Another round of schools headed back to the classroom this week! In last week’s message, I highlighted a visit to Crawford County Community Schools, where I joined faculty and staff to help kick off the school year. While visiting southern Indiana, I also had an opportunity to catch up with South Harrison Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Mark Eastridge, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Elementary Diane Owen, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Secondary Allison Schalk to hear more about their unique and fun approach to kick off the new year for both students and educators.
Dr. Eastridge and team shared that their school year kicked off with an opening day “Learning Fair,” where South Harrison educators spent the day attending three professional learning sessions of their choice. Topics included supporting English learner students, project-based learning, best practices for literacy instruction (science of reading), understanding student data, and so much more!
The Learning Fair even included a “midway” (think the midway at the Indiana State Fair!) where educators could visit booths to learn new instructional techniques, meet the instructional coaching team, play games, and win prizes for their classrooms. Check out a couple of the photos below!
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The following day, South Harrison’s full staff was welcomed back with teacher-led presentations on professional learning communities (PLCs). During the 2023-2024 school year, teachers will meet every Friday for one hour to work on instructional improvement, measured by student growth, but this isn’t the only PLC in action! The PLC teams range in size from large to small, including kindergarten through sixth grade vertical alignment teams, department teams, and teachers who come together with a common goal in mind.
Dr. Eastridge’s example is just one of many schools kicking off the new year in a fun way for both students AND teachers. Thanks for all you do!
UPDATE: Legislatively-Required and Other Guidance Surrounding Newly-Enacted Legislation
Following the close of each legislative session, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) immediately begins working to implement newly-enacted legislation impacting K-12 education, which includes compiling guidance for educators. Guidance is a product of robust cross-agency collaboration and partnership with countless stakeholders. Any future updates will be added to this comprehensive guidance document and shared via the weekly newsletter.
REMINDER: School and Corporation Profile Amendment Window
The school and corporation profile amendment submission window for the 2023-2024 school year is open through Thursday, August 31. In order for IDOE to maintain accurate information, all schools and corporations must provide notice when changes are made that affect school openings, closures, and reconfigurations. Information on the submission process can be found here. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: Educators Needed - Asynchronous ILEARN Content & Fairness Committee
IDOE is seeking English/language arts and mathematics educators for grades three through eight to participate in the asynchronous ILEARN Content and Fairness Committee for new items created specifically for the upcoming through-year assessment. Participants will meet for virtual training from 4 to 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 24, to review committee goals and the process. The committee will complete asynchronous work from August through early December (as items are assigned), reviewing ILEARN assessment items to ensure content alignment and fairness. Educators can apply via this form through Friday, August 18. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
UPDATED: Digital PSAT and SAT Redesign Resources
As IDOE prepares schools for the new adaptive, fully-digital model of the SAT Suite of Assessments, various resources have been updated to support this transition. Access the revised information for How the SAT is Structured here. Access College Board’s recording and presentation over these changes here. Additional information on this redesign can be found in the following resources:
Please communicate this information to any high school staff who will be counseling or preparing students for the SAT, including those teaching college entrance exam preparation courses. Contact College Board with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations Now Open for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors outstanding high school seniors and encourages high attainment among all students. This memo outlines the required qualifications and nomination process. The rubrics for general and career and technical education (CTE) applications are now available here. Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 27, in order to be considered. Contact Emily Black with any questions.
NEW: Adjunct Teacher Permit Reporting
The Indiana General Assembly authorized local governing bodies to hire adjunct teachers and issue adjunct teacher permits in 2022 and added authority for hiring adjunct teachers and issuing local adjunct permits to charter schools and non-public schools during the 2023 legislative session. Schools hiring adjunct teachers on locally-issued adjunct teacher permits are required to report certain information to IDOE at the time of employment. Fill out this JotForm to report adjunct teacher permits.
To be included in statewide educator workforce data, each adjunct permit holder must also create an account in the Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) if they do not already have one, and each permit holder needs a school personnel number (SPN). If the permit holder does not already have an SPN, the school employer must request one via the LINK Portal’s Ed-ID system. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Licensing with any questions.
