With 16% of Indiana’s 1.12 million students receiving special education services, it is essential that we continue to recruit, train, and retain our educators in the classroom who can provide these students with the best support and resources they need to learn and thrive. As we all see firsthand on a daily basis, teachers are the difference-makers in maximizing our students’ learning and development, and our IDOE team is committed to continuing to partner with you to grow and support our educator pipeline.
In April, the State Board of Education (SBOE) approved a new license option and additional transition to teaching programs to support local schools as we seek to grow the pipeline of educators in this high-demand field. Since this time of year is our most active hiring season in preparation for next school year (hard to believe since summer is just beginning!), I’d like to highlight and make sure you’re aware of two options available to increase high-quality special education teachers and leaders. By the way, both of these solution ideas were developed in partnership with Indiana educators!
Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure (I-SEAL) Initiative
Many education leaders and advocates came to the table to develop this one! In partnership with the University of Indianapolis’ Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), the I-SEAL initiative works to streamline the required coursework for teachers to earn full special education licensure. I-SEAL also provides financial assistance and scholarships to educators while they complete these requirements.
Since launching in November 2021, more than 430 people have been in contact with I-SEAL program administrators to express interest and gain more information on the initiative, including current teachers at more than 150 school districts statewide. To date, 350 people have enrolled in a special education program through support of the program, and 19 people have received test preparation support for the licensing exam.
Upon completion of an educator preparation program, a transition to teaching program, or an I-SEAL graduate program (in addition to completion of all required state licensing exams), individuals become eligible for a special education license. Learn more about eligibility and apply for assistance by visiting IndianaSEAL.org.
ASSET
ASSET is a new transition to teaching program led by the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) designed as another innovative solution to the current special education teacher and leader shortage. ASSET is approved by the SBOE for educators with an active Indiana teaching license in any content area who are interested in adding mild interventions, intense interventions, or both to their existing teaching credentials.
Unique to the program, ASSET is offered at no cost to the participant, is embedded within the context of the candidate's work environment, and is designed to keep the candidate in the classroom through the duration of the program. The ability to keep a candidate in a classroom teaching while completing the program impacts about 30 students per candidate!
Through ASSET, teaching candidates will participate in an 11-month program that kicks off with a three-day intensive training in July at Franklin Community High School in Indianapolis. Following the training, candidates will participate in monthly meetings and check-ins with field experts to ensure support and remediation where necessary. Applications are still being considered for the July intensive training with additional opportunities in August as well…learn more at icase.org/ASSET.
During the month of June, our weekly newsletters will continue to focus on initiatives that support and improve the educator pipeline as we seek to continue elevating the mission and value of Indiana’s k-12 educators. As always, thank you for all you do for Indiana’s students!
|
REMINDER: Guidance on Instructional Time for Schools
IDOE has created a comprehensive guidance document that outlines the instructional time requirements for all public schools to supplement the memo released on Tuesday, April 26. The guidance document provides information regarding the legal requirements for instructional time, the use of virtual instruction during the school year, and instructional time flexibility. Please contact schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Check the Calendar Submissions in Data Exchange
Please check your calendar submissions in Data Exchange to make sure that the correct number of instructional days and minutes are showing. If not, please work with your data staff and/or SIS vendor to ensure accurate data. Contact schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Request for Public Comment on ESSA Addendum Submission
IDOE plans to submit an addendum to Indiana’s state ESSA plan regarding components of the federal accountability system and is currently seeking public comment on the draft addendum. The draft addendum is available for review here. Public comment should be submitted to IDOE via JotForm no later than Friday, June 10. Contact schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Live Presentation: Unpacking ILEARN Results for Conversation and Action on Wednesday, June 8
Join IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment from 10 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, for a presentation titled Unpacking ILEARN Results for Conversation and Action. IDOE will review reports and resources available to educators following the 2021-2022 ILEARN administration and demonstrate a data analysis protocol to use with school personnel. Register for the session here. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: Participation Requested: IREAD-3 Standard Setting Content Committee
IDOE invites general education teachers and special education teachers of K-3 schools to participate in the upcoming IREAD-3 ‘On-Track’ Cut Score Content Committee for grade two students. One two-hour virtual meeting, determined by participant availability, will be held on Tuesday, July 26. Educators who participate will receive a stipend. Interested applicants should complete this JotForm. Contact the Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Teacher Leaders Bootcamp, Cohort 4 Mentors and Participants Announced
IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent is excited to announce the 2022-2023 Teacher Leaders Bootcamp Cohort 4. A list of selected mentors and participants can be found here. Contact Anne Marie Milligan for more information.
