An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for October 12, 2018

indiana department of education - doctor jennifer mccormick - superintendent of public instruction

IN the Know 

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.

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Office of Student Assessment

I AM Practice Test Now Available

The I AM practice test is now available. The practice test is accessible from AIR’s Indiana Assessment Portal along with a user guide.
 
Understanding and Using Test Blueprints Moodle

Want to know more about test blueprints and how they can be used in the classroom? Complete the Understanding and Using Test Blueprints Moodle found here. Educators can earn PGPs upon completion.
 
Share with Educators! Updated General Assessment Guidance Now Available

Updated resources posted to the Office of Student Assessment home page (under “Manuals and Guidance”) relate to many of Indiana’s statewide assessment programs:

·         Ancillary Guidance
·         Practice Test Guidance
·         Test Invalidation Guidance
·         Testing Students at Alternate Sites Guidance


Office of School Improvement

Important Announcement

Amanda Culhan, School Counseling Specialist, has resigned her position at the Indiana Department of Education. We recognize the amount of technical assistance she provided during her tenure. The Office of School Improvement is available to answer questions and provide guidance until the position is filled. Please feel free to contact Richard McKnight. Thank you for your patience during this time of transition. 

School Improvement Plans Due TODAY

School Improvement Plans are due today, October 12. Troubleshooting FAQs can be found here. Upload your plan today. Feel free to reach out to the Office of School Improvement with any questions.

Feedback Needed on Revised High School Journalism Standards

The Office of School Improvement is seeking public comment regarding the revised High School Journalism standards. Please use this form to submit your comments. The revision of these standards was led by Indiana educators and the Indiana High School Press Association. Journalism is a high school course that can earn either an elective or ELA credit. Comments will be accepted through October 2018.   

October Literacy Team Newsletter Available

The literacy team is excited to share its October edition. This month, the team offers suggested reading selections related to National Bullying Prevention Month.

Dyslexia Awareness Month

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Did you know that as many as one in 10 students may have dyslexia? The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is raising awareness about dyslexia and sharing 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.

 

Office of Educator Licensing

Job Fair and Conference Set for November 2 in Huntingburg

The Southern Indiana Education Center in Huntingburg is hosting a PreparED Job Fair and Conference for pre-service teacher education students nearing licensure. The event will take place November 2. If you have vacancies and are interested in connecting with teacher candidates, please access this link.


Office of Workforce and STEM Alliances

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 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 Information Technology

Applicants Sought for Cybersecurity Matching Grants

On October 12, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will be making available a matching grant for schools interested in improving their cybersecurity. IDOE matching funds come from an appropriation by the Indiana General Assembly in the 2017-2019 budget. In order to offer more grants with the available funds and to incentivize local budgeting for cybersecurity in the long term, a dollar-for-dollar match is available for up to $25,000 from IDOE.  
 
This grant application will be published online and will be open until November 16. Funding for this grant cycle is available for approximately 25 grants at full match potential. In the event IDOE receives more qualified requests than it has the ability to fund, a lottery system will be implemented. If such a process is used, IDOE, at its discretion, may structure the lottery to ensure a range of projects are funded. More details and the grant application are available here.

 

Office of Special Education

Office of Special Education Offers Short Share Video

The Office of Special Education (OSE), in collaboration with the PATINS Project resource center, has created an informational video discussing an Augmentative & Alternative Communication Assessment List that can be utilized to provide equitable education for all students. This list was developed by Indiana educators. OSE has created many short videos on a variety of topics that can be found on our website or on this playlist.


Office of eLearning

Apply to Host a World-Class Professional Learning Opportunity in Your District

Learn how your district can participate as a host site for the summer professional development series, "The Summer of eLearning." Learn more here.

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 Educator Effectiveness

Individual Growth Model and Negative Impact Data Now Available in IDOE Verification and Information System (LVIS)
 
Please click here for more information on Individual Growth Measure (IGM) ratings based on 2017-2018 ISTEP+ results. 

 

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Weekly Updates

View previous weekly updates from Dr. McCormick here.  

Stay Informed

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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.