As we kick off the month of December, several of our students, educators, and families across the state are celebrating Hanukkah...and we’re also in the homestretch for a strong finish to the first semester.
In addition to the many celebrations this time of year brings, next week is also Computer Science Education Week -- which is a national celebration of the contributions that our students, fellow educators, and community partners make to advance computer science and digital literacy in our schools.
I’m excited to share that when it comes to computer science, your hard work is paying off, and Indiana is a national leader! According to Code.org, Indiana is #1 in the Midwest and #11 in the country for computer science in schools (check out the full report here). This week, we also released data showing that last school year, our students across the state earned 19,377 high school computer science course completions.
The data also shows that in the last school year, with state statute requiring computer science classes to be offered in every Indiana school, more of our students gained access to these courses. In the 2014-2015 school year, for example, only 17.67% of Indiana high schools had students completing at least one computer science course. As of last school year, that had increased to 65.55% of Indiana high schools. This percentage is expected to grow in the coming years, with the law taking effect this school year. This increased access allows students to gain additional digital literacy skills...learning how to evaluate, explore, collaborate, and problem solve...skills they can take with them no matter what career or pathway they choose to pursue in their lives.
Today, we are seeing schools across Indiana participate in multiple statewide competitions and career engagement events to help students build important knowledge and skills through computer science, including:
-
Indy Autonomous Challenge -- Last month, this event brought together nine teams of college students from around the globe to race driverless race cars around the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway track...and high school students from around the state were invited to see these cutting-edge STEM technologies in action (read more here).
-
Nextech CSforGood Celebration -- Next week, as a culmination of the annual Nextech CSforGood Fall Competition, teams of elementary, middle, and high school students will travel to the Statehouse to present computer science projects designed to help solve community problems in front of a panel of local industry experts. I know this will be an incredible event (follow our IDOE Twitter and Facebook accounts for updates)!
-
Innovate WithIN -- This entrepreneurial competition for our students generates so many unique business concepts -- which frequently center around computer science.
And I know there are many more great examples happening in each of your schools, including:
- At East Tipp Middle School in Tippecanoe County (home of Indiana’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Sharita Ware), for example, they’re participating in a global robotics program called FIRST Lego League that encourages STEM learning and exploration, along with competition in regional, state, national, and global competitions. As part of FIRST Lego League, East Tipp students work to help solve a problem in the community through computer science.
- At Greensburg Junior High School in Decatur County, they’ve launched the STEMConnects Lab -- home to high-tech equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, and more. This lab provides students an opportunity to work on teacher-assigned class projects and also test their own ideas, building what science teacher and department chair, Dana Calfee, calls a “culture of computer science.”
- And current IU computer science student Ploy Unchit credits her computer science teacher at Perry Meridian High School in Marion County, Mrs. Raegan Towne, for teaching her the programming language Java and other computer science principles. Because of the principles she gained from Mrs. Towne, Ploy has already had plenty of opportunities to put her know-how to work, participating in the five-week summer Nextech Catapult program and interning for global tech company Salesforce.
And while additional computer science opportunities are happening locally and statewide, IDOE also has resources and team members ready to assist, plus many professional development opportunities. Check out the Indiana Learning Lab for computer science resources, or contact our team directly at teachingandlearning@doe.in.gov.
Thank you for your continued hard work!
|
NEW: IREAD-3 Parent Guidance Resource Now Available
The Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE’s) Office of Student Assessment prepared an IREAD-3 Parent Guidance resource that schools may share with parents of students who will participate in IREAD-3 this spring. English and Spanish versions of this resource are available for download from the IREAD-3 webpage. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: 2021-2022 ILEARN Test Coordinator’s Manual (TCM) Now Available
The 2021-2022 ILEARN TCM is now available for download from the Indiana Assessment Portal. The ILEARN TCM provides an overview of ILEARN assessments and protocols specific to the test coordinator’s role. Please review the manual and contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
NEW: SAT Webinar Links Now Available
College Board’s recorded SAT 2021-22 Indiana Implementation and Accommodations webinar is now available for download. Administrators are encouraged to review this webinar as well as the SAT Suite of Assessments webinar, which can be downloaded here. The resources in these webinars and more are available in the College Board Indiana Resources folder on Google Drive. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions on accessing these resources.
