For some of you reading this today…welcome back! For others, I hope you’re enjoying your final day(s) of winter break. But for all, I hope the break provided a well-deserved opportunity to do some things you enjoy…as well as some time to relax and do nothing at all.
The days following the start of a new year are often filled with anticipation and optimism. Anticipation about what is to come and optimism that this year will be better than the last. In that spirit, many of us will set goals, aiming to be better versions of ourselves, both personally and professionally. While sometimes, our goals are individualized, they can also be a way to bring people together…all rowing in the same direction, towards a common target.
A great example of this is Indiana’s recently established literacy goal…that 95% of third grade students demonstrate reading proficiency skills and pass IREAD-3 by 2027. Every day, in every school across our state, our teachers are helping students gain important knowledge and skills needed for future success, but none of this is possible without the ability to read. So far, several local school boards have passed resolutions illustrating their commitment to the statewide literacy goal, including Fort Wayne Community Schools and Huntington County Community School Corporation. Thank you, Fort Wayne and Huntington County, for leading the way on this! We hope to see other local school boards make this public commitment to reading as well–and keep us posted when you do, as we’d like to recognize you.
And speaking of goals, I’d like to share a few more today as we gear up for the start of the 2023 legislative session next week. Yesterday, I joined Governor Holcomb at Liberty Park Elementary School in Warren Township to announce his 2023 legislative agenda. It was very exciting to have the Governor announce his agenda at an Indiana school, specifically a school that is so committed to providing science of reading training and support for teachers and students. Thanks to Superintendent Dr. Tim Hanson and Principal Jason Brooks for hosting! While the Governor will focus on a number of important topics this session, including public health and safety, education will be a primary focus.
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The full press release from Governor Holcomb’s agenda announcement can be found here, but below are just a few of the education highlights (we will detail more in the coming weeks).
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Increase tuition support - 6% in FY2024 and an additional 2% in FY2025, totaling $1.157 billion. Gov. Holcomb will push for additional dollars to go to the classroom to continue the effort to increase average teacher salaries to at least $60,000 a year. The average teacher salary is currently $56,600.
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Create a local incentive for improving student literacy - a $20 million program that rewards schools and teachers that improve students’ passing rate on IREAD-3…again, layering in more support to help our state achieve the 95% IREAD-3 passage rate goal.
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Expand the state’s largest-ever financial investment in literacy - secure $10 million in state funding to obtain another $10 million match from the Lilly Endowment, focused on the science of reading.
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Provide free textbooks for students and families - fully fund the cost of textbooks and other curricular materials.
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Support STEM education - work to ensure high-quality STEM curriculum is in every Indiana classroom.
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Implement the Dolly Parton Imagination Library statewide - this would provide every participating child from birth to five-years-old with more access to books–one free book each month.
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Prioritize school safety - increase the matching funds available to local schools through the Secured School Safety Grant from $19 million to $25 million per year
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Expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities - this includes expanding eligibility for Child Care and Development Fund vouchers and working with legislators to expand On My Way Pre-K by raising the income eligibility limits for the programs from 127% to 138% of the federal poverty limit. This change will expand program access to about 5,000 more lower income working families.
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Encourage employer-sponsored early learning and childcare - use federal funds to establish a $25 million innovation grant that provides funding and licensing support for employer-sponsored childcare options
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Modernize and update early learning Paths to Quality - better measure kindergarten readiness and reduce regulatory burdens that limit access to early learning opportunities
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Auto-enroll students in the state’s 21st Century Scholars program - increase college affordability and going rates for our state’s most at-risk students
In addition to listening and working with you, our team is also eager to work with Governor Holcomb and members of the General Assembly to advance these important investments, which will ensure students have as many doors of opportunity open to them as possible when they leave our K-12 schools. In addition to the above, we will also be laser-focused on additional collaborative solutions this session that address persistent challenges facing our students and educators. This includes rethinking high school to maximize the four years we have students (including increased diploma flexibility, allowing access to credentials of value and quality work-based learning opportunities), securing additional funding to support the growing costs associated with serving special education and English learner student populations, and prioritizing the health and overall well-being of our students. We will share more details in the weeks ahead!
This legislative session, let’s maximize our opportunity to leverage state policy to increase support for Indiana’s educators and positively impact the trajectory of the lives of our Indiana students. As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership and for all you do for our students.
