Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already almost here! Since schools have varying schedules next week, this will serve as the pre-Thanksgiving update. Not that you would, but next Friday is not a time you should read the IDOE weekly newsletter–I hope you’re with family and friends, maybe seizing the Black Friday shopping deals, or preparing your tailgate food for the IU/Purdue football game on Saturday! I’m hoping to do ALL of those things next Friday!
Thanksgiving, and the holiday season in general, causes a level of reflection with varying emotions…including loving the people who are around your table, deeply missing some who leave an empty chair, and for some of us, giving yourself a pep-talk for what you know will eventually shift from peaceful family dinner to heated family debate about any number of topics!
So often in the craziness of life and living in a world that is non-stop action and unprecedented connectedness, our worries, stressors, and preparing for “the next thing” on the to-do list often takes over our mind. While some people are very good and disciplined about having gratitude journals (and good for you, if you are one of those people!)…I’m totally guilty of not slowing down often enough to really shift my reflections–to reflect not on what needs to be done…but on areas of gratitude. And, this time of year serves as that key reminder to consider what we are thankful for…
Last year before Thanksgiving, I put a short-list out there–including, faith, family, friends, and having a student-focused team. Those all remain, 100%.
One that I’ll add to the list this year, that is often on my mind, is the opportunity each of us has to serve. At a time such as this – a time when our differences are often the focus, rather than our common ground…a time when students, families, our world are seeking renewed hope (and normalcy) after a tough few years–what a gift it is to have the opportunity to serve and make a positive impact on others.
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Every person reading this, regardless of where you live or your official role in your school or community, has the opportunity to improve the lives of others - and in our case, specifically, to improve the lives of our youth through education! And as a friendly reminder to all of us, while we cannot do all the good that the world needs, we most certainly know that the world needs all the good that we can do.
Thank you for seizing your opportunity to serve…and Happy Thanksgiving.
The next edition of Dr. Jenner's Weekly Update will be sent on Friday, December 2.
NEW: ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) Paper Material Orders Now Open
Corporation Test Coordinators (CTCs) and School Test Coordinators (STCs) may now place orders for paper-and-pencil testing materials for the fall 2022 ILEARN Biology ECA testing window through Friday, December 2. There will be no automatic material orders; all orders must be placed within the Test Information Distribution Engine (TIDE). Instructions for completing orders can be found on page 22 of the TIDE User Guide. View the ILEARN Milestones for a full overview of deadlines. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.
REMINDER: Apply for the Formative & Dyslexia Assessment Program Approval Committees
IDOE is seeking committee members to evaluate assessment programs for potential approval within the Formative Assessment Grant and for dyslexia screener and diagnostic assessment programs for the 2023-2024 school year.
Contact the Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE’s) Office of Student Assessment with questions.
NEW: School Year 2022-2023 Teacher Appreciation Grant Allocations
School year 2022-2023 Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) allocations can be found here. Funds will be distributed on Friday, December 2. To ensure IDOE is collecting accurate information about the use of TAG funds, please complete this quick questionnaire by January 16, 2023. Contact TAG@doe.in.gov with any questions.
UPDATE: Student Information System (SIS) Vendor Status
A complete list of vendors working to become Indiana Ed-Fi certified can be found on the Data Exchange webpage.
REMINDER: Student Test Numbers (STN) and School Personnel Numbers (SPN) Transition to State Ed-ID Portal
IDOE is excited to announce Ed-ID, a new system for generating IDs for students and educators. Ed-ID will provide IDs to educators from early childhood settings through secondary settings. This new approach will allow more versatility for the generation and use of IDs across a variety of state agencies involved in student learning and will improve the management of these IDs through a centralized service. The transition will begin on Wednesday, December 14, with the new Ed-ID portal up and running shortly afterwards. IDOE expects the upgrade to take one week to 10 days and will communicate when the new Ed-ID portal is available for use. More information may be found in this memo. Contact link@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Data Exchange Upgrade Planned for 2024
Data Exchange (DEX) will be moving to Ed-Fi ODS/API for Suite 3 v6.0 (Data Standard for Suite 3 v4.0a) for the 2023-2024 school year. This upgrade includes the latest technical updates provided by Ed-Fi, including enhanced data standards and security advancements. There will be minimal changes to the Data Exchange portal user interface. Additional information regarding project timelines, deliverables, and vendor certification will be provided at a later date. Contact IDOE's Data Exchange Team with any questions.
