It’s really special when a big dream comes to fruition. And, in this case, it’s incredibly special when you can be a witness to someone else’s big dream coming to fruition…especially when that dream has a positive impact for students.
Over three years ago (pre-COVID!), I had the opportunity to join a discussion with a group of educators and leaders at Maconaquah School Corporation. The goal was to think big…and consider the possibilities for implementing BIG ideas that would set their students up for maximum success in the future. Located in rural Indiana, this Maconaquah team set goals that included increasing access to coursework leading to credentials of value for their students, understanding their local and regional workforce needs, and keeping their students’ interests top of mind!
So when I was in Miami County this week speaking with community leaders at the local Rotary Club, one of the stops I made on the way back to Indy was at Maconaquah Middle and High School. While they are still working on a few pieces (always opportunities for further progress!), I got to see their big dream coming to life and hear directly from students who were experiencing the positive impact.
I also had the opportunity to visit with two other Miami County superintendents at the Peru Rotary Club meeting and hear about the purposeful work they are leading! Below are some highlights from each...take a read!
Maconaquah School Corporation
Thanks to the leadership of Maconaquah’s superintendent, Dr. Jamey Callane, and their team, Maconaquah schools are focused on achieving continuous progress as they work to make every grade level count for their students. A few specific highlights…
- At Maconaquah Middle School (a STEM Certified School), they have established a partnership with Purdue University to support their teachers with professional development to help integrate high-quality STEM coursework into the classroom, setting a foundation for future STEM learning. Middle school students also have the opportunity to earn high school credit in subjects like world languages, agriculture, engineering design, physical education, and health, freeing up room in the schedule for intentional, skill development courses while in high school.
- In this agricultural community, Maconaquah recently purchased a 40-acre plot of land that will provide students with additional hands-on learning in animal science and plant/soil science. This nationally-recognized program is growing…both in land, and in yields! I hope to visit again in the near future to celebrate the accomplishment of their next “big dream”...expanding this program!
- With an emphasis on increasing educational attainment, Maconaquah has partnered with Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University Kokomo, and Ivy Tech to provide students access to earning stackable, industry-recognized credentials through dual credit. They even added a dual enrollment welding program in 2019 alongside Ivy Tech and a dual credit construction trades program in partnership with Ivy Tech and the Indiana-Kentucky-Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters!
North Miami Community Schools
Kenny Hanson, superintendent of North Miami Community Schools, is leading intentional work that connects this rural school to their community – working together to support unique opportunities for students.
- In elementary school, students have the opportunity to explore and engage in biomedical science, engineering, and computer science across the curriculum – with EVERY elementary teacher trained in Project Lead the Way Launch. Students also gain hands-on agricultural experience in partnership with Purdue Extension and North Miami High School FFA students.
- Students at North Miami High School have opportunities to take those skills they attained in earlier grades to the next level through their classes and co-curriculars. A couple such examples include:
- Building upon students’ early STEM skills, North Miami’s Warrior Robotics team is a four-time state champ and two-time WORLD qualifier!
- Additionally, nearly half of all juniors and seniors participate in programs through Heartland Career Center, with one-third of students experiencing internships in pathways such as:
- Industrial Automation & Robotics;
- Digital Design-Graphic Design;
- Entrepreneurship;
- Education Professions;
- Cybersecurity; and
- Criminal Justice.
Peru Community Schools
Sam Watkins, the superintendent of Peru Community Schools, also has a lot to be proud of when it comes to supporting student success.
- In elementary school, Peru Community Schools has hired licensed literacy and data coaches to support evidence-based instruction…and it’s working. More than 90% of all Peru students are reaching proficiency on IREAD-3, which is well above the state average of 81.2%.
Side note: IDOE is supporting a similar coaching model next school year in partnership with more than 100 schools across the state (more on this here)...and I look forward to sharing more updates on this program as implementation begins in the fall.
- These fundamental reading skills set the foundation for students’ future success. Last year at Peru High School:
- Students earned 2,082 dual credits - saving $728,000 in college tuition
- 23% of their seniors will be graduating with the Indiana College Core
- Eight students will be graduating with associate’s degrees in hand
- More than 120 students study at the Heartland Career Center daily, earning CTE certificates that open doors for future success.
- Juniors and seniors have access to internships – allowing them to engage in the pathways of their choice!
Now is definitely the time that we need to dream big, be bold, and continue to keep our students top of mind! Thank you for all you do!
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NEW: Virtual Student Instructional Days
We understand many of you have questions regarding the recently-passed legislation regarding virtual student instructional days. While we had hoped to have a guidance memo for you today on this topic, we want to provide a bit more time for our attorneys to thoroughly review the intricacies of the law so we can provide you with the best and most accurate guidance possible.
