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The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) continues to support schools as they work through the complexities of servicing students, families and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please remember that IDOE staff are available to guide you to resources and answer questions, and we pride ourselves on timely responses. Please contact Holly Stachler with any questions.
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 Thank you to the more than 60 schools and districts who have joined IDOE in supporting the national Cards for Our Military Challenge. This initiative collects holiday greeting cards and sends them to active duty military stationed around the world. The deadline to send cards to the national collection point is October 26. Questions can be sent to John Althardt.
Indiana has again been recognized for its computer science programs. Learn more here.
All IDOE newsletters are located in one convenient location. See October updates and past issues here.
Reminder: Gauging Interest in a State-Sponsored Cybersecurity Awareness Platform
As part of Cybersecurity Month, IDOE anticipates providing a strong cybersecurity awareness platform for schools for the next three to four years. IDOE is asking schools to indicate their interest in participating in this program using this survey, which will remain open until October 23. Additional program information should be available next month. Please send all questions here.
New! Data Exchange is Live
Data Exchange, the new system for school reporting, is now available through the LINK portal. Learn more about how to access and navigate Data Exchange, and how to submit and certify Other Personnel (Non-Certified Employee) data through training offered in IDOE Moodle. Search for “Data Exchange Training” and self-enroll to join the course and get started (no enrollment key needed).
Additional resources for corporations and schools are also available on the Data Exchange website. Check out the Data Exchange Knowledge Hub to watch for a schedule of upcoming webinars. Please ensure data reporting staff are aware of this information. Please send all questions here.
New! Recorded "Tools for Teachers" Trainings Now Available
Recordings of the "Tools for Teachers" trainings for administrators and educators are now available. Please review these trainings if you are interested in implementing this free, quality resource in your classroom or school. IDOE encourages educators to contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions about "Tools for Teachers."
New! Test Administration Overview Webinar Available on the Indiana Portal
The Test Administration Overview Webinar is now available on the Indiana Assessment Portal under Resources for ILEARN, ISTEP+, IREAD-3, and I AM. This optional training provides detailed information about the Cambium Assessment Inc. (CAI) systems that Test Administrators (TAs) will use during administration. Questions regarding this training should be communicated to the Indiana Assessment Help Desk.
New! 2021 Administration of I AM for High School Students
IDOE has received several questions regarding the 2021 administration of I AM. As a reminder, the COVID-19 Waiver forgave all Spring 2020 assessment requirements in the state of Indiana, including participation in the alternate assessment. Additionally, retest opportunities are not available for I AM. Therefore, students in grade 11 would only be required to take the Biology End-of-Course Assessment if the Biology Content Connectors are taught during the 2020-2021 school year. Only alternate testers in grade 10 will have access to the grade 10 English/Language Arts and Mathematics assessments for I AM. Questions regarding participation in the alternate assessment should be sent to Stephanie Thompson.
New! New ILEARN Videos Available
New! Common School Advancement Applications Available
The Office of School Finance is accepting applications for construction and technology loans from school corporations and school corporation career and technical education schools until November 5. Petitions must be received by the Office of School Finance by November 5. Applications can be found in the Public School Finance Community in Moodle under Common School Funds > Fall. Please send all questions here.
Reminder: School Year 2020-2021 Average Daily Membership Count Dates
The fall count date of the eligible pupils enrolled in each school corporation, and charter school was September 18. The sign off phase closes today, October 16. Before signing and uploading the completed Membership Summary Report, carefully review virtual and non-virtual student counts reflected on the report to ensure the information is accurate. If you have any questions concerning the count dates, please email Melissa Ambre.
Reminder: Curricular Material Reimbursement
Public school corporations and charter schools may apply for curricular material reimbursement for the 2020-2021 school year. Both student level and claim data must be submitted on or before October 29. Officials should review the curricular material data layout (DOE-TB). Click the Data Layouts button. The Reimbursement Claim Form Instructions are located on Moodle in the Public School Finance Community / Curricular Material Reimbursement / 2020-2021. If you have any questions, please email Skii Ficklin.