NEW: 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year Top 25 Finalists Announced
The Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY) Screening Committee is excited to announce the 2024 INTOY Top 25 Finalists. The Top 25 candidates will be considered by the selection committee as they select the “Top 10” Finalists. Details on the Top 25 Finalists can be found here. For more information on the INTOY program, contact Rebecca Estes.
REMINDER: Register Now for Indiana Educator Talent Marketplace Webinars
Learn more about how you can use Indiana Educator Talent Marketplace to find great candidates for your open roles. This webinar will walk through the marketplace's newest offering, share tips about how to attract the best talent, and answer your questions.
- Tuesday, August 15, at 1 p.m. ET
- Thursday, August 24, at 1 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, September 12, at 3 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, September 26, at 3 p.m. ET
Click here to register. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Level Up Leadership Participant Applications Due Monday, August 14
The 2023-2024 Level Up Leadership series is an opportunity for emerging leaders to engage in innovative and relevant professional development in order to "level up" the leadership capacity of educators across the state. Educators (teachers, instructional coaches, assistant principals, deans, etc.) with a desire to expand their capacity as emerging leaders can learn more here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Staff Performance Evaluation Plan Submission
Senate Enrolled Act 486 (2023) requires each school corporation to develop or adopt a plan for annual performance evaluations for each certified employee. Staff performance evaluation plans must be submitted via JotForm by Friday, September 15. Evaluation plan cover sheets are no longer required as part of the submission. For more information, click here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) Policy Submission Required
Information regarding the TAG policy submission can be found here. Local educational agencies (including charter and virtual charter schools) must submit the TAG policy for approval via JotForm by Friday, September 16, to be eligible to receive TAG funding. Contact tag@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana STEM (I-STEM) Educator Expansion Program 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.
NEW: Resolution of Conflicts for Membership 2023
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, IDOE will no longer be brokering the resolution of conflicts after the certification date. If, after the certification date, schools are unable to resolve an outstanding conflict, schools may petition the State Board of Education for an adjustment in their average daily membership (ADM) count by providing the Board with evidence supporting an adjustment in their membership claim. The process for petitioning the Board will be made available this fall and communicated in Dr. Jenner’s Weekly Update. IDOE wants to make sure each school receives full funding for the students they are serving and completes the Membership count within two to three weeks of the count date. This process will help achieve both of these goals. See this memo for a more complete explanation of this change. Contact the Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: Ed-Fi Upgrade Complete
This week, IDOE launched an upgraded version of the Ed-Fi technology and data standard for the 2023-2024 school year. School personnel and their vendors have been participating in training and will continue to be trained in the weeks ahead. While the changes in this upgrade will be transparent to schools, Indiana will benefit from the many improvements to the data standard which have occurred since Ed-Fi was first implemented in the 2019-2020 school year. These changes include improvements in the data model and increased efficiencies in the Ed-Fi technology platform. Contact the Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: LINK Portal Setup and Review of Security Coordinators
The LINK Portal is able to recognize all public, charter, and accredited non-public schools’ local Google G-Suite or Microsoft 365 accounts. IDOE configures the organization’s leader as the first account, and the organization leader must log in to designate up to two security coordinators responsible for overseeing the setup of roles for others in the organization. All superintendents and leaders of non-public schools should log in to the LINK Portal and review/update their security coordinator information.
- Instructions for organization leaders on how to review/designate the security coordinators can be found here.
- New public and Choice schools registration process for the LINK Portal can be found here.
- New superintendents or organization leaders of non-public schools who need the first account configured should email link@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: Designation of Key Contacts
Security coordinators for all traditional public, charter, and accredited non-public schools are responsible for ensuring their organization’s key contacts for the 2023-2024 school year are set. Key contacts including the roles of Superintendent, Financial Contact, Special Education Director, Principal, Data Exchange Contact, etc. are needed for the 2023-2024 school year even if those contacts were provided last school year.