NEW: Summer School Final Reimbursement
IDOE's Office of School Finance has determined the reimbursement of summer school costs based on the 2022 Summer School Final Cost Reports submitted by eligible school corporations and charter schools. The payment for 2022 summer school programs will occur on Monday, November 21. Additional information and the detailed list of distributions can be found here. Please contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Form 9 Financial Data Reporting System
IDOE has modernized the Form 9 Financial Data system utilizing newer technologies. Please read this memo regarding the update. As a part of this upgrade, IDOE will release the new Form 9 system within the IDOE LINK Portal, which recognizes all local schools' Google G-Suite or Microsoft credentials. This increased security means that financial staff will no longer need an IDOE username/password for this site. Chief financial officers and business managers are encouraged to work with the local LINK security coordinator to make sure that the financial administrator LINK role is configured appropriately. Please note that most financial staff already have this role set, as it was used in conjunction with Data Certification for sign-off within the Data Exchange system. Upon login to LINK, a new tile entitled Form 9 Financial Data will be available on Wednesday, December 28. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Next Generation School Improvement Planning Grants
The Office of School Support and Transformation is now accepting applications for planning grants as part of the Next Generation School Improvement Grant (SIG) program. This is a competitive grant to aid in school transformation and eligibility extends to all schools currently identified as Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) and Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) under Indiana’s ESSA Plan. View the grant overview here and a list of eligible schools here. The Title 1 SIG Application will remain open through Monday, December 5. The scoring rubric that will be used to evaluate the application can be found here. Contact IDOE's Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions.
NEW: Comprehensive School Counseling Grant Information Session
The recording of the Comprehensive School Counseling Grant information session is now available to view. Below are links to the presentation, a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document, and other resources to assist in the application process.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions.
REMINDER: Upcoming PREPaRE Workshops
IDOE, in collaboration with Project AWARE, is providing training opportunities for school personnel using the National Association of School Psychologists's PREPaRE model. These workshops will provide school personnel with comprehensive training on how to establish and serve on school crisis response teams. Four regional workshops will be offered, with the first being held in Bedford on Thursday, December 1, and Friday, December 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Participants must be able to attend both days. Please click here for more information on this training, and click here to register. Registration will close on Monday, November 22. For questions or inquiries about future training opportunities, please contact tcgmiller@gmail.com or info@projectawarein.org.
NEW: Individualized Education Program Technical Assistance Center (IEP TA Center) Feedback Form Requested
The IEP TA Center is seeking input from Indiana educators and administrators to plan upcoming universal training events. Please complete the brief needs assessment by Friday, December 2, to provide your input. Feedback will be used to plan no-cost training that will be offered regionally throughout the school year. Contact Marcee Wilburn with the IEP TA Center or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.
NEW: IEP TA Center Future Conference Opportunities
The IEP TA Center and IDOE are excited to introduce a new statewide conference focused on improving outcomes for students with disabilities. The conference is intended for general educators, special educators, and administrators and will take place at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center from November 28 to 29, 2023. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this inaugural event as more information and registration soon becomes available. Contact the IEP TA Center or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.
NEW: Virtual English Learner (EL) Leadership Meeting Registration Now Available
A virtual option for the EL Leadership Meeting centered on data-driven discussions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon ET on Thursday, December 8. This meeting is open to all EL leaders in the state seeking to collaborate with peers and requires participants to review local EL data in preparation. Complete the registration form for the meeting by Wednesday, November 23. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with questions.
NEW: Science of Reading Office Hours with IN*SOURCE
Join IDOE and IN*SOURCE during office hours to support efforts related to the science of reading on Tuesday, November 22, from noon to 1 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m. ET. Join both sessions via Zoom here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
REMINDER: Appeal Non-Compliant Transition Individualized Education Program (IEP) Findings by Friday, November 25
IDOE allows for an appeal process related to Transition IEPs that may have been found noncompliant and/or were unable to be corrected as part of the technical assistance process to ensure that RDA determinations accurately represent performance and compliance under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B. This appeal process is open through Friday, November 25. Submit appeal requests here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education monitoring team with any questions.
