If you are a frequent reader of this newsletter…or have heard the reading radio ad…or have seen the reading tv ad…or read the reading-focused op-ed…you know that I have been very honest and transparent about the urgency we face in overcoming the literacy crisis in Indiana. And, that it will take ALL of us working together to reach our statewide literacy goal of 95% of students passing IREAD-3 by 2027. This includes making sure our current and future teachers have the training and support in science of reading (...and there are many resources available to make that possible!).
I will continue to use my voice on this topic–and from speaking with educators around the state, I know that many of you are leveraging your voice and influence to do your part as well. There are definitely some stars out there who are knocking it out of the park and are seeing improvement as a result. And, while I’ll highlight a few below from some recent school visits, next week I’ll also highlight the educators and schools from all over Indiana who are being spotlighted tonight at the second annual Educational Excellence Awards gala.So…now, to highlight and celebrate some Indiana schools…
The first stop was in rural Indiana, near the Indiana-Ohio border in the city of Aurora. There’s a small school in South Dearborn Community School Corporation called Manchester Elementary School. Here, they achieved a 95.2% passage rate on IREAD-3 this spring. And during our visit, it was easy to see why! Teachers and students in every classroom were hard at work using evidence-based reading instruction and strategies, aligned to science of reading. I sat with one first grade student as he read Pete the Cat, and easily sounded out the word surprise (versus “guessing” at the word, which is common in schools not using science of reading strategies). Principal Mary Bailey also proudly shared that after administering IREAD-3 to their second grade students this past spring, 75% of second graders passed and do not have to retest in their third grade year. The 25% of students who did not pass in second grade will spend their third grade year receiving targeted interventions and remediation to ensure they are readers by the end of third grade.
Just southeast of Aurora, Lawrenceburg Community School Corporation Superintendent Karl Galey extended an invitation to visit both Central Elementary School (grades 3-5) and Lawrenceburg Primary School (preK-grade 2) to see how they are preparing their students to be proficient readers. The student-led tour started at Central Elementary School in a special education classroom, where they were actively using science of reading. The school has leveraged high-quality training through Orton-Gillingham and adopted supplemental material aligned to science of reading.
Just across the street at Lawrenceburg Primary, Principal Tammy Grieve led a tour through their brand new preschool classrooms where students engage in early literacy and language skills, preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond. Principal Grieve and Superintendent Galey also emphasized how important it was to administer IREAD-3 to their second grade students–giving them an early indicator of which students need special focus to ensure they are proficient readers by the time they leave third grade. Lawrenceburg’s strategies are working…with 93.7% of their students passing IREAD-3 in 2023, they are so close to the state’s 95% goal!
|
 |
And, just southwest of Lawrenceburg is another Ohio River town called Rising Sun. Under the leadership of Rising Sun-Ohio County Schools Superintendent Branden Roeder (and with the support of an excellent educator team), they are doing many impressive things across their district, including their Early College model at the high school (one of the highest credential-earning schools in the state!), as well as housing an in-district child care center for their faculty and staff.
One other unique offering they provide is a year-round latch key program, which several students shared is their favorite thing about their school. Preschool teacher and summer camp coordinator Karen Chase explained how students in pre-K through sixth grade have the opportunity to engage in an extra 80 days of instruction over the summer, using the time for both summer enrichment activities, field trips, and supplemental literacy instruction. Students in small groups receive targeted support from certified teachers, allowing them to grow their learning throughout the summer, while also saving parents and families money! Superintendent Roeder shared that their schools are open 260 days out of the year–supporting their community and their students.
95% by 2027…it is our shared challenge, yet also, an incredible opportunity to move the needle for our students. Reading proficiently by the end of third grade ensures students have access to the information they need to be successful in middle school, high school, and beyond. Thank you to the school administrators, educators, staff, community leaders, and parents/families across our state, who are tackling literacy head on. And thank you, as always, for all that you do for our students.
REMINDER: 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 Performance Report Requirements
In lieu of issuing letter grades for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1591 requires the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to develop a school performance report for public and state accredited non-public schools to post on their websites by Sunday, October 15, 2023. IDOE is also required to provide the Indiana General Assembly with future accountability recommendations by December 1, 2024. The school performance reports will provide additional transparency around key data points, helping parents, families, and communities to better understand the work happening in our schools. Initial guidance was shared earlier this summer via this memo.