For school corporations that have an Ed-fi student information system (SIS), key contacts and other staff role assignments should be entered and managed in the local SIS and then provided to Data Exchange/LINK for the new school year. However, all three options below are available:
- Provide staff classifications in the local SIS per vendor’s instructions,
- Add a staff type manually for the 2023-2024 school year via the Security Portal, or
- Upload templates 008_StaffAssociation_StaffEdOrgAssignmentAssociation and 0009_StaffOrganizationContactAssociation into Data Exchange.
Schools utilizing options two and three may cause overriding or loss of data. Schools should connect with their SIS vendor to better understand how to avoid data loss when providing data via multiple methods.
IDOE will recognize active staff assignments/roles during the summer months from the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years and will begin recognizing only the 2023-2024 school year assignments beginning Friday, September 1. Security coordinator instructions can be found here. Contact the Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: SIS Vendor Changes
IDOE-issued Data Exchange credentials (key and secret) are tied to the supporting SIS vendor. If your corporation will be changing or adding an SIS vendor for the 2023-2024 school year, please email link@doe.in.gov with these changes. Your organization will receive a new set of credentials for the new vendor. Please note that participation in the 2023-2024 school year Kick-off Sessions is required in order to receive and activate the credentials. A SIS vendor certification status list can be found here. Additional information on the implementation of Data Exchange can be found on the Data Exchange webpage. Contact the Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: Kick-off Session Participation Required to Receive Data Exchange Credentials
Schools are expected to join the 2023-2024 school year Kick-off Session that is specific to their SIS. The session schedule can be found in the Moodle Data Exchange Training and Community and should be attended by at least two individuals from each school corporation – the individual in the lead data role and the superintendent, assistant superintendent, chief financial officer, chief information officer, or director/head of school. Schools will gain access to Ed-Id API after the completion of the Kick-off Session. Please allow up to three business days for IDOE to confirm attendance and update access for organizations, after which schools will be able to submit data to IDOE. Schools will continue to have access to the Ed-ID Portal Interface to assign STNs and SPNs. The 2022-2023 school year data collection closed on Wednesday, July 12, and no further data changes will be allowed. Contact the Data Exchange Team with any questions.
NEW: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Survey for School Administrators
As required by Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 369, IDOE is conducting a statewide survey of public schools, charter schools, and state-accredited non-public schools to determine the number of AEDs and AED-related school policies currently in use. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete and should be filled out at the building level by the school administrator. Click here to access the survey. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
NEW: Resources for School Nurses
In order to assist school nurses with their questions and practice, IDOE has identified and created multiple resources specifically for school nurses. These resources include IDOE's health webpage, IDOE's School Nurse Newsletter, and Moodle, which contains 10 online courses, the school nurse community of resources, and the Indiana School Nurse Manual. Please share these resources with your school nurses. Contact Jolene Bracale with any questions.
NEW: Membership and Enrollment
As the membership census date approaches, enrollment questions have increased. Please read the following memos regarding residency requirements, out of state enrollment, and enrollment denial. Contact Cathy Danyluk with any questions.
NEW: Annual Financial Report
House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1638 repealed the requirement for school corporations to publish an annual financial report between August 1 and August 15. Therefore, the Office of School Finance will not be releasing a reporting template. School corporations must still file the required Gateway financial information required by the State Board of Accounts. Contact afr@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Summer School Final Cost Report
The Summer School Final Cost Report submission window is now open. Information regarding the summer school program can be found in Moodle. Contact Teresa Hemmerle or Alex Waite with any questions.
REMINDER: School Improvement Plans
The submission window for Comprehensive Needs Assessment/School Improvement Plans (CNA/SIP) is now open. Use of the state CNA/SIP template fulfills all requirements under state law and ESSA for schools identified for CSI, TSI, and/or Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ASTI). Submissions are due by Friday, October 6. This memo provides additional information, including links to the CNA/SIP Google doc and CNA/SIP template. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions.
