After a long holiday weekend, it was reinvigorating to sit down with school counselors at the start of the week, and then travel to Indiana State University, where I had the opportunity to visit with principals participating in the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute (IPLI). These conversations centered around the importance of keeping our focus on the academic achievement and overall wellbeing of our students while maximizing the impact we can have when working together.
They also reinforced many of the same themes we have heard repeatedly over the past six months from a variety of stakeholders...themes that we are now shaping into a shared vision, strategies, and tactics. While none of this can happen overnight, we can move forward together, one day at a time, by keeping our focus on students.
This begins with providing purposeful, quality educational opportunities for all students. That includes -
- Expanding and supporting quality, affordable and accessible learning opportunities, including early learning options
- Strengthening the capacity to deliver the educational fundamentals to every child
- Helping schools and communities strengthen, expand and create effective pathways and linkages between K-12, higher education, and the workforce
- Expanding access to, training for, and use of technology options that support expanded contexts for learning
- Creating capacity and flexibility to drive effective learning-focused innovation in all aspects of K-12 education
- Re-envisioning how educational progress is measured and tailored to individual students
- Strengthening systems to provide improved information regarding K-12 educational programs and results
These strategies continue to be a work in progress, and we look forward to incorporating additional feedback from you. It’s going to take ALL of us, at the state and local level working together to make measurable progress--and we must keep our focus on academics as well as the safety and wellbeing of each and every Hoosier student.
This will be particularly important for our most at-risk students, including low income students, students of color, English learners and special education students, who had persistent learning and educational attainment gaps even prior to the global pandemic.
Next week, we will continue our discussion on student learning by highlighting what we have learned from the National Center for Assessment’s analysis of the spring ILEARN assessment data and other key data points, as well as how we can work together to address the academic impacts of the pandemic.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside each of you and cannot thank you enough for everything you have done, and will continue to do, to help all kids succeed!
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NEW: Spring 2021 ILEARN Final Results Embargo Ends Wednesday, July 14
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will present final, statewide Spring 2021 ILEARN results to the Indiana State Board of Education at their scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 14, at which time the embargo to publicly share results will be lifted. In the interim, corporations and schools should share student results or reports with parents as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: IREAD-3 Summer Paper Tests Must Ship to Scoring Vendor By Next Friday, July 16
Schools must contact FedEx to arrange onsite pickup of any paper tests to the scoring vendor on or by next Friday, July 16. Any paper tests shipped after Friday, July 16 will not be scored. Be sure to review IDOE’s materials return and destruction guidance, follow instructions outlined in the IREAD-3 Test Administrator’s Manual when preparing materials for return, and save shipping receipts. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
NEW: Data Exchange Update
IDOE appreciates the incredible work of each Student Information System partner and the diligent contributions of those responsible for data submissions from each school. We are committed to a robust and seamless data submission experience and will continue to build on the lessons we've learned together to make that a reality. As this process continues, please note the following:
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Consider submissions complete even if there are negligible unresolved errors: Schools that have submitted attendance data and calendars through the Ed-Fi API should consider their submissions complete for the 2021 school year, even if there are negligible unresolved errors, conflicts or duplicate records, or slight calendar inconsistencies.
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Calendar: IDOE will be working directly with traditional public schools to verify they have met the 180 calendar requirements.
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Attendance: IDOE is reaching out directly to help schools resolve any sizable issues with attendance.
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Schools with no data in Data Exchange: Schools that have not submitted calendar and attendance data for 2021 should continue to work with the IDOE data team to complete their submissions. The data team will continue to work with schools to help get them across the finish line.
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Data Certification: IDOE is encouraging all schools to complete the sign-off and certification process for the attendance collection beginning today and ending Friday, July 16, but will not contact schools that cannot complete the process.
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Reported Attendance Data: IDOE will be using the submitted 2021 attendance data to understand attendance patterns. As this data is analyzed, it will be highlighted that the data was reported by schools but was not certified.
