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Many Indiana schools are offering online and hybrid learning options in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to support schools in providing online learning options, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has partnered with Indiana University to make many high school turnkey courses available. Please join IDOE on October 28, at 4 p.m. (EDT), for an informational webinar to prepare for utilizing these courses. Click here to join this webinar.
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 Deadline to Submit Cards for Our Military Extended Until November 15
For schools and districts interested in supporting the Cards for Our Military Challenge, the national organizer has extended the deadline to receive cards until November 15. Nearly 90 schools and districts have joined IDOE in this initiative sending holiday greetings to active duty military stationed around the world. Learn more about the project here. Questions can be sent to IDOE's John Althardt.
All IDOE newsletters are located in one convenient location. See October updates and past issues here.
New! Time Sensitive - Reporting Socio-Economic Status on Pupil Enrollment
As schools wrap up reporting of Pupil Enrollment (PE) it is critical to review percentages of students on Free and Reduced Lunch. Additional details are available in this memo. Please send all questions here.
New! Connecting the Data Dots for School Leaders
The 2020-2021 school year has been full of challenges. This includes significant changes surrounding data reporting and data usage. Please review this information. While this data is not new, IDOE is committed to providing clarity and transparency as there could be local financial implications aligned to this information. Please send all questions here.
New! System Maintenance and Upgrade Planned for INview Content Management System (CMS)
The INview CMS Application will be unavailable for several days beginning Tuesday, November 3, as part of scheduled maintenance and upgrade plan. This will not affect the availability of the INview school data reports. The INview Content Management System (INview CMS) allows corporation and school users the ability to login in order to supplement the information provided by IDOE to parents and the public on the INview website. The upgrade will allow much needed enhancements such as paragraph breaks, bold text, bullets, and the inclusion of hyperlinks. Performance improvements and the ability to publish directly to the site are also included. The enhanced INview CMS application is expected to be available again on Friday, November 6. Additional information regarding INview is available here. Please share all questions here.
Reminder: Last Chance to Indicate 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 (4:00 p.m. EDT today). Additional program information should be available next month. Please send all questions here.
Reminder: Cybersecurity Toolkit Now Available with Resources for Parents and Students
As part of the October focus on cybersecurity, IDOE is promoting the Cybersecurity for Education Toolkit, an easy to understand, turnkey resource complete with the latest tips, trends, and resources to assist schools remain cybersafe and practice good habits while online. Resources for families and family members, provide ways for keeping everyone cybersafe, including tips for balancing working at home while your children are focusing on their school work. Developed by the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity with modular components for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and board audiences, the toolkit is now available. Please contact Dr. John Keller with any questions.
Reminder: One Week Remaining for 2020 Graduation Rate Audit Window
The 2020 Graduation Rate Audit Window will close on October 30, 2020. Schools subject to the mandatory graduation rate or the excessive homeschool audit were notified in July and have been sent a reminder earlier this month with detailed instructions. Schools who have noticed an error on their 2020 cohort report in Learning Connection can submit a voluntary graduation rate audit until October 30, 2020. Guidance regarding the graduation rate audit can be found here. Additional cohort and graduation rate audit resources are posted in the School Accountability and Accreditation Community in Moodle (enrollment key: AccountabilityCommunity).
New! Expanded Accommodations Available for Upcoming ILEARN Administration
In light of recommendations from the Indiana Standards and Assessment Accommodation Task Force, IDOE is working to expand the accommodations available on the upcoming administration of ILEARN in the spring of 2021. Using guidance and a set of parameters which are slated to be approved by the State Board of Education by the end of the year, case conference committees may extend Text to Speech (TTS) as an accommodation for students in grades three to five. Please read the full memo here. Questions related to assessment can be sent to Karen Davies. Questions related to special education can be shared with Reva Weiss.
New! MetaMetrics’ Extended Office Hours for Fall 2020
MetaMetrics welcomes educators to join their staff for extended, twice weekly virtual office hours this fall. Educators can bring their questions related to the Lexile(R) and Quantile(R) Frameworks, the Lexile(R) and Quantile(R) Hub, and other resources:
Monday (3 to 5 p.m. EDT): Zoom Link
Friday (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT): Zoom Link
New! Feedback Requested on Proposed 1 Percent Cap Waiver Extension Request - Review Period: October 26 – November 6
IDOE seeks public comment on its request for a waiver extension on the number of students who can be tested using an alternate assessment on annual statewide tests. Indiana anticipates that approximately 1.14 percent of students will be assessed using the alternate assessment during the 2020-2021 school year. Because this exceeds the limit, Indiana must request a waiver extension to the 1 Percent Cap for one year. For more information about this waiver, please refer to this information. The proposed waiver extension request is available on IDOE’s website. Written comments will be accepted through November 6.
New! Fall 2020 Webinar Series for New Teachers of Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities – Recording of Webinar 3 Now Available on IDOE’s Website
Please join IDOE and Project SUCCESS in a webinar series this fall for new teachers of students with significant cognitive disabilities. IDOE will be exploring the following topics:
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The Indiana Resource Network
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Unpacking the Content Connectors
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Indiana Individualized Education Program (IIEP) Tips and Tricks
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The I AM Assessment (November 18)
Please refer to this flyer for registration information and additional details regarding each session. Recorded Webinars and the associated slides will be posted to the ESSA’s 1 Percent Cap on Alternate Assessment Participation page on IDOE’s website following each live session. Contact Stephanie Thompson with questions.