REMINDER: Student Learning Recovery Grant - Expanding What Works
The Expanding What Works program promotes regional partnerships between community organizations, local non-profits, municipal partners, and/or local school corporations to replicate the successful Indy Summer Learning Labs at a regional level. This competitive grant program will prioritize applicants that demonstrate a commitment to partnering with the Lavinia Group to implement a high-quality, research-based summer learning curriculum and fidelity to the core design principles of the Indy Summer Learning Labs. More information and applications are available here. Contact CommunityLearningGrant@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Student Pathways Fall Virtual Conferences
IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will be hosting virtual conferences this fall to support school districts in the areas of alternative education, homeless children and youth, high ability, and graduation pathways. Please see this flyer for additional information on each of the conferences. Virtual conference links will be shared in future newsletters. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Pathways with any questions.
REMINDER: McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application Now Open
The 2023-2024 McKinney-Vento Subgrant application is now open in JotForm. This year’s application is available for both individual LEAs and consortiums. The application deadline is Friday, August 25. Contact Mckinneyventopoc@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Grad Pathways Employability Skills Course Codes Required for 2023-2024 School Year
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, schools will be required to use the course codes to designate completion of the graduation pathways employability skills experiences.
The following course codes are included in the 2023-24 Course Titles & Descriptions:
- 0539 Service Based Learning (SBL),
- 0543 Work Based Learning Level 1 (WBL Lvl 1),
- 0544 Work Based Learning Level 2 (WBL Lvl 2),
- 0545 Work Based Learning Level 3 (WBL Lvl 3),
- 0546 Work Based Learning Level 4 (WBL Lvl 4), and
- 0547 Project Based Learning (PBL).
Contact DOEgradpathways@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 Alternative Education Program Renewal
All approved alternative education programs must complete the annual renewal application by Saturday, September 30. In order to remain an approved program eligible for alternative education funding, this renewal must be submitted by the September deadline and approved by IDOE's Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities. Upon submission of the JotForm, a confirmation email with a copy of the responses will be sent to the superintendent. Contact studentpathways_alted@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Career Explorer (INCE) – The New Digital Graduation Plan and K-5 Career Exploration Features Webinar
In partnership with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), IDOE will be hosting a free webinar on Monday, August 21, at 3 p.m. ET to demonstrate how to use the new Digital Graduation Plan that is now live and ready to use in INCE. There will also be a preview of the new grades K-5 career awareness and career exploration dashboard that will be available in late August. Contact IDOE's Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions.
REMINDER: Project AWARE Opportunity for Charter Schools
IDOE, in partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA’s) Division of Mental Health & Addiction (DMHA), wrote a competitive proposal in 2021 and was awarded the Project AWARE fiscal year 2021 Grant released and funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). IDOE is seeking letters of interest (LOI) from charter schools seeking funding to support the development of sustainable school-based mental health infrastructure. Please see this memo for more information. Project AWARE will host office hours on Wednesday, August 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET to answer questions about Project AWARE. LOIs are due Friday, August 18. Contact Turkesha Poindexter-Mosby with any questions.
NEW: August Special Education Excess Cost (SEEC) Office Hours
IDOE’s Office of Special Education will continue to hold office hours to support schools in navigating the SEEC fund. This is an opportunity for schools to ask questions regarding excess cost procedures 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.
NEW: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Part B 619 Application Now Available
Part B 619 grant applications and allocations for FY 2024 are now available in the Moodle Office of Special Education Community. Submissions are due in IDOE’s Grant Management System by Friday, September 1. Application workbooks for FY 2024 include a checklist to address common errors, and documents with instructions for each budget category are available in Moodle. New charter schools open for the 2023-2024 school year will be eligible for Part B funding in January 2024, and IDOE will contact them at that time. Contact your fiscal specialist with any questions. Locate your local education agency's (LEA’s) fiscal specialist in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community → Fiscal → Part B Grants for Special Education → LEA Assigned Specialists. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: Requesting Technical Assistance from IDOE
IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility seeks to ensure effective and efficient responses to the needs of Indiana’s schools. Schools may request free technical assistance directly from IDOE. This is an opportunity for schools to voluntarily request targeted support with a development need or problem. Additional information can be found in this resource and on IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.
