An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for November 29, 2019

indiana department of education - doctor jennifer mccormick - superintendent of public instruction
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Dr. Mac

On behalf of the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), we wish our students, educators, school staff, and school communities a safe and prosperous Thanksgiving holiday. 


Holiday Closing

Swag 2019

All IDOE offices will be closed today, Friday, November 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

IDOE in the News

IDOE has announced the recipients of the 2018-2019 Title I Distinguished Schools award. Learn more here.

 

Office of Assessment

WIDA English Language Development Standards, 2020 Edition

The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards, 2020 Edition, draft release and public input period is open through December 15. All stakeholders are encouraged to review the released drafts of the standards and provide feedback via the public input survey. Additional information and resources regarding the 2020 WIDA ELD Standards can be found here.

Recently-Arrived English Learners Flexibility

The Assessment Administration Flexibility for Recently-Arrived English Learners (ELs) memo provides guidance for reporting and assessing ELs initially enrolled in U.S. schools for less than one year. This memo also details how recently arrived ELs are included for accountability purposes.

Test Setup in WIDA AMS Available Beginning December 2

Student Management and Test Management functionality for the “IN ACCESS for ELLs - 2019-2020” administration will become available for corporations and schools in WIDA AMS beginning December 2. At that time, schools may manually add ELs and/or update student data, including accommodations, not reported via the DOE-TL data submission in October.

Non-Public School Test Coordinator (NPSTC) Action Requested! Noting Alternate Testers in TIDE when IIEP Is Not Utilized

IDOE will be reaching out to NPSTCs on Monday, December 2, with directions for noting alternate testers (students taking I AM) in Test Information and Distribution Engine (TIDE) when Indiana IEP (IIEP) is not utilized. Questions regarding this process should be emailed to Stephanie Thompson, or you can call her at 317-234-5601.

I AM Program Milestones Update

The I AM Timeline of Important Events has been updated to reflect a change to the shipping and printing of accommodated materials. Please ensure I AM Test Administrators (TAs) have access to this list of important dates for I AM.

December 2019 ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) Test Window Opens

Students who will complete the high school Biology course this semester should participate in the ILEARN Biology ECA during the December window, which opens Monday and continues through Thursday, December 19. Review this participation guidance, if needed. Please also note these key reminders:

  • TAs must have completed the TA Certification Course in the TIDE before they will be able to administer this assessment to students. 

  • TAs must use the 2019-2020 ILEARN Biology ECA Test Administrator’s Manual (TAM) to administer this test to students. The ILEARN Biology ECA TAM is located on the Indiana Assessment Portal.

  • Test Coordinators should review the 2019-2020 ILEARN Test Coordinator Manual (TCM), also on the Indiana Assessment Portal.

  • The paper-and-pencil test window will close next Thursday, December 12 to support reporting timelines. All student tests must be shipped to the scoring vendor no later than December 19. Tests shipped after this date will not be scored.

  • Students’ preliminary results will be available in the Online Reporting System (ORS) twelve business days after students complete testing.

  • Email the American Institutes for Research (AIR)’s Help Desk or call at 866-298-4256 for any technical assistance.

  • Contact the Office of Assessment by email or via phone call at 317-232-9050 with questions about assessment policies and participation requirements and/or to report any test irregularities.

Fall 2019 ILEARN Biology ECA - Additional Order (AO) Window Continues

Corporation Test Coordinators (CTCs) must place orders in TIDE for any paper assessments (e.g., regular print, large print, braille, and/or Spanish) needed as accommodations for students participating in the current ILEARN Biology ECA. The AO window is open through next Thursday, December 5. Paper test materials will only be shipped to CTCs who place an AO in TIDE during this window. Contact the AIR Help Desk (866-298-4256) with any questions.

 

Office of Accountability and Accreditation

2018-2019 Federal Ratings

The standard setting process to establish the point thresholds for the overall federal ratings is now complete. The official scales used to determine the overall federal ratings may be found here. Schools may utilize this document to determine their overall federal ratings by comparing the overall points earned to the applicable point scale. Schools may access their federal report card, which includes the overall points earned, located in the accountability portal.