New! Guidance on Best Practices for Collaboration Between Teachers of Record and Career Coaches Now Available
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Office of Special Education (OSE) have worked with a cohort of high schools and Pre-Employment Transition Services (ETS) providers to establish best practices in collaborating between Teachers of Record and Career Coaches. The culmination of this work is found in this guidance document. Please contact Michelle Oja with any questions or concerns.
New! Early Learning Virtual Conference Opportunities for November
Join the Early Childhood Community for two virtual events to kick off your month of November! First, The Early Learning Alliance Network and PNC Grow-Up Great invite you to share in a day of learning and inspiration on November 6 and 7. The event will provide learning opportunities for early learning professionals to directly understand STEM/STEAM learning for young children. Register for free here.
The following week, IDOE, together with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community’s Early Childhood Center, Purdue University, and the Indiana Chapter of the Division for Early Childhood will be hosting the first annual Promoting Positive Outcomes Preschool Special Education Conference on November 9 and 10. Register for free here. Please contact Jessica Tomasino with additional questions.
New! Indiana Resource Network (IRN) Offers Support for Indiana Schools
In addition to OSE, the IRNs offer Indiana public schools free or low cost in-person and virtual professional development and technical assistance options. This includes The Indiana Disproportionality Resource Center who provide technical assistance to school corporations in order to increase equity in special education through the review of data, completion of a success gap analysis, and creation of a targeted action plan. Please contact Kristan Sievers-Coffer with any questions.
Reminder: Weekly OSE Webinar (WOW)
Please join OSE for the Weekly Webinar which will provide an overview of this year’s updated Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Planning Tool. The webinar will be held Thursday, October 29, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (EDT). The session will include a 30 to 45 minute presentation and allow at least 15 minutes for participant Q & A. Please register here. For additional information, please contact Kristan Sievers-Coffer.
New! Secondary ELA Literature Roundtables
Join IDOE Secondary ELA and Literacy Specialist Kelly Waller to share ideas on how teachers implement commonly taught novels into their classrooms. These books are being taught across the state and we can learn from one another by sharing. Participants will join the Literature Round Table to share their experiences with teaching these novels and will be asked to explain strategies they have found to be successful with students. Multiple topics for each novel will be addressed, including:
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Big ideas/Essential questions
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Standards alignment
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Vocabulary from the text
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Most effective lessons/strategies
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Assessment types
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Making content culturally responsive
New! Seeking K-12 Educators Needed for Teaching Climate Change
IDOE, in collaboration with the Purdue Climate Change Research Center and Purdue Developmental K-12 Outreach, is working to design a climate change framework that assists educators with teaching climate change and intersects with the Indiana Academic Standards for science and social studies. IDOE is looking for science and social studies educators to share their expertise in this process and curate climate change resources. This is a virtual event to take place on October 28, 2020 - October 29, 2020. Educators may receive up to 10 PGPs for their participation. Interested K-12 educators should complete registration here for October 28 and here for October 29. Register for one or both days. Questions regarding participation can be sent to Matt Walsh.
New! Early Learning Family Guides Available in Spanish
Earlier this year, IDOE published Early Learning Family Guides to support families in early learning at home. The Department works to ensure as many of our resources as possible are available and accessible to those who need them. We are pleased to announce the Early Learning Family Guides are now available in Spanish. Visit this webpage to access this resource. Contact Sarah Parks-Reese with questions.
Reminder: Early Learning Foundations Review Survey
IDOE is conducting a review of the 2015 Early Learning Foundations and we would like your input! We have created a brief survey that examines the existing Foundations, resources, and accessibility. The survey can be found using this link. All early learning educators, administrators, and early interventionists are invited to participate. The survey is open through November 6. Contact Sarah Parks-Reese with questions.
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: 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.
Reminder: U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is to recognize and honor outstanding high school seniors, and thereby encourage high attainment among all students. Please read this memo outlining the qualifications and nomination forms. Nominations are due by November 6. Please email Shannon Dick with questions.
Reminder: STEM School Certification and Recertification Process Deadline is October 30
Applications for STEM School Certification or Recertification are due October 30. Access the 2020-2021 STEM School Certification Guide here and updated rubric here. Contact Shannon Dick with any questions.
New! Comparability of Services Under Title I
LEAs who accept Title I funds, including traditional public schools and charter schools, must annually determine comparability of services under Title I. The comparability form is now open and due October 31. Please see the attached memo and application guide. If you have questions, please contact Adis Coulibaly.
New! Title I Staffing Report
The 2019-2020 Title I Staffing Report collection window is now open and closes on Friday, October 30. This report collects data on Title I funded staff from the 2019-2020 school year. All school corporations and charter schools that received Title I, Part A funding in SY 2019-2020. Funded positions using Title I, Part A dollars in SY 2019-2020 are required to submit this report, as well. The Title I Staffing Report homepage can be accessed via this link. Please see the attached directions. Contact Dwayne Marshall with any questions.
New! November Tuition Support Update
The Office of School Finance is working on the November payment reconciliation process for the Basic Grant. Please read this memo regarding the reconciliation process. If you have questions, please email Amy Pattison or Melissa Ambre.
Reminder: 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. Applications can be found in the Public School Finance Community in Moodle under Common School Funds > Fall. Please send all questions here.
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.
New! Funding Opportunity to Credential Dual Credit Teachers
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has partnered with INvestED and the Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis to provide funding for Hoosier teachers to receive the necessary credit hours, up to 18 in total, to meet the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requirements. This grant is intended to help high school teachers become fully credentialed to teach dual credit courses in non-STEM disciplines, such as English, communications/speech, history, government, and world languages, especially Spanish. For additional information, please read this document.
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