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Each month, an area of the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will be highlighted to provide information on what the particular area does and provide an insight into all of the good work being completed each day on behalf of our students.
The Office of School Improvement has spent much of this year working in the field to support educators and students. Learn more here.
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Statewide Tour Continues Through May
Dr. McCormick is continuing to hold public meetings throughout the state. Along with previously announced stops in Avon and Fort Wayne, Dr. McCormick will be speaking in South Bend on April 15, and in Greencastle can meet with the Superintendent on May 7.
I AM Testing Window Opens April 8
The I AM Window is open Monday, April 8 through Friday, May 17. TAs must complete the LCI for each student before the Practice Test can be administered. The Practice Test must be administered before the Operational Test.
AIR and IDOE completed a final review of test documentation in advance of the window to ensure standardization. We identified a small number of updates that need to be communicated prior to initiating the I AM test administration. A revised I AM Test Administrator Manual (TAM) is available to corporations via the I AM Portal. A change log is included in each document so corporations can easily locate the updated information.
I AM Final Test Blueprints
IDOE recently completed test construction for the upcoming I AM window. As a result, a few additional changes were made by AIR across English/language arts and social studies. These changes were a result of the test construction process undertaken and contracted by AIR. These updates vary slightly from the educator recommendations that were made last summer. IDOE will continue to review the items following data review and leading into standard setting to ensure the most valuable and informational items are used as part of the overall test design. Updated Operational Test blueprints reflecting these minor changes will be posted in the coming weeks.
Updated ILEARN TAMs and TCM Available April 8 - Share with Educators
AIR and IDOE completed a final review of test documentation in advance of the spring window to ensure standardization. A small number of updates that need to be communicated to corporations and schools prior to initiating the ILEARN test administration were found. Updated ILEARN manuals (ILEARN 3-8 Test TAM, Biology ECA & U.S. Government ECA TAMs, and ILEARN Test Coordinator’s Manual) will be posted to the Indiana Assessment Portal on Monday, April 8. A change log will be included in each document so schools can easily locate the updated information.
Ordering Paper ILEARN Assessments in TIDE
Corporations and schools who plan to order any paper assessments (e.g., standard print, large print, braille, Spanish) must order these materials during the Additional Orders window (April 16 - May 3), if needed. Any materials ordered before this window cannot be processed. Staff must be onsite to sign for delivery of these secure materials. Promptly inventory your materials shipment, formalize a check-in/check-out process, and keep all documents in locked storage until needed for testing. Contact the AIR Help Desk (866-298-4256) with any questions.
IREAD-3 Interpretive Guide
Parents and educators may use the IREAD-3 Interpretive Guide to understand student results and guide conversations about how to best support each student. The Interpretive Guide is also available in Arabic, Burmese, Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Five-Year Graduation Rate Audit Opens April 15
Beginning April 15, IDOE is providing the opportunity for schools to audit the five-year graduation rate of the 2017 cohort. This audit is voluntary and will work similarly to the audit process that has been in place for the voluntary four year graduation rate the last four years. Please see the attached memo for more information.
InTers CTE Data Portal Is Now Web-Base
InTERS, the CTE data collection portal is now web-based! If your school offers CTE courses, please read this important information.
Cybersecurity Workshop for High School Teachers
Are you interested in offering a cybersecurity course or embedding more cybersecurity content into your existing computer science courses? Click here for information about a free cybersecurity professional learning experience this summer. Contact Jake Koressel with questions.
Pathfinders Summer Institute
Infosys Foundation USA will host the Pathfinders Summer Institute 2019, an intensive week of in-person professional development in computer science and making at Indiana University from July 14-19. More than 700 U.S. K-12 public school teachers will convene at #InfyPathfinders for high-quality hands-on training. All tuition, airfare, and room and board for teacher participants will be paid. Funding sources may vary depending on the professional development program selected. Participants may need to seek donations through DonorsChoose. Teachers and schools can register their interest and find additional information here.
Middle and High School CTE Course Staffing Flexibilities Announced
The offices of Educator Licensing, Career and Technical Education, and Workforce and Innovation recently collaborated to add additional staffing flexibilities to several CTE courses at the middle school and high school levels. The additional licensure options impact 12 courses in the categories of Middle Level Engineering and Technology (0490), CTE Family and Consumer Science (5342, 5456, 5457), CTE Engineering and Technology (4834), CTE Business, IT, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing (5230, 5231, 4562, 5914, 5986, 5992, 4508). You can find the updated Assignment Code sections on IDOE's website.
