It has been an excellent several days of school visits–celebrating their work on science of reading (and celebrating the results!), their work on rethinking high school, and other cool opportunities provided for students and their school community. I loved every minute of the time spent with students and educators! Each of these schools is making it happen for students, and I hope to share more specific details about the visit highlights in the future…but the quick list includes Paramount Cottage Home in Indianapolis, Manchester Elementary in Aurora, Lawrenceburg Primary and Central elementaries in Lawrenceburg, Ohio County Elementary and Rising Sun High School in Rising Sun, and Switzerland County High School in Vevay.
Also, this week, another highlight included joining Governor Holcomb and State Library Director Jake Speer in the official statewide announcement of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (more details on this to come in the future!). This focuses specifically on helping get books in kids' hands as early as possible…opening increased access to reading for all Indiana students.
If you had an opportunity to read last week’s newsletter message or my recent op-ed in the IndyStar, you’re familiar with the urgent need to ensure every child has the foundational reading skills necessary for long-term learning and success. One of the key themes of this message is something that you, as educators, already know to be true…it is going to take all of us working together to solve Indiana’s literacy crisis – including our parents and families.
Today, I would like to share several FREE opportunities available to parents and families, as they provide important reading and other learning support for our students.
EXPANSION - Indiana Learns
Earlier this month, we announced the expansion of Indiana Learns, a statewide grant program providing qualifying parents and families with $1,000 to spend on high-dosage tutoring and approved out-of-school academic programs, specifically focused on literacy and math. We know from our 2023 ILEARN proficiency results, and the ongoing academic impact/recovery analysis, that our middle school students in particular need strategic learning support and interventions. This newly released data was the determining factor in the expansion of Indiana Learns, which now includes middle school students, in addition to the elementary school students already eligible. This allows parents and families, who may not otherwise be able to pay for high-dosage tutoring, to access these opportunities for their students and provide them the additional support they need.
In addition to the expanded student eligibility, the following program updates are also now in effect:
- Increase in awards to $1,000 for all students with established accounts
- Families can re-apply for funds after the initial award has been spent on tutoring
- Corporations can serve as learning partners, providing tutoring support direct to students, with or without the match requirement
- Expansion of service opportunity to include tutoring during the school day (ex. during lunch or any subject, with the exception of reading and math)
- Individual schools within a corporation can now apply to serve as learning partners
Interested families can visit IndianaLearns.org to check if their student is eligible. Families with questions can reach out to the Indiana Learns team by emailing info@indianalearns.org or by calling (317) 203-9236. Schools can also learn more about becoming an approved learning partner by visiting the Indiana Learns website.
NEW Parent & Family Hub - Indiana Learning Lab
Earlier this month, we also launched our newest feature in the Indiana Learning Lab: The Parent & Family Support Hub! The Indiana Learning Lab, first launched in 2021 to support our educators, has now grown to more than 44,000 users. As student and educator needs evolve, the Learning Lab is evolving as well. The new Parent and Family Hub was launched as a way to support parents and families of students in early learning through grade 12.
The platform will feature vetted websites, videos, workshops, and other content focused on literacy and STEM instruction, in particular. These resources will be available to parents 24/7, allowing them to access the content whenever it is most convenient for them and their family.
Our IDOE team is also currently planning several September sessions in the Learning Lab to provide information to families, as well as educators, about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library…and the important role that parents and families play in supporting their children to read (ex. ensuring your child reads 30 minutes per day).
All Indiana educators can create a free Indiana Learning Lab account. Please also encourage parents and families to use this direct link to create an account and get started today. Additional hubs, focused on literacy and computer science, will also be available this fall!
Please help us in sharing these free opportunities with your local parents and families, and as always, thank you for all that you do for students!
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NEW: Academic Recovery Report Now Available
Academic recovery reports are now available in the accountability portal, which uses DOE Online credentials. This will allow schools to download an Excel report that shows not only how the school compares to the corporation and to the state, but also provides growth information at the student level. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
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: PSAT/NMSQT Preparation Timeline
The PSAT/NMSQT testing window will be held from Monday, October 9, through Friday, October 27. Schools must complete associated tasks by the identified deadline that correlates to their planned testing within that window. Refer to the following reminders and College Board’s Best Practices Timeline for additional guidance.
- Requests in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Online should be made seven weeks prior to testing. For example, schools planning to begin testing on Monday, October 16, should submit requests by Monday, August 28.