REMINDER: Nominate an Educator for Teacher of the Year
The Indiana Teacher of the Year Program works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state. Local schools are encouraged to participate in an annual selection process and local Teacher(s) of the Year are encouraged to complete the state application process by Friday, July 1. More Information on the 2023 Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process can be found here. Contact Rebecca Estes for more information.
REMINDER: Vendor Badging Status
IDOE is continuously updating the vendor badging status on the Data Exchange Vendor Certification Status document on the Data Exchange website. Please check regularly to see your vendor’s ability to meet your data reporting requirements.
REMINDER: Moodle Updates
Course Completion, Certified Position, Graduate, Master Schedule, Alternative Education, Title I, Homebound/Hospitalized, and Special Education Evaluation, and Termination reporting guidance has been added to Moodle. Document types include training videos and documents, validation rules, and FAQ documents. You can also find templates and instructions for completion. Please take time to review these items so as to be best prepared for July 2022 requirements.
REMINDER: All July Data Sets Now Available
In preparation for the upcoming certifications of datasets in July 2022, IDOE has finished releasing all data sets. Schools are encouraged to begin syncing, validating, and reviewing this data in Data Exchange. To determine if your vendor has been certified on these data points, reference the Vendor Certification Status Sheet.
REMINDER: End-of-Year Reporting Information
Schools must ensure all end-of-year reporting is complete and ready for certification beginning Tuesday, July 5, and ending Friday, July 8. Data provided with dates through Thursday, June 30, will be included for certification. There are 12 ‘collections’ for July 2022 certification, and all 12 must be checked by the administration responsible for certification (or sign-off) even if the school had no data required or reported. The 'collections' for July 2022 certification are:
- Calendar
- Attendance
- Course Completion
- Certified Employee
- Additional Student Information
- Certified Position
- Homebound
- Special Education Termination
- Title I
- Alternative Education
- Special Education Evaluation
- Graduation
REMINDER: Student Safety Reporting Collection Period Now Open
Indiana’s Student Safety Reporting Law (IC 20-34-6-1) requires school corporations to report student bullying, arrest, and gang data for each school to IDOE. The collection period is now open and submissions must be made by Thursday, June 30. More information can be found here. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual Office of School Finance Budget Workshop
The Annual Office of School Finance Budget Workshop will be held on Thursday, June 30. The meeting will be virtual. Please read this memo regarding the workshop and to register for the virtual conference. Contact schoolfinance@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual Financial Report
Indiana Code 5-3-1-3 requires the secretary of each public school corporation to publish an Annual Financial Report (AFR). The AFR must be published annually during the publishing window which will open Monday, August 1, and close Monday, August 15. Guidelines are available here and can also be found in Moodle Finance. All AFRs must be submitted by Monday, August 15. Contact afr@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: Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Special Education Grant Assurances Due Friday, July 1
FY 2023 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Grant Assurances templates and instructions for using the Grant Management System are now available in the Office of Special Education Community in Moodle under Part B Grants for Special Education. To reserve the earliest reimbursement effective date for the FY 2023 Part B Grant period, corporations, charter schools, and state schools must correctly submit FY 2023 Part B Grant Assurances in the Grant Management System on or before Friday, July 1. Please contact the Office of Special Education with any questions.
