This week marked a significant shift in our state’s COVID-19 response operations that impact schools and local health departments. If you did not see the news yesterday, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is no longer recommending contract tracing and quarantining in schools beginning Wednesday, February 23. It was also announced that schools no longer need to report any COVID-19 case information to IDOH and that the school dashboard will be discontinued. You can read more about these changes and recommendations here.
I cannot emphasize enough how much your commitment to student safety, academic, and overall wellbeing has helped to make this day possible. As COVID-19 cases in Indiana decline rapidly, we are also much better equipped to manage it today than we were two years ago. Thank you for your patience and perseverance as we have navigated this uncharted territory together, and as always, thank you for everything you do for our Indiana students!
As educators, in addition to making sure our students are supported and safe, we also work hard to provide our Indiana students with a full and factual account of our country’s historical events, shortcomings, and progress. We must continue to highlight a diverse set of influential historical figures who are role models for Indiana’s students, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year. Of course this always includes highly-recognizable leaders like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr….and I could go on and on…
Last February (2021), I highlighted another individual whom I consider to be one of my most inspirational historical icons…she was a tenacious, legendary female entrepreneur who also happens to have Hoosier roots - Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove). I encourage you to look into her remarkable story, if you have not already.
Today, I’d like to highlight another inspirational Black leader whom I recently had the opportunity to learn more about, Wilma Rudolph. Also with an Indiana connection, Wilma Rudolph overcame a tough childhood battle with polio, having been told by physicians, "You will never walk again.” She did. She most definitely did…and she proceeded to win three gold medals in track and field in the 1960 Olympics.
Perseverance, resilience, work ethic…an incredible person who had the courage, strength, and belief that allowed her to not only walk again, but also earn the title of “fastest woman in the world.”
Even those who are familiar with her accomplishments as an international track and field star may not be familiar with her connections to Indiana education. After being named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in 1961, she went on to graduate from Tennessee State University (her home state) and began working in education.
In 1987, she joined Indiana’s DePauw University in Greencastle as director of the women's track program, where she also served as a special consultant to the president on minority affairs. While serving at DePauw, Wilma continued to head the Wilma Rudolph Foundation in Indianapolis, which she founded to develop disadvantaged youths through both sports and academics.
As an educator, Wilma considered working with students the most important aspect of her life and utilized her triumphs, challenges, and experiences to inspire youth, particularly minority youth, to pursue education…making her yet another incredible person and leader who continues to impact generations of Hoosiers and Americans.
This Black History Month and always, thank you to Wilma Rudolph and so many others who have shaped our nation during their life and leave behind a legacy that others aspire to carry on.
Thank you for all you do for Indiana students!
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NEW: Applications for Indiana Assessment Item Writers Now Open
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is currently accepting applications for item writers for the ILEARN suite of assessments during the summer and fall of 2022. IDOE partners with educators to write items measuring Indiana Academic Standards. Please see this flyer for additional information. Those interested may apply here. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: WIDA ACCESS Online Test Window Extension
Due to challenges presented by the Data Recognition Corporation’s (DRC) intermittent service interruptions and inclement weather earlier this month, the WIDA ACCESS Online test window has been extended by one week. Online testing will remain open through Friday, March 4. To ensure reporting timelines remain intact, all paper testing must still be completed by Friday, February 25. All secure test materials must be postmarked for return to DRC by Wednesday, March 2. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Assessment Data Forensics Analysis 2021-2022
IDOE receives data forensics following each assessment window to provide schools with accurate testing data. This memo provides additional information for spring 2022 regarding the process of review. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: ISTEP+ Retest Spring 2022 and ILEARN Biology ECA Winter 2022 Monitoring
IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment will conduct monitoring visits during the ISTEP+ Retest Spring 2022 and ILEARN Biology ECA Winter 2022 assessment windows. Please ensure that school administrators and staff are aware that these on-site and virtual visits will be conducted. Click here for more details. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: Opt-In - Early Indicator of Student Reading Proficiency
When it comes to the fundamentals, data shows that the roadmap of opportunity is endless for students who are literate by the end of grade three. IDOE is committed to supporting early literacy by providing reading proficiency information earlier, allowing schools to respond quickly and provide targeted support for students who need it most. IDOE is offering the opportunity for schools to administer IREAD-3 to grade two students, beginning with the Spring 2022 IREAD-3 administration, as an optional administration by schools.
- Early indicator of proficiency means earlier intervention and support for students.
- Early reading support leads to higher rates of reading success at grade three.
