A Message from Dr. Katie Jenner

The Indiana General Assembly has finally adjourned sine die…at 3 a.m. last Friday morning, nonetheless! The four months of a budget session are very intense, sometimes unpredictable, and involve countless hours (it’s definitely called a “long session” for a reason). And, yet one thing is for certain…when it comes to advancing education policy in the state of Indiana, your voice is KEY. I saw the impact you were making…from the times I ran into you at the Statehouse, to the times you reached out to a team member via phone or email, to many, many hours of meetings with various education stakeholder groups, and even hearing directly from legislators who appreciated your thoughts on a topic. These are just a few common scenarios over the past four months…and as I share the list below, without a doubt, every single one of these was impacted by educators. While different stakeholders often have varying ideas on how to achieve a specific outcome, ultimately, our desired outcome is always the same: to positively move the needle for students. So as you reflect on the legislative session, I want to thank you for making your voice heard, as well as your work ahead to make the most out of this opportunity and implement the best work that we can for our students. Now, let’s take a look at some of the highlights! Increasing tuition support by $1.47 billion over the biennium - This historic investment – totaling over $9 billion in FY 2025 – will allow increased tuition support for all schools with the focus on providing the highest quality education for students, as well as empowering local schools to reach the goal of achieving a statewide average teacher salary of $60,000. This additional investment in tuition support includes increases to foundational allocations in both FY 24 and FY 25, an expansion of the School Choice program, an increase in each of the next two fiscal years in the special education grant as well as for English learners, new Academic Performance grant funding, and credential completion grants in CTE funding. From FY 2019 compared to FY 2025, there has been an approximate $1.8 billion increase in K-12 education funding. Elevating the science of reading - By securing an additional $10 million in state funding, we were able to leverage an additional $10 million in matching funds from the Lilly Endowment…bringing the state’s historic literacy investment to over $170 MILLION (see additional monetary breakdown below). This increased support for schools is essential to achieving our statewide goal of 95% of third grade students passing IREAD-3 by 2027 and includes: A new $20 million program that rewards schools and teachers for improving students’ foundational reading skills, as evidenced by IREAD-3 data; An evidence-based, science of reading literacy support plan for Indiana elementary schools with less than 70% of students passing IREAD-3; A new $40 million grant program extending the reach of the ongoing science of reading work alongside the Lilly Endowment; Requiring higher education educator preparation programs to embed the science of reading into their curriculum and prepare future educators to receive a literacy endorsement, ensuring Indiana’s future educators are prepared to teach foundational literacy instruction using research-based methods; and Providing for current Indiana teachers to receive a pay differentiation if they obtain a literacy endorsement. Funding textbooks for students and families - As part of Governor Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, the General Assembly allocated $160 million to remove a hidden tax on Hoosier parents by eliminating textbook and curriculum fees for more than one million students in traditional public and charter schools. (Note: this is an area where we are already receiving multiple questions, and our finance team is actively working on guidance to be shared with you early next week!) Prioritizing STEM education - As the economy continues to change and technology rapidly advances, IDOE will work with schools to ensure every Hoosier student has access to high-quality STEM curriculum needed for success in life and in their career. Additional investments were also made to encourage greater participation in robotics competitions! Launching Dolly Parton's Imagination Library statewide - By partnering with this esteemed philanthropic organization, Indiana is investing $6 million over the next two years to provide every participating child from birth to five-years-old with access to one free book per month - further encouraging early literacy! Supporting school safety - HEA 1492 increases the matching funds available to local schools through the Secured School Safety Grant to nearly $25 million per year (approximately $6 million increase each year). Expanding early learning and childcare opportunities - Given the importance of early learning to a child’s lifelong development, HEA 1591 charged Indiana’s Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) to provide recommendations on a modernized Paths to QUALITY system. Legislation also expanded the income eligibility for those participating in On My Way Pre-K from 127% of the federal poverty rate to 150%...AND created a child care expenditure tax credit to further encourage employer-sponsored early learning and childcare options. Increasing college affordability and access - By auto-enrolling eligible students in the state’s 21st Century Scholars Program, we will not only increase college affordability but also going rates for our state’s most at-risk students. Our team will work with the Commission for Higher Education to support this implementation. Removing barriers to educational attainment - High school seniors will now also be required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 each year, further removing barriers to increasing educational attainment and ensuring Indiana students qualify for maximum financial aid. Our team will work with the Commission to support this implementation as well. Redesigning school accountability - In alignment with Indiana’s new Graduates Prepared to Succeed (Indiana GPS) dashboard, IDOE will develop a proposal revising our current accountability system no later than December 1, 2024. To further ensure transparency in school performance, schools will also post certain metrics on their website…providing key data points for parents, families, and communities to better understand the work happening in our schools. Rethinking high school - Over the coming months, IDOE will work with various stakeholders to:  ensure high school diploma requirements are flexible and relevant to students, employers, and communities,  improve access to and the number of students participating in high-quality work-based learning opportunities, and  increase access to and the number of students earning high-value postsecondary credentials before high school graduation. Accelerating student learning - After community partners and schools reported impressive returns on the state’s initial investment, an additional $35 million was allocated to the Student Learning Recovery Grant Program to accelerate student learning. Supporting Non-English Speaking Program - As part of the budget, funding for our state’s non-English speaking students was increased by $20.4 million over the biennium to account for the increase in population growth and provide additional support. Supporting special education students -The budget also increased funding for Indiana’s special education students by over $85 million across the biennium, plus an additional $10 million to support our students through the SEEC fund. While this is a quick highlight, I want to extend a huge thank you, again, to all who were an active participant in the legislative process. None of this would have been possible without you…so, thank you!  Our team at IDOE is already fast at work on the implementation front, and we will be sharing preliminary guidance on a number of new laws very soon. I am excited about the opportunities ahead to continue to move the needle for students and look forward to our continued partnership. As always, thank you for all that you do…and let’s finish the school year strong!