NEW: Family Friendly Schools Program
The IDOE Family Friendly Schools Designation is a state recognition program for schools that excel in engaging families and communities in their children’s education. Through this program, schools may voluntarily request to be assessed by IDOE for the purpose of evaluating and improving family and community engagement in the school. Applications are due Sunday, August 1. To learn more, or to apply, click here. Contact Amy Beasley with questions.
NEW: Staff Performance Evaluation Plan Submission
Legal Standard 12 requires each public school corporation to provide a copy of its staff performance evaluation plan to IDOE. School corporations must also submit their staff performance evaluation plan to IDOE for approval in order to qualify for any grant funding related to IC 20-28-11.5-8(d). This includes the Teacher Appreciation Grant. Staff performance evaluation plans must be submitted via DOE Online by Friday, September 17. For more information, click here. Contact Rebecca Estes with questions.
NEW: Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) Policy Submission Required
Information regarding the 2021 TAG Policy Submission can be found here. Local educational agencies (including charter and virtual charter schools) must submit the TAG policy for approval to TAG@doe.in.gov by Friday, September 17 to be eligible to receive TAG funding. Contact Rebecca Estes with questions.
REMINDER: Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Application Open through Friday, July 16
The application is now open to participate in the 2021 Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Cohort 3. IDOE's partnership with the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters, KI Binford Group of Indiana, Newk’s, and Gibraltar Design, will allow the department to engage participants in innovative professional development in order to grow as teacher leaders. To learn more information, or to apply, click here. Questions can be directed to Rebecca Estes.
REMINDER: Superintendents and Principals Encouraged to Nominate Educators for Emerging Leaders Recognition
IDOE’s Office of Leadership and Innovation is looking for confidential recommendations of secondary-level leaders representing the very best educators in Indiana. These emerging leaders must have between five and 15 years of experience, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom, and positively affect school culture and student achievement. Superintendents and principals may submit recommendations here. Recommendations will be accepted through Friday, July 16. Please contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
NEW: Important School Safety Reminders
As another school year begins, there are some important reminders concerning beginning of the year activities, including drills and emergency plan certification. More information can be found here. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
NEW: January to June 2021 Form 9 Financial Data
The window to submit Form 9 financial data for the period of January to June 2021 is open through Saturday, July 31. Please visit Moodle Finance for additional guidance. If you have questions regarding Form 9, please contact form9@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: Updated Object Codes
As a result of legislation passed during the 2021 Indiana legislative session, some updates are required for the 100 series object codes relating to salaries in Chart of Accounts administered by the State Board of Accounts. The changes took effect Thursday, July 1 and will be part of the July to December 2021 Form 9 financial data submission reported in January 2022. Object codes 200 and higher remain the same as the previous reporting period. Please read this memo for additional information. If you have any questions, please email form9@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: Teacher Salary FAQ
House Enrolled Act 1001, passed during the 2021 Indiana legislative session, included provisions pertaining to teacher salary requirements. A new teacher salary FAQ document provides guidance to assist school corporations on review and implementation of the provisions regarding teacher salaries, funding floor, and minimum expenditures. If you have questions, please email us at form9@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: School Technology Advancement Applications
IDOE’s Office of School Finance will accept School Technology Advancement Account (STAA) applications from now through Friday, July 16. The STAA application can be completed online and must be completed in one sitting. A sample application and certification page can be found in Moodle. If you have questions, please email commonschoolfund@doe.in.gov.
NEW: Indiana Recognized for High Achievement in Special Education
The United States Department of Education determined, using the 2021 Part B Results-Driven Accountability Matrix, that Indiana “meets requirements.” This is the highest level of achievement available and is indicative of positive results and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDOE is proud of the determination and the work of educators across the State of Indiana on behalf of students with disabilities.
NEW: EdPlan Connect Extended
The parent portal EdPlan Connect will continue to be a part of the Indiana IEP system during the 2021-2022 school year. It is offered to schools at no cost, and schools can opt in to using EdPlan Connect at any time. For questions, please contact Colleen Pawlicki.
REMINDER: Aspiring Special Education Leadership Institute, Cohort 2
OSE is dedicated to ensuring equity, access, and the development of Aspiring Special Education Leaders through professional, training, practical application, and networking opportunities. To apply for the Aspiring Special Education Leadership Institute, please complete this application. Applications are due Saturday, July 17. For questions, please contact Dr. Nancy Holsapple.
