Today we launch the third video in the Teachers Who Shaped Us series -- a series launched earlier this fall which seeks to celebrate Indiana’s teachers, shine a spotlight on the positive impact educators make on students’ lives and on our state, and continue to elevate our educator profession.
For our second video in the series, we talked to Indiana’s 51st governor -- Governor Eric J. Holcomb -- where we learned about his time in Mr. Drescher’s (commercial business law), Mr. Green’s (literature), and Mrs. White’s (French) classrooms and the lasting impression they made during his formative years.
Today, we continue this series by sitting down with a Hoosier legend, who likely for many of you, requires no introduction -- Mr. Quinn Buckner. Quinn Buckner currently serves as vice president of communications for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, where he leads the Pacers Youth Basketball program, an initiative to support youth basketball in Indiana.
You may also know him as a long-time analyst for the Pacers’ television games, former NBA coach and player, graduate of Indiana University, four-time Big Ten Basketball Championship winner, captain of the legendary 1976 undefeated NCAA Championship team, and captain of the 1976 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Basketball team. And while that sounds like a lot, it’s really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Quinn’s accomplishments and contributions to the Hoosier state.
In the video linked below, Quinn reflects on the difference-making educators and coaches who helped to shape his life, including numerous educators in his own immediate family...his father, mother, brother, and two sisters. As a firm believer in the value of education, he shares, “My why is to try to inspire people to be greater than they ever thought they could be, because I sit before you doing things I had no clue that I could do, but people believed in me and they moved me along...I know that given an opportunity, and if you really want it bad enough, you really can do anything you want to do.”
View the video below to hear more about who Quinn highlights as outstanding educators and how he affirms the important role all educators play in helping the leaders of tomorrow to see what is possible for their lives and build the confidence necessary to achieve it!
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This video is the third in a series, known as Teachers Who Shaped Us. In this video, Dr. Jenner sits down with Quinn Buckner to learn more about the teachers who made a lasting impact on his life.
NEW: Fall 2021 ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) Online Test Window Closes Next Thursday, December 16
Corporations and schools must administer any remaining ILEARN Biology ECA online test segments by next Thursday, December 16. Contact the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE’s) Office of Student Assessment or the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with questions.
NEW: Spring 2022 ILEARN 3-8: Orders for Uncontracted Braille Test Books Due January 13, 2022
Corporations and schools must contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment for any student whose formal plan requires the use of an uncontracted braille test book for the spring 2022 ILEARN 3-8 English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and/or Social Studies assessments. Please include the student’s nine-digit student test number (STN) in your message (no student names, please). Each uncontracted braille test book is created on an as-needed basis and must be requested by 12 p.m. ET on January 13, 2022. Late orders cannot be processed.
NEW: Spring 2022 ILEARN 3-8: Standard and Delayed Delivery Options for Initial Orders Shipments
Corporations and schools that report students’ paper accommodations via their Student Information System (SIS), Indiana IEP, Indiana ILP, and/or DOE-TA submission by January 26, 2022, will receive an onsite shipment of regular- and large-print assessment books. The initial order extract will reflect data captured in IDOE’s nightly Data Exchange refresh for regular- and large-print assessment books only (no braille). All initial order shipments will arrive in corporations on April 4, 2022. Corporation Test Coordinators (CTCs) who will not be onsite to collect their secure materials shipment on this date (e.g., school is closed for spring break) are encouraged to contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk no later than January 14, 2022 to request their initial order shipment arrive instead on April 11, 2022.
NEW: Non-Public Schools Interested in Applying for the National Blue Ribbon Award
Assessment percentiles that can be used to assist non-public schools in the application process for the 2022 Blue Ribbon awards are available in the IDOE School Accountability & Accreditation Moodle Community (Awards > Blue Ribbon), using enrollment key “AccountabilityCommunity.” The Blue Ribbon award application process for non-public schools is administered through the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), and the deadline for applications is January 7, 2022. Please email schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov with any questions regarding the assessment percentiles.
REMINDER: 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.
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 today, Friday, December 10 at 5 p.m. Schools should verify if their 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/.
REMINDER: 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.