Office of Student Assessment

NEW: Closing Out ILEARN 3-8 Spring 2023 Testing

As schools complete ILEARN 3-8 testing, IDOE recommends reviewing post-testing guidance to ensure that results and the rescore request window are communicated to students and families. The ILEARN 3-8 paper-and-pencil testing window closes today, Friday, May 5, and the ILEARN 3-8 online testing window closes Friday, May 12. Preliminary results have begun populating within the Centralized Reporting System (CRS) and will continue to become available on a rolling basis. Refer to the CRS User Guide and the Indiana Interpretive Guide for Statewide Assessments for more reporting information.

The rescore request window will be open from Monday, May 15, through Friday, June 2. Schools may utilize the ILEARN Rescore Request Guidance and ILEARN Rescore Request Parent Letter Template to assist with communicating this information to students and families. Contact the Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE’s) Office of Student Assessment or the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with any questions.

NEW: IREAD-3 Summer Retest Material Orders Open Tuesday, May 9

Final results are now available for the IREAD-3 Spring 2023 administration, and students in grade three or above who did not pass should prepare to participate in the IREAD-3 Summer Retest. Orders may be placed for students who require accommodated paper testing materials beginning Tuesday, May 9. Staff involved with the IREAD-3 Summer Retest may attend the following question and answer (Q&A) sessions as they prepare for the administration.

• IREAD-3 Summer Retest Q&A Session #1: Tuesday, May 9, from 8 to 9 a.m. ET
• IREAD-3 Summer Retest Q&A Session #2: Wednesday, May 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET

Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.

NEW: I AM Testing Window Closes Friday, May 12

The I AM Spring 2023 testing window closes Friday, May 12, for all alternate testers. Preliminary scores are populating within CRS on a rolling basis following test completion. Schools should work to resolve any discrepant records and address any outstanding testing irregularities by Friday, May 26. Refer to the CRS User Guide and the Indiana Interpretive Guide for Statewide Assessments for more reporting information. Contact the Indiana Assessment Help Desk with additional questions.

REMINDER: Helping Students Understand SAT Scores Webinar on Friday, May 12

College Board is hosting a free webinar, Helping Students Understand SAT Scores, to provide an overview of the SAT student score report and resources schools can use to support their students in accessing, reviewing, and understanding all aspects of their score report. All school leaders and counselors are encouraged to register to attend the live session on Friday, May 12, at 9 a.m. ET. A recording will be made available later this month. Contact College Board with any additional questions.