NEW: WIDA ACCESS Test Window and Monitoring Opens Monday, January 9
The WIDA ACCESS test window is open from Monday, January 9, to Friday, February 24. The window is seven weeks long to ensure corporations and schools have ample time to assess 100% of identified English learners (ELs), as federally required. The Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE’s) Office of Student Assessment will conduct monitoring visits during the WIDA ACCESS test window beginning on Monday, January 9. Please ensure that school administrators and staff are aware that onsite visits will be conducted. More details can be found in this memo. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Centralized Reporting System (CRS) and Preliminary ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) Results Now Available
Preliminary scores for the ILEARN Biology ECA Fall 2022 administration are now available in CRS via the Indiana Assessment Portal. Student scores and reporting information are available exclusively in CRS, as the Online Reporting System (ORS) was retired. Users may refer to the CRS User Guide and CRS Webinar PDF and recording for an overview and step-by-step instructions on how to obtain Individual Student Reports and school data. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk for assistance regarding CRS navigation.
REMINDER: Apply Now for ILEARN Committees
IDOE is seeking educators for two current ILEARN assessment committees.
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ILEARN Computer Science Item Specification Committee: Advise on computer science item specifications for the ILEARN assessment with updated Indiana Academic Standards for science. The committee will meet in-person near Indianapolis from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 28. Apply here by Friday, January 13.
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ILEARN Science Item Acceptance Review Committee: Determine ILEARN assessment item alignment to the new Indiana Academic Standards for science. The committee will meet virtually from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET from Tuesday, February 7, through Thursday, February 9. Apply here by Friday, January 13.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: Naturalization Examination Requirements
Public high schools are required to administer the naturalization examination to Indiana students upon completion of the U.S. government course. Results should be submitted after each trimester or semester, and all 2022-2023 results are due by Friday, June 30. Non-public or Choice high schools may submit results as well, but are not required. Further details can be found in this memo. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions.
REMINDER: Educator Recruitment and Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Indiana superintendents or human resources directors interested in the next opportunity to opt-in to the full Nimble ATS may complete this JotForm by Friday, January 27. This free upgrade for schools currently utilizing the job posting only feature is designed to significantly enhance local capabilities around educator recruitment. The initialization for new ATS users will take place in late February. Additional information about the statewide partnership with Nimble can be found here. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
REMINDER: School Year 2022-2023 Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) - Request
To collect accurate information about the use of TAG funds, please complete this quick questionnaire by Monday, January 16. Contact TAG@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations Open for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
PAEMST is the highest honor bestowed to educators by the U.S. government specifically for those teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to grades seven through 12. PAEMST was established by Congress in 1983 and the president may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year. More information about the process can be found here. Nominations must be submitted by Monday, January 9. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
REMINDER: Additional Opportunities to Recognize Indiana Educators
Throughout the year, numerous opportunities arise nationwide to acknowledge the incredible work of Indiana educators. IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent has developed this document which will be updated periodically with external opportunities to recognize educators. To submit an educator recognition opportunity not listed, contact Anne Marie Milligan.
UPDATE: State Ed-ID Portal Now Available for New Student Test Numbers (STN) and School Personnel Numbers (SPN)
The transition to the new Ed-ID portal is now complete. Ed-IDs for students (also known as STNs) as well as Ed-IDs for staff (also known as SPNs) can now be requested through the portal. This process replaces the old approach to generating IDs for educators and students and allows for more versatility in the generation and use of IDs. It will also improve the management of IDs through a centralized service. More information is available in this memo. Details are now posted on the Ed-ID website. Contact link@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: E-Rate Match for Fiber Construction Now Available
IDOE is participating in the E-Rate Match Program for special construction projects. Available to any Indiana public school for fiscal year (FY) 2023 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024), the program increases the discount rate for special construction charges for high-speed broadband that meets the FCC's long-term connectivity targets up to an additional 10% to match the state funding on a one-to-one dollar basis. Full application details are available here. Contact Brad Hagg with any questions.
REMINDER: Important Data Reporting Change - Student Academic Record Collection to Replace Course Completion Collection
These changes being implemented for reporting course enrollments and outcomes will impact all schools that report course level data to IDOE. These updates are occurring to improve the completeness of academic records for each student, to support metrics on the Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, and to monitor progress on Graduation Pathways. The full memo is available here and the related frequently asked questions (FAQ) document is available here. Contact IDOE's Data Exchange Team with any questions.