REMINDER: 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: 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: Smart Snacks in School Requirements
As a reminder, all schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs (including the Seamless Summer Option) must comply with federal Smart Snacks in School standards for food and beverages sold to students during the defined school day (from midnight before the start of the school day until 30 minutes after dismissal). These standards apply to food and beverages sold a la carte, in a school store or library, vending machines, coffee carts, smoothie bars, and any other venues where food and beverages are sold to students - even if they are not operated by the school food service program. The state of Indiana has also instituted a policy that allows for a maximum of two fundraisers per school building, per school year that do not meet the Smart Snacks in School standards for food and beverages. To learn more about these standards as well as resources available to help your school comply, check out the latest edition of IDOE’s School Nutrition newsletter. Contact your assigned field specialist with any questions.
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: December 2021 State Tuition Support Monthly Distribution
Please read this memo regarding the December 2021 State Tuition Support Monthly Distribution, which reflects updated funding estimates using actual counts for Career and Technical Education and Honors grants. If you have questions, please email schoolfinance@doe.in.gov.
NEW: I-CHAMP Timelines for Dispute Resolution
The IDOE Office of Special Education’s Indiana Complaint, Hearing, and Mediation Process (I-CHAMP) is available with self-service features for Due Process procedural use. Timelines for dispute resolution matters are not dependent on school days, and the Office of Special Education cannot extend complaint investigation timelines due to school holidays or school calendars. Please contact the I-CHAMP Dispute Resolution Team with any questions.
NEW: Action Needed On 1% Calculation to Finalize Waiver Submission
The Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Planning Tool was sent to local educational agencies (LEAs) on Thursday, November 18, and contains a tab with 1% data from the 2020-2021 school year. The RDA Planning Tool includes directions for completing a required Alternate Assessment Assurance and Justification Survey for corporations with over 1% of students taking Indiana’s Alternate Measure (I AM) assessment. Please ensure that this survey is submitted by Friday, December 17 for public posting to IDOE’s website the week of Monday, December 27. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: IDOE Seeking Public Comment On Waiver Extension Request To Federal 1% Cap On Alternate Assessments
IDOE is seeking 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 requires all students enrolled in public and non-public K-12 schools to be assessed either with accommodations, without accommodations, or with an alternate assessment. For each subject for which assessments are administered, the total number of students assessed in that subject using an alternate assessment may not exceed 1% of the total number of students in the state. The proposed waiver extension request is available for review here. Any individual or organization may submit written comments on the proposed waiver extension pursuant to 34 C.F.R.§200.6(c)(4). Public comment will be accepted through Friday, December 24. Please direct any questions to IDOE’s Office of Special Education.
NEW: Implementation Guidance for Indiana Standards
The IDOE Office of Teaching and Learning created Implementation Guidance for Indiana Standards Revisions to help schools plan and prepare for scheduled standards revisions, implementation, and assessment. Please contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Learning Guidance
Some corporations may experience an increased need for virtual learning as inclement weather is anticipated in the coming weeks. A new Virtual Learning Guidance document summarizes key considerations for corporations and schools. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Digital Learning Speaker List
The Indiana Digital Learning Speaker List was curated to identify and connect talented presenters who can provide local expertise for both the Summer of Learning conference series as well as for state and district professional development sessions. If you are looking for someone to lead professional development in your corporation, please see the newly published list here. Those interested in being added to the speaker list can also apply here. Speakers are asked to provide references and evidence of expertise as part of a vetting process. Please contact IDOE's Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: 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.
NEW FROM THE DISTRESSED UNIT APPEAL BOARD: Fiscal Indicators Dashboard Updated
The Distressed Unit Appeals Board has refreshed the data on its fiscal indicators dashboard. All superintendents (or their designee) are required by IC 5-13-7-8 to submit a written report to their local board of finance during their annual meeting in January assessing the financial condition of the school corporation based on these indicators. Contact indicators@duab.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM REACH HIGHER, COMMON APP, COLLEGE WISE & THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION: Counselors Invited to Celebrate Excellence in College Counseling
On January 7, 2022, high school counselors and counselors from community-based organizations are invited to the Excellence in College Counseling event, which will recognize the noteworthy accomplishments of Indiana’s school counselors with a full schedule of professional development. The programming will focus on sharing resources and best practices to support students seeking high-quality postsecondary options that fit their needs and dreams. Excellence in College Counseling takes place during College Football's 2022 championship weekend and prior to the College Football Playoff Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers Summit. More information and registration are available here. Please contact Meredith Lombardi with any questions.
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.
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