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I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Class of 2020 and encourage school leaders to share information regarding the upcoming Graduate Together High School Class of 2020 national graduation recognition with seniors and their families. This virtual event will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. EDT. Find more information on this first of its kind event here.
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Stay Up-to-Date on the Latest COVID-19 Information
IDOE’s COVID-19 webpage offers access to a variety of resources, including links to the COVID-19 FAQ document and Dr. McCormick’s Weekly Webinar for School Leaders. Please note that Dr. McCormick's next webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 19. Please send questions regarding these COVID-19 resources to IDOE Chief Communications Strategist, Holly Stachler.
FEMA Public Assistance Webinars
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will begin hosting a series of webinars on the FEMA Public Assistance Program, starting on May 11. These webinars will cover important information on timelines, the public assistance process, and eligible reimbursement costs. Dates, times, and registration information can be found here.
IDOE is continuing to provide clear, timely guidance related to bills passed during the 2020 legislative session. Find the latest releases below and a curation of all 2020 legislative guidance here.
Guidance on Senate Enrolled Act 246 – Mental Health Services
Please read this memo for information regarding mental health services and behavioral health services for students.
Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1265 – Drinking Water Testing
Please read this memo for information regarding testing lead levels in drinking water.
Update to the Three Year Review Process for Students with No Mode of Communication (NMC)
IDOE has updated guidance regarding the Three Year Review Process for Students with NMC due to the COVID-19 Waiver. Please note that IDOE will not complete this review in 2020. For more information, please refer to this memo.
Extensions Granted for CPR Cards
Due to the disruptions in CPR/Heimlich/AED training caused by COVID-19, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross (ARC) have authorized an extension of the expiration dates of CPR certification cards issued by their organizations. IDOE will honor these extensions. Learn more here.
Computer Science Professional Development for K-12 Educators
IDOE is working with five organizations, including CodeHS, IndianaComputes!, IU School of Informatics and Computing, Nextech, and Project Lead The Way to bring FREE computer science professional development to Indiana K-12 traditional public and public charter school teachers. All summer 2020 opportunities have shifted to a virtual format. More information can be found here. Contact Jake Koressel with questions.
Announcing STEM Acceleration Grant - Cohort 5
IDOE is pleased to announce the fifth round of STEM Acceleration Grants. Funds may be used for stipends, professional development/training, and the acquisition of instructional materials necessary to implement selected STEM curriculum. Funds may be used to increase school/community partnerships to provide early STEM career exposure for students. Click on this memo to learn more about the STEM Acceleration Grant. Find more information on the STEM Education page. Please contact Jake Koressel with additional questions.
2021 Teacher of the Year Selection Process Update
IDOE recognizes that some districts may not have the capacity to complete a typical selection process and would like to extend flexibility for the 2021 Teacher of the Year nomination process. Details can be found here.
2020-2021 Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Application Window Now Open
In partnership with our sponsors KI, Schmidt Associates, and Gibraltar Design, IDOE has opened the application window for teachers interested in participating in the 2020-2021 Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Cohort 2. For more information or to apply, click here.
Alignment of Social-Emotional Learning Competencies to Academic Standards Participation Committee
The Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness team is looking for middle school educators to form a committee focused on aligning Indiana's Social-Emotional Learning Competencies to Academic Standards. This opportunity will last the month of June. Members will not work more than 20 hours and will be compensated $25 an hour. Click here to apply. If you have questions please contact Lisa Truitt.
Free Upcoming Social-Emotional Learning Webinar
In response to SEA 246, detailed in the Legislative Guidance section of this newsletter, IDOE, Project AWARE, and the Indiana Youth Institute will be hosting a webinar titled, “Moving from Social-Emotional Learning to Mental Wellness Supports.” The webinar will take place Thursday, May 14, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EDT. This presentation will focus on the integration of mental health partners and other community resources to promote social emotional wellness and provide best practices regarding effective collaboration to increase resources and supports for students and staff. Please click this link to register for the webinar.
