An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for December 21, 2018

indiana department of education - doctor jennifer mccormick - superintendent of public instruction
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During the holidays, as you take care of your family, friends, and others, I ask you take time to renew, revitalize, and rejuvenate. Through my travels across the State during this first semester, I have seen, our students have encountered, and our school communities have witnessed all the successes we have accomplished. You have given so much, and I encourage you to take time to reflect, relax (when you can), and remember how much you are truly appreciated.

Dr. Mac

Legislative Updates and Guidance

Important Information Related to Virtual Education Programs

HEA 1001 (2018) required each school corporation operating a virtual education program to submit a report to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). In turn, IDOE is to provide to the budget committee before January 1, 2019, a report covering the information reported by school corporations on virtual education programs. Please click here for a copy of this report.

IDOE Needs Assessment Report

HEA 1230 – ss (2018) required IDOE to conduct a needs assessment and report the findings to the Indiana General Assembly. Our statewide response rate was 91 percent, so thank you to all participating school corporations. Please click here for a copy of the report.

 

Office of Student Services

Reporting Absenteeism in Excess of 20 Percent Due to Illness

Please read this information regarding IDOE's reporting requirements related to absenteeism greater than 20 percent. 

 

Office of Student Assessment

NEW! Share with Educators! I AM Regional Test Administrator Training and Certification

The registration window for the live Test Administrator Training and Certification is now open through February 4, 2019. Refer to the attached memo for more information regarding training locations, dates, and directions for registration. Test administrators will be certified in TIDE once the live training has been completed. The 30 minute online training for ILEARN will not count for I AM Test Administrator certification. If you have additional questions regarding this training, contact Stephanie Thompson.

NEW! Share with Educators! I AM Policy and Range Performance Level Descriptors Now Available

The I AM Policy and Range Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) are statements that reflect the varying degrees to which students may demonstrate proficiency on each grade-level I AM assessment. Both of these resources are now available on the I AM Website.

NEW! Share with Educators! Winter 2018 ILEARN Biology ECA Satisfaction Survey

The first ILEARN test window closed yesterday. Please complete this brief survey to let us know what went well and how we can improve future test administrations for schools and students.

NEW! Preparing for the ILEARN Statewide Readiness Test

All schools administering AIR assessments in Spring 2019 are required to participate in the Statewide Readiness Test (SRT) on January 23, 2019, or, in the event of a school closing/delay or other conflict, the backup date (January 28, 2019). Schools should select a 30-minute block of time between the hours of 8 to 11 a.m. ET to conduct the SRT. Schools should review the guidance and detailed scripts in the Technology Readiness Guide for use in conducting the Statewide Readiness Test. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk by email or call 866-298-4256 or for any assistance.

 

Important Information Regarding Title IX

The U.S. Department of Education has released its proposed regulations regarding Title IX Sexual Harassment. Please click here in order to read a summary of the proposed regulations. The summary is not all-inclusive, but instead focuses on providing a general outline with attention to certain issues. It is intended to provide schools with a general understanding of terminology as well as a framework for schools to understand their responsibilities. After a review of the proposed regulations, IDOE encourages schools to submit comments detailing any and all concerns regarding the proposed regulations here.

 

Office of School Improvement

Literacy Framework Phase II

IDOE's 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.

Analytical Algebra II

Analytical Algebra II has been approved by the State Board of Education and is now included in the Course Title and Description Guide. There you will find guidance about the course and its application in the course sequence for students. Questions can be directed to Dr. Jennifer Jensen.

2019-2020 Course Descriptions Released

The State Board of Education has approved 2019-2020 Course Titles and Descriptions. The information can be found here. Additional guidance will be forthcoming regarding Analytical Algebra II.

Computer Science Curriculum Showcase

IDOE is hosting a Computer Science Curriculum Showcase at Center Grove Community School Corporation’s Innovation Center. The event will take place Thursday, February 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is recommended each school district send a representative to learn about various computer science curriculum options for ALL grade levels, and learn what you can do to provide your students with high-quality computer science experiences. This opportunity may also help you to plan how your district will comply with the requirements of Senate Enrolled Act 172 and may provide additional guidance for future school improvement plans. Click here to register.

Introduction to Computational Thinking for Every Educator (Please share with K-12 Educators)

Not sure how to incorporate computational thinking (CT) into your classroom? Want to learn how CT can fit into any grade level or discipline? See this memo to learn more!

December Math Newsletter

Take a moment to read about registration for regional professional development and other information from the math team.

December High Ability Newsletter

The December issue of the High Ability newsletter is now available. Information on resources and free professional development are among the topics covered. Access the newsletter here.

Resources Now Available on Human Trafficking Awareness and Response

Pursuant to 2018 legislation related to human trafficking (IC 20-19-3-11.7), IDOE has added a “Human Trafficking Quick Indicator Tool for Educators” to the IDOE webpage. This is the third such tool to be disseminated across the State. The others were developed and shared with the fields of law enforcement and healthcare in the past year. Please share this information liberally, and have printed copies of the Quick Indicator Tool available for convenient reference by staff serving in student service or administrative capacities. A video on human trafficking has also been developed and will be available soon. This video will satisfy the legislative requirements (IC 20-28-3-7) for schools to train staff one hour every two years related to human trafficking. Contact Jeff Wittman or Deepali Jani with any related questions. 

 

Office of School Finance

Form 9 Submission Information

The Form 9 Financial Report data submission for the period July to December 2018 must be uploaded through DOE Online no later than January 31, 2019. The submission process opens January 1, 2019. Please note this will be the first Form 9 data submission to require two additional fields: School Building ID and Subcategory. As part of the January upload of Form 9 data, school corporations are welcome to test their files at any time using the “Test a File” error review button on the main dashboard of DOE Online -> Form 9.  Additional guidance, a list of School IDs, and other information is located in the ESSA and Form 9 folders in the Learning Connection School Finance Community under “Files and Bookmarks” and in the Chart of Accounts and Finding the ESSA Folder in Learning Connection. 

Update on Fiscal Year 2019 State Tuition Support

The Office of School Finance has recalculated the estimate of fiscal year 2019 State Tuition Support. Read more here.

 

Office of Information Technology

Master File to be Replaced -- Your Help Needed

As part of the LINK Initiative, IDOE will retire the current Master File System (Master File) within DOE Online on January 1, 2019. The Master File is the database of official contacts and addresses of schools and school personnel IDOE uses as the foundation of communication to schools. IDOE will be replacing the Master File with a new database for corporations/schools and school contacts as part of the IDOE's Link Initiative. The impact of this transition for schools and what schools should do prior to January 1, 2019, is described in this memo.

 

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