REMINDER: Report 2022-2023 Naturalization Examination Results

Public high schools must report the results of the naturalization examination to IDOE for students completing a U.S. government course via this Jotform in addition to posting the data on their public website. Results should be submitted upon completion of the trimester or semester following the administration. All results for the 2022-2023 school year should be submitted by Friday, June 30. Non-public high schools may administer the naturalization examination and publish the results on their school website, but are not required to report the results to IDOE. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions.

Office of Communications and External Affairs

REMINDER: Applications for Purple Star Schools Now Open

Applications for the 2023-2024 Purple Star Designation Program are now open through Friday, September 1. The Purple Star Designation Program recognizes Indiana schools for their significant display of commitment to our service members, veterans, and families connected to the nation’s military. Purple Star designations are available for three years. Additional information regarding application requirements and the award notification timeline can be found here. Contact Emily Black with any questions.

Office of Educator Licensing

NEW: Updates to the Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS)

This summer, the LVIS online licensing system will be upgraded and become LVIS360. The system will have all the same–but improved–functionality with a new look and navigation. Training opportunities will be communicated to licensing advisors in educator preparation programs and approvers in schools and corporations prior to the launch this summer. More information will be released as it becomes available. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Licensing with any questions.

Office of Educator Talent

NEW: Indiana STEM Educator Expansion Program (I-STEM) Registration Now Available

IDOE is partnering with Educational Service Centers (ESCs) of Indiana to launch the I-STEM partnership. I-STEM provides support for both currently licensed teachers in non-STEM areas and prospective teachers who are not licensed and hold a bachelor’s degree to become licensed to teach in a STEM content area. IDOE has identified eligible STEM content areas as life science, chemistry, earth/space science, physics, physical science, computer science, technology education, and mathematics. Click here for more information and registration. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.

REMINDER: Nominations Now Open for the 2023 Educational Excellence Awards 

Up to $5 million will be awarded to schools across the state to celebrate their progress and achievement in supporting student excellence and growth. Award winners will be honored at the second annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala in Indianapolis on Friday, September 8. More information can be found here. To be considered for an award, schools and educators can complete a nomination form here by Friday, June 9. For more information, contact the Office of Educator Talent.

REMINDER: Nominations Open for Distinguished Educators Recognition

IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent is looking for confidential recommendations of teachers representing the very best educators in Indiana. These emerging leaders must have between five and 15 years of experience, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom, and positively impact school culture and student achievement. Superintendents and principals may submit recommendations here. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, May 26. Contact Rebecca Estes 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.

Office of Information Technology

REMINDER: 2023 School Tech Plan Survey Due Today, Friday, May 5

The 2023 School Tech Plan Survey is now open through today, Friday, May 5, to be completed by all Indiana school corporations, charter schools, and optionally for non-public schools. Completion of this survey is a requirement for all public schools to qualify for the connectivity formula grant, the common school fund, and grants from IDOE's Office of Academics. While not required, non-public schools are encouraged to complete the survey to help other schools identify best practices. The survey can be found here. Previous year public data may be found in the Digital Readiness Dashboard or through EdData. Contact Brad Hagg with any questions.

REMINDER: School Financial Reports Now Available Through EdData

Schools can now access seven financial reports, including the Summary of Receipts and Expenditures and Expenditures by Object reports via IDOE’s EdData platform. The reports are available under the Finance Dashboard tile. Please note the content of these reports has not changed. Contact form9@doe.in.gov with any questions.

REMINDER: Student Academic Record Collection 

Changes implemented for reporting course enrollments (student academic record replacing course completion collection) 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 Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, and to monitor Graduation Pathways progress. 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.

Office of School Building Physical Security and Safety

REMINDER: National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 10

Wednesday, May 10, is National School Nurse Day – a day to honor school nurses as they consistently make a difference in the lives of students. As this school year comes to a close, please recognize and honor your school nurses for all of the extraordinary work they have done to care for your school community.

School Celebration Ideas

1. Recognize the school nurse with mementos of appreciation (i.e., gift card, flowers, lunch).
2. Have students make cards for the school nurse.
3. Include information about School Nurse Day in school communications.
4. Have the school principal present the school nurse with a Certificate of Appreciation.
5. Provide year-round support to the school nurse for accessing professional development opportunities.