Panorama Remote Learning and Well-Being Survey
IDOE is partnering with Panorama Education to provide each district a Parent/Caregiver Needs Survey and a Staff Remote Learning and Well-Being Survey. These surveys are optional, anonymous, and easily accessible. Districts and IDOE can use this data to create plans to address the needs noted by respondents. Additional information will be provided in next week’s memo. Please complete this form to receive access to the response rate dashboard to monitor your district. Please send questions to Christy Berger.
Webinars to Offer Guidnace on Phase Two of INtelligrants Rollout
Beginning on June 3, IDOE's Title Grants and Support team will be hosting a series of 18 webinars for Phase 2 of the INtelligrants rollout, which will include the Titles I, II, III, and IV applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Click here to find which one session has been designated for your LEA, and be sure to register. Additional information is available here.
Healthy Hoosier Challenge for Secondary Students
IDOE has created the Healthy Hoosier Challenge card for secondary students. You can learn more about this physical activity program, with guidance for students Pre-K to grade 12 here.
Indiana Individual Learning Plans (IILP) Training Webinars Released
A recorded four-part webinar series covering different parts of the IILP system have now been released. The video links and topics are listed below. IILP is a platform that houses the Individual Learning Plans and many other features beneficial to English learner students and programming. For more information, see the Indiana ILP drop-down on the IDOE English Learning Policy and Guidance page.
INtelligrants Video #11
The eleventh video in the INtelligrants series, is now available. This video provides a brief overview of the different user roles in the new INtelligrants system. Please visit the INtelligrants website to review additional videos and resources.
Tools for Schools to Help Connect Kids to Health Coverage and Services
EdPlan Connect Parent Guide-Spanish Translation
A Spanish version of the EdPlan Connect Parent Complete Guide is now available. Please contact Emma Everson or Reva Weis with any questions.
IDEA and the CARES Act Education Stabilization Relief Fund
LEAs received final allocations via email for the CARES Act Education Stabilization Relief Fund on April 22, 2020. These funds can be used for coronavirus-response activities including expenses for the services and education of students with disabilities. The CARES Act and IDEA memo describes the potential uses of CARES Act funding. The IDEA and CARES Act FAQ answers common questions concerning the use of the federal stimulus funds on special education. Both documents are located under “Resources” on IDOE’s CARES Act page.
CARES Act Fund Numbers
The Office of School Finance has added new fund numbers for reporting CARES Act expenditures. Please read this memo for details. Please send any questions here.
Kindergarten Enrollment Guidance and ADM Funding
For the 2020-2021 school year, a Local Education Agency (LEA) may require a child to be five on or before August 1, 2020, in order to enroll. However, an LEA may choose to enroll students who are at least five by October 1, 2020, and still receive ADM funding. Guidance on kindergarten enrollment and ADM funding can be found here.
Summer School Estimates
Due to COVID-19 and its operational impact on school corporations and charter schools, IDOE is extending the window to submit the Estimated Instructional Costs Report and List of Courses for Summer School 2020 to June 1. Please see this memo for information regarding eligible courses, important dates, and financial provisions. Detailed information about the summer school program and how to report is included in Summer School 101. If you have questions, please contact Kathryn Roth or Melissa Ambre. The submission deadline is June 1.
Important Update: Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program – IDOE Collecting Student Addresses
With the deadline for student address submission quickly approaching (addresses are due to IDOE by the end of the day on May 8), an important expansion of the P-EBT benefit program was recently communicated to IDOE. Eligibility for the P-EBT benefit program includes students qualified for Free and Reduced Lunch status and all students attending schools participating in the Community Eligible Provision (Schools where all students are considered eligible for Free/Reduced lunch regardless of actual status). This expanded scope of the program does not require schools to take any new actions beyond submitting student addresses. IDOE will work with Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to share student addresses. FSSA will contact families with the benefit cards and any additional information about the program. There is no need for schools to communicate to families about the P-EBT program. There is no action required from families.
Ready to Use Census Flyers Now Available
The US Census Bureau has informational flyers to send home to families. The flyers highlight the census impact on education and are in multiple languages. Additional census information is available here.
IDOE Announces New STEM Certified Schools
An additional twelve Indiana schools have earned STEM certification. Learn more here.
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