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Release of School Accountability Panel Recommendation
The School Accountability Panel, established by IC 20-19-4-1, released its final recommendation for the future of high school accountability. This final recommendation may be found here along with the presentation to be given at the November 6 State Board of Education meeting. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) was not represented as a member of this Panel; however, IDOE did provide recommendations on a conceptual framework for the statewide accountability system for all schools; the support system for student success; and revisions to the structure of course and credit requirements for high school diplomas. The slide deck outlining IDOE's presentation may be found here. The authority to amend Indiana statute regarding school accountability systems rests with the Indiana General Assembly. The State Board is responsible for adopting administrative regulations to provide for implementation of any state laws regarding accountability. IDOE recommends any feedback regarding the Panel’s recommendation be emailed to Senator Jeff Raatz or made via phone call at 1-800-382-9467. Another contact is Representative Robert Behning, 1-800-382-9841. State Board members can also be contacted.
Questions related to IDOE’s conceptual framework may be directed here.
#BeInformed
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IDOE thanks all of the students, teachers, and school communities participating in Indiana's first year of contributing to the Cards for Our Military Challenge. We appreciate the 86 districts and individual schools participating in this wonderful initiative. As a reminder, today is the deadline for mailing cards to the national collection point in New Hampshire. Cards will be accepted after today, but schools are asked to send their greetings as soon as possible. Information about the project is available here. If you have pictures you would like included in the statewide Cards for Our Military Challenge photo album, please send them here. The photo album will be shared statewide next Friday.
Important Update on Teacher Appreciation Grants
Last week, IDOE provided guidance on distributing Teacher Appreciation Grant dollars as Indiana anticipates the General Assembly to formally vote on a Hold Harmless provision. Specific information about the disbursement and expenditure of these dollars can be found here.
ISPROUT for Students Ages Three to Five
Early Learning Centers without Individualized Education Program (IEP) students interested in implementing ISPROUT are invited to attend a webinar to learn more about the process. There will be two webinars that provide an overview of ISPROUT and how to opt-in to implement this tool with your students. The webinars are scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET and Monday, November 20, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET,
A recording of the webinar will be available for anyone unable to attend one of the sessions. Questions can be sent to Felecia Jordan.
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
NAEP assessments are given annually to measure proficiency of Indiana students. In 2019, NAEP was administered to students in grades four, eight, and 12 online for the second time. Grades four and eight are reported at the state level and grade 12 is reported at the national level.
Indiana experienced a drop in scores. However, we continue to demonstrate growth in sub-populations as we include diverse student populations in this assessment opportunity. There was an increase in grade four mathematics scores for students with disabilities. There was an increase in grade eight mathematics scores for students of two or more races. Indiana’s English Learners improved substantially in their grade four reading scores. Click here for the report.
Winter 2019 ISTEP+ Retest Window
The ISTEP+ Mathematics window is opening as scheduled Monday, November 4. Corporation Test Coordinators (CTCs) were notified October 21 of a delay in the opening of the English/Language Arts (ELA) window due to updates to system functionality. The ELA window opens November 18. Contact your CTC or the Office of Student Assessment with questions.
Winter 2019 ISTEP+ Retest Onsite Monitoring
The Office of Student Assessment (OSA) will conduct unannounced onsite monitoring visits during the Winter 2019 ISTEP+ Retest testing window beginning November 4. Please ensure that school administrators and staff are aware these onsite visits will be conducted. Click here for additional information.
Embargoed Release of School Grades and Federal Ratings to Support Audit Process
The 2018-2019 state and federal accountability report cards will be released today, November 1 in an embargoed state to schools and corporations. Embargoed report cards will be posted in the accountability portal. The State Board of Education will not assign official 2018-2019 state letter grades until the legislature has an opportunity to take action to hold schools harmless. Federal ratings will not be held harmless, and will be made public after the completion of the audit window. Detailed information about the audit process, which opened today (November 1), is available here. Additional information about the embargoed release is available here.
Math Transition Course Capacity Building Funding Available
Grants up to $10,000 are available for high schools to build the capacity to offer the Indiana PRIME Math Transition Course, a course designed in collaboration with the Commission for Higher Education, to prepare high school students for credit-bearing coursework at post-secondary institutions. The application, due December 6, can be found here. Questions may be sent to Jennifer Jensen.