NEW: Form 9 Financial Data Submission
Tuesday, January 31, is the deadline to submit Form 9 financial data for the period of July to December 2022. The Form 9 application can be accessed via the LINK Portal. Once in the portal, the financial administrator will navigate to the “Form 9 Financial Data” tile. Please review the Form 9 Overview for instructions. Additional guidance can be found in the Public School Finance Community on Moodle. Contact form9@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Full-Time Teacher Benefit Survey
Please read this memo regarding collection of full-time teacher benefit data between Friday, December 16, and Friday, February 17, for inclusion in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Full-Time Teacher Salary and Benefits Report. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
NEW: Graduation Pathways Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator C Average Clarification
If a student is enrolled in a CTE Concentrator program of study to fulfil the Bucket 3 requirement for their Graduation Pathway, they must complete the required courses with a C average. As long as the grade is within the C range for your school district’s grading scale, concentrator status will be approved for Graduation Pathways. The specific GPA for the C average is a local decision determined by each school district. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Pathways with any questions.
REMINDER: January McKinney-Vento Liaison Webinar
IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the McKinney-Vento January webinar on Tuesday, January 10, from 11 a.m. to noon ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. Contact Mckinneyventopoc@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: January High Ability Webinar
IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the high ability January webinar on Wednesday, January 11, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. Contact studentpathways_highability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: January Alternative Education Webinar
IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the alternative education January webinar on Thursday, January 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. Contact studentpathways_alted@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: PREPaRE Workshop 2 Trainings
Additional PREPaRE: Workshop 2 trainings will be held in Indianapolis and Mishawaka this witner andspring. The National Association of School Psychologist’s PREPaRE model provides school personnel with comprehensive training on how to establish and serve on school crisis response teams. Indianapolis training sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 1, and Tuesday, March 7, and attendance both days is required. Please click here for more information. Registration will close on Friday, February 10. The Mishawaka training sessions will be held on Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21, and attendance both days is required. Please click here for more information. Registration will close on Monday, March 20. Contact tcgmiller@gmail.com or info@projectawarein.org with any questions.
NEW: Results Driven Accountability (RDA) - Results Indicator Resources Now Available
New resources have been posted in the RDA section of IDOE’s Special Education webpage including the 2022 Results Indicator Quintile Ranges and Enrollment Group Scatter Plots. Office hours to review these resources will be held Wednesday, January 11, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET and Thursday, January 12, from 11 a.m. to noon ET. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions
NEW: IEP Technical Assistance (TA) Center
The IEP TA Center, formerly known as the Indiana IEP Resource Center, will continue to support IEP development and implementation (e.g., present levels, goals training, progress monitoring, inclusive practices, etc.) as well as offering regional training at no-cost to Indiana educators. View the training catalog and register for upcoming workshops. Educators are invited to attend a new statewide conference on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center for Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All. More information and registration will be available soon. Submit a TA Request Form to request direct assistance and refer to the IEP TA Center website for all additional information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.
NEW: Get Your Teach On January Virtual Sessions
IDOE has partnered with Get Your Teach On to provide additional professional development (PD) opportunities to Indiana educators through free, virtual workshops in the Indiana Learning Lab. Register for January sessions in the Lab by clicking Learning and selecting Live to access the calendar of events. This month’s sessions are:
- Thursday, January 12: Busting the Myths of Reading Instruction - Lower Elementary Educators
- Thursday, January 12: Busting the Myths of Reading Instruction - Elementary Educators
- Thursday, January 12: Busting the Myths of Reading Instruction- Middle School Educators
- Thursday, January 12: Data & Progress Monitoring: Part 1 - Leadership Teams
- Thursday, January 19: IEP Goal Writing for the Real World- Special Education Educators
- Thursday, January 19: Data & Progress Monitoring: Part 1 - Instructional Coaches
Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.
UPDATE: PATINS Project Opportunities and Resources for Indiana Educators
The PATINS Project offers opportunities and resources for educators across the state. Schools can find opportunities and resources listed here. Contact the PATINS Project or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.
REMINDER: Resources for Student Support and Accessibility
IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility offers numerous resources to support schools as they respond to individual student needs:
These resources and more can be found on IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.