- Test orders should be made in the SAT Suite Ordering and Registration (SSOR) system five weeks prior to testing.
- Schools should submit initial registration files four weeks prior to testing and validate registrations three weeks prior.
- Schools may provide PSAT/NMSQT opportunities to homeschool students or students enrolled in non-accredited schools as a community service. All associated costs will be billed to the school.
Refer to IDOE’s PSAT/NMSQT Milestones resource and College Board’s PSAT/NMSQT webpage for additional guidance. Contact College Board with any questions.
NEW: Good Cause Exemption (GCE) Reporting Due Friday, September 1
GCEs granted in 2023 must be reported using the GCE Intervention Plan Jotform by Friday, September 1, to ensure that necessary remediation is in place for the 2023-2024 school year. The form allows for multi-entry and single student entry options. An Excel template is provided here and within the form for a data upload option. Schools can download the template, add entries, and submit it through the Jotform once complete. Schools should allow two weeks for the GCE submission status to appear on the EdData IREAD-3 and ILEARN report in the LINK Portal. IDOE will begin reviewing corporation and school GCE submissions after Friday, September 1, and will follow up as needed. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: 2022-2023 Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant Final Report Due Thursday, August 31
Each corporation/non-public school that received a distribution from the 2022-2023 Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant is required to submit a final report verifying fund allocations and return unused funds to IDOE by Thursday, August 31. Review this guidance for additional details and instructions. Access the 2022-2023 Formative Assessment Grant distribution list to review your district’s distribution amount. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment 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.
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.
NEW: Level Up Leadership Cohort Mentors and Participants Announced
A list of selected mentors and participants for the 2023-2024 Level Up Leadership cohort can be found here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
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, 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: 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: Nominations Sought for Data Exchange Advisory Council
The Data Exchange Advisory Council is being formed to enhance Indiana's collection and use of educational data and will advise IDOE on matters related to the operation, management, and development of Data Exchange. The membership of the council will be around 10 members from schools and members of IDOE's team. The composition of the council will be diverse in school type and size and will have representation from multiple student information system (SIS) vendors. The council will meet monthly for approximately one hour. Initial membership on the council will be for the 2023-2024 school year which extends through June 30, 2024. Nominations will remain open until Thursday, August 31. IDOE plans to form the council quickly and convene the group for the first time in September. Contact the Data Exchange team with any questions.
REMINDER: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Offers Free Cybersecurity Resources for K-12 Schools
As shared in early February, CISA released “Partnership to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats,” with an accompanying toolkit to provide schools targeted resources to improve their cybersecurity posture. These resources call out very specific actions that schools can take to drastically reduce their cybersecurity risk. Schools are strongly encouraged to review and implement these recommendations as we begin the 2023-2024 school year. Also, the Free Cybersecurity Services and Tools link below provide access to many great resources that will assist schools as they implement the recommended actions.
REMINDER: 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: 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.
NEW: Teacher Compensation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please see this updated Teacher Compensation FAQ which provides guidance to assist school corporations with review and implementation of the provisions regarding teacher compensation, funding floor, and minimum expenditures. Definitions may differ between teacher compensation, funding floor, and minimum expenditures, so please review questions specific to each category of question. All changes are effective beginning July 1, 2023, for school year 2023-2024 expenditures. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
NEW: Teacher Compensation Waiver Form
If your school corporation does not believe it can comply with the 62% expenditure requirement for teacher compensation for 2023-2024, the school corporation shall file a waiver with IDOE. The deadline to file the waiver form, memo/letter, and supporting documentation for the 2023-2024 school year is Friday, September 15. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: 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.
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: Opportunity for Sources of Strength K-6 Student Wellness Curriculum
IDOE's Office of Student, School and Family Engagement has partnered with Sources of Strength to offer strength-based student wellness curriculum for free to 20 elementary/intermediate schools for the 2023-2024 school year. Sources of Strength Elementary is a strength-based prevention curriculum with a strong focus on mental health and proactive prevention for students and staff members. Classroom instructors, counselors, or other staff members deliver the curriculum in each classroom through engaging, applicable, and interactive lessons. Complete the application here. The first 20 schools that submit an application and meet all necessary criteria will be selected (CSI & TSI eligible schools will be given priority). Last day for submission is Friday, September 15. Contact Jason Murrey with any questions.
