An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for April 12, 2019

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Superintendent's Summit Set for June 14

Dr. Mac

Please save the date for the Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE) Superintendent Summit. The event will be held Friday, June 14, in Indianapolis. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick and members of IDOE's leadership team invite representatives from all Indiana school districts to attend. Superintendents are encouraged to bring one other member of his/her leadership team to participate. Additional details will be announced soon. 


Graduation Pathways Update and Guidance

Graduation Pathways Webinar Opportunity 

IDOE is partnering with the Indiana Youth Institute, CareerWise Colorado, and the Colorado Department of Education to conduct a webinar highlighting innovative practices that support the Employability Skills component of Graduation Pathways. Please register for the webinar here. Contact Ben Carter with questions.

 

Office of Assessment

ILEARN Text to Speech Guidance

IDOE recently disseminated guidance regarding Text to Speech (TTS) deployment for reading comprehension items and other test segments in relationship to this accommodation noted in IIEP  for statewide assessments. No changes are underway that deviates from this guidance.  ILEARN will deploy on April 22 with the TTS accommodation as described. Questions regarding this feature can be emailed to Assessment or by calling 317-232-9050. IDOE is committed to delivering accessibility features as indicated for statewide assessments in IIEP.  A thorough comparison between assessment delivery and IIEP is underway to ensure compliance of all systems.

Spring 2019 ILEARN Onsite Monitoring

The Office of Student Assessment will conduct unannounced onsite monitoring visits during the Spring 2019 ILEARN testing window beginning April 22. Please ensure school administrators and staff are aware that these onsite visits will be conducted. Click here for more details. 

Spring ILEARN Test Window Opens April 22 – Reporting Student Data

As the spring test window draws near, please be sure to report any newly enrolled students via your corporation or school’s DOE-RT/EM collection in the STN Application Center. New or updated Section 504 and ILP accommodations must be reported via the DOE-TA collection, and any IEP accommodations must be designated for students in the Indiana IEP. IDOE will submit all reported updates to AIR, so student information will be in TIDE the following day. Please contact the Office of Student Assessment or the STN Application Center (800-527-4931) with questions. 

Reminder: ILEARN Paper Tests: Initial and Additional Orders

Corporations and schools who reported paper as an accommodation via Indiana IEP by January 25 will receive their paper shipments onsite on Monday, April 15.

Corporations and schools who need additional 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 these secure materials. CTCs/STCs should promptly inventory any materials shipment, formalize a check-in/check-out process, and keep all documents in locked storage until needed for testing.

 

Office of Innovation

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

eLearning Days Workshops Announced

The Office of eLearning is pleased to announce four, free regional workshops designed to reflect, revisit, and rethink eLearning days. Seats are limited. More information and registration links can be found on the eLearning website.

Elementary and Middle Level Subject Descriptions Available

At the State Board of Education’s April 10 meeting, the Elementary and Middle Level Subject Descriptions document was approved for the 2019-2020 school year. This includes the approval of 0488 Computer Science - Middle Level. The associated course framework can be found here. Additionally, flexibility has been added to the assignment codes regarding the credentials required to teach this course. For licensing requirements, please view the updated assignment codes. For additional questions, contact Jake Koressel.

Update on Indiana's Proposed Teacher Shortage Listing

IDOE is preparing to submit Indiana’s proposed teacher shortage areas to the United States Department of Education for the 2019-2020 school year for inclusion in the national teacher shortage area listing. Learn more here.

 

Office of School Improvement

Summer Professional Development CCR Bridge: Math Ready Course

This summer, IDOE will be hosting professional development for educators teaching the CCR Bridge: Math Ready course. This course helps students transition from high school to post-secondary math coursework. Tentative dates are July 16, 17, and 18 in Indianapolis. More information will be coming soon. Contact Dr. Jennifer Jensen for additional information.

Kindergarten Readiness Resources Now Available

The Office of School Improvement has Kindergarten Readiness documents available in both English and Spanish. These documents outline skills children can work towards before heading to kindergarten. The information is available on the kindergarten webpage.

Early Learning Guidance Available

IDOE is pleased to release two additional Early Learning Guidance documents for the Approaches to Play and Learning and Social-Emotional Foundations. The documents can be found on the Early Learning website

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 to discuss potential partnerships and school improvement needs. For more information regarding the School Improvement Summit, please contact Melissa Blossom.

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.

Comprehensive Positive School Discipline Model Policy Available

IDOE is excited to release this model policy and resource to address HEA 1421. It provides school districts with current 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, and culturally and trauma-responsive learning environment. This resource can be found 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, 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

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.

Literacy’s April Newsletter

Check out #INspirEDlit’s April newsletter that includes information about National Poetry Month and much more.

Leadership Newsletter Now Available

IDOE's School Improvement team is proud to debut their monthly newsletter. PLCs, Growing Teacher Leaders, Ambitious Instructional Strategies, and Culturally Responsive Teaching are among the featured articles. Please visit the Office of School Improvement website to subscribe.

 

Dr. McCormick Holding Additional Public Meetings

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. Those in the Greencastle can meet with the Superintendent on May 7.

 

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Weekly Updates

View previous weekly updates from Dr. McCormick here.  

Stay Informed

Did you miss a message? View previous weekly emails here. Want daily updates? Be sure to follow the Department on Twitter and Facebook.

An Update from the Indiana Department of Education is created by the Office of Communications, and  will be sent every Friday.