REMINDER: Special Education Excess Cost (SEEC) Office Hours
IDOE’s Office of Special Education will continue to hold office hours once a week throughout November to support schools in navigating changes to the SEEC fund. This is an opportunity for schools to ask questions regarding new information or situations specific to their district. No registration is needed, and you may join any of the sessions below.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
REMINDER: Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Release Tuesday, November 29
IDOE’s Office of Special Education will release the 2022 RDA Determinations through the LINK Portal. View this information for information about the RDA determination process. Specific information related to the application, staff types (roles), and resources will be shared prior to release. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: 2023-2024 Course Titles and Descriptions Now Available
The 2023-2024 Course Titles and Descriptions provide important guidance as school leaders prepare their school’s course and content offerings for the upcoming year. In addition to core content and general elective course updates, the 2023-2024 Course Titles and Descriptions include updates specific to career and technical education course offerings as transitions occur for the Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS). Codes listed before each program/course title and descriptions will be used for IDOE data reporting. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Update to Social Studies Standard 4.2.2 & Civics Standard C.6.9
IDOE implemented a revision for the grade four Indiana Academic Standard for social studies 4.2.2 for accuracy. The standard is updated with the correct language, and is reflected on IDOE’s Indiana Academic Standards Social Studies webpage. This revision also applies to the grade six civics standard C.6.9. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
UPDATE: November Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
November PD with IDOE sessions are focused on user feedback. Professional Development Request Live pulls from viewer feedback forms that have been submitted in the Indiana Learning Lab. PD with IDOE will take a holiday break next week, but previous sessions can be viewed on demand in the Indiana Learning Lab. The final request session will be #INLovesReading Through Purposeful Play. View a full list of November sessions on this flyer. 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. All previous PD sessions are available for on-demand viewing. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
UPDATE: 2022-2023 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant
Applications for the 2022-2023 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant are now open. The grant allows a school or corporation to design a plan to support parents with topics related to educational technology and blended/virtual learning environments. The grant application window will be open until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, December 2. See this memo for additional information. A recording of the grant support session is now available in the Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Register Now for the Transition to Kindergarten Virtual Summit on Friday, December 2
IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness and the Family and Social Services Administration's (FSSA's) Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning invite administrators from elementary schools, community-based preschools, and Head Start programs to attend a virtual summit dedicated to the success of early transition experiences. The Transition to Kindergarten Virtual Summit will be held online from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, December 2, and registration can be found here. For those not able to attend live, please register, and a link to a recording will be sent after. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: Postsecondary Ready Investigative Mathematics Experience (PRIME) Math Cohort Five Interest Form Available
PRIME Math, a fourth year mathematics course that includes and reinforces the Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Statistics skills necessary for postsecondary success, is looking for schools that are interested in joining the fifth year of this course’s implementation. In order to offer this course, the instructor must receive free training provided by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and IDOE. Additionally, the school and instructor must commit to teaching the PRIME Math curriculum with fidelity. Complete this JotForm to indicate interest in implementing the course or to learn more. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Public Comment Now Open for Indiana Academic Standards for Fine Arts
The Indiana Academic Standards for Fine Arts are available for public comment now through Friday, December 16. Please click here to access links to the public comment forms for specific grade levels, grade bands, and content areas. IDOE invites all stakeholders to share their feedback during this time. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: IDOE Accepting Applications for U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools’ Nomination
IDOE is accepting applications for nomination to the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) program for 2023. The ED-GRS program is a federal recognition award for school sustainability. Interested corporations and schools are encouraged to review this memo for additional information and submit their applications no later than Friday, December 2. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Title Con 2023 - Call for Proposals
The Title grants and support team is excited to announce the return of Title Con, April 11-12, 2023, in Plainfield. Title Con 2023 will bring together hundreds of Indiana educators and school officials from across the state to collectively learn and build stronger federal programs for student growth and achievement. The Title Con team is looking for dynamic presentations on topics related to Title grants and federal funding that align with the theme of “Drafting a Blueprint for the Unknown.” Please review the call for proposal form for more information. All submissions are due by Friday, December 16. Contact Brittany Kronmiller with any questions.