In response to this legislation, IDOE has developed a school performance report for each public and state accredited non-public school, which will be available beginning Friday, September 15, via Indiana GPS. Additional guidance, including instructions for schools to embed the school performance report on their school website, will also be released on this date. Schools will have one month to post their performance report (developed by IDOE) on their school website in order to meet the statutory deadline of October 15, 2023. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: Cast Your Vote Today for the Winner of the Award for Next Level Educational Experience and Opportunities
Three schools are in the running for the top prize at the second annual Educational Excellence Awards Gala being held today, Friday, September 8. This award will recognize an individual school or district that is transformative in its holistic approach to prepare students for their future, including a focus on literacy, STEM, and college and career readiness. Watch a video that highlights everything each nominee has to offer and cast your vote before 9 p.m. ET. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Application Center Reporting - Educator Evaluation Rating (ER) 2023
The ER2023 data reporting guidance layout for educator staff employed in the 2022-2023 school year is posted to the Data Exchange Moodle Community under resources and in the Data Exchange Knowledge Hub at School Support Hub > Reporting Guides > Staff Employment > References > ER (Educator Rating) Data Layout 2023. ER data will be submitted via the STN Application Center. The Application Center reporting window is now open and will close Friday, October 27, at 4 p.m. ET. 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 15, 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.
REMINDER: Cybersecurity for Education Toolkit 2.0 Now Available
Developed by the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC), with support from IDOE, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS), the updated Cybersecurity for Education Toolkit 2.0 is filled with a wide range of cybersecurity best practices, resources and tips for everyone in your K-12 school community. Visit Indiana’s Cybersecurity Hub webpage for additional resources for inside and outside of the classroom.
REMINDER: 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.
NEW: School Resource Officer Reporting
By law, school corporations and charter schools are required to annually report the number of school resource officers employed. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) has opened the portal to report the data for the 2022-2023 school year. Data must be submitted by Friday, October 6. For safety, IDHS is required to keep the data confidential and not release it for public disclosure. See this link to report. Contact Rusty Goodpaster with any questions.
NEW: Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy – Fall Advanced Training
Registration is now available for the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy Fall Advanced Training. Training will take place Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (350 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis). School Safety Specialists can register for the training here. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
REMINDER: 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 less than five minutes to complete and should be filled out at the building level by the school administrator. The survey, which will close on Friday, September 22, can be accessed by clicking here. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
NEW: Curricular Material Memo
Please read this memo regarding submission of the curricular material cost report which opens Monday, October 2, and closes Tuesday, October 31. Contact doetextbooks@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Funding Floor
Just a reminder that if your school corporation did not meet the funding floor requirement for FY 2023, waiver forms are available in Moodle Finance under Teacher Salary. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
NEW: Indirect Cost Training
In partnership with Crowe, IDOE will host a virtual Indirect Cost Rate Training seminar at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 28. To attend this seminar, please register here. Contact icr@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Preparing for Post-ESSER Operating Budgets
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress appropriated three rounds of financial relief through
the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). ESSER regulations provided greater flexibility than those of the last major federal stimulus program in 2009, allowing more opportunity to supplant existing funding sources, not just supplement them. As a result, there is now a greater risk of a “fiscal cliff” where ESSER dollars spent on ongoing operations will need to be replaced by other funding sources when the project period ends for ESSER dollars on September 30, 2024. This memo provides additional information to help schools develop financial forecasts to project revenues, expenditures, and cash balances beyond the life of ESSER. Contact indicators@duab.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Summer School Final Cost Report
The Summer School Final Cost Report submission window closes on Friday, September 15. Information regarding the summer school program can be found in Moodle. Contact Teresa Hemmerle or Alex Waite with any questions.
REMINDER: Collective Bargaining Notices of Estimated Education Fund from State Tuition Support
The Office of School Finance anticipates providing parties with a certification of the estimated Education fund revenue available for collective bargaining from state tuition support today, Friday, September 8. The state tuition support estimate will be based on calculations that reflect estimated membership counts currently used in the formula. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: School Year 2023-2024 Average Daily Membership (ADM) Count Dates
The fall 2023 ADM count date of the eligible pupils enrolled in each school corporation and charter school is Monday, October 2. Please read this memo regarding the count date. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: 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.
REMINDER: 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. The memos can be found in Moodle Finance under Membership. Contact Cathy Danyluk 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: Updated Definitions for Work-Based Learning Course Codes
IDOE has partnered with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's Office of Career and Technica Education (CTE), Department of Workforce Development, and the Office of Work Based Learning and Apprenticeship to revise the work-based learning definitions published in the 2023-2024 Course Titles and Descriptions. The updated definitions can be found in this document. As a reminder, schools are required to begin using the employability skills course codes on the transcript this school year. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-24 Alternative Education Program Renewal
Each IDOE approved alternative education program must complete the annual renewal application by Saturday, September 30, in order to remain an approved program, eligible for alternative education funding. 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: FY2022 Part B and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Deadlines are Approaching
The Office of Special Education, Part B, records indicate that schools currently have significant unspent FY 2022 Part B and ARP grant balances. These funds may already be encumbered, but the LEA has not requested reimbursement from these grant funds. There are 16 instructional days remaining to spend FY 2022 Part B funds prior to encumbering four active grants (611, 619, ARP 611, and ARP 619) on Saturday, September 30.
