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Office of School Building Physical Security and Safety
School Safety Grant Opportunities Announced
The federal government has announced two grants focusing on school safety. Please be aware of these grant opportunities and share with local school safety partners.
STOP School Violence Act
Under this program, grants can be awarded to state, local, and tribal governments for evidence-based programs to improve security at schools and on school grounds. The grant award for FY 2018 is $75 million and $100 million for 2019 and 2020. A 25 percent match is required for awarded grants.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS); School Violence Prevention Program
The Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 grant will fund up to 75 percent of costs for training local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and self, metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent and school safety measures. This $25 million FY 2018 grant is awarded to state, local, and tribal entities.
Graduation Pathways Implementation Update
High School Graduation Requirements During Transition
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has received questions from high schools regarding graduation requirements during the transition from the Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) to Graduation Pathways. In response, IDOE has created this guidance for high schools. Please contact Amanda Culhan or Tarrell Berry with any questions.
Legislative Updates and Guidance
Deadlines for Alternative Education Fund Deadlines Have Changed
The following memo describes changes in dates for the distribution of alternative education funding and the deadlines for submitting required documentation. For more information, please contact Kimb Stewart.
Office of School Improvement
New Indiana Studies Standards Released
The Office of School Improvement is pleased to release standards for the new Indiana Studies course. These standards can also be found on the standards page on the Indiana Department of Education website under Social Studies.
Updated Guidance on Dyslexia
The Office of School Improvement has issued this initial guidance on updated dyslexia legislation. Further guidance will be released on approved screeners and training programs in the coming months.
School Improvement Plans for 2018-2019 Deadline Extended
The 2018-2019 School Improvement Plan submission date has been extended to October 12. Submissions can begin immediately. Further guidance can be found here. Additionally, the School Improvement Plans section of the Indiana Department of Education website has been updated. Information needed to access the new Unified Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and School Improvement Plan (SIP) template is available here. Please contact Robin LeClaire with any questions.
Important Information on the 2018-2019 Elementary Reading Plan
All State Board-accredited schools with a section of kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3 are required to submit an Elementary Reading Plan. The 2018-2019 Reading Plan submission window will close June 30. Please find updated guidance for the Reading Plan submission. Questions may be directed to Robin LeClaire.
Submissions are made via IDOE Online. Principals will utilize their username/password logins to access IDOE Online.
If individuals need assistance completing the Reading Plan template, please refer to this information. Content questions should be sent to Robin LeClaire. Technical questions concerning the Reading Plan should be sent to Rajini Govindarajan.
Assessment
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): 2017 Mathematics and Reading Results
NAEP assessments are given annually to measure proficiency of Indiana students. Over a recent six-year period, Indiana is a leading state in minimizing low-performing Grade 4 readers. Click here for the report.
Implementing Quality Classroom Assessment Strategies Roadshow is Coming
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is organizing a Roadshow to expand assessment literacy practices in the classroom. This training applies strong assessment practices to classroom assessments and incorporates strategies that can target student needs identified through assessment data. The Roadshow is designed for classroom teachers and will occur in September and October. Stay tuned for more details!
ISTEP+ ECA
The ISTEP+ ECA Summer Week 1 assessment window recently concluded. Electronic Report Release is scheduled for July 13. All scores will be available in the Questar EAS system.
Educators Needed: I AM Item Specifications Meeting
We are still looking for additional educators for our I AM Item Specifications Meeting that will be held in Indianapolis on July 12 and 13. If you are interested, please complete the survey found here. Once surveys have received administrator approval, educators will become eligible to participate.
Office of School Finance
July 2018 State Tuition Support
Please read the attached memo regarding the July State Tuition Support payment. Please contact Amy Pattison or Melissa Ambre with any questions.
School Technology Advancement Account Applications
The Office of School Finance will accept School Technology Advancement Account applications through July 13. Information on the application process can be found in the STAA folder located in the Finance Community of the Learning Connection. If you have questions, please contact either LaTrice Akers or Melissa Ambre.
Form 9 ESSA Guidance
The Indiana Department of Education has issued guidance for Indiana Local Education Agency's (LEAs) federal reporting requirement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Indiana state law. This resource provides Indiana LEAs with an overview of state and federal reporting requirements for school building level data beginning July 1. Information on ESSA reporting requirements can be found in the ESSA folder in the Finance Community of the Learning Connection. Please send questions here.
Office of Student Services
Positive Discipline and Bullying Survey Requires Superintendent Feedback
The Indiana Department of Education reminds superintendents that the positive discipline and bullying information survey, required by legislation passed during this year’s session, is available here. Survey submissions will not be attributed to individual school corporations. Submitted survey responses will only be used as aggregated information in the report to the General Assembly. The survey will remain open until August 10. Your feedback on these important issues is appreciated.
School Intervention and Career Counseling Development Fund
Grant applications are available for school corporations interested in financial support for partial payment of a full-time school counselor position. Questions should be directed to School Counseling Specialist Amanda Culhan.
Office of Educator Effectiveness
Teacher of the Year Applications Due July 9
Take time to make certain all of our deserving educators are nominated for Teacher of the Year. Applications must be submitted no later than July 9.
Office of Title Grants and Support
Title Allocations
All eligible local education agencies (LEAs) have received notices of funding for Title I, II, III, and IV for the 2018-2019 school year. LEAs who receive Title I are also eligible for Title IV funding this year, which is a new grant under ESSA. For Title I, the amendment deadline for FY 2018 is June 30. All applications for FY 2019 are due by July 1. Remaining applications are due August 31.
For Title I, the Indiana Department of Education recently received first final allocations from the United States Department of Education, and will be sending revised Title I allocations. All LEAs may continue with their Title I applications by using their preliminary allocations, and may edit them at a later date with their revised Title I allocations. Questions may be sent to your assigned grant specialist, which can be found here.
IDOE in the News
Dr. McCormick Participates in Landmark White House Gathering on STEM
Weekly Updates
View previous weekly updates from Dr. McCormick here.
Stay Informed
Did you miss a message? View previous weekly emails here. Want daily updates? Be sure to follow the Department on Twitter and Facebook.
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