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In acknowledgment of the heroic efforts of Indiana educators, Dr. McCormick announced Tuesday that all Indiana teachers have been named 2020 Teacher of the Year. This unprecedented announcement reflects the respect and appreciation Indiana has for its teachers.
COVID-19 has placed enormous pressures on Indiana teachers and created an education climate never experienced before. The character and commitment of Hoosier teachers deserves this recognition.
District leaders are encouraged to share Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Teacher of the Year congratulation certificates with their teachers.
Read additional information here related to the 2021 and 2022 Teacher of the Year programs.
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All state offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, in honor of Memorial Day.
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Stay Updated 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 bi-Weekly Webinar for School Leaders. Please send questions regarding these COVID-19 resources to Holly Stachler.
Special Announcement on Upcoming Dr. McCormick Bi-Weekly Webinar
Dr. McCormick will not be hosting a webinar this Tuesday, May 26. However, a webinar later in the week may be necessary. IDOE will communicate any webinar-related information through various channels. Please contact Holly Stachler with any questions.
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 295 (2 of 2) – Indiana Career Explorer Program
Please read this memo for information regarding the expansion of career exploration and preparation models and upcoming changes to the Indiana Career Explorer (ICE) program.
Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1066 (2 of 5) – Student Suspensions and Discipline Records
Please read this memo for information regarding changes to how districts must provide credit to suspended students and sharing of discipline records with requesting schools.
Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1070 – Distracted Driving
Please read this memo for information regarding changes to use of a telecommunications device while driving.
Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1225 – Black Reflective Tape on Buses
Please read this memo for information regarding the repeal of the requirement that black reflective tape be mounted to the bumpers and sides of buses.
USDA Extends Meal Service Waivers
Today, Friday May 15, USDA extended the following waivers nationwide through August 31: Non-Congregate Feeding, Parent Pickup, and Meal Times. Click here to review additional waiver-related information.
WIDA ACCESS Final Data Available May 27
WIDA ACCESS final results data will be available in WIDA AMS on Wednesday, May 27. Updated reports will be posted for students with data discrepancies identified and corrected during post-reporting data validation completed on May 8.
Advanced Placement (AP) Updates from the College Board
The 2020 online AP exams concluded today and make-up exams are scheduled for June 1-5. The AP® Program has released detailed information regarding technical issues encountered by some students submitting exam responses during the first week of online testing. An alternate response submission process was made available for the second week of exams for students encountering submission issues that will continue to be accessible during make-up exams. Additional guidance from the College Board is available here.
Revised Academic Standards
The frameworks for both math and literacy have now been updated to reflect the 2020 Indiana Academic Standards (IAS). Educators will also find standard revision documents for math, ELA, and social studies highlighting any changes between the 2014 IAS and the new 2020 IAS. The new standards should be fully implemented in the 2020-2021 school year. Please read this memo for additional details.
Updated for 2020-2021: Elementary and Middle Level Subject Descriptions
The Office of Teaching and Learning is pleased to share the 2020-2021 Elementary and Middle Level Subject Descriptions. Guidance for changes in course codes and course updates may be found on the Course Descriptions page. Please contact Matt Walsh with any questions.
Digital Learning Summer Book Study
IDOE’s Digital Learning team is excited to announce a great summer professional learning opportunity for all K-12 educators. Beginning June 8, the book club will read and discuss Copyrighteous by Indiana educator Diana Gill. The study will last through the week of July 20, and be worth up to 14 PGPs. Search for the course Copyrighteous in Moodle, then join the course using the enrollment key copy2020. Please email Meri Carnahan with questions.
Digital Course Curation Training Opportunity
Due to high interest, a second training date has been added. An additional two-day synchronous and asynchronous training session will be held on June 15 and 16 to enhance digital learning and develop online-based courses within learning management systems. Participants will focus on developing the necessary skillset and knowledge base required for digital course curation and will begin building a course. Participants will earn 15 PGPs. Please register here. Email Jennifer Watson with any questions.
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. Additional information can be found here. Contact Jake Koressel with questions.
2020 Tech Plan Survey Data
Data from the 2020 Tech Plan Survey is now available. Responses were received from 389 traditional school districts and charter schools. This submission of data serves as the requirement to qualify for the common school fund, the connectivity grant, as well as grants from the Office of Teaching and Learning. Please share questions with Meri Carnahan.
Come Back Stronger Fund for High Quality Early Learning Providers
Early Learning Indiana is releasing the Come Back Stronger Fund, designed to reinforce Indiana’s supply of high-quality early learning opportunities. These funds will help offset new expenses incurred by providers due to the pandemic. Schools who participate in Paths to QUALITY™ and are a licensed, registered ministry, or CCDF certified site can learn more here. Register for the application walk through webinar scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, here.
Charter School Dyslexia Data Reporting Must Be Submitted by June 30
Indiana Code 20-35.5 et. seq., as created by SEA 217 (2018) known as the “Dyslexia Law,” requires all public and charter schools to report dyslexia screening data to IDOE. If your charter school administered the universal (initial) screener to students during the 2019-2020 school year, this data must be submitted by June 30. Please submit this information to IDOE here. Please contact Joe Risch for additional information.
