Teacher Newsletter

We know that real impact for students happens at the educator-level. We have seen time and again when teacher leaders are a catalyst for positive change in schools...whether that means creating new opportunities for students that did not previously exist...or forging connections with higher education institutions and employers that may bring to light career possibilities that a student would not have otherwise considered or imagined. You (our teachers!) are our difference-makers for students, and this newsletter from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is dedicated to elevating your work and providing new information and resources to help you as you support Indiana's students. 

Educator Pipeline (Attract, Prepare, Retain)

ASSET Cohort 2 Application Now Open

ASSET is an approved alternative licensure program through IDOE and the Indiana State Board of Education that falls under the Transition to Teaching umbrella, but does not award an initial teaching license. This program is for currently licensed Indiana educators to be able to add a special education teaching credential. Successful completion of the ASSET program, coupled with passing the appropriate licensing exams, will enable educators to add either the Mild and/or Intense Interventions endorsement to their existing license. Visit the ASSET webpage and select the application link to begin enrollment. Contact Director Dr. Jay Arthur with any questions.

Get Your Teach On

Register for Get Your Teach On Summer Teacher & Leader Conferences

IDOE's Office of Student Support and Accessibility in partnership with Get Your Teach On is offering four free conferences at locations throughout Indiana this summer! Conferences will take place at the following locations:

• Monday, July 10, through Tuesday, July 11 - Jasper High School, Jasper, IN
• Thursday, July 13, through Friday, July 14 - Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, IN
• Monday, July 17, through Tuesday, July 18 - Southside Middle School, Muncie, IN
• Thursday, July 20, through Friday, July 21 - Washington High School, South Bend, IN

This year, the professional development experiences for teachers and administrators will occur at the same time and location. Educators will attend a Two-Day Teacher Experience from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Leaders will attend a One-Day Administrator Experience from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first day of the conference. All locations have a maximum capacity of 500 educators and 250 administrators. Register before they fill up! Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.

Literacy and STEM Support

Adolescent Literacy Series in the Indiana Learning Lab

IDOE continues to host the Indiana Adolescent Literacy Series in the Indiana Learning Lab to discuss topics geared toward cultivating strong adolescent literacy skills in schools. Matching Titles to Readers with TeachingBooks is now available as an on-demand workshop, courtesy of the Indiana State Library. Find books for every student using text complexity data. Use TeachingBooks resources, such as author videos and recordings, book trailers, audio excerpts, and Google previews, to engage students. Educators can use book guides, activities, and multi-leveled lessons to scaffold instruction and differentiate lessons for diverse learning styles. Learn more about previous and upcoming sessions here. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.

Additional Professional Development Opportunities

Resources for 2024 Science ILEARN

The Indiana Academic Standards for Science were approved in 2022 for implementation in the 2022-2023 school year. These standards will be assessed at grade four, grade six, and on the ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) beginning with the ILEARN Biology ECA Winter 2024 administration. Resources and online professional development to support these assessment changes will be released in June 2023. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.

Standards Prioritization Public Comment Now Open for Early Learning Standards

Pursuant to Indiana Code 20-31-3-1, IDOE convened a variety of stakeholder committees (e.g., educators, parents, community members) to review recommended prioritizations of the Indiana Academic Standards for kindergarten through grade 12 with the goal of defining no more than 75% of these standards. Committees also defined recommendations for no more than 33% of the standards as “essential” for mastery by the end of each grade level or course. In further consideration, IDOE convened additional stakeholder committees to review the Early Learning Standards for children birth to age five. These standards were reviewed to ensure that 1) student proficiency is a reasonable expectation and 2) all are essential by the end of the age level. Public comment on the Early Learning Standards is now open through Friday, April 21. Access this Jotform for more details and a link to view the prioritized standards. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.

Week of the Young Child Professional Development Opportunities

Saturday, April 1, through Friday, April 7 is the Week of the Young Child, a celebration of early learning, young children, and their teachers, families, and communities. IDOE and the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) are hosting a public, visual display at the Indiana Statehouse reflective of the work of early learning educators and students across Indiana. The online gallery may be viewed here. The week’s celebration also includes two sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab:

• Work Together Wednesday
  • Wednesday, April 5, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Focus: ISPROUT data collection
• Artsy Thursday
  • Thursday April 6, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET
  • Focus: Fine motor activities for the home and classroom

Register in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.

IDOE Technical Assistance (TA) Office Hours

IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility hosts TA Office Hours from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET on the first Thursday of each month for targeted support on specific needs or issues. Join the upcoming session on Thursday, April 6, for an introduction to specialized populations. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.

Call for Proposals - Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All

IDOE is collaborating with the IEP Technical Assistance Center to provide a statewide conference for all Indiana educators. IDOE is seeking educators to showcase their knowledge and success in presenting at Elevating Education 2023: Improving Outcomes for All on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center. Submit proposals via this form by Thursday, April 27. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.

Free Indiana Python, JavaScript, Java, and Cybersecurity Bootcamps for Computer Science Educators

CodeHS is partnering with IDOE to run free month-long Python, JavaScript, Java, and Cybersecurity online bootcamps.These bootcamps are designed to help computer science teachers build their programming skills and content knowledge. Teachers who complete a bootcamp will receive a certificate of participation for Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points, a stipend for completion, and a free CodeHS Pro license for first time users. Bootcamps begin today, Monday, April 3. Register here to save your spot! Contact CodeHS with any questions.

Recognition Opportunities

Application for Indiana 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 Teachers of the Year are encouraged to complete the state application process by Friday, July 7. More Information on the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process can be found here. For more information, contact Rebecca Estes.

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.

News From Our Partners

Nextech Computer Science Professional Development Spring & Summer Calendar Now Available

Whether you are a K-5 educator needing to Unpack the Indiana Computer Science Standards or a high school teacher ready to implement the Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS) Topics in Computer Science course, Nextech has a opportunities to meet the computer science professional development needs of Indiana’s K-12 educators. Spring workshops begin in April. Register here to participate. Contact Nextech with any questions.

Register Now for the STEM Synergy Hands-On & Minds-On STEM Summit

STEM Synergy and Keep Indiana Learning are excited to announce the inaugural Hands-On & Minds-On STEM Summit in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis! This one-day “unconference” will actively engage the three dimensions of the new Indiana Science Standards while embracing the “hands-on/minds-on” mentality of learning through inquiry. This summit will take place at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 21. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with questions.

Teach Plus Policy Fellowship Application

Teach Plus Indiana is currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Indiana Policy Fellowship through Sunday, April 16. This highly selective leadership opportunity is a paid fellowship for outstanding Indiana teachers looking to expand their influence. It spans the 2023-2024 school year and offers selected teachers a generous stipend for their time and effort. Teach Plus Indiana will host an information session on Thursday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Click here to register. For more information, contact Kimberly Nguyen

Upcoming Dates

Additional Resources

• Educator Licensing
• Educator Supply/Demand Marketplace
• Get Your Teach On Indiana
• Indiana Learning Lab
• Indiana Literacy Cadre
• Indiana STEM Cadre
• Indiana Teacher of the Year
• Teachers Who Shaped Us Video Series

Department News

• 03/01/2023 Indiana Department of Education Provides Update on Impact of Accelerated Learning Grants