An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for October 5, 2018

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IN the Know

This week, Dr. McCormick released her 2019 legislative priorities. Also, Dr. McCormick shared departmental outcomes supporting Indiana's NextLevel agenda. Please take time to read this important information.


    Indiana Teacher of the Year Announced

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    On Thursday, the Indiana Department of Education announced Tamara Markey, a pre-engineering teacher at the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, as the 2019 Teacher of the Year. Learn more about this amazing educator here.


    Blue Ribbon Schools Celebrated at Statehouse Ceremony

    Dr. Jennifer McCormick led the recognition of Indiana's seven U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Schools. More than 100 guests attended the Statehouse celebration. Additional information is available here.

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    Office of Student Assessment

    NEW! Share with Educators! New/Updated ILEARN Resources & Guidance

    The Office of Student Assessment released additional/updated ILEARN and I AM resources on Monday, October 1. 

    New ILEARN resources include final test blueprints, scheduling and time guidance, rescore request guidance, range performance level descriptors (PLDs), and an updated ILEARN FAQ. ILEARN resources are available through the ILEARN For Educators” page of the Office of Student Assessment website. The TIDE User Guide, Test Administrator Certification Course Module, secure online practice tests, and many other new resources are available on the Indiana Assessment Portal.

    New I AM resources include I AM Item Specifications and Released Items Repository Scoring Guides. The I AM Released Items Repository is available through the Indiana Assessment Portal.
     
    Contact the Office of Student Assessment here with any questions. Contact AIR for assistance here.
     
    IDOE Winter Pretest Workshops – Required for CTCs

    The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) pretest workshop series continues through October 15. This presentation provides CTCs program and policy updates and information ahead of the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Retest and ILEARN Biology ECA winter windows. The schedule includes both online and onsite sessions. Capacity is limited and CTC attendance is documented.
     
    NOTE: CTCs whose schools will not administer either winter assessment are not required to attend the IDOE Winter Pretest Workshop, but are welcome to join and receive general program and policy updates.


    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.


    Office of School Accountability

    2018 Graduation Rate Audits

    The Indiana Department of Education will be conducting an audit of the 2018 Graduation Rate this fall. Schools that have students with an incorrect cohort status may request an audit of the data between October 10 and November 7. Schools should utilize the attached guidance when submitting their graduation rate audit. Schools selected for a mandatory graduation rate audit of the 2018 cohort were notified in late August. Please email all questions here.

     

    Office of Title Grants and Support

    Title I Methodology & Approved Plans

    Business managers and Title I program administrators without an approved Title I supplement-not-supplant methodology, which must be in place by December 10, are encouraged to participate in a webinar on October 16 at 1:00 p.m. IDOE will review the requirements of the methodology and examples that have already been approved. This webinar will be recorded for individuals not able to attend the live version.


    Office of School Improvement

    Dyslexia Awareness Month

    October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Did you know that as many as 1 in 10 students may have dyslexia? The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is raising awareness about dyslexia and share information and strategies on how educators can help students with dyslexia succeed. Please find useful information on dyslexia here. Check out the IDOE Twitter page for additional tips and awareness information on dyslexia throughout the month! Contact Joe Risch with any questions about dyslexia.

     

    Information Technology

    Spring Transfer Report

    The Spring Transfer Report has been published on the IDOE's web site and is available here. This report is based on data reported to IDOE from Indiana schools in the spring of the 2017-2018 school year. The information shows the enrollment of students in Indiana school corporations relative to their corporation of legal settlement.


    IDOE in the News

    2018 ISTEP+Results Released

    IDOE has released 2018 ISTEP+ results. More information is available here.



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    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.

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