An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for September 28, 2018

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Dr. Mac

IN the Know

School Administrators Asked to Complete IDOE Communication Satisfaction Survey


Since taking office over a year and a half ago, I have made improving Department communications a top priority. We have worked to utilize various platforms to streamline the delivery of information and respond to questions from the field. Please complete this survey to help us evaluate the effectiveness of our efforts. We appreciate your feedback! 


    Required Virtual Education Program Survey

    Survey Required by Indiana General Assembly

    In order to report to the Indiana General Assembly by January 1, 2019, regarding enrollment in virtual education programs, all public school corporations and charter schools need to complete the Virtual Education Program Survey. Schools without virtual education programs to report, as described in the survey introduction, will only need to complete the first section of the survey. The survey response is due by October 1. Please direct any questions about this survey here

     

    Office of Student Assessment

    Additional I AM Resources Available Monday, October 1

    The Office of Student Assessment will release additional I AM resources on Monday, October 1. The I AM Released Items Repository and the I AM Item Specifications will be posted to the I AM Website and the Indiana Assessment Portal on October 1.

    Additional ILEARN Resources Available Monday, October 1

    The Office of Student Assessment will post additional resources to the ILEARN website and the Indiana Assessment Portal on Monday, October 1. Educators can access new and updated resources, including the final test blueprints and range performance level descriptors for grades three through eight, assorted guidance documents (e.g., scheduling and timing, updated rescore request process), and an updated FAQ. 

    AIR’s Test Information and Distribution Engine (TIDE) Available to CTCs Monday, October 1

    School personnel officially designated as CTCs may access AIR’s Test Information and Distribution Engine (TIDE) from the Indiana Assessment Portal beginning Monday, October 1. CTCs may follow directions in the TIDE User Guide to set up user accounts for permissioned school staff (e.g., STCs, TAs). School personnel may access the Test Administrator Certification Course once their TIDE accounts are created. 


    Office of School Building Physical Security and Safety

    October Is National Bullying Prevention Month

    The Indiana Department of Education has many resources to support local districts and schools in bullying awareness and prevention. Learn more here.

     

    Office of School Improvement

    Committee Members Needed to Revise World Languages Academic Standards 

    The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is developing a list of professionals who would like to be considered as committee members for revising the Indiana Academic Standards for world languages. Membership in this committee will include two-to-three face-to-face or virtual meetings with IDOE. Additionally, the committee will need to collaborate in order to accomplish the task of revising the Indiana Academic Standards for World Languages. IDOE will assist and guide the process. Please share this with your world language leaders and educators. Educators who would like to commit to this process should submit their information by completing the form at this link. This information will be submitted directly to IDOE. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Walsh, curriculum specialist at the Indiana Department of Education. 

     

    Office of eLearning

    Free Cybersecurity Training and Phishing Campaign Opportunity

    The Indiana Department of Education is offering free training to assist schools with raising staff awareness regarding cybersecurity risks and threats. Learn more here. Register your school here.

    Nominees Sought for Technology Coordinator of the Year

    Each year, the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC) organization honors one individual in K-12 education for demonstrating a commitment to leadership with technology and learning for students and staff. Learn more about the nomination process here.


    Workforce and STEM Alliances

    Central Office Administration Asked to Participate in STEM Survey

    The 2018 Indiana STEM Inventory Survey seeks your valuable input on several key issues. As a member of the Central Office team, your participation in this short survey will provide real-time feedback as the Indiana Department of Education refines and ensures we have the most comprehensive STEM program possible. We ask that you please complete the survey no later than Friday, October 12. Thank you for your participation and input.

    IDOE STEM Acceleration Grant Opportunity

    Instructions are now available for Indiana school districts and charter schools seeking funding support for STEM K-6 curriculum implementation and educator training. Please read this memo for additional information. 

    Become a STEM-Certified School

    STEM education encompasses four academic disciplines - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. STEM guides our vision of ensuring all K-12 Indiana students graduate with critical thinking skills. Indiana students must have access to a world-class STEM education necessary to compete in an innovation-driven economy. STEM will equip students with 21st century skills, preparing future generations of Hoosiers to thrive in STEM-related businesses and industries. 

    The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has approved a STEM certification process for schools that want to be recognized as STEM-certified. IDOE plans to continue creating a STEM school network promoting a collaboration of best practices to promote STEM education.

    Please click here and go to "Becoming a STEM School" for more information. Applications are due December 3.

    Cyberbullying Awareness

    October is National Bullying/Cyberbullying Prevention Month. See this memo for resources and more information.

    Middle School Integrating CS Workshop

    Designed for middle school educators teaching across all subjects, the Integrating Computer Science professional development workshop is designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and instructional strategies to integrate computer science into existing coursework. This is a FREE opportunity, and sub reimbursement is available. See this informational page for dates, locations, and to sign-up! Contact Jake Koressel with questions.

    Counselors for Computing

    See this flyer for information about a free opportunity for middle and high school counselors. Attendees will receive information and resources to set students on a path toward stable, rewarding, and flexible computing careers.

     

    Office of School Finance

    September 14 Membership Count

    The count date of the eligible pupils enrolled in each school corporation and charter school was September 14, 2018. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will use the September average daily membership (ADM) count to calculate Basic and Complexity Grant funding for the 2018-2019 school year. The clean-up phase began Thursday, September 27, and continues through October 5. During clean-up, schools can continue to update existing records and add new records only if the new record does not create a conflict. All conflicts must be resolved during this phase. If you have any questions concerning the count dates, please contact Amy Pattison or Melissa Ambre.

    Curricular Material Reimbursement

    State law allows school corporations, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to seek curricular material reimbursement. Schools may submit student-level data and curricular material costs between October 1 and 31 in the STN Application Center. IDOE will calculate the reimbursement amount for each school corporation, charter school, and nonpublic school based on the number of eligible students reported during the collection window. If you have questions regarding the submission process, please email Sarah Henry 

    Common School Loan Applications

    School corporations and career and technical education schools may apply for a common school construction and/or technology loan. The application window closes October 5. Petitions must be received by the Office of School Finance by October 5 to be considered. Construction and technology applications can be found in the Finance Community of the Learning Connection under Files and Bookmarks > Common School Loan folder or by emailing Melissa Ambre or Sarah HenryPlease scan and email completed applications here no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 5.

     

    Guidance on Students Displaced by Disasters

    Guidance for Students Displaced by Disasters

    For students and families that may be displaced due to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Florence, schools must be aware of McKinney-Vento eligibility for these students for immediate enrollment. Please see the attached memorandum for further information. 

     

    Office of Title Grants and Support

    Eligibility for 1003 School Improvement Grant Funding 

    On September 24, 2018, schools received embargoed state and federal grades. The federal grades and accountability determine Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) status, which determines eligibility for 1003 School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding for the 2018-2019 school year. Information regarding opportunities for funding, which includes both a formula planning grant and competitive implementation grant, and a list of CSI schools can be found here.

     

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    Weekly Updates

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    An Update from the Indiana Department of Education is created by the Office of Communications, and  will be sent every Friday.