Two important notes:
- All FY22 Part B and ARP modification requests must be emailed to partbgrants@doe.in.gov no later than midnight on Friday, September 15.
- Following waiver approval, a Part B grant budget modification request is required to transfer funds among budget scopes and must be submitted no later than Friday, September 15.
Contact partbgrants@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency (CoMP) Informational Meeting
Indiana’s CoMP benefits secondary multilingual students by validating their fluency across multiple languages. To learn more, join IDOE's English Learner (EL) team 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 access link can be found on the Indiana EL Professional Development Opportunities Calendar. More information can be found on IDOE’s CoMP webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: WIDA Standards Spotlight Session: Assessing Academic Language Growth
IDOE’s EL team will be hosting a WIDA Standards Spotlight session in the Learning Lab on Tuesday, September 19, from 3:30 to 4 p.m. ET. The session will focus on the Proficiency Level Descriptors of the WIDA Standards framework, which detail how ELs develop language across the proficiency levels as they progress to fluency. Registration is required in the Indiana Learning Lab, and the session is open to all educators. See the August WIDA Standards Spotlight session on Academic Language here. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any 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: 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.
NEW: K-12 Robotics Competition Grant Application opens TODAY
The K-12 Robotics Competition Grant supports state-accredited schools in establishing or maintaining robotics competition programs in accordance with IC 20-20-45.5. This grant is funded by the Indiana General Assembly and aligns with the mission of Indiana’s Priorities for STEM Education to provide Indiana students with engaging STEM learning experiences that prepare them for emerging careers and educational opportunities. The grant guidelines and online application are located here, and applications are due on Friday, September 29. Contact TLgrants@doe.in.gov with questions.
NEW: Indiana Academic Standards for Computer Science Frameworks Now Available
IDOE developed new frameworks in alignment with the streamlined 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for K-12. Frameworks are designed to support educators in standards implementation, providing key areas of focus such as academic vocabulary, evidence statements, and instructional resources. Frameworks for additional grade levels and courses will become available in the coming weeks. View frameworks for K-8 Computer Science in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: Summer of Learning 2024 Grant Application Now Open
The Summer of Learning Grant for 2024 is now available. This grant launches the eleventh year of this conference series. Public school corporations and public charter schools may apply to be one of several host sites throughout the state for the summer of 2024. School corporations must have completed the 2023 School Tech Plan Survey to be eligible to apply. For more information and to apply, see this memo. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Learning Lab Hubs are Live
The Indiana Learning Lab has two new hubs available. The Computer Science Educator Hub and the Literacy Center Hub join the Parent and Family Support Hub to provide content specific resources, workshops and guidance for educators. To enter these hubs, visit the Indiana Learning Lab and click on Hubs at the top of the page. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions
NEW: Tips from the Field Series Continues
The Digital Learning Leadership Cadre’s series Tips from the Field continues this month, featuring educators from across the state. On Wednesday, September 13, at noon ET, Michele Eaton, Director of Warren Online Academy, will be presenting Engagement and Motivation Strategies for Online Learners and on Thursday, September 21, at 4 p.m. ET, Shannon Quigley, Manager of Learning Technology at Fort Wayne Community Schools, will be presenting Building Routines for Interaction with the 4 C’s. Register here and catch previous Tips from the Field sessions in our collection. 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: 2023-2024 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant Success Stories
Applications for the 2023-2024 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant are open through Friday, September 15, at 5 p.m. ET. This grant allows school corporations to design a plan to support parents with topics related to educational technology and blended/virtual learning environments. See this memo for additional information and to apply. Check out the information session or the success stories session for more support. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: September PD with IDOE
September PD with IDOE continues next Wednesday, September 13, at 4 p.m. ET with Academic Impact: Stabilizing for Many Indiana Students, but Targeted Support Still Needed led by Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Charity Flores. View a full list of the September 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: 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.
REMINDER: Blended Learning Series with Dr. Catlin Tucker
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.
REMINDER: 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.
REMINDER: 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.
REMINDER: Fostering Early Literacy PD Session in the 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.
REMINDER: 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.