NEW: Leadership Series Professional Development on Thursday, April 28
IDOE offers educators a free professional development series highlighting early literacy and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) initiatives. Join IDOE and Purdue University staff in the Indiana Learning Lab for the upcoming session, Word Recognition: Phoneme/Grapheme Knowledge and Orthographic Mapping - Part 1, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Register for this and additional live presentations here. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Mathematics Self-Paced Courses Now Available in the Indiana Learning Lab
IDOE, in collaboration with Five Star Technology, has released four new self-paced courses in the Indiana Learning Lab. These two-part courses for middle and high school mathematics teachers are aimed at providing educators with strategies to foster effective classroom conversations around the mathematics concepts being covered. View the middle school collection here, and the high school collection here. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: 2022 Digital Learning Grant Recipients Announced
The Office of Digital Learning is pleased to announce the 2022 Digital Learning Grant recipients! This competitive grant opportunity continues the work around high-quality blended and online teaching practices by focusing on three strands concerning blended and online learning best practices, training and support of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and the purchase and training of assistive technologies. Fifty one school corporations will be receiving these grant funds. IDOE appreciates all grant applicants for their time and commitment in applying for this opportunity. For more information and the list of recipients, please view this memo. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Parent and Family Resources in the Learning Lab
The Indiana Learning Lab is a fantastic tool for educators and now there are new resources for parents and families! This flyer can be sent to parents and families to support their students with literacy, mathematics, digital tools, and more. Educators fielding questions from parents and families can also access vetted resources to share. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: April Professional Development (PD) Playbook – Strengthening Relationships with Families
Academic support and recovery requires the engagement of all community partners, including parents and families. IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning’s fourth installment of the PD Playbook is now available in the Indiana Learning Lab. April’s PD Playbook: Strengthening Relationships with Families focuses on the importance of building and maintaining connections with parents and families. These resources can be used in staff sessions or as a resource to give to teachers interested in the topic. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana Course Access Portal (iCAP) Reimbursement
The Office of Digital Learning is offering an opportunity to temporarily reimburse schools for student iCAP enrollments for the 2022-2023 school year. Please see this memo for additional information. iCAP, Indiana Code 20-30-16, currently offers over 180 course options from seven course providers. Applications are open and can be found here. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions
REMINDER: April PD with IDOE
IDOE has new Wednesday PD opportunities in the Indiana Learning Lab. View this April flyer for more information regarding upcoming sessions. To register for 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. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: School & Corporation Profile Amendment Window
The school and corporation profile amendment submission window for the 2022-2023 school year will open on Monday, May 2. In order to ensure the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) maintains accurate information, all schools and school corporations must provide notice when changes are made that affect school openings, closures, and reconfigurations. Information on the submission process may be found here. Contact schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Standards in Essential Need of Support (SENS) Available Friday, April 29
IDOE will identify academic standards in essential need of support (SENS) for mathematics and English/language arts for kindergarten through grade eight each year beginning in April 2022. These standards combine information about content priorities and student performance to help teachers target standards where additional support is most needed. The first set of SENS and accompanying resources will be published on Friday, April 29. These resources below can help teachers prepare for the release to understand what is coming.
Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Dyslexia Resources for Educators and Teachers
IDOE recently uploaded new resources to the dyslexia webpage. Included in the updates is a Parent Resource Guide, which lists ways to support students with learning characteristics related to dyslexia, a parent notification letter, and a consent administration template. Review IDOE’s 2022-2023 Dyslexia Guidance for Schools for additional information. Contact Andrea Washington, IDOE Dyslexia Specialist, with any questions.
REMINDER: ILEARN 3-8, Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA), and U.S. Government ECA Begin on Monday, April 18
Spring testing windows for online and paper administrations of ILEARN 3-8, ILEARN Biology ECA, and ILEARN U.S. Government ECA are currently open. Practice tests must be administered prior to the operational assessment to practice accessing the test, and schools must review that appropriate student accommodations are shown in the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE). Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions regarding policy and participation, and the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with testing functionality questions.
REMINDER: Academic Impact Needs Assessment Survey: Feedback Requested from Administrators, Educators, and Parents Due Today, Friday, April 22
IDOE in partnership with the National Center for Assessment released initial findings from the Academic Impact Study in July 2021. ILEARN results indicated Black, Hispanic, English learner (EL), and free/reduced lunch students experienced a significant impact in English/language arts (ELA) and mathematics, while special education students experienced a moderate-to-significant impact in ELA and a moderate impact in math. This presentation to the Indiana State Board of Education provides more details.