- Early reading support may lead to reduced numbers of Good Cause Exemptions needed at grade three.
- Students who pass IREAD-3 in grade two have reduced testing requirements at grade three.
Additional details on this exciting opportunity can be found here. Submit this JotForm by Tuesday, March 1, to officially opt in. Schools are invited (not required) to participate, and currently, more than 220 schools have opted in. IDOE may reach out to additional schools to participate to ensure that there is a representative sample of student data for the “On Track'' cut score. Grade two teachers should review the Test Administrator (TA) Certification Course and be included in similar IREAD-3 test administration, test security refresher, and accommodations training, as applicable. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: IDOE's New Educator Talent Acquisition Platform
All Indiana superintendents and/or HR directors are encouraged to review this information related to the transition from IDOE’s current job bank to the Educator Talent Acquisition Platform in partnership with Nimble. Additional information this partnership can be found here. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
REMINDER: Applications for Spanish Visiting Teacher Program
Details for the school year 2022-2023 Spanish Visiting Teacher Program can be found here. Districts may also express interest by completing the following JotForm. The application deadline is Friday, March 18. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
NEW: Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy
Registration for the Spring Advanced Training 2022 is now open. The training will be held from Thursday, May 19, through Friday, May 20, at the Westin Indianapolis. Registration can be completed here. Contact Steve Balko with any questions.
REMINDER: FY 2023 Indirect Cost Rates
Beginning Tuesday, March 1, local educational agencies (LEAs) are eligible to apply for FY 2023 Indirect Cost Rates. Please read the following memo, which includes application instructions. Contact icr@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Suicide Prevention Training
The IDOE Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement is offering free, in-person Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training. QPR is an evidence-based program that ensures every participant will be able to recognize the signs of someone in distress who may be having suicidal thoughts; to engage; and todeescalate the crisis. This training is two hours in length and can count toward professional growth points for licensure renewal. Contact Jason Murrey to participate in this training and for any questions.
REMINDER: Diploma Seals Order Form
The online form to order diploma seals for the 2022 Cohort is now live. Please see this memo for additional information. Contact Michelle Clarke with any questions.
NEW: Office Hours with IDOE’s Office of Special Education and IN*SOURCE
Please join IDOE and IN*SOURCE on Tuesday, February 22, from 12 to 1 p.m. ET or 6 to 7 p.m. ET to discuss procedural safeguards for students with disabilities. Contact the Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: English Learner (EL) Leadership Meeting on Wednesday, February 23
School and district EL leaders are invited to join IDOE’s EL team virtually on Wednesday, February 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET for the February EL Leadership meeting. The meeting will cover a variety of EL topics, such as state and federal grant updates, WIDA ACCESS wrap-up, upcoming professional development (PD), WIDA Standards rollout, the Dual Language Immersion Grant, and more. No registration is required, and meeting links and information can be found on the Indiana English Learner PD Opportunities Calendar. Contact Adam Pitt with any questions.
NEW: Science of Reading Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Now Available
IDOE compiled FAQs based on recent educator feedback related to Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy to help schools implement evidence-based practices aligned with the Science of Reading. This document will be updated throughout the upcoming weeks and months, as needed, based on educator interest and feedback. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Learning Lab Course on Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices for High School Now Available
IDOE is excited to release the next course in the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices series in the Indiana Learning Lab. This course, Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices for High School, is worth three Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points. Learn more and access the course here. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: IN Learning Partnership Live Stream Summit
On Thursday, February 24, the IN Learning Partnership will present the Coaching Into the Future Live Stream from 1 to 3:30 p.m. ET. Join us every 30 minutes on Keep Indiana Learning’s YouTube Channel to hear from technology coaches, librarians, match coaches, and instructional coaches as they discuss topics relevant to these supporting roles. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: February PD with IDOE
IDOE wants to share the love of learning in the Learning Lab each Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Join IDOE on Wednesday, February 23, for the session Results Driven Accountability - Moving Forward to discuss the purpose of Results Driven Accountability, learn about IDOE updates, and provide stakeholder input. Information on this session can be found here. To register for upcoming workshops, create a free Learning Lab account by visiting the LINK Portal or the Indiana Learning Lab website directly and using your school email to log in. You may also suggest a topic for future PD with IDOE sessions by completing this form. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana’s Early Literacy and STEM Initiatives - Opt-In Window Open Now Through Friday, April 8
Indiana schools may now apply to opt in to the voluntary coalition with IDOE to implement evidence-based early literacy practices in alignment with the Science of Reading or integrate high-quality STEM instruction. Implementation of both programs will involve the use of a locally-managed coaching model. IDOE will provide collaboration and training opportunities at no cost for participating schools. Review more opt-in implementation details related to Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy and Indiana’s Priorities for STEM Education and formally indicate your school’s interest by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, April 8. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Upcoming Learning Lab Presentation - Science of Reading Overview
