An Update From the Indiana Department of Education for May 29, 2020

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Dr. Mac

Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)Family Engagement Toolkit

 

IDOE has created this webpage dedicated to providing families access to resources to help during remote learning. In addition to educational support, viewers can access resources to meet basic needs and social-emotional support. To further explore family engagement, join the #INedchat on Wednesday, June 3, at 8 p.m. EDT. 


Holiday Closing Announcement

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All state offices will be closed Tuesday, June 2, for the Indiana Primary Election. Learn more about the election here.

 

 

 

COVID-19 Updates and Guidance

Important Webinar and Re-entry Information

In partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health and FSSA, IDOE has created a re-entry guidance document for the 2020-2021 school year. This document has been delivered to Governor Holcomb’s office for final review and approval. Dr. McCormick will schedule her next webinar to coincide with unpacking this re-entry guidance once it has been approved and presented by the Governor.

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

 

Legislative Updates and Guidance

IDOE is continuing to provide clear and 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 House Enrolled Act 1003 (2 of 3) – School Accreditation and Annual Performance Reports

Please read this memo for information regarding changes to Indiana’s school accreditation processes and publication revisions to annual financial reports.

Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1065 – Various Tax Matters

Please read this memo for information regarding changes to the current school finance structure.

Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1066 (5 of 5) – Innovation Network Charter Schools

Please read this memo for information regarding changes to innovation network charter schools.

Guidance on House Enrolled Act 1091 – Education Benefits Related to Military Service

Please read this memo for information regarding changes to residency requirements for children of military families. 

 

Office of School Building Physical Security and Safety

Secured School Safety Grant – Important Information

Schools who received funding from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s Secured School Safety Grant should begin submitting for reimbursement. Information on this process and next steps can be found here.

 

Office of Student Assessment

Five Formative Assessment Strategies to Improve Distance Learning Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

The National Center on Education Outcomes (NCEO) released a brief this month called “Five Formative Assessment Strategies to Improve Distance Learning Outcomes for Students with Disabilities.” This resource is provided as a reference and can be accessed here.

 

Office of Academics / Teaching and Learning

Virtual Summer School Resource Guide

Please utilize this guide as you plan for virtual summer school opportunities. Please contact Dr. Jennifer Jensen with any questions.

Math Summer Series

Join IDOE’s Math Teaching and Learning team in a virtual summer series exploring high-quality math resources. Participants will learn how to integrate each resource into their instructional routines for in-person or remote learning. Click here for highlighted resources, dates, and registration. Email Robin Conti with questions.

Digital Learning Summer Book Study

IDOE’s Digital Learning team has announced a summer professional learning opportunity for K-12 educators. Beginning June 8, we will read and discuss Copyrighteous by Indiana educator Diana Gill. Learn how to creatively curate courses without breaking copyright rules. 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 using the enrollment key copy2020. Please email Meri Carnahan with questions.

Digital Course Curation Training Opportunity

On June 15 and 16, IDOE will provide an additional two-day synchronous and asynchronous training session to enhance digital learning and to develop online-based courses within learning management systems. Participants will focus on building the necessary skill set and knowledge base required for digital course curation and will begin building a course. A maximum of 15 PGP points will be available for completing the training. 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.

Summer Virtual Learning Opportunity

Indiana Connected Educators are inviting all Hoosier educators to Go Big and #StayHome on July 20-24, as they host Indiana Connected Educators LIVE, a free week-long virtual event focused on teaching and learning in a digital world. A powerhouse lineup of top EdTech leaders and authors has been assembled to bring inspiration, resources, connections, and ideas to educators preparing for the coming school year. Registration is now open. Email Jennifer Watson with any questions.

New! Updated STEM School Certification Process and Evaluation Rubric

Members of IDOE’s Teaching and Learning team have been working with the State’s STEM Leadership Cadre to update the STEM School Certification process, including the STEM School Evaluation Rubric. In an effort to address the current and future landscape of education, Domain I of the rubric has been updated. Access the 2020-2021 STEM School Certification Guide here, and the updated rubric here.

A webinar explaining the application process will be available soon and will be located on IDOE’s STEM Education page. Contact Shannon Dick with questions.

Student Media and Mass Media Standards – Public Comment

The Indiana Academic Standards for Student Media and Mass Media have been reviewed by Indiana educators. The changes proposed are available for public comment from May 29 through June 12. Please click on the link to review the standards. 

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 school. This submission of data serves as the requirement to qualify for the common school fund, the connectivity grant, and grants from the Office of Teaching and Learning. Please share questions with Meri Carnahan.

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. 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.

 

Office of Academics / Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness

Roadmap to Re-entry for Social-Emotional Learning Phase One

As Indiana schools and educators have been faced with new challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic, IDOE and multiple partnera are providing a roadmap for re-entry. This roadmap is designed to support social-emotional learning for students, educators, and communities. Please see Phase One here. For additional information, please contact Christy Berger.

 

Office of Academics / Special Education

Important Deadlines Outlined for RDA and IDEA Monitoring

The Office of Special Education (OSE) is releasing a RDA and IDEA Monitoring Timeline in order to assist Special Education Directors and Data Managers to be able to prioritize and prepare for upcoming due dates. Please contact Traci Tetrick with any questions or concerns.

Forums Set to Support Families, Schools, and Districts with Autism Guidance

During these unprecedented times, HANDS in Autism® is providing a number of forums to engage and support individual schools, districts, families, and communities. All in-person workshops and training events are now being conducted virtually and cover topics conducive to working with individuals with special needs across home and school settings inclusive of: structure, visual supports, schedules, and collaboration. Additional information is available here.

Educators Asked to Continue to Looking For Signs of Student Maltreatment 

Teachers and communities continue to play an important role in ensuring the safety of children. Through conversations and virtual meetings with students, please be vigilant in recognizing any potential signs of maltreatment that may be present. Support resources include:

Resources Available for Those Educating Students Who Are Deaf and/or Blind

The Office of Special Education has developed a quick reference chart which includes resources to support families and educators who work with students who are deaf and/or blind during distance learning.

 

Office of School Finance

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. 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. These state funds are to be used to assist with each district’s Internet costs. Please use fund "3780 Connectivity," and "Receipt Account 3217" Technology Grants.

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.

 

2020 U.S. Census and Indiana Schools

Statewide 2020 Census Completion Rate

As of May 27, Indiana’s 2020 Census response rate is 65 percent, which is higher than the national average of 60.2 percent. Please encourage staff and families to complete the census. The result will be a lifelong impact on student and community success. Click here for IDOE census resources.

 

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Weekly Updates

View previous weekly updates from Dr. McCormick here.  

Stay Informed

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The Weekly Update from the Indiana Department of Education is created by the Office of Communications, and  is distributed every Friday.