The overall federal ratings will be added to the federal report card in the coming days. Please note the audit window for federal accountability data has closed, and all 2018-2019 accountability data are considered final.

The embargo for the 2018-2019 federal accountability determinations is still in effect. The overall ratings will be publicly available on INView before the final business day of  December. IDOE will notify schools of the publication date prior to the public release of these ratings.

Additional resources on the federal accountability system may be found in the “School Accountability and Accreditation” community on Moodle (one-time enrollment key: AccountabilityCommunity). Please contact the Office of Accountability and Accreditation here with any questions.

 

Office of School Improvement

Educator Rating Report Due to IDOE

Per State Statute, all schools must submit the Educator Rating (DOE-ER) Report annually. The reporting window has been extended until Friday, December 6. Detailed information on how to complete this report can be found here. If you have questions, please contact Rebecca Estes

Dyslexia Community of Practice Forming

IDOE is creating a community of practice for each school corporation, charter school or co-op’s authorized reading specialist trained in dyslexia. These communities of practice will be divided into nine regions across the State of Indiana. Each group will share ideas and resources with periodic facilitated discussions. Please encourage the authorized reading specialist to complete the Jotform by December 6 to be included in these groups. Please contact Joe Risch if you have any additional questions.

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness

Please see newly added map of mental health resources on the right side of our website. This map will show the hospitals, community mental health centers, and local resources by county. If you have any questions please contact Christy Berger.

 

Office of Special Education

Monthly Special Education Newsletter Highlights Variety of Resources 

The Office of Special Education monthly newsletter provides an introduction to the new Assistant Director of Special Education, and a preview of the Preschool Roadshow. Learn more here.

 

Office of School Finance

Form 9 Financial Data Submission- January 2020

As part of the July to December 2019 Form 9 financial data submission process in January, IDOE will implement additional steps in the Form 9 upload process to comply with federal reporting and documentation requirements and state transparency requirements. Three additional steps added to the Form 9 financial data submission process are expected to provide sufficient documentation of the appropriate use of object codes for federal reporting purposes and the calculation of indirect cost rates.  Additional information is available in this memo.

 

Office of Workforce and Innovation

Equitable Computer Science District Learning Cohort

The Equitable Computer Science District Learning Cohort is a new initiative by CSforALL to support and share best practices around scaling equitable computer science education. Click here for more information and to apply to participate in the cohort.

Sphero and CodeFWD Partner to Bring Sphero Robots into Classrooms

Sphero has partnered with CodeFWD by Facebook to bring FREE Sphero Bolt robots to classrooms. Click here to learn more information and to apply. 

Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) of Indiana Regional Meetings

Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Indiana is hosting regional hub kick-off meetings on the evening of Wednesday, December 4, in five locations around the state. Anyone in education interested in learning more about CS or promoting CS is welcome to attend at the most convenient location. Complete registration information and other details are available here. Additional meetings are planned for the spring. Contact Julie Alano with questions.

Applications Open for Code.org Professional Development Programs

Applications are now open for middle and high school educators interested in participating in professional development related to Code.org Computer Science Discoveries or Code.org Computer Science Principles. For more information and to apply, click here. Contact Jake Koressel with questions.

Computer Science Professional Development Opportunities

Click here for a list of available computer science professional development opportunities. This list is regularly updated as additional opportunities become available. Contact IDOE Computer Science Specialist Jake Koressel with questions.

Upcoming Webinar - Growing Your Computer Science Program

Plan to join us at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 3, for the next eLearning Lab webinar. Computer science teachers from across all grade levels will share their experiences in expanding computer science programs in their districts. Topics include:

  •         Recruitment strategies for broadening participation in computer science

  •         CSEdWeek plans/activities designed to generate excitement/interest in computer science

  •         Particular catalysts that made a big difference in the expansion of computer science in their districts. 

Register for the webinar here.

Oracle Academy Educator Professional Development

As a philanthropic education program, Oracle Academy's mission is to advance computing education to increase knowledge, skills, innovation, and diversity in technology fields. The Academy provides classroom resources including educator professional development, curriculum/teaching materials, and software. Oracle Academy is a free program. Click here to learn more and to register.

 

 

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