|
|
|
|
|
|
September will celebrate the progress in completing the home Internet access data collection effort for each Indiana student. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has previously communicated a list of digital equity data elements to be collected. The goal is to have 100 percent of Indiana schools collecting these elements for each student. Consider taking the Digital Equity Month Pledge to encourage collecting this strategically important information. Details are available here. Please contact Marni Carnahan with any questions.
|
New! COVID-19 Guidance Update
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has updated several of their COVID-19 documents which can be found on this website. These documents have been shared with school nurses. ISDH will discuss these documents during their Friday webinar at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). The webinar can be accessed at this link. A chat box is open during each session for submitting questions.
New! Vision and Hearing Resources
A new guidance document with considerations for modifying vision screening procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic was released on August 20 by the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health. A FAQ document was also released. These documents are available here. Guidance materials for hearing screenings can be found on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website.
Reminder: IDOE continues to provide clear and timely guidance related to bills passed during the 2020 legislative session. Find all 2020 legislative guidance documents here.
New! 2020-2021 IREAD-3 Participation Guidance
IDOE has received questions regarding the impact of the cancellation of the upcoming IREAD-3 test administration windows. Please review this memo for clarification.
New! PSAT/NMSQT Flexibility and Winter Window Coverage
IDOE recognizes the uncertainty schools face regarding PSAT/NMSQT scheduling. IDOE and College Board worked to provide flexibility for school administration of PSAT/NMSQT testing for this school year. This flexibility includes a total of three available dates for testing as well as processes that allow an adjustment to planned testing days in the event that the current pandemic affects test administration plans. Review this memo for details.
New! Understanding I AM Webinar Posted to I AM Portal
The "Understanding I AM" webinar is available here on the I AM Portal along with the associated slides. This is an optional training for I AM Test Administrators (TAs) and other school personnel wanting to know more about the alternate assessment.
New! Alternate Assessment Participation Webinar
The Alternate Assessment Participation webinar has been updated for the 2020-2021 school year and can be found on ESSA’s 1 Percent Cap on Alternate Assessment Participation webpage along with a copy of the slides. Corporations that identified more than one percent of students as alternate testers in Spring 2020 are required to view the training. More information about this requirement will be included in the Results Driven Accountability Planning Tool (available in November). Please contact Stephanie Thompson with any questions.
New! Projected Lexile(R) and Quantile(R) Measures Available for Corporations and Non-Public Schools through Wednesday, September 2
Each Corporation Test Coordinator (CTC) may download a secure file containing the projected Lexile(R) and Quantile(R) measures for students enrolled in his or her corporation during the 2019-2020 school year. This file was deployed only to CTCs officially designated in DOE Online and is accessible through Wednesday, September 2, after which TIDE will refresh for the 2020-2021 school year and this file will no longer be available. Please review the letter sent to CTCs on Monday for additional details. Contact the Office of School Assessment with any questions.
New! Share with Educators- MetaMetrics Summer Training Resources Available
Educators may access the session recordings and PowerPoint presentations for all four summer trainings from the Lexile(R) and Quantile(R) home page of IDOE's website. Please contact Jane Scott or Matt Copeland of MetaMetrics with any questions about these resources.
New! ILEARN Fall 2019 (December) Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) - Printed Reports Arriving Monday and Tuesday
Corporations and non-public schools will receive shipments of printed reports and labels for students who participated in the Fall 2019 ILEARN Biology ECA August 31 and September 1. An approved school staff member must be onsite to receive these secure materials upon delivery. CTCs should contact the Indiana Assessment Helpdesk if staff will not be able to meet this shipment upon arrival.
New! Instructional Time Requirements and Two-Hour Delays and Early Dismissals
IDOE acknowledges the implementation of two-hour delays or two-hour early dismissals by schools where it is deemed necessary for the safety and wellbeing of students and faculty. A day when a two-hour delay or two-hour early dismissal is implemented may count as a full instructional day. Please note that the utilization of such delays or early dismissals are not to be considered as a regular scheduling practice by schools. Additionally, if two-hour delays or early dismissals are used in circumstances where the safety and wellbeing of students and faculty are not the concern, it is possible the school day would not count towards the 180-day minimum required for full ADM funding. Schools should utilize late arrivals and early dismissals to address safety concerns. Read the full memo here. Please send all questions here.
New! Indiana Resource Network (IRN) Offers Support for Indiana Schools
In addition to the Office of Special Education, IRN offers Indiana public schools free or low cost in-person and virtual professional development and technical assistance options. This includes Project SUCCESS, which supports higher academic achievement for students with significant intellectual disabilities. Among frequently covered topics are Inclusive Practices, Unpacking the Content Connectors, Curriculum Mapping, Goal Writing, and Distance Learning for students with severe intellectual disabilities.
