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Reminder: Today is the Deadline for Public Comment on Indiana’s Request for Flexibility from Federal Accountability Requirements for 2020-2021
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is seeking public comment on its request to the US Department of Education (USED) to waive certain requirements pertaining to federal accountability for the 2020-2021 school year. This request is in response to the direct impact of COVID-19 on the ability to produce valid, reliable, and comparable accountability data and results for the 2020-2021 school year. Information on the request may be found on IDOE's website. Public comments should be submitted here. Today is the last day IDOE will accept public comment. Educators with questions regarding the public comment process are asked to send them here.
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All IDOE newsletters are located in one convenient location. Please find December updates and past issues here.
New! Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidance on Disinfection, Sanitation, and Ventilation
The EPA recognizes that many school re-openings have involved the use of disinfectant products and practices that may not be effective against the coronavirus. Given that the understanding and management of the coronavirus is changing, it is likely that schools and districts will continue to modify their operations plans and strategies as new information emerges. Please read additional information here.
New! School Profile Changes
The Office of Accountability has received several inquiries about expanding standalone virtual schools to add grade levels during the middle of the 2020-2021 school year. As a reminder, grade level reconfigurations can only be processed during the corporation amendment window. The deadline to submit corporation amendment requests for the 2020-2021 school year was September 1. IDOE cannot process any grade reconfigurations at this time. However, if a school or corporation would like to expand its virtual programming in light of COVID-19, it may do so as long as any students attending virtually as a result of COVID-19 are enrolled through an existing school with the appropriate grade level(s) and are reported on attendance reports as “Virtual due to COVID-19.” For additional information on reporting student attendance, please read this guidance. Contact the Office of Accountability with any questions.
New! NAEP Postponed Until 2022
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase and affect educational systems across the country. In response, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Commissioner, with the support of the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), decided to postpone the NAEP 2021 assessments. Additional information is available in this statement.
New! Notice Regarding Accommodations and Statewide Assessments
The Indiana Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN) assessment is given to students in grades three through five in the areas of English/Language Arts and mathematics to measure a students’ knowledge and ability based on Indiana Academic Standards. Accommodations are available for instruction and assessments as determined by Case Conference Committees (CCCs) and outlined in each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). There are, however, certain accommodations that, while allowable for instructional periods, may not be permitted for particular students during assessment as determined by the CCC. Additional information is available in this memo.
New! Letter to Families Explaining Anticipated Spring Testing Requirements
IDOE has developed a letter to families, available in English and Spanish, to assist schools in explaining anticipated spring testing requirements. Schools may publish this letter to families, if desired.
New! ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) Paper Test Window Closes Thursday, December 10
The window for students testing paper-and-pencil (e.g., regular, large print, braille, Spanish) closes Thursday, December 10. Schools must transcribe responses for students using large print or braille test materials before shipping test materials to the scoring vendor. Directions for transcribing student responses are located in the ILEARN Test Coordinator’s Manual. Please contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
New! ILEARN Biology ECA Online Test Window Continues Through December 17
Students completing a high school biology course this month should participate in the ILEARN Biology ECA during the current window. Additional participation guidance is available on this one-page resource sent to Corporation Test Coordinators last week.
New! I AM Print and Large Print Accommodated Materials Deadline: December 18
Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI) will ship print materials based on student accommodations noted in TIDE. Schools must ensure these accommodations are correct no later than Friday, December 18 to ensure shipment by April 5, 2021. As a reminder, only one set of print materials will be shipped per grade per school. Additional print materials can be ordered through the Additional Orders window beginning March 29, 2021, but these materials must be approved by IDOE. Braille materials must be noted in Indiana IEP by January 28, 2021. There are no additional orders for braille forms. Questions about print accommodations can be emailed to Stephanie Thompson or she may be reached by phone at 317-234-5601.
Reminder: Child Abuse / Child Sexual Abuse Training
Senate Enrolled Act 295, which updated existing law (IC 20-30-5-5.7), requires public schools, charter schools, and accredited nonpublic schools to use research or evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse for students in grades K–12. Instruction must be completed by December 15 of each school year. Please read this guidance memo from May 15 for additional information. Contact Jeff Wittman (phone 317-234-5704) with any questions.