NEW: Upcoming Training from the PATINS Project
Register now for no-cost training from the PATINS Project. Visit the training calendar for all upcoming opportunities or view the PATINS Professional Development Guide for offerings by request. Sessions include:
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Introduction to Teaching and Learning with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): This self-paced course gives an introduction to AAC, key classroom concepts for supporting AAC users, data collection, and considerations for special populations.This self-paced course counts for 9.5 hours of continuing education when completed. Registration continues through Wednesday, September 13.
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Let’s ChAT: Accessibility Educational Materials (AEM) & Assistive Technology (AT) in Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): This is a facilitated conversation around AT, AEM, and DDH IEPs. Join this 30-minute session with local scenarios, issues, or concerns and make plans to develop and implement policy and procedures for students.
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Indiana Center for Accessible Materials (ICAM) Ordering - Answers and Problem Solving: This training, intended for digital rights managers (DRMs), will guide attendees through the ICAM ordering process and review common troubleshooting solutions.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility or the PATINS Project with any questions regarding these opportunities.
REMINDER: Join the New English Learning (EL) Director Professional Learning Community (PLC) Beginning Tuesday, August 29
IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility and Office of English Learning and Migrant Education will offer a PLC for new directors of EL programs during the 2023-2024 school year. This will be a place to network with other new directors, access timely program information, and bring questions. The first session will be Tuesday, August 29, at 11 a.m. ET. The meeting link and additional info can be found on the EL PD Opportunities Calendar. Complete this interest survey to receive notifications on future meeting dates, times, and links to the virtual meetings. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with questions.
REMINDER: RoboKind Grant Applications Due Friday, September 1
Applications are now available for corporations and schools to apply for grant funds to purchase robotic technology and professional development to improve the social and behavioral skills for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). RoboKind is endorsed by the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) to serve these students with educational technology. Recipients will receive the curriculum, educational robot, applicable training, and infrastructure support. Information regarding applications and the funding process can be found here. To apply for this opportunity, complete the JotForm with the budget form by Friday, September 1. Contact robokind@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Virtual Workshop Series, Rethinking Transition to Employment: Facilitating Individualized Work Experiences for Students with Disabilities
IDOE and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) are collaborating on a free TransCen virtual workshop series. According to research, children who have meaningful work experiences in high school, including those with disabilities, have better career outcomes as adults. This webinar series is designed to provide secondary transition experts and vocational rehabilitation and community partners with the tools to facilitate community-based transition services. This three-part series includes coaching calls following each webinar for participants more time to ask questions and share successes and challenges. Additional information and registration for each session can be found here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
REMINDER: Paraprofessional Training Grant Application & Office Hours
IDOE is offering a grant opportunity to school corporations, charter schools, state schools, and special education cooperatives, joint services, and interlocals to guarantee that paraprofessionals, as defined in 511 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 7-32-69, receive training to assist students with disabilities. The grant application closes Friday, September 1. IDOE will host three open office hours to assist the field in completing these grant applications. Join the sessions below for assistance:
Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
REMINDER: Register Now for Elevating Education - Improving Outcomes for All Statewide Conference
Registration is open for Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All, a new statewide conference from IDOE and the IEP Technical Assistance (TA) Center. 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 on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29. Register here, as space is limited! Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility with any questions.