NEW: Upcoming I AM Regular Print and Large Print Materials Deadline
Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI) will ship printed materials for I AM based on student accommodations noted in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE) by Friday, December 17. Accommodations noted by this date will ensure shipment by April 4, 2022. Only one set of print materials will be shipped per grade per school. The Additional Orders window begins March 28, 2022, and all orders for additional print materials must be approved by IDOE. Braille test materials must be noted in Indiana IEP by January 13, 2022. There are no additional orders for braille forms. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
REMINDER: Fall 2021 ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) Paper-and-Pencil Test Window Ends Next Thursday, December 9
Corporations and schools must ensure that any students testing paper-and-pencil have completed both ILEARN Biology ECA test segments by next Thursday, December 9. Schools should follow instructions in the ILEARN Biology ECA Test Administrator’s Manual (TAM) and the scoring vendor’s 2021-2022 Paper-and-Pencil Return Instructions when preparing materials for return. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
REMINDER: Winter 2021 ISTEP+ Retest - Reminder to Ship Paper Materials
The paper testing window for the 2021 Winter ISTEP+ Retest ends today, Friday, December 3. The online testing window ends Friday, December 10. The last day to ship print testing materials to the vendor for scoring is on Wednesday, December 8. Review the 2021-2022 ISTEP+ Return Instructions for more information on this process. Please contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
NEW: Moodle Maintenance Monday, December 13
The IDOE Moodle server located at https://moodle.doe.in.gov will be down Monday, December 13 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET for routine maintenance. Moodle users will not have access during this time. Please contact Don Gilroy with questions.
NEW: Verifying Virtual Status for Period 1 Membership
Accurate attendance data will be used in reconciliation of ADM as signaled by the Indiana General Assembly. In order to ensure students certified for the September Membership count (Period 1) have an accurate virtual status, IDOE will be calculating percent of virtual instruction based on all attendance data from the school where the student was certified for Membership through Friday, December 31. If this calculation indicates a student’s virtual program status should be changed (from “virtual” to “not virtual” or from “not virtual” to “virtual”), we will notify the school of the change, and the school will need to re-sign their Membership Certification in Data Exchange. Please make sure your attendance records are being submitted to IDOE in a timely manner. We will update September virtual program statuses beginning the first week of January 2022. While attendance data will change for everyone, only schools where a student’s virtual program status changes will need to re-sign their September ADM. There will be no changes in the overall numbers of students certified for any school corporation -- only potential changes in the funding level for those who have been certified. Questions about how funding changes will be handled can be directed to schoolfinance@doe.in.gov.
UPDATE: Data Exchange - October Data Certification Extended
The October certification period has been extended and includes the following data: Pupil Enrollment, Curricular Materials Reimbursement, Certified Employee (CE), English Learner, and Non-Certified Employee (NE). The certification window opened Monday, November 15 and will close Monday, December 6 at 5 p.m. Schools should verify if their Student Information System (SIS) vendor is equipped to sync staff information; otherwise, schools should plan to utilize the templates for reporting CE and NE. Guidance is available on the Knowledge Hub and is consistent with guidance provided for the 2020-2021 school year. Training is also available in the IDOE Moodle Data Exchange course. Questions about Data Exchange may be submitted through https://help.doe.in.gov/.
UPDATE: Deadline to Complete Nimble Applicant Tracking System Opt-In Form
All Indiana superintendents and/or HR directors are encouraged to review the information related to the Nimble Applicant Tracking System and statewide job board enhancements here. The deadline to complete the opt-in form has been extended to Monday, December 20. Questions may be directed to Rebecca Estes.
REMINDER: School Year 2021-2022 Teacher Appreciation Grant Allocations
School Year 2021-2022 Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) allocations have been finalized. Additional information, including allocation amounts, can be found here. Questions may be directed to Rebecca Estes.
REMINDER: Extra Yard for Teachers Summit
In partnership with the College Football Playoff Indianapolis Host Committee, IDOE invites Indiana teachers to sign up for an exclusive opportunity to participate in the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit on January 8, 2022. This annual event is designed to empower and inspire educators with guest speakers, giveaways, networking experiences, and professional development. Attendees will also enjoy food, music, drink, a prize bag, and a post-summit reception. Attendance is limited, so register early while tickets are still available! Questions may be directed to Rebecca Estes.