REMINDER: Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training
IDOE's Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement is offering free in-person QPR suicide prevention training. QPR is an evidence-based program that ensures every participant will be able to recognize the signs of someone in distress who is possibly having suicidal thoughts, engage, and work to deescalate the crisis. This training is two hours in length and can count toward professional growth plan (PGP) points for licensure renewal. Contact Jason Murrey if you are interested in having this training at your facility.
NEW: Migrant Education Program (MEP) Work Survey & Required Follow-Up
In accordance with federal regulations, Indiana schools must administer the MEP Work Survey to all students to assist in the identification of migratory students. The survey should be included in the students' annual registration packet and kept on file until the following year. Upon receipt of surveys containing positive responses to the first two questions, corporations must contact their respective Migrant Regional Center (MRC) where trained MEP staff will contact the family to determine final eligibility. Eligible migrant students will receive supplemental educational services from the MRC. More information and frequently asked questions about Indiana’s MEP can be found on IDOE’s MEP webpage. Contact IDOEs Office of English Learners and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency Informational Meeting
The Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency (CoMP), Indiana’s Seal of Biliteracy, is awarded to seniors who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and another language. This award is a great way to celebrate students’ achievement in world language and honor the home language of English learners and heritage speakers. Join IDOE for an informational webinar on Thursday, September 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET. Participation, implementation, and guidance updates will be discussed. No registration is required, and the link can be found on the Indiana EL Professional Development Opportunities Calendar. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: WIDA Standards Spotlight Session - Academic Language Use
IDOE will host a WIDA Standards Spotlight session in the Indiana Learning Lab on Tuesday, September 29, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET. This session will cover applying the Key Language Uses of the WIDA Standards to elicit students’ academic language use in the classroom. Registration is required in the Indiana Learning Lab, and the session is open to all educators. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: Updated 2023-2024 Parent Survey Information
IDOE encourages parents and families to complete the annual parent survey following the student’s annual case review (ACR). IDOE provides the following resources and translations to assist LEAs with distributing the survey:
Family letters translated in Burmese will be available soon. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional 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 completed budget form by Friday, September 1. Contact robokind@doe.in.gov with additional questions.
REMINDER: Indiana Education Scholarship Account Education Service Plan
Per Indiana Code (IC) 20-51.4, Indiana students with disabilities may be eligible for an Educational Scholarship Account (ESA). As required by code, the Indiana State Board of Education has filed a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Rule (LSA #23-504) regarding the development of the educational scholarship account service plan (ESA-SP). To provide clarification on ESA-SP statutory and regulatory requirements, the Office of Legal Affairs-Dispute Resolution has released this guidance memo. Contact IDOE’s Dispute Resolution Team with any questions.
REMINDER: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Reimbursement Updates
In preparation for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), IDOE requests that local educational agencies (LEAs) submit separate reimbursement requests for June and July 2023 per requirements from the State Comptroller’s Office. Doing so will assist in avoiding potential delays in reimbursement. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
REMINDER: FY 2024 Part B Office Hours
IDOE is offering office hours to assist LEAs with applications for FY 2024 Part B 611 and 619 grants. Each session is structured as a time for individual questions concerning Part B grants; there will be no formal presentation. Joining the sessions below:
Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
REMINDER: FY 2022 & American Rescue Plan (ARP) Part B Grant Proportionate Share Waiver Request Form Now Available
The FY 2022 Part B 611, 619, ARP 611, and ARP 619 Grant Proportionate Share Waiver Request Form and instructions is now available in the Office of Special Education Community in Moodle. Completed requests with supporting documentation must be submitted to partbgrants@doe.in.gov by Thursday, August 31. Following waiver approval, a Part B grant budget modification request is required to transfer funds among budget scopes and must be submitted by Friday, September 15. Contact IDOE’s Part B Grants team with additional questions.
REMINDER: FY 2022 IDEA Part B Grant & FY 2022 ARP IDEA Grant Periods Close Saturday, September 30
Refer to the following deadlines regarding the IDEA Part B grant and ARP IDEA grant for FY 2022:
- Part B proportionate share semi-annual monitoring reports for 1/1/23 – 6/30/23 are due Saturday, September 30.
- FY 2022 611, 619, and ARP 611 and 619 expenditures must be encumbered by Saturday, September 30.
- LEAs must submit budget modification requests for FY 2022 grants by Friday, September 15, to ensure sufficient time for modification, review, and approval by IDOE.
- Reimbursement requests for the FY 2022 and ARP grants must be submitted by Friday, December 15.