Office of School and Community Nutrition

REMINDER: Healthy Meals Incentives Grants for Small/Rural Schools

As part of a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids is offering competitive grants (up to $150,000) for small and/or rural schools to support efforts to improve the nutritional quality of their school meals. The deadline for submitting a grant application is 5 p.m. ET on Friday, May 26. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• SFA Must participate in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program
• SFA must meet the following definitions of small and/or rural:
• Small SFA: SFA with an enrollment of less than or equal to 5,000 students.
• Rural SFA: The majority of students within the SFA are enrolled in a rural school as defined by a locality code of 41, 42, or 43, according to the National Center for Education Statistics online tool.  

Need assistance with writing or implementing this grant? The Healthy Schools Action Team (HSAT) would love to help schools using their network and resources. Reach out to the HSAT Chair, Elizabeth Sons.

Office of School Finance

NEW: Curricular Material Reimbursement

Today, Friday, May 5, the Office of School Finance distributed curricular material reimbursement funds. Please read this memo for the final distribution amounts by school corporation. Contact doetextbooks@doe.in.gov with any questions.

Office of School Support and Transformation

REMINDER: Annual 1003 Flexibility Waivers

IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation is now accepting applications for 1003 flexibility waivers. Flexibility through waivers is offered to help support schools in their design efforts to improve student performance and outcomes, help to improve the efficiency of school operations, and to help promote innovative educational approaches to student learning. Interested officials can read more about the opportunity in this memo and the Flexibility Guide for Indiana's K-12 Schools document. Additionally, a recording of the informational webinar can be found here, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. Applications are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, June 2. 

Applications will be reviewed in three rounds:

Contact Georgia Watson with any questions.

Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities

REMINDER: Partnership to Support High Ability Coordinators 

IDOE has partnered with Ball State University and East Central Educational Service Center to provide an opportunity for active district High Ability Coordinators. This program will include paid tuition, university fees, books for a three-credit-hour graduate-level course focused on high ability learners, one-on-one support sessions during the 2023-2024 school year, and stipends for the creation of high ability resources. Detailed information is included in this program description. Superintendents can recommend a candidate through the registration process by completing page 3 of the application. This opportunity is limited to 20 seats for the introduction course and 20 seats for the advanced course. Applications are due by Monday, May 8. Contact highability@ecesc.k12.in.us with any questions.

REMINDER: American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Remaining Balance

As the second anniversary of the $800M set aside from ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund for Homeless Children and Youth approaches, please remember:

• Funds appropriated under the ARP-HCY I & II will be available for obligation until September 30, 2024.
• The deadline for the drawdown of the obligated ARP-HCY I & II funds is 120 days, or January 30, 2025 (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(b)).  
• As of January 25, 2023, Indiana shows an available ARP-HCY balance of $11,230,750.17, which is 86% of the total Indiana's ARP Homeless I and II allocations combined. 
• Indiana school districts must report expenditures monthly in order for IDOE to maintain accurate reporting of dollars spent and dollars available.

Contact McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov with any questions.

REMINDER: May Graduation Pathways Webinar

IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the final Graduation Pathways webinar of the 2022-2023 school year on Thursday, May 25, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. The topic of this important meeting is Graduation & INTERS End of Year Reporting requirements and deadlines that you must know to ensure your data is accurate and your school is compliant. Please bring questions to the meeting for the IDOE Accountability and Student Pathways Teams and the Office of CTE. Please use this link to join. Contact DOEGradpathways@doe.in.gov with any questions.

REMINDER: May McKinney-Vento Liaison Webinar 

IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the final McKinney-Vento webinar of the 2022-2023 school year on Tuesday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. The topic is End-of-Year Reporting for Homeless Children and Youth. Discussion will center around the requirements and deadlines regarding data accuracy and compliance for grant funding. Please bring questions to the meeting for the IDOE Data Reporting and Student Pathways Teams. Please use this link to join. Contact Mckinneyventopoc@doe.in.gov with any questions.

REMINDER: May High Ability Webinar 

IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the May High Ability webinar on Wednesday, May 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. The topic is End-of-Year Reporting for High Ability Students. Discussion will center around the requirements and deadlines regarding data accuracy and compliance for grant funding. Please bring questions to the meeting for the IDOE Data Reporting and Student Pathways Teams. Contact Studentpathways_highability@doe.in.gov with any questions.

