An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for October 19, 2018

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

IN the Know 

National School Safety Week

 

October 21 through 27 is Safe Schools Week. Recognized in Indiana and across the nation, the week focuses attention on keeping school campuses free of crime, violence, drug activity, and other threats to school security. IDOE’s School Safety Specialist Academy is a national leader in training, providing best practice resources to schools across the nation. The Academy also provides guidance on school safety, security, intervention, prevention, and emergency preparedness planning. Learn more about the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy here.

 

Dr. Mac

New Director of School Building Security Named

Balko

Stephen Balko has been named the new Director of School Building Security for IDOE. Balko previously served as the Assistant Director of Indiana University-Bloomington’s Office of Emergency Management and Continuity. He has also served as Emergency Management Coordinator for IUPUI. 

Office of Student Assessment

Share with Educators -- Toolkits: The One-Stop Shop for Assessment Resources

IDOE will compile many existing ILEARN resources into downloadable bundles called “toolkits.” Each toolkit provides the resources needed to support specific stakeholders groups. The Teacher Resource Toolkit is the first toolkit available for download on the right-hand side of our website. It contains content-specific resources (including blueprints, specifications, performance level descriptors, training videos, etc.) that may be of interest to classroom teachers and other educators. More toolkits will be available in the coming weeks!

New Calculator Guidance

IDOE has developed and recently reviewed the new calculator guidance for ILEARN and I AM. The attached memo and executive summary highlight the considerations for these decisions. The final calculator guidance is posted on the Office of Student Assessment homepage.

 

Office of Accountability

2018 Graduation Rate Audits

IDOE 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.


Guidance on Students Displaced by Disasters

Important Information on Displaced Students

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

 

Office of School Improvement

Updated Guidance on Suicide Prevention and Awareness

A guidance memo regarding SEA 230, suicide prevention and awareness, is now available. The memo provides information about amended language from HEA 1430 by SEA 230. An outline of legislative requirements is also included. The information has also been posted on IDOE's Student Services webpage.

Student Services Needs Assessment

During the 2018 legislative special session, HB 1230 passed and was signed into law, requiring IDOE to conduct a statewide needs assessment survey that collects data from public elementary, middle, and high schools, including charter schools. Please use this link to access the survey and see the attached memo for instructions and details about responding to the survey. IDOE wants to hear from all school corporations to get a true and accurate picture of the needs of our state’s schools regarding student services and school safety. We truly appreciate your willingness to participate.

Input Sought on Journalism Standards

We are 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 the end of this month. 

Math Team Monthly Newsletter

Read the math team’s latest newsletter here. This month you will find resources, inspiration, and activities to promote reasoning and problem solving.

 

Office of 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 IDOE refines and ensures we have the most comprehensive STEM program possible. We ask that you please complete the survey no later than Wednesday, October 24. Thank you for your participation and input.

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors women in grades nine through 12 who are active and interested in computing and technology. Click here for more information. 

Counselors for Computing

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

Girls Who Code

IDOE has a new partnership with Girls Who Code! Take advantage of this new partnership and launch a FREE club!. Click here for more information or contact Jake Koressel with questions. 

Computer Science Education

Please click here to view guidance related to the requirements of IC 20-30-5-23. Direct any questions to Jake Koressel, Computer Science Specialist. 

Computer Science Professional Development Opportunities

There are numerous free professional development opportunities for Indiana educators. Content areas include computer science fundamentals for K-5 educators, integrating computer science for grades six through eight teachers, and SCRIPT district computer science strategic planning workshops for K-12 teachers and school administrators. See a full calendar of professional development opportunities and how to register here.


Office of Educator Licensing

Job Fair and Conference in Huntingburg on November 2

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 Finance

Curricular Material Reimbursement

School corporations, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools seeking curricular material reimbursement must submit both student level data and curricular material costs in the STN Application Center on or before October 31. IDOE will calculate the reimbursement amount for each school corporation, charter school, and nonpublic school based on the total number of eligible students reported during the collection window. If you have questions regarding the submission process, please direct them here. 

ESSA School Building Level Guidance 

IDOE has posted an updated version of its guidance for the submission of school building level expenditure data. The guidance was developed in response to IDOE's and Indiana Local Education Agencies (LEAs) federal reporting requirement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as well as Indiana state law, to report expenditures at the school building level. The guidance and other applicable information can be found in the ESSA folder of the School Finance Community of the Learning Connection. Please use this email to share any questions.

 

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Weekly Updates

View previous weekly updates from Dr. McCormick here.  

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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.