REMINDER: 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.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (FSSA): 988 Indiana Student Media Press Conference
Indiana’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline will hold a news conference on Tuesday, September 12, at 9:30 a.m. ET at the Indiana Government Center. The press conference will be open to high school and college student-run media statewide. 988 Indiana offers a way forward for people in crisis. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a direct connection to specialists who are trained in suicide and crisis prevention and is available to teenagers and young adults across the state. News conference speakers will explain the function of the lifeline, why this resource is important and National Suicide Prevention Month. Indiana FSSA, which oversees 988 in Indiana, is asking for help from trusted student publications in educating peers about 988 and how it can help them and their friends and families. We recognize travel time and students’ other obligations may not make your attendance in-person possible. To that end, we encourage virtual attendance and will provide photos and other digital collateral to round out coverage. Please reach out to info@988indiana.org for more information.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: Career Counseling Workshop Series
Want to strengthen the career counseling approach across your district? This three-part workshop series, developed and delivered by Inspire Success, will get you on the right path. Your team will walk away having assessed current career counseling practices, including the Indiana GPS dashboard, identified useful data elements, and developed vertically-aligned career counseling goals at the building and district levels. Learn more and register today. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with questions.
NEW FROM THE WABASH VALLEY EDUCATION CENTER (WVEC) AND THE WEST CENTRAL INDIANA EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER (WCIESC): Fall Literacy Conference
WVEC, in partnership with WCIESC, is excited to host educators for our September Literacy Conference in West Lafayette. Join keynote speakers Jamey Peavler on Thursday, September 21, and Hilary Statum on Friday, September 22. Come join the fun and walk away with next steps to improve your literacy instruction. Click here for additional details and registration. Contact Melissa Gill with any questions.
NEW FROM THE CENTER FOR GREEN SCHOOLS: Indoor Air Quality Staff Training in October
The Center for Green Schools and the U.S. Department of Energy, in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are hosting a free in-person training session for K-12 school staff focused on developing or strengthening district Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management plans and sharing the most up-to-date best practices for continuous IAQ monitoring. The training will take place Wednesday, October 18, and Thursday, October 19, in Washington, D.C. Travel stipends are available to support K-12 school staff in attending the event. The deadline to apply for a travel stipend is Friday, September 22. Learn more about the workshop and register for the October event here.
NEW FROM JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT (JA): Speaker Spotlight & CareerIgnite
Junior Achievement of Central Indiana has exciting new programming to support Indiana Students’ career exploration and engagement. Students in grades K-12 learn about various career pathways, jobs in demand, skills needed, education and training in the JA Speaker Spotlight curriculum! Students in grades 9-12 focus on JA’s 4 E’s (employment, enrollment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship) at the the JA CareerIgnite job fair. Contact Sally Mann for more information.
NEW FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR TODD YOUNG: Virtual Academy Day
Senator Todd Young will host a virtual Academy Day on Monday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m. 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 THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP OF LEARNING (CELL) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS: Cultivating Skilled Readers - Unlocking Success and Leveraging Neuroscience to Build Strong Foundations for Students
Join CELL on Thursday, September 14, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. ET, to hear from special guest keynote, Dr. Elizabeth Norton, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Norton directs the Language, Education and Reading Neuroscience (LEARN) Lab which uses behavioral and brain measures to understand reading, language, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Attendees will learn about reading and the brain including information about research-based effective practices that support developing readers. Register here. Contact Peyton Royeca with any questions.
REMINDER FROM INDIANA CONNECTED EDUCATORS: Fall Coach Edcamp
Coaches, IT gurus, and tech integration rockstars are invited to an unmissable learning jam – Fall Coach Camp, on Wednesday, October 4, at Franklin Central Junior High! Let's innovate, share, and grow together. Stay over and join the Indiana Connected Educator Conference the next day at this same location. Contact Indiana Connected Educators with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE INSTITUTE OF WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE'S WORK AND LEARN (WLI) PROGRAM: EARN Indiana
The Institute for Workforce Excellence's WLI program, in partnership with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, is introducing a statewide rollout of high school EARN Indiana. EARN Indiana funds are being made available to employers across the state that offer high-quality work-based learning experiences to high school students. Employers can post their internships on the WLI site, apply for EARN approval and connect with students. Learn more about this opportunity here.
REMINDER FROM THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM: AP-TIP Fall Conference
AP-TIP’s annual Fall Conference returns in September. The conference is entirely online and many subjects feature a combination of plenary and collaborative sessions. The Fall Conference runs from Tuesday, September 12, through Thursday, September 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. See which subjects are offered each day, check the current list of topics, and register here.
REMINDER FROM THE DISTRESSED UNIT APPEAL BOARD (DUAB): Fiscal Indicators Dashboard Updated
DUAB has refreshed the data on its fiscal indicators dashboard. All superintendents (or their designee) are required by IC 5-13-7-8 to submit a written report to their local school board assessing the financial condition of the school corporation based on these indicators. Although the statute refers to the annual board of finance meeting in January, DUAB suggests presenting this information sooner rather than later so it is more timely. Contact indicators@duab.in.gov 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.
|