New! The PATINS Virtual Access to Education (A2E) 2020 Schedule is Live
The November 18 and 19 A2E conference will spotlight accessible educational materials, accessibility, assistive technology, and Universal Design for Learning. Enjoy 20 presentation sessions, a pre-conference panel with award-winning Indiana educators, a special edition #PatinsIcam Twitter Chat, the Assistive Technology Exploratorium, door prizes from the Indiana Center for Access to Materials, and more! Attendees will master the latest educational strategies and tools to meet the instructional needs of all our students, whether learning occurs at home or in the classroom.
Additional information, including the complete schedule and registration is available here.
Reminder: Special Education Support Services Available
As school begins in Indiana, educators may have questions on how to reach and teach all students. The PATINS Project specialists can help problem-solve issues surrounding accessibility, assistive technology, accessible educational materials, and implementing Universal Design for Learning. Educators can reach contact the PATINS Project through their open office hours at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through October. PATINS Project Specialists will be available during the Open Office Hours via Zoom. Please contact Daniel McNulty with any questions.
Reminder: IDOE and Indiana Resource Network (IRN) Provide Statewide Guidance
The Office of Special Education partners with several technical assistance centers across the state. IRN includes the Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center (INSTRC) who recently released their virtual Capacity Building Institute (CBI) materials. Included are sessions on UDL, Culture and Equity, and Employment.
New! Attendance Decision Tree Now Available
This new resource was created in an effort to help schools better understand and apply the new attendance codes for the 2020-2021 school year. To access the Attendance Decision Tree, please click here.
New! Evaluation Plan Submission Deadline and Negative Impact
Details on Evaluation Plan submission and Negative Impact can be found here. Please contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
New! Grow Your Own: Teacher Residency Grant Information
The Grow Your Own Teacher Residency Grant will support a pilot that will engage the local education agency (LEA) in targeted, strategic recruitment efforts that leverages an innovative pathway into the profession. This pilot will support the LEA’s efforts to build a pipeline of educators in their community. This grant offers the opportunity for up to two LEAs to engage in a collaborative planning period with IDOE, Region 8 Comprehensive Center, and an Indiana Higher Education Institution’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to prepare for the pilot implementation. Selected LEAs will be awarded $50,000 to use towards planning and implementation. Application and details can be found here. Please contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
New! At-Home Learning Resource for Families
IDOE has created a "Supporting Virtual learning Family" Tip Sheet (English) and Spanish. This one-page document contains information for families to assist with at-home learning. Please contact Robin Leclaire with questions.
New! Partnership for Inquiry Learning Instructional Support Videos
IDOE has partnered with a team of literacy and math educational coaches and specialists from the Partnership for Inquiry Learning to provide content to assist educators in understanding and applying select Indiana Academic Standards in grades two through five. Each standard is accompanied by a one page description of the vertical articulation of each standard or concept, a brief overview video introducing the standard, and grade-specific videos demonstrating strategies to effectively teach each goal. Click here to access the support. Please contact Robin Conti with any questions.
New! Learn By Doing Book Study for K-12 Math Teachers, Coaches, and School Leaders
Join IDOE’s math team for an action-oriented, learning by doing book study of John SanGiovanni’s book, "Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance," where we will explore six essential actions for nurturing productive struggle before, during, and after lessons through discussion, implementation, and reflection to “support access, equity, and empowerment, specifically arguing that every student is worthy of struggle’’ (2020). Sign up here to participate. Please contact Emily Bruning with any questions.
New! Book Challenges
Looking for a fun way to motivate kindergarten through grade 12 students in reading? Check out these Book Challenges the Literacy Team created to be utilized in the classroom, media center, or at home. These challenges include book suggestions, activities, and editable, printable charts. Please contact Kelly Waller with questions.
New! Early Intervention Grant (EIG) 2020-2021
The 2020-2021 Indiana Literacy Early Intervention Grant (EIG) is focused on improving early literacy. This grant is open to all accredited public, charter, and non-public schools that contain kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students. Grant funds are to be used to better equip teachers to meet the needs of students, to enhance student engagement, and to increase student literacy achievement.
In order to participate, each school corporation, charter, or private school must complete this Request to Participate by September 4, 2020. More information about the 2020-2021 Early Intervention Grant (EIG) can be found here. All questions can be sent to Rose Tomishima.
New! Kindergarten Enrollment Guidance
IDOE receives many questions from parents regarding kindergarten enrollment. This document is meant to help guide parents on Indiana law, options for kindergarten and Pre-K, and answers to frequently asked questions. For more questions, please check out the kindergarten webpage here. Contact Rose Tomishima with questions.