REMINDER: May Alternative Education Webinar

IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the May Alternative Education webinar on Thursday, May 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. The topic is End-of-Year Reporting for Alternative Education Programs. Discussion will center around the requirements and deadlines regarding data accuracy and compliance for grant funding. Please bring questions to the meeting for the IDOE Data Reporting and Student Pathways Teams. Contact studentpathways_alted@doe.in.gov with any questions.

Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement

NEW: Family Friendly Schools Designation

Congratulations to the schools that participated in the 2023-2024 Family Friendly School Designation process. The Family Friendly Schools designation recognizes and honors schools that prioritize family involvement within their school community. This year, IDOE designated 91 schools as 2023-2024 Family Friendly Schools. Statewide, 30 newly-designated schools join the 61 additional Indiana schools that renewed their Family Friendly School designation for the 2023-2024 school year. The full list of recipients can be found here. Contact FamilyFriendlySchool@doe.in.gov with any questions.

NEW: Final PREPaRE Workshop 2 Training

The final regional PREPaRE Workshop 2 Training will be Monday, June 12, and Tuesday, June 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day in Ossian. Attendance on both days is required. The National Association of School Psychologists's PREPaRE model provides school personnel with comprehensive training on how to establish and serve on school crisis response teams. The curriculum is the only research-based crisis prevention and response model developed by and for school personnel to meet the unique mental health needs of school safety and crisis teams. More information can be found here. Register here by Friday, May 19. Contact Terri Miller or info@projectawarein.org with any questions. 

NEW: Youth Emerging Stronger (YES) Summit

The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, IDOE, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's Division of Mental Health and Addiction, North Central Health Services, and the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte will host the first YES! Summit on Wednesday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Noblesville. Mental health and substance use challenges are on the rise among young people, and their emotional well-being is on the decline. COVID-19 exacerbated these trends, which have developed over the last decade. The YES! Summit will address these challenges by bringing together hundreds of Indiana school leaders, education stakeholders, and funders to develop a roadmap for expanding evidence-based prevention and mental health support within K-12 schools. Find additional information and register to attend the YES! Summit here. Contact IDOE's Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions. 

NEW: Project AWARE Goes to the Park

During the month of May, Hoosier students and families can prioritize their mental wellness by participating in Project AWARE Goes to the Park at any local Indiana State Park! Visit your nearest State Park's Visitor Center to pick up a self-led activity guide and complete a short, fun activity. Once completed, participants can enter for a chance to win park swag. Contact info@projectawarein.org with any questions.

Office of Student Support and Accessibility/Special Education

NEW: ASSET Cohort 2 Applications Now Open

ASSET is an approved alternative licensure program sponsored by ICASE under the Transition to Teaching umbrella that does not award an initial teaching license. This program is for currently licensed Indiana educators to add a special education teaching credential. Completing of the ASSET program and passing licensing exams will enable educators to add either the Mild or/and Intense Interventions endorsement to their existing license. Applications for ASSET Cohort 2 are now open. Contact the ASSET team with any questions. 

NEW: Aspiring Special Education Leadership Institute (ASELI) Cohort 4 Applications Close Sunday, May 7

ASELI is a one-year leadership development program that prepares a diverse group of educators for special education leadership roles in order to improve outcomes for all students. ASELI is currently accepting applications for Cohort 4. Teachers, school psychologists, school counselors, and principals from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to be special education administrators, are committed to a career in special education leadership, and value access, excellence, and success for diverse student populations are encouraged to apply. Applications close Sunday, May 7. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions. 

NEW: Nominate Students with Disabilities for Student Transition Cadre

IDOE’s Office of Special Education is seeking youth with disabilities between 14 and 22 years old to join in providing feedback and improvement strategies for graduation, transition planning, and transition Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for the Student Transition Cadre. Students will meet once prior to the end of the 2022-2023 school year and throughout the 2023-2024 school year. To nominate a student for the Indiana Student Transition Cadre, please complete this Jotform. Students will be contacted directly by IDOE for next steps. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions. 

NEW: Upcoming Evaluation Roster (EV Roster) Office Hours

IDOE’s Office of Special Education will host office hours for local education agencies to receive assistance with ensuring that Data Exchange information for the upcoming EV submission is accurate. Select the link below to join a specific session. 