The Science of Reading is an integral component of Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy. IDOE invites educators to attend an upcoming Learning Lab presentation on Thursday, February 24, at 4 p.m. ET hosted by Dr. Kelly Williams, Assistant Professor of Special Education and the Dyslexia Graduate Certificate Coordinator at Indiana University. Register for this session here. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: 2022 Digital Learning Grant
IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning is proud to announce the release of the 2022 Digital Learning Grant. This competitive grant opportunity is available to all public school corporations in the state of Indiana for the 2022-2023 school year. The grant application window will be open until 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 16. Please see this memo for more information on this grant opportunity. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Virtual Voyagers: Microlearning in Support of Virtual and Hybrid Programs
IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning continues the Virtual Voyagers series on Thursday, February 24, at 1 p.m. ET with Mentoring Online & Blended Teachers. This 45-minute microlearning session can be accessed using this flyer. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Digital Learning Day on Tuesday, February 22
Join the IN Learning Partnership on Tuesday, February 22, at 2 p.m. ET for a panel discussion, hosted by IDOE, regarding the current digital learning landscape and what educators can do to continue moving student learning forward. Register for the Digital Learning Day panel discussion here. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Register Now for Coach Edcamp on Monday, March 14
Digital Learning coaches - it’s time to reunite our coach family! Join us for an in-person Coach Edcamp on Monday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET, at the Center Grove Innovation Center. This professional learning opportunity, specifically for those in educational technology coaching and leadership roles, is a roundtable style, one-day conference. Register for this opportunity here. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: EANS II Updates and Upcoming Meetings
Indiana’s application for APR EANS (EANS II) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. IDOE is in the process of creating an eligible school listing, calculating preliminary allocations, and developing the application and budget template for these grants. These resources will be released on or before Sunday, February 27. IDOE will also host an upcoming informational webinar, in collaboration with ClassWallet, the Southern Indiana Education Center (SIEC), and representation from the Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA), to outline major topics in EANS II. This webinar will take place on Wednesday, February 23, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. ET and will include an opportunity for questions and answers from the field. Click here to register. Contact Lacey Bohlen with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: Changes in COVID-19 School Guidance
The Indiana Department of Health announced changes in COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools based on declining cases statewide. The following changes will become effective Wednesday, February 23:
- Schools no longer will be required to conduct contact tracing or report positive cases to IDOH.
- Schools no longer will need to quarantine students who are exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, regardless of vaccination status or whether the school requires masks.
- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days and may return on Day 6 if they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication so long as symptoms are improving, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Individuals should wear a mask through Day 10 any time they are around others inside their homes or in public.
To review guidance, click here. Contact backtoschool@isdh.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION: College Goal Sunday
College Goal Sunday, Indiana’s largest FAFSA filing event, will be held Sunday, February 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. (local time). Experts will be available at 40+ locations across Indiana to provide free help with filing the FAFSA. Students and families can reference this checklist to determine what information they’ll need to bring with them. Contact Barbie Martin with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD: Operation Force Multiplier Symposium
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana National Guard are hosting a seminar to show local emergency responders, government leaders, and school partners how the state coordinates with local leaders to respond to large-scale emergency situations. The event will be hosted virtually on Wednesday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is available here. Contact PIO@dhs.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE CENTRAL INDIANA EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER (CIESC): Fully-Funded Teacher Training Opportunity
Utilizing funding through the state’s Student Learning Recovery Grant program, CIESC has partnered with other members of the Educational Service Centers of Indiana and the Modern Classroom Project (MCP) to offer fully-funded training in MCP's instructional delivery model to 1,500 Indiana teachers (both preservice and inservice). Teachers can learn how to design a more student-centered classroom by enrolling in MCP's Virtual Mentorship Program at no cost to themselves or their schools. This includes 1:1 coaching, a full year of support, and 30 PGPs upon completion. Teachers may learn more about this opportunity and enroll in summer training by clicking here. The enrollment deadline for summer training is Monday, April 11. While availability is limited, school and university leaders looking to reserve a block of seats may click here. For additional information, please contact partnerships@modernclassrooms.org.
All Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) newsletters are located in one convenient location. Please find past issues here.
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