NEW: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Platform Pilot Grant Application Now Open
IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning invites school corporations and charter schools to apply for a one-time competitive grant opportunity to fund a pilot implementation of an AI-powered platform of their choosing. Corporations will select a vendor that meets the criteria outlined in the memo. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, August 25. See this memo for more information and join the grant support session here on Tuesday, August 15, at 2 p.m. ET. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Science of Reading: Experts Explain Series by Indiana Reading League
The Science of Reading: Experts Explain Series features national reading science experts sharing research and resources for schools shifting their practice toward evidence-based reading and writing instruction. A new topic will be presented each month as the series runs through May 2024. Join us on Wednesday, August 16, from noon to 1 p.m. ET in the Indiana Learning Lab for an introduction to the science of reading by the Indiana Reading League’s CEO Dr. Maria Murray. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Future-Focused Learning Series Regional Summits
The Future-Focused Learning Series, a collaborative effort with IDOE and the Educational Service Centers of Indiana (ESCI), was developed to support Indiana educators in the implementation of the streamlined and prioritized 2023 Indiana Academic Standards, Early Learning Standards, and Integrated STEM Standards. The series kicks off with regional, one-day summits taking place in September. Visit the Future-Focused Learning Series website for more information and to register. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant
Applications for the 2023-2024 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant are now open. This grant allows school corporations to design a plan to support parents with topics related to educational technology and blended/virtual learning environments. The grant application window closes Friday, September 15, at 5 p.m. ET. See this memo for additional information and to apply. Join the grant information session on Thursday, August 10, at 11 a.m. ET. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: High-Quality Curricular Materials Advisory Lists Guidance
Guidance is now available for prospective curriculum providers to apply for inclusion on IDOE’s advisory lists of high-quality curricular materials for Early Learning (infant/toddler, preschool, and mixed age groups) pursuant to the Indiana Early Learning Standards, as well as content areas aligned to the future-focused 2023 Indiana Academic Standards. These areas include K-8 Science/Engineering, 9-12 Science, K-8 Technology (Computer Science), K-12 Mathematics, and K-5 Literacy aligned with the science of reading. The vendor submission guide, evaluation tools, and other key resources can be found here. Prospective vendors must submit the JotForm indicating intent to apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 21. Questions regarding the process may be submitted through the JotForm or directed to IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.
REMINDER: High-Quality Curricular Materials Review Committee Applications Now Open
IDOE seeks qualified educators and other stakeholders to serve on high-quality curricular materials review committees in the areas of Early Learning (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Mixed Age Groups), K-8 Science/Engineering, 9-12 Science, K-8 Technology (Computer Science), K-12 Mathematics, and K-5 Reading aligned with the 2023 future-focused Indiana Academic Standards aligned to the science of reading. View this flier for more information and apply using the educator JotForm or community member JotForm. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: August Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
PD with IDOE continues with Introducing: The Learning Lab Parent and Family Support Hub on Wednesday, August 16, at 4 p.m. ET. View a full list of the August 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 directly and use your school email address to log in. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Early Learning Standards PD Sessions
IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness is hosting three training sessions on the new Early Learning Standards in the Indiana Learning Lab. Learn about the standards, ideas for implementing them, and ways to assess learning in all settings on Tuesday, August 8, Tuesday, August 15, and Tuesday, August 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with questions.
NEW: FFY2023/FY2024 Title IV-A Budget Application
The FFY2023/FY2024 Title II-A Budget Application, along with a guidance presentation, is now available in Moodle (Title IV Application) and is due Thursday, August 31. Contact TitleIV@doe.in.gov with any questions.
UPDATE: Charters Facilities Incentive Grant (CFIG) Cohort 4
The due date for submission of CFIG Cohort 4 has been extended. Applications are due Friday, August 25. The hub for all CFIG Cohort 4 documents, including application, allowability, and budget template can be found on the Charter Moodle page. Contact CharterPrograms@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Title Grants and Support Coffee Chats
Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join the Title Grants and Support team for monthly Coffee Chats. Coffee Chats have moved to the last Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. ET. The link will always be the same. Join via Microsoft Teams here. August’s topic will cover ESSER & Construction. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions or suggestions for topics.
REMINDER: Request for Class Size Reduction Using Title II-A Funds
Schools interested in implementing class size reduction (CSR) methods can use Title II-A funds for the FFY2023 school year. Please submit the request to begin the approval process. After the request is submitted, the school’s assigned federal grant specialist will send follow-up documentation. Please refer to the resources in the Title Grants and Support Moodle webpage for more information. Contact title2a@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS (OSEP): Smart Beginnings 2023
Join OSEP for Smart Beginnings 2023, a three-day virtual mini-conference from Tuesday, August 15, through Thursday, August 17, at 3 p.m. ET each day to learn about resources for supporting children with disabilities. Participants are eligible to earn continuing education units (CEUs). Register and learn more about this opportunity here. Contact OSEP with any questions.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Cohort Registration Closes Thursday, August 31
ISTE Certification was designed to help educators take the next steps in using technology for learning—to move from integrating technology to catalyzing active, high-impact learning. Join this cadre for support throughout the certification process. Digital Learning Grant funds may be applied to this certification. Registration closes Thursday, August 31. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with questions.