School Principals Required to Complete Survey of Some Educators
As a reminder, Indiana Code 20-28-11.5-9 requires a principal at each school corporation, including both charter and virtual schools, to complete an annual survey for any teacher employed in his/her building who was initially licensed in Indiana during the previous two (2) years. The purpose of the survey is not to assess the individual teacher, but the quality of preparation provided by the Indiana educator preparation program completed for licensure. IDOE is required to provide the survey form to principals during the second semester of each academic year.
Please note the 2019 survey is now open and will close on August 1. Access the 2019 survey here, select “2019 Principal Survey,” then enter the access code emailed earlier this week. If you did not receive a code, please contact Scott Bogan. Additional information and resources are available here.
Summer of eLearning – Register Now
Now is the time to make your plans to attend a Summer of eLearning Conference! Summer 2019 will feature 21 conferences across the state. Links to all conferences are available on IDOE's website. These events are a source of quality professional development, hosted by Indiana districts, often in partnership with their neighbors. Sessions will focus on STEM, project-based learning (PBL), and computer science offerings. IDOE encourages teachers and administrators to attend. All conferences are $25 or less a day, and many are free. For more information, contact Senior eLearning Strategist Jason Bailey.
Locally-Created Pathways
The 2019-2020 Locally-Created Pathway application process opened March 1 and closes on April 30. The application can be found here. IDOE and the State Board of Education hosted a Webex explaining the Locally-Created Pathway application process on March 8. Please find the Webex posted here. Please contact Ben Carter for additional information.
Professional Development Opportunity
The Office of Innovation is excited to share a professional development opportunity called, “Geometry in Construction.” This four-day session will help prepare career & technical education teachers and their math counterparts to strategically integrate math concepts into construction-related courses. The sessions will be hosted by Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District. Additional information can be found here. Please contact Chad Sutton with questions.
Eighth Grade Requirement
Per Indiana Code 20-30-5-14, each school in a school corporation, and each charter school, must provide students in eighth grade use of either Indiana Career Explorer or an alternative Internet-based system that provides students with college and career planning resources. The alternative Internet-based system must be approved by the State Board of Education. Additional information can be found here. Please contact Ben Carter with questions.
Fiscal Roadshows Begin April 9
The Office of Special Education is hosting seven training sessions throughout April to explain changes in fiscal policies, forms, and reporting methods prior to the start of the new fiscal year. The free full-day trainings are designed for special education directors and assistant directors, district business officers and treasurers, superintendents, and administrative assistants. The sessions are designed for any local education agency staff involved in fiscal processes for Part B grants, the Special Education Excess Costs Fund, and Medicaid claiming. Five professional growth points will be awarded to those who attend the entire day. Click here for more information and to register. For more information, please contact Tracy Brunner.
Comprehensive Positive School Discipline Resource Guide Available
In an effort to support schools seeking resources and guidance in developing and implementing a comprehensive positive school discipline plan, IDOE is releasing this resource guide to walk schools through the ins and outs of a positive behavior system. Whether starting from scratch, building on a foundation, or just making a few tweaks to an already effective plan, this resource guide will be a valuable resource. Please contact Robin LeClaire or Christy Berger with questions or assistance.
K-12 Educators Needed to Review Indiana Academic Standards
IDOE will be conducting a review of the Indiana Academic Standards during the coming months. If you are interested in serving on the review teams, please fill out this jot form. You will be notified in the coming weeks if you have been selected and will receive logistics on meeting times and locations.
2019 Technical Assistant Partner Profiles
Technical Assistance Partner profiles (TAPs) are now accessible on the Title Con main page. Fifty-four partners met the evidentiary requirement per ESSA and will be represented at the 2019 School Improvement Summit. District and building leaders are encouraged to attend Title Con April 23 and 24 and to discuss potential partnerships in an effort to address school improvement needs. For more information regarding the School Improvement Summit, please contact Melissa Blossom.
Research-Based Equitable School Discipline Model Policy
IDOE is excited to release a new resource to address HEA 1421. It provides school districts with information and resources as they review and, as necessary, update policies, procedures, and discipline practices to ensure all students have access to a safe, respectful, culturally, and trauma- responsive learning environment. This resource can be found here.