USDA Waivers Extended for the Remainder of the School Year
The USDA waiver extensions will allow schools to continue leveraging the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to provide no cost meals to all children until June 30, 2021. The waivers for parent pick up and non-congregate feeding are also extended. Please click here to access the full list of extended waivers located at the top of the page.
New! Indiana STEM Education Conference
“STEM Education Meets a Global Challenge,” is the theme for the sixth annual event that will be held on January 14, 2021. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET). The cost for registration is $50. Registration can be completed here. Interested in presenting at the conference? Presentation and research proposals can be submitted here.Proposals are due November 13. For additional information, please contact Shannon Dick.
Reminder: PRIME Math Transition Course Capacity Building Grant Now Open
The Indiana PRIME Math Transition Course Capacity Building Grant has announced its third release. Access information and the grant application here. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 30, with award notification by November 20. Please contact Robin Conti with questions regarding the grant.
Reminder: Upcoming Webinars - "Teaching In a Digital World" Series
The “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 of digital learning: Leadership, Teaching and Learning, and Community Engagement. Visit the "Teaching in a Digital World" webpage to access links to recorded webinars and slide decks.
Reminder: IU Turnkey Courses Informational Webinar
IDOE has partnered with Indiana University to make available high school course materials for immediate use in virtual and hybrid settings. Please join us on October 28, at 4 p.m. (EDT), for an informational webinar outlining the courses that are immediately accessible and the process for accessing these courses. Information on future improvements and supports for the courses will also be available. Click here to join this webinar. Contact Jennifer Watson with any questions.
Reminder: Upcoming Webinar - "The Perfect Blend in the Time of COVID"
Blending your classroom, maybe for the first time, during a pandemic can feel overwhelming. How do you provide a high-quality learning experience for students while managing the task of teaching in-person and remotely? Join Michele Eaton, author of "The Perfect Blend," at 4 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, October 29, as we discuss strategies for blending your classroom when students are either physically or socially distanced. Click here to register for this webinar. Contact Meri Carnahan with questions.
New! Parents Needed to Participate in I AM Assessment Survey
IDOE has contracted with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to conduct a study to better understand the characteristics of students who take I AM, and also learn more about how schools/Case Conference Committees make assessment participation decisions. PCG is seeking input from parents of students who take I AM through a survey. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will be available until October 30. The survey can be accessed in English here. The Spanish version is available here.
Update: Indiana Resource Network (IRN) Offers Support for Indiana Schools
In addition to the Office of Special Education (OSE), the IRNs offer Indiana public schools free or low cost in-person and virtual professional development and technical assistance options. This includes The Early Childhood Center which offers training, technical assistance, data analyses, and strategic planning to support schools in improving the quality and impact of their preschool programs. Please contact Jessica Tomasino with any questions.
Update: Guidance on Medicaid Telemedicine Reimbursement
OSE has updated the online school information on providing services via telemedicine. Additional resources, including an updated COVID-19 School Claiming FAQ, are available at OSE's Moodle Community. Contact Tracy Brunner with any questions.
Reminder: Next "Webinars on Wednesday" (WOW) Set for October 22
OSE is pleased to announce the subject for the next "Webinars on Wednesday" presentation will focus on "Dispute Resolution: Complaints, Mediations, and Due Process Hearings." The webinar will be held on October 22, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (EDT). For additional information and to register, please click here.
New! School Resource Officer Reporting Requirement Deadline Extended
In 2020, the Indiana General Assembly created a new statute, IC 20-26-18.2-5, requiring school corporations and charter schools to annually report to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) the number of school resource officers employed by a school corporation or charter school before September 1. For safety reasons, IDHS is required to keep such information confidential, and not release it for public disclosure. Due to delays caused by COVID-19 and development of the report portal, IDHS has extended the reporting deadline for the 2019-2020 school year until December 1. The information can be submitted to IDHS using this link. Please be aware that school corporations and charter schools will be required to submit school resource officer data for the 2020-2021 school year at a later date. IDHS will send a notification when the 2020-2021 school year data can be reported.
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