NEW FROM THE READING LEAGUE INDIANA: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
The Right to Read shares the stories of those who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. Join The Reading League Indiana for a live screening of this powerful documentary, followed by a panel discussion about the ongoing efforts to improve literacy outcomes for Indiana students and how you can get involved.
- Wednesday, August 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET at the Central Library in Indianapolis
- Tuesday, September 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET at Ivy Tech in Sellersburg
Contact The Reading League Indiana with questions.
UPDATE FROM THE INDIANA STATE LITERACY ASSOCIATION (ISLA): 2023 Fall Literacy Conference
ISLA is excited to host educators for the Fall Literacy Conference in on Saturday, October 28, at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. Keynote speaker and author John Schu will share his expertise in the morning with breakout sessions to follow for the afternoon. Come join the fun and walk away with literacy tips and strategies to grow your literacy community! Click here for additional details and registration. Questions can be directed to Dr. Ryan Eckart.
REMINDER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS (UINDY) CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP OF LEARNING (CELL): Register Today for a Two-Part Financial Seminar
This event features “Unleashing Existing Funds” with keynote speaker Nathan Williamson of Mazi Education and aims to empower educational leaders to explore compensation flexibility and innovative models available to traditional public and charter schools. Join us on:
- Thursday, September 7, (in-person) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET at UIndy
- Thursday, November 2, (virtually) 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET
During this workshop, you will discover the power of optimizing existing funds to create a more efficient and effective financial strategy. By honing in on resource reallocation, streamlining processes, and optimizing financial allocations, your school can better meet the needs and desires of your dedicated educators. This approach leads to immediate teacher support and incentives, all without the burden of seeking additional funding sources.
Superintendents, assistant superintendents, business office representatives, and human resources representatives are invited to register to be part of this unique opportunity and gain the tools to streamline processes, reallocate resources, and provide immediate support and incentives to educators. Register here. Contact Payton Royeca with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE SOCIETY OF INDIANA PIONEERS: Apply Now for the John H. Holliday Award
The Society of Indiana Pioneers offers up to two $1,000 grants each year to encourage the study of Indiana pioneer-era history at the K12 level. To be considered for the John H. Holliday Award, educators must complete an application form on behalf of their school system and commit to a project, program, or activity related to Indiana history in the upcoming school year. The application deadline is Saturday, September 30. Preference will be given to projects showing student agency. Teachers of Indiana history, U.S. History, Indiana Studies, and pioneer-related content in any discipline (literature, music, art, etc.) are encouraged to apply. The application can be found here. Contact Andrea Neal with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR TODD YOUNG: Academy Day
Senator Todd Young will be hosting Academy Day on Tuesday, August 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Armory, 9920 E. 59th Street, Indianapolis. This event is for high school students who are interested in learning more about attending one of our nation’s service academies. This meeting is an opportunity for students to learn more about the admissions process and what life is like at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Additional information is available here. Students interested in attending the virtual Academy Day should RSVP to Academy_Nominations@young.senate.gov.
REMINDER FROM TEACH INDY: Teacher Appreciation and Back to School Night at Indy Eleven
Teach Indy is excited to invite students, families, and educators to Back to School Night at Indy Eleven on Saturday, August 26. Tickets are free for students and $11 for adults. Come join the fun in the free kids zone, check out the family-oriented community organization booths, and enjoy a great night of soccer. Families, students, and staff are all welcome. Click here for details and ticket sales. Questions can be directed to mark@teachindynow.org
REMINDER FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT: Renewal Grants for Indiana K-12 Educators
The Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce the 37th round of its Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP). This program supports educators throughout Indiana by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. The Endowment believes that through new experiences, exploration, and reflection educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership, and thoughtful ways to encourage students’ creative thinking. The Endowment expects to award approximately 100 grants, each totaling up to $15,000, in 2024. The application deadline is 5 p.m. ET on Monday, September 11. Contact Lilly Endowment staff at teachercreativity@lei.org with any questions.
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