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at Ivy Tech Community College, room 101, 2535 N. Capitol Avenue.

The Indiana State Board of Education has scheduled two Board Accountability Work Sessions. The work sessions will be held Wednesday, March 21, and Tuesday, April 3.

Both work sessions are scheduled to take place from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Indiana Government Center South Auditorium. 


Office of Educator Effectiveness

Department of Child Services Announces Changes to Expanded Child Protection Index Searches

Please read the following memo outlining changes to the submission process for searches using the Expanded Child Protection Index.  


Office of Accountability

Draft Annual Performance Report (APR) Available for Review

Beginning today (Friday, March 16), the 2016 - 2017 Annual Performance Reports (APR) will be available to schools for review in DOE Online. The report will be accessible to corporation administrators under the Annual Performance Report menu. The report will be released publicly through Compass on Thursday, March 15. Additional information on the report, including publication requirements, is available here 

Questions on the report can be directed to Jeff Milkey. Questions regarding Accountability and Accreditation should be sent here


Office of School Finance

Indirect Costs 

The Office of School Finance will accept FY 2019 Indirect Cost Rate applications through June 30. Please read the attached memo for details. If you have questions, please email Sarah Henry.

ESSA Form 9 Guidance

Please see the attached information regarding ESSA Form 9 guidance on the timing and process for coding Form 9 financial data beginning July 1. This resource provides Indiana Local Education Agencies with an overview of state and federal reporting requirements for school building level data. If you have any questions, please email either Melissa Ambre, LaTrice Akers, or Amy Pattison.

Summer School

The submission deadline for the Summer School Estimated Instructional Costs Report and List of Courses is March 30. Please read this memo for details. If you have questions, please email Kathryn Roth 
 

Fall 2018 Membership Estimate

This month, the Office of School Finance will collect an estimate of the Fall 2018 membership count from each public school and charter school. Officials will submit the fall membership estimate through March 28 in the School Finance Application Center. Additional information is available here. Please email Melissa Ambre with any questions.  


Offices of School Improvement and Title Grants and Support

The divisions of School Improvement and Title Grants and Support are pleased to offer a non-competitive grant opportunity to current Title I-served F-schools. This grant will support a systems-based approach to school improvement. Please see this memo and application for more information. An introductory webinar about this opportunity is available here.


Office of Title Grants and Support

Innovation Grants Available to Charter Schools

The Indiana Department of Education offers a competitive technical assistance grant opportunity for all Indiana charter schools through its Charter School Program Quality Counts grant. The release of Innovation Grants to charter schools focuses on four priority areas. These areas include professional development; instructional supplies and technology; parent, family, and community outreach; and supporting all students. Please see the Charter School Program website for more information, including the application, rubric, and budget, which are due May 1. Please contact Cole Dietrich with any questions.

Title Con Set for May 29 through 30

The Indiana Department of Education invites local education agencies and organizations to register for the first Title Con being held May 29 through 30. The two-day conference features keynote speakers, various breakout sessions, focus on programmatic and fiscal guidance to advance federal and state programs to the next level, and alignment with the conference theme of "Moving Beyond Compliance.” 


Office of School Improvement

On My Way Pre-K applications are now available for families in 20 pilot counties. Children who will be 4-years old, but not yet 5-years old on August 1, 2018, are eligible. Families are encouraged to apply early! Additional information is available here. 


IDOE In the News

Department Announces Indiana Education for Homeless Children and Youth Statewide Conference

 


Weekly Updates

View previous weekly updates from Dr. McCormick here

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