Webinar Series Opportunity-Analytical Algebra II: The What and the Why
In the first of two webinars IDOE will discuss the origins, creation, and the goals of the Analytical Algebra II course. Updates regarding the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and the NCAA will be given. We will also begin to compare and contrast Analytical Algebra II with traditional Algebra II in an effort to build confidence and understanding. This webinar will be held Tuesday, April 30, from 3:30-4:40 p.m. (ET). Register here.
Webinar Series Opportunity-Analytical Algebra II: Adapting and Gathering Resources
In this follow up webinar, IDOE will focus on resources and how schools can utilize and adapt their current Algebra II text with Analytical Algebra II. Presenters will also explore utilizing the Math Framework and begin to share digital resources. This webinar will be held Thursday, May 16, 3:30 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (ET). Register here.
Regional Summer Learning and Collaboration Opportunity
Join IDOE for a deep dive into Analytical Algebra II. During the course of two days, educators will receive resources and pedagogical strategies that can be used to implement the course. Educators will also be given meaningful work time to collaborate with colleagues from around the state. Click on the location to register. Additional information will follow to registered participants closer to the date.
Southern Indiana - June 4 - June 5 - Jasper, IN
Central Indiana - June 6 - June 7 - Indianapolis, IN
Northern Indiana - June 10 - June 11 - Warsaw, IN
2019 High Ability Competitive Grants Announced
IDOE's Office of High Ability and Advanced Placement is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 High Ability Competitive Grants. The grants offer up to $75,000 to support districts that have assessed their current high ability program implementation and are prepared to take the next steps to provide enhanced, advanced learning experiences for their high ability students.
Nine districts were awarded competitive grants totaling $476,684. A list of 2019 High Ability Competitive Grant recipients and information about the grant are available here.
Early Learning Guidance "How to Use" Resource Now Available
A quick reference document has been created to accompany the recently-released Early Learning Guidance. This document explains potential uses and the content layout.
Early Learning Newsletter Now Available
IDOE's April Early Learning monthly newsletter has been released. Information on Week of the Young Child, new resources, and professional development opportunities are among the featured articles.
Save the Date - School Budget Workshop
The Office of School Finance will sponsor a budget workshop on Wednesday, June 26. The workshop will be held at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) and will contain numerous areas of interest to school corporation personnel. The workshop will include presentations on IDOE finance-related topics, data collection, and updates from the State Board of Accounts and the Indiana Employment and Education Relations Board. More information will follow at a later date.
Office of School and Community Nutrition Coffee Break Webinars
IDOE's Office of School and Community Nutrition (SCN) hosted Coffee Break Webinars for administrators in February. To view the recorded webinars, click on the specific title: Smart Snacks and Wellness Policies, Ensuring Compliance with Special Dietary Needs in Your Schools, and Understanding Resource Management in the School Nutrition Programs and Ways to Support Food Service – Part One and Part Two. Contact our SCN team with any questions.
Information for Charter Schools: Applications for Charter Schools Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Now Available
Per the U.S. Department of Education, a new grant opportunity is available to currently operating Indiana charter schools. The Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant is a competitive grant providing the opportunity for charter schools to fund innovative solutions and programs to support teacher recruitment and teacher retention.
Grant awards are a maximum of $50,000 and applications are due no later than May 1, at 12:00 PM EST.
Please click here to access the application materials under the accordion file labeled “Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant”.
Title IV Resource Guide Available
In preparation for next year’s federal funding allocations, LEAs may wish to utilize this resource guide for Title IV. It is a compilation of allowable interventions, tools, and resources you can utilize with your Title IV, Part A funds. Though not a comprehensive list, the resource guide is a great source for inspiration on innovative ways to use your Title IV allocation. This guide will be periodically updated, so check back regularly.
Charter School Program Call for Reviewers
IDOE's Charter School Program is looking for individuals with diverse areas of charter school knowledge and expertise to serve as peer reviewers for the Charter School Program grant. The most qualified candidates will have proficiency in ESSA, urban/rural communities, student groups, charter school innovation, charter school policy, and/or prior experience reviewing grant applications. Qualified candidates could include individuals with current or former experience in:
- Charter school organizers
- Charter school administrators
- Charter school board members
- Charter school funders
- Management organization leaders (EMO/CMO)
Reviewers must be available remotely from late July through late August. Click here if you are interested and would like to receive more information.
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