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The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released the Literacy Framework in September. The feedback has been tremendous and positive. Based on the response to this tool, IDOE's Office of School Improvement plans to release two more frameworks requested by schools. The Indiana Math Framework will be released in January, and the Indiana Science Framework will be available in the summer of 2019. |
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New! Share with Educators! Paper Response Options
IDOE requested your feedback earlier this year concerning the use of paper response options. Several corporations preferred the test booklets similar to those provided with ISTAR. IDOE will transition to these options during the next few years. More information regarding this change can be found in this memo.
Winter ILEARN Biology ECA Window Now Open!
The first ILEARN assessment window opened on December 4, and continues through Thursday, December 20. Students must participate in the Biology ECA upon completion of the biology course. Review the ILEARN Biology ECA Participation Guidance and feel free to contact the Office of School Assessment with any questions.
ILEARN U.S. Government ECA Participation – Informal Survey Closing Today
IDOE requests your assistance for the upcoming optional ILEARN U.S. Government ECA (Spring 2019). The brief interest survey remains open through 5 p.m. ET today. Survey results gauge interest and help inform reporting, while schools will use a more formal process to indicate specific students in the coming weeks.
New! Feedback Requested on Proposed Alternate Assessment Waiver
IDOE seeks public comment on its request for a waiver extension on the number of students who can be tested using an alternate assessment on annual statewide tests (e.g., 1% assessment). Indiana anticipates that approximately 1.2% students will be assessed using the alternate assessment. Since this exceeds the limit, Indiana must request a waiver extension to the 1% cap for one year (34 C.F.R. §200.6(c)(4)).
Information about this waiver can be found here. Additionally, the proposed waiver extension request is available on the IDOE website. Any individual or organization may submit written comments on the proposed waiver extension pursuant to 34 C.F.R.§200.6(c)(4). Written comments will be accepted through December 14.
ESSA Amendment to Federal Accountability
IDOE has published a proposed amendment draft to the ESSA plan affecting the federal accountability system. The draft amendment is available for review and submission of public comment here. For a summary of the proposed changes to the federal accountability system, please review the proposed ESSA amendment overview. Please send any questions here.
LEA Annual Report Cards
Beginning with 2017-2018 data, ESSA requires each local educational agency (LEA) that receives Title I assistance to prepare and disseminate an annual LEA report card. An LEA report card must be concise and presented in an understandable and uniform format for parents. ESSA requires each LEA to share its report card on its website, or if the LEA does not have a website, in another public manner determined by the LEA.
In order to comply with this requirement, the LEA may develop its own report card in compliance with all reporting requirements, or provide on its website a llink to IDOE's accountability data for the LEA. All required data points for LEAs and schools will be included on IDOE's Compass site. Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, LEAs will be required to provide IDOE the URL location where the LEA has provided its report card for the district and school levels to the public.The submission of this information will be provided through the LEA’s Title I application.
Information on the required data points may be found here. Please email all all questions here.
Innovation Planning Grant Recipients Announced
The Office of eLearning is pleased to announce the 2018-2019 Innovation Planning Grant awardees. The intent of these $30,000 grants is to incentivize the thoughtful and informed planning within public school corporations interested in creating or increasing the potential of digital learning in their classrooms. Awarded districts have participated in a Future Ready School Summit, and have committed to evaluating their current technology readiness. Recipients will also form a leadership team of teachers and administrators to increase district awareness of opportunities for technology integration. These teams will also take advantage of professional development opportunities such as attending the Indiana Future Ready Schools Institute, regional and national conferences, and visiting mentor districts. They will use information gained from these learning opportunities and their technology/instructional assessment to formulate a plan for integrating technology into teaching and learning.
Online Courses Available Through the Indiana Course Portal (ICAP)
iCap offers a catalog of nearly 100 online course options approved by IDOE. During the first semester of the 2018-2019 school year, five Indiana schools took advantage of virtual courses from this catalog. Courses include Indiana studies, ethnic studies, world languages, dual credit options, and select CTE courses. This program is available to schools and students as outlined in IC 20-30-16. Watch for updates to the course catalog in time for class scheduling for the 2019-2020 school year. More information on iCAP is available here. You can also email iCAP with any questions.
Going Beyond the Hour of Code
CSforIN is an initiative to empower all Hoosier students from kindergarten through high school to learn computer science and be equipped with the computational thinking skills needed to thrive in a digitally-powered economy. Benefits of joining the community include access to a network of CS education stakeholders in Indiana, monthly newsletters, monthly community calls, and more. Join the CSforIN community by checking out this website.
Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and School Improvement Plan (SIP) Roadshow
The Office of School Improvement will be offering technical assistance in completing a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and School Improvement Plan (SIP). All schools identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) or Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) in the fall of 2018 will be required to complete a unified CNA/SIP for the 2019-2020 school year. Schools identified as CSI and TSI are strongly encouraged to attend one of these informational sessions. View this flyer for more information and to register. Please contact Robin LeClaire for questions.
Additional Dyslexia Guidance Documents Released
IDOE is releasing additional draft guidance documents for schools as they plan for the implementation of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 217, or “the dyslexia law."
One guidance document provides information on who may be the “authorized reading specialist with training in dyslexia” and how school corporations and charter schools may use this employee.
A second draft guidance document details how the requirements of SEA 217 are separate from Article 7 and IDEA. This document includes information on referrals for educational evaluation and the use of Response to Intervention (RTI) for students considered “at risk” and “at some risk." This draft document also shares information about parent permission as it relates to the universal, Level I, and Level II dyslexia screeners.
This, and all other dyslexia guidance may be found here. Questions may be sent to Joe Risch.
Schools Asked to Designate Dyslexia Contact Person
IDOE is creating a list of educators who are leading the implementation of Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 217, or “the dyslexia law.” This contact person does NOT have to be the school corporation or charter schools’ “authorized reading specialist trained in dyslexia,” as this person does not have to be in place until July 2019. The designated contact person will receive direct updates and guidance from IDOE on the implementation of SEA 217. Please complete this form and submit the required information no later than December 21. The contact person may be changed at a later date if needed. The guidance and updates will be sent directly to this individual. The information will also be included in Dr. McCormick’s Weekly Update. Contact Joe Risch with any questions.
Literacy Framework Phase II
The IDOE Literacy Team is inviting passionate educators to participate in the development of the Literacy Framework’s Phase II. If interested, please complete this form. More information to come for those who sign-up.
Contest to Create High Ability Logo Announced
IDOE's High Ability Department is seeking your insight, creativity, and input! The purpose of this contest is to design the High Ability logo, which will be an easily recognizable and reproducible design to communicate the essence of Indiana High Ability education. This logo will become the official visual representation of High Ability education in Indiana. It may be used in all media, including online, print, and other visual formats. All current Indiana high ability students, teachers, and administrators, grades K-12, are eligible. For more information, see the attached form. For more information, please contact Cynthia Schuler.
Literacy Team #INspirEDlit Newsletter
Please read the December #INspirEDlit newsletter here. This edition includes engaging teaching strategies, national writing contest details, book recommendations, and more!
The Second Annual Teach to Lead Summit Coming in June
"STEM Focus" is the theme of the second annual Teach to Lead Summit scheduled for June 13-14, 2019 at the Eiteljorg Museum in downtown Indianapolis. Applications for the summit will be released in January 2019, and your team can prepare now by identifying potential teacher-led solutions to local STEM needs. Visit the IDOE Teach to Lead webpage to check out a video of last year’s summit and to find more information regarding the summit.
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