REMINDER: School Medicaid TA Resources Available
For public school corporations, charter schools, and state schools participating in Medicaid claiming for IEP, required medical services and/or school-based Medicaid Administrative Claiming (IndianaMAC), a variety of TA resources are available online on IDOE’s School Medicaid Claiming webpage and the Office of Special Education Community on Moodle. Examples include the Medicaid Billing Tool Kit, a semi-annual report of Medicaid reimbursements per school corporation, a parent information sheet in English and Spanish, reimbursement for IEP medical services information, and more. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: Applications Open for Governor’s 2023 STEM Team
Governor. Eric. J. Holcomb, Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, and Treasurer of State Daniel Elliott invite Indiana high school students to apply for the 2023 Governor’s STEM Team. This program honors four outstanding high school students for their exceptional efforts and accomplishments in one of the STEM disciplines. Winning students each receive a $1,000 deposit into an Indiana CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings plan and letterman jackets identifying them as members of the Governor’s STEM Team. Applications may be submitted via this Jotform through Friday, February 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Course Access Portal (iCAP) Reimbursement
IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning is offering an opportunity for schools to receive reimbursement for students enrolling in the Indiana Course Access Portal (iCAP) for the 2023-2024 school year. Indiana Code 20-30-16 currently offers over 180 course options from seven course providers. Applications are open through Friday, January 20. Please see this memo for more information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Learning Lab Community Groups
The Indiana Learning Lab’s Community Groups bring together educators and IDOE to focus on specific areas of importance. Join a specific group of interest below:
Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Learning Reminders and Resources
IDOE has provided two documents to support high-quality virtual learning as schools navigate potential inclement weather. Guidance on Instructional Time for Schools provides an overview of the legal requirements pertaining to instructional time and the Synchronous Virtual Learning Research Findings shares key considerations for virtual learning modalities. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Learning Lab Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
New sessions are scheduled for PD with IDOE throughout January. Next week continues with What You Need to Know About Accommodations, led by IDOE’s assessment team. View the full list of the January sessions here.
December workshops are all available on-demand:
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 IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant (CFIG) Cohort 3 Applications Now Available
Applications for Cohort 3 of CFIG funding are now available on the Charter School website under the CFIG drop down. Applications are due Friday, February 3. Contact charterprograms@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: Respiratory Illness Update
Please see this respiratory illness update from the Indiana Department of Health. Please contact backtoschool@isdh.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM TECHPOINT: 2023 Mira Awards - Honoring the Best of Tech in Indiana
TechPoint’s Mira Awards are Indiana’s largest and most prestigious technology awards. For the first time in the 24-year history of the awards, an Indiana K-12 computer science teacher has the opportunity to be recognized for contributions to the Indiana technology landscape. Click here for information or to nominate a deserving Indiana computer science educator. Contact TechPoint with any questions.
NEW FROM GIRLS WHO CODE: Summer Programs
Encourage your high school students to become coders this summer with Girls Who Code through two free, virtual summer programs. Students will learn the computer science skills they need to make an impact, meet inspiring professionals across diverse industries, and tap into lifelong college and career support to help them succeed in their first interviews and jobs. All high school girls are encouraged to apply here by Wednesday, February 15, for priority consideration or Friday, March 24, for the general application deadline. For more information on these virtual summer programs, visit the Girls Who Code website or attend a webinar. Contact Girls Who Code with any questions.
NEW FROM THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN (CEC): 2023 CEC Convention & Expo
The 2023 CEC Convention & Expo will be held from Wednesday, March 1, through Saturday, March 4, in Louisville, Kentucky. Join the CEC to learn, share, grow, and connect with special education professionals around the world. All educators, supervisors, and support staff members are eligible for a special discount of $70 off registration by using the code INDIANA23. Register for the CEC Convention & Expo here. Contact CEC with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit
Attend the inaugural Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit, including the 17th Annual IMPACT Awards! The summit is a convening of best practices and sharing of ideas toward growth and partnership within workforce and education. It will take place Tuesday, February 21. The 17th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon will be held as part of the Summit. Those who are interested can register to attend the entire summit or register for only the IMPACT Awards program, which will celebrate Hoosier interns, internship supervisors, employers, and career development professionals. Contact the Indiana Chamber with any questions.
NEW FROM THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): Remote Teacher Collaboratives
The Advanced Placement Teacher Investment Program (AP-TIP) at the University of Notre Dame invites AP teachers to attend the next round of Remote Teacher Collaboratives on Wednesday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. ET. These one-hour, online sessions offer a convenient space for AP math, science, computer science, English, and history 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.
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