Reading Plans for K Through Grade Three Must Be Submitted by June 30
Indiana Code requires all elementary schools that have kindergarten, first, second, or third grade students submit a reading plan to IDOE by June 30. IDOE has streamlined the submission process through use of a Jotform. All public schools will use this form. All private schools will use this form. Because this is a new process, IDOE created a short how-to video for completing the form. Please contact Joe Risch with questions.
Project AWARE Cohort 2 Applications Due June 1
The second Project AWARE funding opportunity for local education agencies is due on Monday, June 1. Information on the application requirements, frequently asked questions, and directions to submit applications can be found here. Please direct all questions here.
Panorama Survey
IDOE is partnering with Panorama Education to provide each district with the opportunity to collect valuable data in planning for the 2020-2021 school year. The two free resources available to all districts and links to be used can be found in this memo.
INtelligrants Video #15
The fifteenth video in the INtelligrants series is now available. This video provides a brief overview of how authorizers and organizers benefit from INtelligrants. Please visit the INtelligrants website to review additional videos and resources.
INtelligrants Consolidated Application Resource
In preparation for the INtelligrants grants management application system roll-out, IDOE has released the text of the narrative and budget requirements of the Consolidated Application. LEAs may wish to begin working on the content of the Pre-Application (tentative due date July 1) and the Consolidated Application (tentative due date August 31) to facilitate the transition to the new system for Titles I, II, III, IV, RLIS, and Immigrant Influx applications. LEAs and non-public schools are encouraged to sign up for Phase 2 of the training plan, which includes webinar walkthroughs beginning in June.
CARES Act Direct Grants
IDOE is utilizing a portion of its state-level set-aside to provide further support to LEAs and educationally-related entities with needs prioritized upon special populations, rural locales, hard-hit areas, and institutions that serve juveniles. This direct grant opportunity is due June 30. Submission information and additional details can be found in this memo.
Additional Medicaid Matching Funds Released for IEP-Required Medical Services
Due to a COVID-19 related 6.2 percent increase in the Federal Medicaid Match Rate for IEP-required medical services, participating school corporations are receiving additional Federal Medicaid Funds for IEP services claims paid from January 1 through March 31. These additional federal funds are shown as a positive "Medicaid adjustment" on the LEA's monthly DOE 54 Report. Contact Amy Pattison, or Melissa Ambre, with any questions about this adjustment.
Celebrate the 100-year Anniversary of Vocation Rehabilitation (VR)
Tuesday, June 2, from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in partnership with the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials is paying tribute to 100 years of service by sharing “Success Stories” of how the VR program has helped students and adults with disabilities. Registration for the event is required. Feel free to watch this trailer for a preview.
Summer School Estimates
The deadline to submit the Estimated Instructional Costs Report and List of Courses for Summer School 2020 has been extended to June 1. Information about the summer school program is included in Summer School 101. Schools should make every effort to comply with the 15-student average enrollment requirement for summer school courses set forth in 511 IAC 12-2-7. However, due to COVID-19, and for the summer of 2020 only, failure to strictly comply with this requirement will not automatically preclude schools from summer school reimbursement eligibility. Please contact Kathryn Roth or Melissa Ambre with any questions. The submission deadline is June 1.
Office of School Finance Annual Budget Workshop
Due to COVID-19, the Office of School Finance will not hold its Annual Budget Workshop in June 2020. In lieu of the workshop, staff will record and post a WebEx that includes state tuition support and other updates.
State Connectivity Grant
The State Connectivity distribution was deposited electronically on May 15, 2020. These are state funds, to be used to assist with each district’s internet costs. Please use fund 3780 Connectivity, and receipt account 3217 Technology Grants.
Supplemental Financial Reporting Update
Please read the Supplemental Financial Reporting memo regarding the new platform for school corporations and charter schools to upload financial data and a new Form 9 step in compliance with state transparency requirements. Questions related to the memo should be emailed here. The upload deadline is January 2021.
FY 2021 Membership Count Dates
IDOE will collect an average daily membership count of students in fall 2020 and spring 2021. The fall count date is September 18, and the spring count date is February 1, 2021. IDOE will use both counts to calculate FY 2021 Basic Grant distributions. Please read this memo for additional information.
Annual Financial Report
I.C. 5-3-1-3 requires the secretary of each public school corporation to publish an Annual Financial Report (AFR). The report must be published one time annually, not earlier than August 1, or later than August 15 of each year. The statute also requires IDOE to develop guidelines for the preparation and formatting of the report. Guidelines are available here and can also be found in MOODLE Finance. The submission deadline is August 15.
U.S. Census Bureau: Statistics in Schools
Statistics in Schools has several Pre-K through grade 12 classroom materials and lesson plans to help bring students together during social distancing. These lesson plans can be easily adapted for at home learning. Click here for more information. Additional local information can be found at IDOE’s Census 2020 website.
College Readiness Reports Now Available from Commission for Higher Education
The Commission for Higher Education (CHE) has released its newest College Readiness Reports. These focus on 2018 high school graduates who enrolled in college within one year of graduating high school. Each year, CHE produces a state-level version, and a version for each county, school corporation, and high school. A new more visually appealing design has been introduced with the same basic layout and data as before. IDOE works with CHE to provide data in support the development of this report. The new reports are available here.
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