IDOE is seeking feedback from administrators, educators, and parents/caregivers. Schools can access a print or digital parent flyer to share the survey opportunity with interested parents/caregivers. Responses are voluntary and will assist IDOE with planning for grants, resources, and training to assist school corporations with addressing the academic impact of these identified student populations during the 2022-2023 school year. Surveys may be accessed using the links above that describe each individual's role and must be submitted by 4 p.m. ET today, Friday, April 22.
REMINDER: Nominate an Educator for Indiana History Teacher of the Year
In partnership with IDOE, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History annually awards the Indiana History Teacher of the Year title in an effort to promote the study and love of American history. State winners are then considered for the National History Teacher of the Year award. More information about the process can be found here. The deadline for nominations is Saturday, April 30. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
REMINDER: Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Cohort 4 Applications Open
Applications are open through Friday, May 6, to participate in the 2022 Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Cohort 4. IDOE's partnership with the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters and Gibraltar Design will allow participants to engage in innovative professional development facilitating growth as teacher leaders. To learn more information, or to apply, click here. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
NEW: Data Exchange SIS Vendor Badging Update
NHA and Sycamore have both been recently badged for March 2022. The department is continually working with SIS vendors toward their Indiana Ed-Fi badging of specific data elements required for 2021-2022 reporting in Data Exchange. The 2022 Data Exchange Vendor Certification Status list is updated regularly for schools to check the status of SIS vendors.
Vendors who have obtained March 2022 badging are now certified for reporting all of staff and student data for ‘CP/CC’ reporting, and all year-end programs associated to students (high ability, homeless, foster, military parent, title, alternative education, homebound, section 504, and unaccompanied youth).
NEW: School Office Hours for Data Exchange in Moodle
The Office of Information Technology will be hosting weekly office hours on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon ET and Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. ET. These office hours are intended for school personnel and may include a chance for staff to ask questions and troubleshoot data reporting requirements with Data Exchange implementation or a mini training on specific topics. School personnel should check the Moodle Data Exchange Training and Community for up-to-date information on what school office hours will cover each week. The open session office hours are not recorded but there will be an Excel document of questions with answers posted in Moodle the day following each session. The mini training sessions will be recorded and posted in Moodle at the end of each week along with any resources provided during the training. To join the office hours, log in to the Data Exchange Training and Community course in Moodle and select the page for Data Exchange Office Hours.
REMINDER: FY 2023 Indirect Cost Rates
The Office of School Finance is accepting applications from Local Education Agencies eligible to receive FY 2023 Indirect Cost Rates. Entities, including school corporations and charter schools, that provided Form 9 financial information for FY 2021 are eligible to receive a restricted and an unrestricted indirect cost rate in FY 2023. New charter schools are eligible to apply, but will be subject to the median rate. The following memo includes the application instructions. Contact icr@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual Office of School Finance Budget Workshop
The Annual Office of School Finance Budget Workshop will be held virtually on Thursday, June 30. Staff will provide updates on the tuition support formula, data exchange, and other legislation affecting school finance. The agenda and registration process will be made available closer to the workshop. Contact schoolfinance@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual 1003 Flexibility Waivers
IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation is now accepting applications for 1003 flexibility waivers. The following revised guidance was developed to help local school districts promote innovative approaches to transform student learning. Interested officials can read more about the opportunity on the State Board of Education’s website. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Sunday, June 5. Contact schoolimprovement@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Employability Skills Innovation & Implementation Grant
Today, IDOE released the Employability Skills Innovation and Implementation Grant which is designed to foster innovation in the development of students’ employability skills. Interested applicants can submit their online application here by Friday, May 27. For technical support or application clarity, applicants can contact Engagement@doe.in.gov.
NEW: IDOE Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) Grant Session Recordings
IDOE is now accepting applications for the new Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) Grant through Friday, May 13. The 3E Grant is aimed at helping schools and communities strengthen, expand, and create effective pre-K to career pathways and linkages. To better support applicants through the application process, recordings of informational sessions are now available on the 3E Grant website along with the 3E Grant Frequently Asked Questions document. Contact StudentPathways@doe.in.gov with any additional questions.
NEW: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Thursday, May 5, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Green ribbons will be displayed during the month of May to show solidarity with those that may be struggling and promote positive mental health and wellness for all. Click here for more ideas on how your school community can celebrate and raise awareness.
NEW: English Learner (EL) Office Hours on Wednesday, April 27
Join the English Learners and Migrant Education team virtually for EL Office Hours from 3 to 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 27, for discussion surrounding the topic Schoolwide Programming for ELs. Submit any questions regarding this topic through the IDOE EL Office Hours Interest Survey. For more information about how to join the virtual meeting, visit the Indiana EL Professional Development Opportunities Calendar. No registration is required. Contact Adam Pitt, IDOE Assistant Director of English Learners & Migrant Education, with any questions.