New! English Language Arts (ELA) Vertical Articulation Charts
Both the Elementary ELA Vertical Articulation Chart and the Secondary ELA Vertical Articulation Chart are updated reflecting the 2020 Indiana Academic Standards. These charts are useful in conducting conversations across and within grade levels to ensure academic instruction fits the needs of all students. For more information about the English Language Arts Standards click here. Contact Kelly Waller with questions.
Reminder: Upcoming Webinars - Teaching In a Digital World Series
IDOE's Teaching In a Digital World Webinar Series supports teachers and their utilization of digital learning, whether remote, in the classroom, or hybrid. In each webinar we will cover a different topic related to the three pillars for digital learning: Leadership, Teaching and Learning, and Community Engagement. Visit our Teaching In a Digital World web page to get links to recorded webinars and slide decks.
September 15 - Episode 6: Digital Citizenship (click here to register)
Reminder: Digital Learning Book Study - The Perfect Blend
IDOE’s Digital Learning team has announced a fall professional learning opportunity for K-12 educators. Beginning September 21, we will read and discuss, "The Perfect Blend: A Practical Guide to Designing Student-Centered Learning Experiences" by Indiana educator Michele Eaton. Learn skills, strategies, and lesson ideas to use in planning and implementing blended learning in your classroom. To participate in this book study, search for the course The Perfect Blend in Moodle then join using the enrollment key "blend." Please email Meri Carnahan with questions.
New! Second Round of INtelligrants Open Calls Schedule Released
The second round of INtelligrants Open Calls has been scheduled. The focus will be on the Consolidated Application. Please submit your questions here in advance, so we can more effectively respond to individual needs. If you do not have INtelligrants questions, please join one of the calls to learn more about the process of completing and submitting the application. Please see the schedule listed below:
September 1 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT)
September 2 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT)
September 3 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT)
September 4 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT)
No need to RSVP. Please join us on your selected date and time by clicking the corresponding time above, or access the meetings through IDOE’s INtelligrants landing page.
New! 2020-2021 High Ability Program (HAP) Grant Application Due August 31
HAP Grant applications are due August 31. Allocations were mailed to superintendents in July and can be found here. All documents needed to prepare and apply for the grant can be found in the HAP Grant Toolkit including a link to the JotForm application. If you have any questions, please contact Whitney Coake.
New! Verification of Student Residency for Membership Reporting
This memo provides written guidance from IDOE for verification of Indiana residency as it relates to reporting a student for membership. The memorandum is applicable to all school corporations and charter schools. Questions can be shared by filling out this form.
Reminder: 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, and send any questions here.
Reminder: Summer School
The window to submit the Final Instructional Costs Report for Summer School 2020 is open. In order to be eligible to receive a summer school payment, the report must be submitted, or re-submitted as often as necessary, on or before the submission deadline of September 11. The link to access the report is posted in the Summer School folder in Moodle Finance and on IDOE's website. If you have additional questions about the Final Instructional Costs Report for Summer School 2020, please contact Kathryn Roth or Teresa Hemmerle.
Reminder: 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 of and format of the AFR. The guidelines can be found in MOODLE Finance. The report submission deadline is August 31. Please direct questions here.
New! USDA Questions and Answers for the Child Nutrition Programs for School Year 2020-2021
USDA has issued a Q & A document to provide answers and clarification related to the Child Nutrition Program Operations during School Year 2020-2021. Click here to see the USDA Q & A and the implementation plans for Indiana. Please email Julie Sutton, or call her at (317) 232-0845 with any questions.
New! COVID-19 Resources
The most recent health information and updated guidance materials related to COVID-19 and school guidance can be found at this website. Please send all health-related COVID-19 questions here. Technical questions regarding access to the Indiana Centralized Contact Tracing Program web tool for reporting cases and close contacts should be directed here. ISDH continues to offer weekly “Back to School” webinars every Friday at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). These webinars can be accessed here.
New! Immunization Letter from ISDH
A letter regarding immunization requirements for this school year, next school year, and suggestions for encouraging the administration of recommended vaccines was recently sent to schools by ISDH. A copy of this letter can be accessed by clicking here.
New! Executive Order (EO) 20-40 and Latch Key
Executive Order 20-40 provides for additional flexibilities for traditional school districts in implementation of Latch Key programs. Text of EO 20-40 can be found here and districts are encouraged to work with local legal counsel to ensure compliance. Questions regarding EO 20-40 can be directed to Katie Jenner in the Governor’s Office.
Reminder! Work Permits Needed Again
The temporary suspension of work permits has ended. Employers will be required to verify work permits beginning September 8. Schools are encouraged to work with students to ensure permits are secured prior to that date. Schools remain responsible for work permits until July, 2021. Questions regarding this requirement can be directed to Mike Myers at the Department of Labor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