NEW FROM THE GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE CABINET (GWC): Recommendations to Tackle Employer Talent Challenges and Accelerate the State's Economy
Just released from GWC in advance of the 2023 legislative session, the Recommendations to Tackle Employer Talent Challenges and Accelerate the State's Economy address critical needs in Indiana's economy including helping employers find workers and develop a skilled talent pipeline, removing barriers keeping people out of the labor force, and priorities for preparing Indiana's future workforce. This collection is the work of statewide cabinet members and is based on hours of collaboration, interviews with subject matter experts, and review of programs, outcomes, and best practices locally and nationally. The 2022 GWC Recommendations can be found here.
NEW FROM THE COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (CSTA): Reserve Your Spot for CSPDWeek 2023
Indiana is proud to announce we are now accepting initial applications for Indiana CSPDWeek brought to you by the national CSTA, the Indiana CSTA Chapter, Nextech, and IDOE. Save the date for June 26 to 30, 2023 where hundreds of Indiana K-12 teachers will come together to learn, network, and create community on the campus of Indiana University Bloomington. Learn more and indicate your interest here. Contact Stephanie Zircher with questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA STEM EDUCATION CONFERENCE: Registration Open for the 2023 Conference
Join Purdue CATALYST for the eighth-annual Indiana STEM Education Conference on January 12, 2023 at Purdue University. The conference will feature over 60 presentations on various STEM topics, as well as networking opportunities for educators of all grade levels. Learn more here and register here. Contact Dr. Bill Walker with any questions.
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER ON DEAF-BLINDNESS: Identification of Children with Deaf-Blindness Resource
The National Center on Deaf-Blindness has released a resource for school administrators to help increase their knowledge of deaf-blindness and how to best support the identification of students who are deaf-blind. View the full resource here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: New Resource for Highly-Mobile Children
The U.S. The Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services has released new information regarding ensuring a high-quality education for highly-mobile children. Highly-mobile children include children and youth experiencing frequent moves into new school districts, such as military-connected children, migratory children, children who are homeless, and children in the foster care system. View the letter to state directors of special education for more information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW FROM STEM INNOVATION FOR INCLUSION IN EARLY EDUCATION (STEMIE): Register Now for STEMIEFest
Save the date for STEMIEfest 2022 on Thursday, December 8, from noon to 4 p.m. ET. STEMIEFest is a gathering of families, professionals, STEM industry members, faculty, and more to engage in innovative and inclusive STEM learning experiences and activities for young children birth to five. Register here for STEMIEFest 2022. Contact STEMIE with any questions.
NEW FROM COVERING KIDS AND FAMILIES: 2023 Indiana School Health Network Conference
Proposals are now being accepted for the 2023 Indiana School Health Network Conference. The conference will take place June 14-15, 2023, at the Embassy Suites in Plainfield. This year’s theme is “School Health: Connecting the Pieces.” All sessions are 60 minutes long, including Q&A and evaluation. The deadline for submission is January 13, 2023. Click here for proposal application. For more information or questions about submitting a proposal, please contact Sarah Thompson.
REMINDER FROM THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): Remote Teacher Collaborative
AP-TIP at the University of Notre Dame invites AP teachers to attend the next Remote Teacher Collaboratives on Tuesday, November 29, (Humanities) and Thursday, December 1, (math, science, computer science, and English) at 7:30 p.m. ET. These one-hour, online sessions offer a convenient space for teachers to connect, share, and learn from AP leaders. Learn more, see the full schedule, and register online here. Contact AP-TIP with any questions.
REMINDER FROM CODE.ORG: $1 Million for Hour of Code Celebration
Are you actively developing a computer science pathway to give more students in your school or corporation access to computer science? Partners at code.org are awarding $1 million to U.S. schools as part of the tenth #HourOfCode celebration! Code.org is awarding $10,000 to one high school and one middle school in every state and Washington D.C. to assist districts with establishing a computer science pathway. In addition to the $10,000 award, the implementing teacher in each winning school will receive a no-cost scholarship to attend Code.org’s Professional Learning Program. Learn more and enter to win here. The deadline to enter is Monday, November 21. Contact code.org with any questions.
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