• Monday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to noon ET
• Tuesday, May 16, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET
• Thursday, May 18, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET
• Monday, May 22, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET
• Wednesday, May 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET
• Wednesday, May 24, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, May 30, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET
• Thursday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to noon ET

Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions. 

NEW: PATINS Project AEMing for Achievement Grant

Through the PATINS Project’s AEMing for Achievement grant, select districts were provided with intensive, friendly, and direct assistance to increase student achievement. The grant’s focus is to determine a process to provide Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), including need, acquisition, and implementation through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). See the academic impact of the PATINS AEMing for Achievement grant throughout Elkhart Community Schools here. Contact the PATINS Project or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility for assistance with bringing increased accessibility to your district.

NEW: IEP TA Center - What Administrators Need to Know About Special Education

The IEP TA Center is pleased to collaborate with the Educational Service Centers of Indiana to provide What Administrators Need to Know About Special Education, a regional professional learning opportunity for Indiana administrators. The workshop will provide a focused, practical overview for building and district administrators to support the achievement of all students and ensure compliant and defensible practices. Workshops will be provided at various service centers across the state this fall. View this flyer for more information and registration details. Contact the IEP TA Center or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.

NEW: Navigating Special Education in Charter Schools Training

Join IDOE and the IEP TA Center in attending Navigating Special Education in Charter Schools. This one-day training is designed to meet the needs of charter schools across the state by exploring effective special education practices, policies, and procedures. The training will be provided regionally this July. View this flyer for more information and registration details. Contact the IEP TA Center or IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.

REMINDER: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Annual State Application

All states applying for funding under IDEA Part B are required to allow public review and comment on the application and proposed budget. The application packet, developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), includes a summary of assurances, certifications, and fund usage descriptions that the state will use to fulfill IDEA Part B requirements. Upon OSEP's approval of Indiana's Part B application, the state will receive a federal grant award to implement necessary services for students with disabilities from July 1, 2023, through September 30, 2025. The application and its components are available for public review on IDOE’s Special Education webpage through Tuesday, May 23. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.

REMINDER: Dual Language Program Grant Application Open through Friday, May 19

Applications for the 2023-2024 Dual Language Program grant will be open through Friday, May 19. This competitive grant is intended for corporations or charter schools interested in starting a pilot or expanding an existing dual language program. The grant now includes two different application types: one for newer programs (implementation year through grade two) and one for established programs (grades three and above). For additional information on program requirements, funding amounts, and how to apply, see IDOE’s Indiana Dual Language webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.

REMINDER: WIDA Standards Implementation Workshop on Thursday, May 11

Join IDOE for a virtual workshop focused on implementing the WIDA Standards, 2020 Edition, on Thursday, May 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. ET. This session is a part of level III of the Indiana WIDA Standards Rollout and is intended for both English learner (EL) and content-area educators with any level of WIDA Standards knowledge. Educators will test actionable approaches to enhancing language and content instruction using the WIDA Standards. Registration is not required, and access to the meeting can be found on the Indiana EL PD Opportunities Calendar. Participants are encouraged to bring a colleague and a favorite lesson plan to work from. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.

REMINDER: Educator & Parent Stakeholder Group Meetings for Special Education Graduation Rate, Dropout Rate, and Transition IEPs

IDOE’s Office of Special Education will hold two sessions of stakeholder meetings to analyze data and identify improvement strategies for Graduation Rate (Indicator 1), Dropout Rate (Indicator 2), and Transition IEPs (Indicator 13). Participants may choose one session either on Tuesday, May 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET or Thursday, May 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. ET.  A separate meeting will also be held specifically for parents to analyze Indicators 11, 12, and 13. This meeting will be held on Monday, May 15, from 6 to 7 p.m. ET. There is no registration required for these meetings. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.

Offices of Teaching and Learning, Digital Learning, and Kindergarten Readiness

NEW: Updated Standards - Implementation Timelines for Instruction and Assessment 

Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-31-3-1, IDOE convened a variety of stakeholder committees (e.g., educators, parents, community members) to review standard revisions and/or prioritizations of the Indiana Academic Standards for kindergarten through grade 12. Please review this guidance that outlines implementation timelines for the instruction and assessment of updated and prioritized Indiana Academic Standards. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.