Additional guidance is available under Part B Grants for Special Education in the Office of Special Education Moodle Community. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
REMINDER: Paraprofessional Training Grant Application
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. 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. For more information on presenters and session descriptions, view the registration brochure. Register here, as space is limited. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility or the IEP TA Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Explore Assistive Technology with Your Students at No Cost
The PATINS Project Assistive Technology Lending Library loan request form is now open for the 2023-2024 school year! The PATINS Lending Library is a no-cost service that loans assistive technology devices, software, resource materials, and more to school personnel at Indiana schools. Training and/or technical assistance may be requested to accompany any of the items available for loan. These items are shipped directly to your school to try with students. Items are loaned for a six-week evaluation period. Browse the catalog and make a loan request today! Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility or the PATINS Project for additional support.
NEW: Interest Form for Science of Reading Module Course
Educators and school leaders who serve students in preschool through third grade (including administrators, classroom teachers, reading interventionists, English language teachers, and special education teachers) are invited to participate in a self-paced professional development course focused on what the science of reading is and how it informs the application of research-based instructional practices using a Structured Literacy approach through effective teaching and assessing foundational reading skills. This self-paced course will be hosted in the Indiana Learning Lab and will take approximately 20 to 25 hours to complete. Participants are required to complete knowledge checks following each module with a minimum score of 80%. After successfully completing all six modules, participants will receive a certificate of completion, 25 Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points, and a one-time stipend of $1,200 as compensation for their time and dedication to Hoosier students. Please complete this form to indicate your interest in taking the science of reading module course in the Indiana Learning Lab. Completing an interest form does not guarantee enrollment in the science of reading modules. Next steps will be communicated to respondents in late fall. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
NEW: Digital Learning Leadership Cadre Member Application
IDOE invites leaders to apply for the Digital Learning Leadership Cadre, a group designed to discuss important topics relevant to virtual and blended learning environments. This opportunity is open to any public corporation or public charter school educator passionate about digital learning. Applications are open through Friday, September 8. See this memo for more information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts Frameworks Now Available
IDOE developed new frameworks in alignment with the streamlined 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for kindergarten through grade 12. Frameworks are designed to support educators in standards implementation, providing key areas of focus such as academic vocabulary, clarification statements, and instructional resources. Frameworks for additional grade levels and courses will become available in the coming weeks. View frameworks for K-12 English/Language Arts in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Constitution Day Programming
In accordance with federal law and Indiana Code (IC) 20-30-5-1 it is required that any educational institution that receives federal funds must hold programming over the U.S. Constitution for their students. Constitution Day commemorates the creation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Refer to the U.S. Department of Education’s Constitution Day and Citizenship Day webpage for valuable information and resources to assist with this programming in your school. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Required Cursive Writing Survey Due Sunday, October 1
Pursuant to IC 20-19-3-30, IDOE shall conduct a statewide survey to determine whether and in which grade levels schools are providing cursive writing instruction. A designee from each public school, public charter school, and state accredited non-public school must complete this survey by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 1. If a school corporation maintains consistent cursive writing instruction across schools within the corporation, then only one submission for the corporation is required. Note that the results of this survey will be used for informational purposes only, and responses will not result in any punitive measures. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Imagination Library Family Resources
Each month, Imagination Library mails participating children ages birth to five a free book. To support a love of reading and increase enjoyment, these family resources provide music, activities, vocabulary, and connecting book and read-aloud ideas. To access these resources, register for a free account to the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
NEW: Fostering Early Literacy PD session in Indiana Learning Lab
Join representatives from the state library, Imagination Library, and IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness in a session on the role of read-alouds in the Indiana Learning Lab. Families are invited to attend Wednesday, September 20, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET. Educators are encouraged to join the session on Wednesday, September 27, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET. To register, please create a free account to the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
NEW: Dyslexia Screening Office Hours
IDOE’s Literacy Center and Office of Student Assessment are offering office hours to support schools with completing universal dyslexia screening for students in kindergarten through grade two within the 90 calendar days of the start of the school year. The requirements and list of approved screeners can be found in Appendix A of the 2023-2024 Dyslexia Programming Guidance for Schools. The sessions will start with a brief overview of the screening process followed by time for individual questions. Join one of the sessions below:
Please contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
NEW: Blended Learning Series with Dr. Catlin Tucker
IDOE is excited to announce that Dr. Catlin Tucker, a renowned expert on blended learning strategies, is coming to the Indiana Learning Lab. Dr. Tucker will present 13 virtual sessions exclusive to Indiana educators. The first sessions will take place on Tuesday, September 19, at 4 p.m. ET. Register for the series here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
UPDATE: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Platform Pilot Grant Application Deadline Extended
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, September 8. 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.