Reminder: Duty to Report Maltreatment
Indiana's teachers and communities continue to play an important role in ensuring the safety of children. As teachers, administrators, and school staff engage with students, please consider these factors as signs of potential maltreatment, even in virtual learning environments. Please contact Jeff Wittman with any questions.
New! New Resource: Contingency Planning Considerations
The Office of Special Education (OSE) has released the "Contingency Planning Considerations for Students with Disabilities in the Current COVID-19 Environment" document. This supplements the re-entry guidance previously provided through the IN-CLASS resource. Please contact Zoretta Ward-Holloway or Traci Tetrick with any questions.
New! Alternate Assessment Assurance and Justification Survey Due December 18
Corporations over the 1 percent should complete the Alternate Assessment Assurance and Justification Survey by December 18, as defined in the Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Planning Tool sent Friday, November 13. Survey feedback is needed as a part of Indiana’s 1 Percent Waiver Extension Request submission. Questions regarding this survey should be communicated to Stephanie Thompson and Sarah Mohr.
Updated: Indiana Resource Network (IRN) Partnership Spotlight
In addition to OSE, IRNs offer Indiana public schools free or low cost in-person and virtual professional development and technical assistance options. This includes the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) who work to improve outcomes for individuals on the spectrum and their families. IRN focuses on goals around early detection and diagnosis, effective early childhood and school-age programs that utilize evidence-based practices, transition across grade levels and stages of life, post-secondary opportunities, community employment and living options, family support, and other activities that lead to an improved quality of life. Please contact Kristan Sievers-Coffer with any questions.
Reminder: Weekly OSE Webinar (WOW): Get to Know Indiana IEP Resource Center
Please join OSE for the next Weekly Webinar providing an overview of the Indiana IEP Resource Center. The webinar will be held Thursday, December 10 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (EST). The session will include a 30 to 45-minute presentation, allowing at least 15 minutes for participant Q & A. Please register here. Please contact Kristan Sievers-Coffer with any questions.
New! Empower2INspire
The first Empower2INspire blast is here. IDOE's Office of Teaching and Learning is producing a bi-weekly one-pager that will empower and inspire you to meet the demands of education. Empower2INspire offers quick bits of information that educators can quickly employ. You may sign-up for these blasts here. Follow extended conversations and highlights on Twitter by using #Empower2INspire. Please contact Rose Tomishima or Matt Walsh with any questions.
Reminder! IU Turnkey Courses for High School
Indiana University’s high school courses are now available for download through this website. As schools transition to remote learning, consider how these courses might help provide a high-quality continuity of learning. These courses can be adapted and adjusted, as needed, by Indiana educators. Also, register here to participate in office hours every Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) where educators can ask questions about the materials and implementation. Contact Jennifer Watson with any questions. Continue to watch for additional information on continuous improvements coming with Phase 2 as new courses are being added weekly.
Reminder! Computer Science Education Week - December 7-11
Scheduled to coincide with Grace Hopper’s birthday each year, Computer Science Education Week and Worldwide Hour of Code are just around the corner! This year’s #CSEdWeek is December 7-11. For information on how to get involved and/or host an Hour of Code, visit this page. Be sure to share your activities on social media using the hashtags #CSforIN and #IndianaHoC2020 and tag @EducateIN. For additional information, contact Jake Koressel.
Title IV Annual Performance Report (APR) for School Year 2019-2020 Deadline is January 15
The Title IV, Part A annual performance report is now open. The report may be submitted here. The APR is used for statewide reporting to US DOE. The APR is due January 15, 2021. Please contact your assigned Title IV Specialists Laura Blaydes or Lacey Bohlen with any questions.
New! Indiana State Fire Marshal Resources for Schools
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) Code Enforcement Section inspects Indiana schools in partnership with IDOE. Schools can take many actions to reduce risk and be in compliance with applicable codes between visits by IDHS inspectors. New resources have been made available for schools. View the fire safety and evacuation plans review sheet, checklist, classroom fire safety guidance and common code violations.
Reminder: Deadline is Today to Share Input to State Board of Education for Next State Accountability Rule
The Indiana State Board of Education seeks input on a draft framework to serve as the foundation for the next iteration of the state’s accountability rule. The framework, informational webinars, and input-gathering surveys are available on the Board’s homepage. The deadline is today, December 4.
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