REMINDER: Request for Information (RFI) on Efficiency Opportunities for Non-Instructional School Building and Transportation Services
The Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) has released RFI 22-68275, soliciting existing or potential opportunities to improve the efficiency of non-instructional school services associated with school buildings and transportation. This RFI has been issued pursuant to HEA 1266-2021. All interested respondents are encouraged to respond by January 14, 2022. All questions pertaining to the RFI should be directed to IDOA’s Emily Cranfill.
NEW: American Rescue Plan – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) II Funding Allocation Announcement
The American Rescue Plan – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) fund provides support for schools nationwide to address the impact of the pandemic on educational opportunities for children and youth experiencing homelessness. As part of the $13 million awarded to Indiana, ARP-HCY II allocations are now available to school corporations based on a formulary distribution reflecting Title I eligibility and McKinney-Vento eligible student enrollment. Allocation announcements were made on Tuesday, November 23 to eligible corporation superintendents, McKinney-Vento liaisons, and treasurers. If your corporation did not receive an individual allocation announcement, please reach out to Gina Woodward for additional information regarding consortium funding opportunities. Those with questions or seeking additional information are also encouraged to participate in one of the scheduled ARP-HCY II Virtual Q&A sessions listed below.
NEW: Enrollment of Refugee and Immigrant Students
IDOE provided reminders on the legal requirements for enrolling refugee and immigrant students, including those who are English learners (ELs). This memo details key points critical to enrolling students immediately and should be shared with administrations, registrars, and other pertinent staff. Please contact Adam Pitt with any questions.
NEW: EL Leadership Meeting Next Week
School and district EL leaders are invited to join IDOE’s EL team for the December EL Leadership meeting. The meeting will occur virtually on Wednesday, December 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET, and will cover a variety of EL topics, such as preparing for WIDA ACCESS testing, WIDA Standards rollout, assisting with translation and interpretation for families, and more. No registration is required, and meeting links and info can be found on the Indiana EL PD Opportunities Calendar. Please contact Adam Pitt with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) Enrollment Opportunity
I-SEAL is still accepting applications for those seeking special education credentialing. I-SEAL, a partnership between IDOE and the University of Indianapolis’ Center of Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL), provides financial assistance and scholarships to educators as they complete special education licensure requirements. Additional information on this opportunity can be found here. Contact Dana Jones, I-SEAL senior project coordinator, with any questions
REMINDER: FY 2019 and FY 2020 Part B Deadlines
The deadline to submit a reimbursement request for the FY 2019 and FY 2020 Part B 611 and 619 grants is Wednesday, December 15. Reimbursement templates are located in Moodle by grant year. Reimbursement requests should be submitted to specialedpartb@doe.in.gov. Final Expenditure Reports for all FY 2019 and FY 2020 grants, along with a copy of the final reimbursement request, should be submitted to partbgrants@doe.in.gov on or before Wednesday, December 15. Final Expenditure Report templates are also located in Moodle by grant year. Please contact your assigned fiscal specialist or IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions. A list of fiscal specialists assigned to each local educational agency can be found on Moodle (Office of Special Education Community>Fiscal>Part B Grants for Special Education>LEA Assigned Specialists).
NEW: Summer of Learning Grant Recipients Announced
The IDOE Office of Digital Learning is pleased to announce the 14 recipients of the 2022 Summer of Learning Conference Series Grant. More information as well as a list of recipients are available in this memo. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: IN Learning Partnership December Computer Science Events
Each day from Monday, December 6 through Friday, December 10, join us on the Keep Indiana Learning YouTube channel from 11:30 a.m. to noon ET for Computer Science Education Week and Hour of Code Lunch and Learn livestreams. Additionally, on Thursday, December 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. ET, join us for a livestream event, featuring speakers every 30 minutes. Subscribe to the Keep Indiana Learning YouTube channel to follow. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Additional Course Content Now Available through Indiana Course Access Network
The second semester of 22 courses designed by Indiana teachers are now available for download through Indiana Course Access Network. The first semester of these openly-licensed courses were available before the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Course content, which can be used as individual lessons, modules, or complete courses, can also be accessed through the LINK Portal by logging in using your school credentials and clicking on the Indiana Course Access Network tile. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
UPDATE: 2022-2023 High School College and Career Readiness Course Titles and Descriptions
The updated 2022-2023 High School College and Career Readiness Course Titles and Descriptions (CTDs) have been posted to IDOE’s Course Titles and Descriptions webpage. This update includes course corrections, as well as changes to Career and Technical Education course codes. Changes to 2022-2023 Indiana Academic Courses offerings can be viewed here. Please contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with additional questions.