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 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 Navigating Available Resources for Attracting, Preparing, & Retaining Indiana Educators on Wednesday, August 30, 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.
NEW: FFY2021 (FY2022) General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Waiver - Public Comment Sought
IDOE intends to apply for flexibility to allow LEAs to more effectively encumber their FFY21 federal funds. Specifically, IDOE is requesting the following requirement be waived: 1) Section 421(b) of GEPA to extend the period of availability of FFY21 funds for programs in which the state education agency participates under its approved consolidated state plan until September 30, 2024. Please provide any comments via this JotForm no later than Friday, September 22. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Multistate Conference Registration Now Open
The annual 21st Century Communities Learning Centers Multistate Conference will be hosted this year at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, Monday, October 2, through Wednesday, October 4. For more details and registration information please visit the 21st CCLC Conference site. Contact OSTProgram@doe.in.gov with any questions.
UPDATE: Rural and Low-Income Schools (RLIS) Program Application Information
RLIS allocations and links were sent to grant recipients last week. Applications are due September 30. Contact TitleIV@doe.in.gov with any questions.
UPDATE: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: Stronger Connections (BSCA: SC) Grants
BSCA: SC Grants have been awarded. A list of awarded applicants can be found here. Information regarding BSCA will continue to be available on the Title IV Moodle. Contact TitleIV@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: FFY2023/FY2024 Title IV-A Budget Application
The FFY2023/FY2024 Title IV-A Budget Application is available in Moodle (Title IV Application). Due date for submission is Thursday, August 31. Contact TitleIV@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Charters Facilities Incentive Grant (CFIG) Cohort 4
The due date for submission of CFIG Cohort 4 has been extended. Applications are due today, 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: 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 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW), DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA: Youth Scholarship Opportunities
The VFW, Department of Indiana is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in classrooms across the state. The VFW essay contests encourage young minds to examine America’s history through their own experiences and expressing their views based on an annual patriotic theme. Over $2.5 million dollars were presented last year to winners at the local, state, and national levels. These contests provide great opportunities to discuss themes of democracy and prepare to commemorate Patriot Day or Constitution Day in your classroom. To learn more about these VFW Youth Scholarship opportunities and find a participating post, click here. To learn more about how the VFW can partner with schools and teachers in the classroom, click here. Any questions about these scholarship opportunities can be directed to Bryan Lineberry, Indiana Patriot Pen Chairman.
NEW FROM THE PATINS PROJECT: Virtual Office Hours
Meet with many PATINS Project staff during virtual office hours on Zoom to chat about Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Assistive Technology (AT), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Find the full calendar and registration details on the PATINS Virtual Office Hours Site. Please contact IDOE’s Office of Student Support and Accessibility or the PATINS Project for additional support.
NEW FROM THE IEP TA CENTER: Upcoming No-Cost Trainings
The IEP TA Center has a variety of upcoming, no-cost workshops for Indiana educators in Indianapolis. Review upcoming opportunities here:
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Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): What, Where, When, and How? on Tuesday, August 22
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What Administrators Need to Know About Special Education on Monday, August 24
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Best Practices for Writing Skill-Based Measurable Goals and Progress Monitoring on Tuesday, August 29
- Developing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) on Wednesday, August 30
For additional information on each session, view the training catalog. Contact Marcee Wilburn from the IEP TA Center with any questions.
NEW FROM THE PATINS PROJECT: Upcoming Training
Register for no-cost training opportunities from the PATINS Project via the training calendar and the PATINS Professional Development Guide for offerings by request. Review upcoming opportunities here:
Contact the PATINS Project with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE PRISM PROJECT AT ROSE-HULMAN: Computer Science Integration and Programming Workshops
IDOE and the PRISM Project at Rose-Hulman is offering free computer science integration and Python programming workshops for Indiana’s K-12 teachers, including those with little or no previous computer science experience. Integrating CS Principles, Python, and Robotics Programming are workshops that include opportunities to learn instructional strategies, computational thinking skills, and tools to develop computational artifacts. For a complete description of summer and fall workshops and to register, click here. Contact manion@rose-hulman.edu with any questions.
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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