REMINDER: FY 2021 Part B Grant Period Closes Friday, September 30
To ensure sufficient time for modification, review, and approval, submit all FY 2021 IDEA Part B grant budget modification requests by Thursday, September 15. All FY 2021 Part B funds must be encumbered by Friday, September 30. All FY 2021 Part B grant reimbursement requests must be submitted by Thursday, December 15. The form to request a FY 2021 Part B Grant Proportionate Share Waiver will become available on Friday, July 1. The deadline for the next round of Part B monitoring reports is Sunday, July 31. All Part B grant forms and related guidance are available under Part B Grants for Special Education in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community’s Fiscal section. Please contact the Office of Special Education’s Part B Grants team with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Annual English Learner (EL) Directors' Meetings Held Wednesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 11
The dates for the 2022-2023 school year annual EL directors' meetings have been set. These annual meetings are intended for Indiana K-12 EL program administrators, directors, or leaders. This year, the meetings will be held Wednesday, August 10, for new EL directors and Thursday, August 11, for all EL directors. This years' meetings will be held virtually with a combination of live and recorded sessions in the morning and afternoon. More details regarding timing and content are forthcoming, and will be found on the Indiana EL PD Opportunities Calendar as they become available. Please contact Adam Pitt with any questions.
REMINDER: Mental Health Resources for Educators, Students, and Families
In light of recent tragic events, the Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement has developed a resource document containing helpful information from nationally-recognized organizations to help families and educators navigate conversations with students surrounding these events. Contact the Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions.
NEW: 2022-2023 Early Intervention Grant (EIG) Guidance Now Available
The 2022-2023 EIG Guidance is now available for corporation- and school-level leaders. Please review the 2022-2023 EIG Guidance memo for important information such as eligibility requirements, the application process, and additional details. The EIG application window will be open Monday, June 13, through Friday, July 1. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: On-Demand Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
IDOE hosts weekly professional development sessions covering a broad range of topics for educators every Wednesday. All May sessions are now available on-demand in the Indiana Learning Lab:
Weekly PD with IDOE sessions will return in August. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with questions.
REMINDER: Earn Professional Growth Points (PGPs) with On-Demand Leadership Series
IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning is hosting a leadership series throughout the summer in the Indiana Learning Lab! Educators can earn PGPs by attending live or recorded events from engaging presenters in the STEM and literacy field. View the Leadership Series Collection to access previous events and register for upcoming sessions here. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: STEM Certification Updates: K-8 and Secondary Schools
IDOE’s STEM Team updated the STEM Certification process and rubric for K-8 schools and secondary schools. K-8 schools will have separate guidance and requirements for STEM Certification than high schools and career centers beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. A site visit rubric has also been added to the process, allowing K-8 schools to showcase their STEM initiatives as they apply for certification.
Secondary schools (junior/senior high schools, high schools, and career centers) will also follow separate guidance for the 2022-2023 school year, which is currently under development by IDOE following input from stakeholders. This updated guidance will be released in July with a series of kickoff meetings. Additional information regarding these updates can be found in this memo. Access current 2022-2023 STEM documents and forms on the STEM Certification webpage. Contact the Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Summer of Learning Conferences
After a two-year hiatus, IDOE’s Summer of Learning is back with 14 statewide conferences. The conferences kick off in early June, and the final conferences extend into August. Find an event near you on this interactive map of the conference sites throughout the state. View the full schedule on IDOE’s Digital Learning webpage. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with questions.
REMINDER: June Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
IDOE is hosting one day of events for the summer PD with IDOE offerings for the months of June and July. Join us from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 8, in the Indiana Learning Lab. Each 25-minute session will be hosted by an IDOE team member and will cover a variety of topics. View all sessions on our June Wednesday PD with IDOE flyer. July PD with IDOE will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 14. To register for workshops, create a free Learning Lab account by visiting the LINK Portal or the Indiana Learning Lab website directly and use your school email to log in. Contact the Office of Digital Learning with questions.