REMINDER: Indicator 3 - Assessment Stakeholder Meeting on Tuesday, July 20
IDOE is hosting two virtual stakeholder input sessions on Indicator 3: Assessment on Tuesday, July 20, at either 9 to 11 a.m. or 5 to 7 p.m. Registration is required and will close on Friday, July 16. For more information, please contact Kristan Sievers-Coffer.
REMINDER: Emergency Permits for Special Education
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) prohibits the issuance of emergency permits in special education. IDOE is proposing a number of steps, which can be found in this memo, to bring special education licensure into compliance with these regulations. These proposed steps have been developed in consultation with multiple education and special education stakeholders. A frequently asked questions document is also available here. IDOE will continue to share additional guidance and information in the coming weeks and months. We encourage you to share solution ideas with our team as we work to achieve compliance. Please email your comments or questions to licensinghelp@doe.in.gov or specialeducation@doe.in.gov and include “EP/T2T Alternative Route to Teaching” in the subject of your email.
NEW: Digital Learning Webinar - Collaborating in the Classroom with Trevor Muir
Join the IDOE Office of Digital Learning for our next webinar, Collaborating in the Classroom with author and educator Trevor Muir, on Tuesday, July 20 at 4 p.m. Using practices, resources, and inspiration shared in this webinar, group work can become a regular practice that helps students and teachers thrive. To register, click here. Contact Meri Carnahan with any questions.
REMINDER: Free Project Based Learning Professional Development Workshops
IDOE is partnering with Magnify Learning to provide several professional development workshops for local educational agencies interested in implementing project based learning in the classroom and beyond. To learn more about these free workshops, and to register, click here. Contact Erin Busk with any questions.
UPDATE FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Indiana Career Explorer Website Experiencing Downtime With Transition
Indiana Career Explorer (INCE) is transitioning to a new vendor, Futures, Inc. this summer. The new INCE will provide adults and students with an enhanced tool to explore career and educational opportunities. As part of the transition, the online INCE platform will experience downtime before going live with the new vendor. Please watch this website for INCE updates and news. Following the transition, INCE will remain a free tool for all Hoosiers, including all K-12 students. Please contact Pam Warner with questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (IDOH): COVID-19 and Communicable Disease Reporting Requirements
School boards have the jurisdiction to implement routine prevention measures they deem necessary to protect the health of school students and staff, such as masking, distancing, and disinfection. The IDOH is awaiting updated guidance from the CDC and will provide updated school guidance soon thereafter.
COVID-19 is a reportable communicable disease, and as such, falls under the provision of the Communicable Disease Reporting Rule (410 IAC 1-2.5). This rule incorporates, by reference, best practice disease prevention and control guidance from the CDC, among other organizations. In addition, local health departments have authority to implement prevention and control measures for disease cases and outbreaks, including isolation and quarantine. Schools are required to report positive cases, and COVID-19 cases are treated in the same way as other vaccine-preventable communicable diseases in the school environment, such as chicken pox and measles. Once COVID-19 cases are identified in a school, they are reported to the local health department and should be entered into the K-12 Gateway portal. Cases would be required to isolate until they meet the CDC criteria for release from isolation, and those who are unvaccinated and exposed would be excluded from school (quarantined at home) until they meet CDC criteria for release from quarantine. Fully vaccinated individuals who are exposed to a COVID-19 case would not be excluded from school unless they become symptomatic. Contact backtoschool@isdh.in.gov with questions.
NEW FROM CONEXUS INDIANA: Make IN Move initiative
Conexus Indiana recently launched Make IN Move, a statewide initiative to educate and inspire the next generation of Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics talent. The effort aims to raise awareness of the meaningful, high-tech and well-paying careers in advanced manufacturing and logistics and connect early-in-career talent to opportunities in these industries of the future. To learn more about Make IN Move, visit MakeINMove.com and follow @makeINmove on Instagram. A parent and educator toolkit is also available here.
All Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) newsletters are located in one convenient location. Please find past issues here.
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