REMINDER: December Wednesday Professional Development with IDOE
Join us for a wide range of sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab on Wednesdays throughout December from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET. More information on these sessions, led by members of the IDOE team, can be found here. All past workshops are also available on-demand in the Learning Lab. To access this on-demand content, visit the Learning Lab resources here. To register for upcoming workshops, be sure to create a free Learning Lab account by visiting the LINK Portal or by visiting the Learning Lab website directly and using your school email to log in. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: Reminders Regarding COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies
The Indiana Department of Health provides the following reminders regarding COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Contact backtoschool@isdh.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Indiana Department of Health provides the latest updates and resources regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Contact backtoschool@isdh.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE GOVERNOR’S WORKFORCE CABINET: 2022-2023 Indiana Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Guide Now Available
The Indiana CTE Career Guide for the 2022-2023 school year is now live! This annual resource from the Office of CTE is aimed at students, families, school counselors, and CTE instructors. It is one of the best ways to inform each of these groups and other CTE stakeholders about Career and Technical Education in Indiana. The 2022-2023 guide builds off last year’s first edition of the Career Guide, and highlights include the following:
- Key information regarding Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS), including a complete list of the over 65 NLPS pathways available in the upcoming school year
- Career cluster pages that highlight available pathways, potential jobs, and anticipated earnings
- Information on work-based learning, Graduation Pathways, and career planning
Schools and career centers can acquire print copies of the guide here. Orders for print copies are due by Friday, December 17, and guides will be received in January. Schools are encouraged to look into coordinating their order with their local career center or neighboring schools. Questions or special requests concerning the CTE Career Guide can be sent to CTE@gov.IN.gov.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA STATE POLICE: 2022 Indiana Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest
The Indiana State Police is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice for the National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest, which provides an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and parents/guardians to discuss and promote child safety. Indiana’s winner will receive a national award certificate from the U.S. Department of Justice, and the student’s poster will be selected to go to the national judging competition. The national winner, along with the student’s parents and teacher, will be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Missing Children’s Day ceremony. More information, including contest rules, is available here and here. The deadline for submissions is February 26, 2022. Questions can be sent to Sergeant Seth Tumey at stumey@isp.in.gov. Poster submissions can also be sent to Sergeant Tumey at 8660 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219.
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS: 2022 Regional Conference and Exposition
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) will hold the NCTM 2022 Regional Conference and Exposition at the Indianapolis Convention Center from March 16-18, 2022. The program theme of “Refresh, Reflect, and Reconnect” will provide a great opportunity for PreK-12 mathematics teachers to connect with one another, exchange ideas, and learn from some of the most influential mathematics educators in the country. The registration site is now open, and early registration rates will be available through January 19, 2022. The Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) is excited to serve as the host affiliate for this event. ICTM members who register for the NCTM Regional Conference and Exposition will get free ICTM membership for 2022. For more information and to register, visit https://www.nctm.org/indy2022/. Contact nctmregionals@showcare.com with questions.
NEW FROM THE POETRY SOCIETY OF INDIANA: Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest
The Poetry Society of Indiana invites all grade six through 12 students in Indiana to enter the annual Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest. To learn more about guidelines and submission, click here. Entries must be submitted no later than January 31, 2022. Questions may be directed to John Hinton.
REMINDER FROM THE 2022 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF INDIANAPOLIS HOST COMMITTEE: Survey for Indiana Teachers
The 2022 College Football Playoff Indianapolis Host Committee wants to hear from you about your needs for effective and accessible professional learning and resources. Please complete this short survey to provide input on the future direction of the Indiana Learning Lab, a platform created to help educators navigate the world of digital learning. As a bonus, everyone who completes this survey will be entered to win College Football Playoff gear. Responses will remain confidential.
All Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) newsletters are located in one convenient location. Please find past issues here.
|