Bullying Presentation Available to All Schools Through December 2
IDOE has partnered with Nick Vujicic to bring his message of anti-bullying to schools in Indiana. Vujicic shares how he overcame bullying as a person born without limbs. His "Rise Above Bullying" tour recently stopped in New Castle, and was recorded. Indiana schools may view Vujicic’s presentation by following this link. The recording is available until December 2.
High Ability Tuition Reimbursement Request Deadline Is Today
IDOE is pleased to announce funding for LEAs seeking tuition reimbursement for individuals desiring to attain Indiana high ability licensure. Funding will be prioritized for those LEAs with few or no teachers with high ability licenses. The High Ability Coordinator for an LEA, wishing for one or more teachers to receive tuition reimbursement for a single course to be completed in spring 2020, must complete the Request to Participate form TODAY (November 1).
Title II Juvenile Justice Funding through Criminal Justice Institute
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is making up to $837,156.00 in FY 2019 Federal Title II funding available for calendar year 2020 programs. Please note that is not the same Title II funding that IDOE manages for professional development, but a different federal grant through ICJI. Applications for the FY 2019 Federal Title II Funds are due by Monday, November 25. Only Indiana state agencies and units of local government are eligible to apply for Title II program funds from ICJI. The Title II Formula Grant program requires each state to develop a three-year plan identifying goals for the juvenile justice system and programmatic priorities to be supported by sub-grants. Title II sub-grant funding is competitive in nature. Therefore, ICJI will only give consideration to applications falling under one of the specific purpose areas found in the request for proposals.
Neglected and Delinquent Annual Survey Count Data Collection
Neglected and Delinquent (N&D) Annual Survey Count Data Collection will open until December 16. This annual survey provides IDOE with data required by Title I, Parts A and D, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, for use in the computation of grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and state agencies responsible for providing free public education for children in institutions or community day programs for children who are neglected or delinquent. Please see the memo, survey form, and instructions for more information.
Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Funding Available
Grants of $50,000 to more than $300,000 are available for local education agencies (LEAs) or institutes of higher education (IHEs) to receive funding to support high-quality professional development in math and science. The application and budget are available here and are due December 2. Questions may be sent to Jennifer Jensen or Nathan Williamson.
Title I and Early Learning
Title I, Part A allows LEAs to provide preschool programs to improve educational outcomes for eligible children from birth to the age at which the local education agency (LEA) provides a free public elementary education. Please see the attached non-regulatory guidance, summary, and preschool FAQ for information of how Title I funds can be used to support early learning.
Federal Grants Newsletter Now Available
The November Issue of #INspirEDgrants, a newsletter by Federal Grants and Support, is now available. The newsletter contains helpful information, resources, and ideas to consider when thinking about Title Grants. Please take a moment to review and subscribe here.
Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency
The Office of Title Grants and Support is pleased to report that 828 certificates were awarded for the Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency for the 2018-2019 school year. The number of languages recognized is a testament to the growing diversity in Indiana. Please see the attached memo for a breakdown of certificates and information for schools on how to participate during the 2019-2020 school year.
English Learner Teacher of Record Tuition Reimbursement
IDOE is releasing funding for LEAs seeking tuition reimbursement for individuals seeking to become qualified to serve as an English Learner Teacher of Record. Funding will be prioritized for LEAs with few or no licensed EL teachers or high ratios of English learners to licensed EL teachers. The EL Director for an LEA wishing for one or more teachers to receive tuition reimbursement must complete the Request to Participate form by November 22.
STEM Teach IV Indiana Grant Opportunity
IDOE is excited to announce that STEM Teach, a partnership between the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) and Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), has received a fourth round of funding through the Indiana STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund. Through a state grant, a group of ICI member colleges and public institutions offer STEM courses and workshops for in-service K-12 teachers in Indiana at no cost. STEM Teach IV will launch graduate and undergraduate courses, workshops, and conference scholarships beginning in January for six semesters. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Career Awareness and Career Development Requirement: Deadline Today
By no later than today, November 1 each school is required to complete the appropriate grade level form linked below. Additional information can be found in this memo.
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