NEW: Tips from the Field - Digital Learning Leadership Cadre Sessions

The Digital Learning Leadership Cadre’s series Tips from the Field, featuring educators across the state, continues next week in the Indiana Learning Lab. Join teachers on Tuesday, May 9, at 4 p.m. ET for practical ideas on utilizing data to drive instruction and support students. Register here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.

NEW: On-Demand April Professional Development (PD) with IDOE

Join PD with IDOE every Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET for a live session on a variety of topics. April events are all available on-demand:

• ISPROUT Data Collection
• Fill the Gap Using iCAP
• Introduction to Specialized Populations
• Helping PreK Students Transition to Kindergarten

Attend future live sessions and view other on-demand content in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.

REMINDER: 2023-2024 Reading Plan and Dyslexia Reporting Submissions Due Friday, June 30 

511 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 6.2-3.1 requires all public and accredited non-public schools with students enrolled in kindergarten through grade three to complete and submit an elementary reading plan to IDOE by close of business on Friday, June 30. IDOE’s Literacy Center released the new Reading Plan Guidance to assist with this requirement. 

• Public schools will use this form. 
• Accredited non-public schools will use this form. 

In addition to the reading plan, IC 20-35.5 requires all public schools to report dyslexia screening data from the 2022-2023 school year. Accredited non-public schools are not required to submit data, but have the option to report. Charter schools will use this form for dyslexia reporting dyslexia screening data. The submission window is open through Friday, June 30. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with additional questions or for additional guidance.

REMINDER: May PD with IDOE

May PD with IDOE continues next week with Introduction to the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC). View a full list of the May sessions here. To register for workshops, or view on-demand sessions, 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: 2023-2024 STEM Integration Grant Application Closes Wednesday, May 10

Applications for the 2023-2024 STEM Integration Grant closes at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 10. This competitive grant opportunity is designed to improve elementary and secondary student achievement and participation in STEM learning experiences. It is available to all public school corporations, charter schools, and accredited non-public schools. More information regarding the STEM Integration Grant application process can be found here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.

Office of Title Grants and Support

NEW: Federal Grant Pre-Application Now Available

The fiscal year (FY) 2024 (FFY23) Federal Grants Pre-Application is now available via Moodle. Please ensure that you are enrolled in the "Title Grants Pre-App" course to access the Pre-Application document, as well as several key resources, including required consultation forms. Resources connected to the Pre-Application will become available as they are updated. Current resources include updated section guidance videos, disparity reports, and the April 2023 Coffee Chat recording. Upon opening the Pre-Application Microsoft Word document, you will be prompted to enter a password. Please open the “read only” version and save the document using the requested naming convention. This will allow you to edit all necessary sections. The FY24 Pre-Application should be submitted via JotForm no later than Saturday, July 1. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions.

REMINDER: Title Grants and Support Quarterly Meeting

On Wednesday, May 10, at 10 a.m., the Title Grants and Support Team will host the fourth Quarterly Meeting to provide updates on federal grants. Use this link to participate. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions.

News From Our Partners

NEW FROM THE INDIANA FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During Mental Health Awareness Month, you can show your support for Mental Health by spreading the word in your school and community. FSSA’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) and Project AWARE have created a Youth Mental Health Resources document to help promote student well-being and mental health. Contact DMHA with any questions.

NEW FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION: Grant Available for Field Trips to State Parks

Indiana schools are invited to apply for Discover the Outdoors grants, from the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, which financially supports school field trips to Indiana State Parks. These grants provide students with hands-on activities to learn about natural resources and explore Indiana’s unique natural and cultural areas. Educators work directly with interpreters at properties to develop a curriculum for the visit that benefits their students. Applications are open through June 30. All school types and grades are eligible for this grant. Contact DiscoverOutdoorsGrants@dnr.IN.gov with any questions. 