NEW: Indiana ILP System Training on Thursday, April 28
A virtual training for Indiana ILP users, both new and experienced, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 28. The first hour will be an introductory overview of the system intended for new and prospective users, and the second hour will provide an in-depth review of tools within the system for experienced users. No registration is required, and access to the training can be found on the Indiana EL Professional Development Opportunities Calendar. Contact Adam Pitt with any questions.
NEW: Migrant Education Program (MEP) Work Survey
In accordance with federal regulations, the MEP Work Survey must be administered annually to all students in Indiana. The work survey should be included in the students' annual registration packet and schools must keep this survey on file until the following year. Upon receipt of any positive responses to the first two questions, corporations must contact their respective Migrant Regional Center (MRC) to determine final eligibility. MRCs will provide additional services for eligible migrant students. More information and frequently asked questions about the MEP can be found on the MEP webpage. Contact Emily Salinas, IDOE Migrant Education Specialist, with any questions.
REMINDER: Funding Sources for Students with Exceptional Needs
A list of funding sources available to LEAs to cover costs (whole or in-part) for residential placements, day school, or 1:1 specialized services can be accessed here. LEAs should utilize these funds prior to applying for funding or invoicing through Special Education Excess Costs (SEEC) to ensure that IDOE can cover the most-costly and exceptional student needs. Contact the Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA SCHOOL HEALTH NETWORK: Annual Conference Monday, June 20 through Tuesday, June 21
Join the Indiana School Health Network for the Annual Conference on Monday, June 20 through Tuesday, June 21. For additional details and to register for the conference, visit the Indiana School Health Network Conference website. The registration deadline is Wednesday, June 15. Contact Covering Kids & Families with any questions.
NEW FROM ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY: 2022 Sustainable Alternative Energies Summer Boot Camp
Rose-Hulman PRISM will be facilitating two Sustainable Alternative Energies Summer Boot Camps for Indiana teachers this summer. STEM teachers for grade 4 through grade 12 who teach units on sustainable and alternative energies are invited to apply. Upon completion, and after fully participating in the institute, each teacher will receive a kit of supplies containing materials for all the lab activities done during the institute. Teachers can also receive 45 Professional Growth Points to apply on their Indiana teacher’s license renewal. More information is available here.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (INDOT): Helmets Available Through The Bike IN Safe Program
INDOT wants to make sure every kindergarten, first, and second grade student in Indiana who needs a bike helmet has one. The Bike IN Safe program is a way for elementary schools to partner with INDOT to help make bike safety information and gear available for students, because with proper safety gear comes bicycle safety knowledge. For more information or to register for helmets, visit bikesafeindiana.com or call the INDOT customer service line at 1-855-463-6848.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA YOUTH INSTITUTE: IYI 2022 Data Book Now Available
The 28th edition of Indiana Youth Institute Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book for 2022 is now available. Published annually, the Data Book is designed to be the go-to source for the latest research and information on child well-being in Indiana. IYI’s 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book examines data intersectionality with a focus on the systematic disparities facing many Hoosier children and the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The complete data book is available here. To learn more, please visit www.iyi.org.
UPDATE FROM TEACH PLUS: Teach Plus Policy Fellowship
Applications are now open for the Teach Plus 2022-23 Indiana Teaching Policy Fellowship, which trains teachers on education policy, advocacy, research, and community outreach while they stay in the classroom with their students. The application deadline has been extended to this Sunday, April 24. More information is available here.
REMINDER FROM SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA: Voya Unsung Heroes Scholarship for Educators
Scholarship America is encouraging educator to apply for the Voya Unsung Heroes program to fund innovative classroom projects. Interested educators can learn more and fill out the online application through Saturday, April 30. Contact Voya at (507) 931-1682 or (800) 537-4180, or email unsungheroes@scholarshipamerica.org with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE 2022 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF INDIANAPOLIS HOST COMMITTEE: Special Ticket Offer for the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS)
The stars of the NTT IndyCar Series will take on the action-packed IMS road course for the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 14. The College Football Playoff Indianapolis Host Committee is offering educators a special offer of $10 off reserved seats and $5 off General Admission tickets. Please visit IMS.com/cfpteachers to redeem this offer. Contact 317-492-6700, 800-822-4639, or email ticketsales@brickyard.com with any questions.
REMINDER FROM TEACH INDY: Virtual Education Conference
Teach Indy will be hosting an Educators Conference on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30. This free virtual event is designed to elevate and support the work of Indianapolis’ exceptional educators, with opportunities to network and share best practices, learn and develop professionally, and celebrate the recognition of fellow teachers. Learn more and register here.
All Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) newsletters are located in one convenient location. Please find past issues here.
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