Reminder: Return to In-person Instruction Plans
U.S. Department of Education regulations require that a local education agency's (LEA’s) return to in-person instruction plans must be reviewed and revised as needed every six months, must include public comment, and be posted on the LEA’s public website. This will be required of ESSER III recipients for the statutory life of ESSER III, meaning plans will need to be updated every six months until September 30, 2023. Please note that the encumbrance deadline for ESSER III remains September 30, 2024; this does not extend the need to review plans as it only applies to encumbrance. The following schedule will apply to the return to in-person plans at the local level. IDOE is required to monitor return to in-person instruction plans.
| Initial Posting Deadline |
No later than June 24, 2021 |
| Second Review and Posting Deadline |
December 24, 2021 |
| Third Review and Posting Deadline |
June 24, 2022 |
| Fourth Review and Posting Deadline |
December 24, 2022 |
| Fifth and Final Review and Posting Deadline |
June 24, 2023 |
Please submit any new links to your in-person learning plan via this JotForm no later than
Friday, June 24.
NEW FROM COVERING KIDS AND FAMILIES: Indiana School Health Network Conference
Covering Kids & Families invites school leaders to attend the Indiana School Health Network Conference. This is an opportunity to attend stimulating breakout sessions led by dynamic speakers and subject matter experts and connect with like-minded educators across the state on a variety of school health topics. Please use this link to register. Contact Sarah Thompson with questions at sthompson@ckfindiana.org.
UPDATE FROM THE INDIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INSTITUTE FOR WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE: Work-Based Learning Needs and Opportunities in Indiana Educator Survey Deadline Extended
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce Institute for Workforce Excellence is seeking educators’ perspectives on work-based learning (internships, apprenticeships, etc.), so that future decisions may be shaped by those who are preparing Indiana’s students for good jobs. Please visit this link to provide input on work-based learning opportunities and the factors that affect the development and fulfillment of those opportunities. Questions should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and responses will be confidential. The link will close Friday, June 17. Please contact Peter Andersen with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE INDIANA COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATORS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (ICASE): ASSET Transition to Teaching Program
ASSET is a new transition to teaching program led by ICASE as a solution to the current special educator shortage. ASSET is approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) for anyone with an active Indiana teaching license in any content area who is interested in adding mild or intense interventions, special education licensure, or both, to their existing teaching credentials. Participants from various current roles in education will be required to maintain at least a small caseload of students with disabilities to meet ASSET program requirements. The non-credit-bearing 11-month ASSET program is aligned with the standards from the Council for Exceptional Children and leverages field expertise to ensure candidates are well-prepared to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to pass the state licensure exam after the completion of the program. ASSET is offered at no cost to the participant and is embedded within the context of the candidate's work environment. Learn more here.
REMINDER: National Down Syndrome Summit: On the Road Conference on Saturday, June 11
Join the National Down Syndrome Society and Down Syndrome Indiana on Saturday, June 11, for Adult Summit: On the Road! This one-day conference will be geared toward professionals and caregivers of teens and young adults to focus on the transitional years from pediatrics to adult services. Participants may attend in-person in Indianapolis or online. Tickets are available here, and educators may use their school email and the code ‘EDUCATE’ at checkout to receive 25% off conference registration. Educators may also earn PGP points for attending. Contact adultsummit@ndss.org with any questions.
REMINDER: 2022 Indiana Deaf Educators and Educational Interpreters Conference
The 2022 Indiana Deaf Educators and Educational Interpreters Conference will be held in Plainfield, IN on Thursday, June 16, and Friday, June 17. Click here for additional information and to register for this conference. Contact Jennifer Mesanovic, Promoting Achievement for Students with Sensory Loss (PASS) Project Director at Indiana State University with any questions.
REMINDER: CodeHS Summer Professional Learning
CodeHS is proud to partner this summer with IDOE to offer various free PD opportunities for Indiana teachers! These PD workshops cover computer science curriculum, pedagogy, instructional strategies, and teacher tools and resources. Whether you’re looking for virtual or in-person PD workshops this summer, CodeHS is offering a variety of formats to meet your needs. Contact CodeHS with any questions.
All Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) newsletters are located in one convenient location. Please find past issues here.
|