NEW FROM INVESTED: Now Scheduling Events for Next School Year

INvestEd is scheduling events for next school year to help Indiana students understand their options for education beyond high school. INvestEd is Indiana’s only state-created, nonprofit financial aid advising organization. As Indiana is committed to addressing the state’s declining college enrollment trend, it is critical that students and families know the optimal way to plan for successful education after high school and understand the state and federal financial aid options available, including FAFSA filing support. During the 2022-2023 school year, INvestEd partnered with over 225 schools at over 800 events. To schedule an event for next school year or to learn more about how INvestEd can provide support to your students and families regarding their postsecondary funding questions, contact INvestEd via phone at 317.715.9007 or via email at outreach@investedindiana.org.

NEW FROM THE HIGH ABILITY EDUCATION TEACHER BOOT CAMP: Professional Development Available

Dr. Kristie Speirs Neumeister and Dr. Virginia Burney invite teachers of students identified as high ability to attend their Annual High Ability Education 2 Day Teacher Boot Camp. The boot camp is being offered in person as well as virtually. In-person participants will visit Conner Prairie for the Boot Camp on Tuesday, August 29, and Friday, September 15. Virtual attendee districts can specify a two-week window to access materials. The workshop will provide 12 professional growth plan (PGP) points and the registration fee is an allowable expense through the High Ability Program Grant. For more information or to register, use this link. Contact consultantsforhighability@gmail.com with any questions.

NEW FROM THE INDIANA CTO COUNCIL: 2023 Indiana CTO Council Clinic

Registration closes today for the 2023 Indiana CTO Council Clinic, which will be held Thursday, May 11, and Friday, May 12, at the Renaissance Indiana North Hotel. Cybersecurity and digital learning will be major themes and all schools/school corporations with an active CoSN membership may send one attendee for free. To request a CoSN membership quote for your school/school corporation, email members@cosn.org.

UPDATE FROM CODEHS: Free Indiana Python, JavaScript, Java, and Cybersecurity June Boot Camps for Computer Science Educators

CodeHS is partnering with IDOE to run FREE month-long Python, JavaScript, Java, and Cybersecurity online boot camps. These boot camps are designed to help computer science teachers build their programming skills and content knowledge. Register here to save your spot, and contact CodeHS with additional questions.

REMINDER FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS: Teacher Appreciation Night at Victory Field

Join educators from across the state of Indiana as the Indianapolis Indians celebrate teachers on Saturday, May 20! Tickets are only $10 for teachers, school leaders, and those who support students and teachers outside of the classroom. Educators are welcome to buy as many tickets as they like to bring friends and family. Tickets can be purchased here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.

REMINDER FROM INDIANA FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (FSSA): Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (PEBT) Eligibility

Families who meet certain income requirements and have chosen home or virtual school for their children due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for PEBT (federal food assistance), but they must act quickly. Families must apply for this benefit before Monday, May 15. Families who meet the qualifications below are encouraged to visit FSSA’s PEBT webpage to apply. (Scroll down the page to find the green button to apply.) The PEBT Home or Virtual School Program provides benefits for: 

• Students in kindergarten through grade two:
• Who are attending home or virtual school for COVID-related reasons
• Who are determined to be eligible for free/reduced-price meals due to their family’s income
• Students in grades three through 12
• Who were enrolled at an NSLP (free/reduced lunch) eligible school and switched to home/virtual school after the Federal Public Health Emergency began on January 27, 2020, and
• Who are attending home or virtual school for COVID-related reasons
• Who are determined to be eligible for free/reduced-price meals due to their family’s income

Families can find the application and other information about PEBT here. More information about FSSA and all its divisions and programs is available at www.IN.gov/FSSA. 

REMINDER FROM THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): 2023 Summer Institute

AP teachers are invited to register for the AP Summer Institute sponsored by the University of Notre Dame’s Advanced Placement Teacher Investment Program (AP-TIP). At AP-TIP’s Summer Institute, teachers will engage in hands-on workshops and labs focused on exemplary instructional strategies ready to be implemented in their own classrooms. The 2023 AP Summer Institute will be held Tuesday, July 11, through Friday, July 14, at Pike High School in Indianapolis. Sessions will be held daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. To view the full list of sessions and to register, click here. Contact Karen Morris with any questions.

Weekly Updates

View previous weekly updates from Dr. Katie Jenner here.

Stay Informed

Did you miss a message? View previous weekly emails here. Want daily updates? Be sure to follow the Department on Twitter and Facebook.

The Weekly Update from the Indiana Department of Education is created by the Office of Communications, and is distributed every Friday morning.