Indiana STEM (I-STEM) Educator Expansion Program Registration Now Available
IDOE is partnering with Educational Service Centers of Indiana (ESCI) to offer 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.
K-12 2023 Indiana Academic Standards Frameworks & Professional Development (PD) Opportunity
Frameworks for the streamlined 2023 Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) in English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, STEM, and Computer Science are now available in the Indiana Learning Lab. Frameworks for Social Studies will continue to be added in the weeks ahead. IAS Frameworks are provided to help teachers unpack the standards and guide the planning and implementation of learning opportunities for students. Frameworks for the 2020 Indiana Academic Standards will continue to be available in the Learning Lab until the assessment window for these standards is closed.
IDOE will host Frameworks for the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards, a live PD opportunity to understand the construction and application of these tools, on Monday, October 23, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET. Attendees will learn how to utilize frameworks to plan high-quality, standards-aligned instruction, and observe key differences between various content areas. Additional resources including correlation guides to assist educators in highlighting distinctions between the 2020 and 2023 standards will be available soon. See here for more information on the updated IAS and contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
Educators Needed: Earn Professional Growth Plan (PGP) Points and Review High-Quality STEM Curricular Materials
IDOE seeks qualified educators (including accessibility representatives) and other stakeholders to serve on high-quality curricular materials review committees in the areas of K-8 Science/Engineering, 9-12 Science, K-8 Technology (Computer Science), and K-12 Mathematics. 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.
October Indiana Learning Lab Opportunities
IDOE has numerous PD opportunities in the Indiana Learning Lab throughout October. Join PD with IDOE from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET each Wednesday for the following sessions:
- Wednesday, October 4: Employer-Sponsored Childcare Grant Opportunities
- Wednesday, October 11: Summer of Learning Keynote LIVE: Preview and Review
- Wednesday, October 18, Preschool Special Education Data Collection: Practical TOols to Improve Data Reliability
- Wednesday, October 25: Roadtrip Nation
Join Dr. Catlin Tucker, a renowned expert on blended learning strategies, on Tuesday, October 24, at 4 p.m. ET for the Blended Learning Series session From Objectives to Assessment: Crafting Cohesive Units with Backward Design. To view previous on-demand sessions and register for upcoming opportunities, create a free 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
Item Review Opportunity for Educators
IDOE collaborates with Smarter Balanced to develop test items for ILEARN assessments, and educators are invited to apply to participate in a virtual item review opportunity. Educators can apply on the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment webpage. View answers to frequently asked questions for additional information. See below for content-specific meetings:
- English/Language Arts Grades 3-8: Tuesday, October 31, through Thursday, November 2
- Mathematics Grades 3-8: Monday, November 13, through Friday, November 17
Contact Smarter Balanced with questions regarding this opportunity.
2025-2026 ILEARN Through-Year Test Blueprints Now Available
Test blueprints for the redesigned ILEARN through-year assessment (beginning school year 2025-2026) are now available. View the ILEARN Through-Year folder within IDOE’s ILEARN Moodle course to access test blueprints and additional resources to support implementation of the new ILEARN model. These test blueprints provide information on when specific Indiana Academic Standards will be assessed throughout the school year to assist with instruction and class pacing. More information to support implementation will be provided in upcoming newsletters. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
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. Contact the IEP TA Center with any questions.
Nominations Open for the 2024 RISE Classified Staff Award
Districts, charters, and non-public schools across the state are encouraged to nominate up to two classified school employees for the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. The RISE Award honors and promotes the excellence exhibited by classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The deadline to submit nominations is Thursday, October 19 at 5 p.m. ET. Nominations can be submitted via JotForm. Questions can be directed to IDOE's Office of Educator Talent.
Additional Opportunities to Recognize Indiana Educators
Throughout the year, numerous opportunities arise nationwide to acknowledge the incredible work of Indiana educators. IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent has developed this document, which will be updated periodically with external opportunities to recognize educators. To submit an educator recognition opportunity not listed, contact Anne Marie Milligan.
FROM THE PATINS PROJECT: Upcoming No-Cost Training & Weekly Office Hours
Register for no-cost training from the PATINS Project. Visit the training calendar for all upcoming opportunities or view the Professional Development Guide for offerings by request. Meet with PATINS Project staff during virtual office hours to discuss 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 webpage. Complete IDOE’s Technical Assistance (TA) Request Form for additional support. Contact the PATINS Project with questions.
FROM FAMILY, CAREER AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OF AMERICA (FCCLA): Register to Attend Be A Teacher Day
Join FCCLA on Friday, November 3, for an exciting event that focuses on the Education and Training pathway. This event allows students interested in a future in education or even early childhood education to connect with numerous college programs from around the state. Students spend the day learning about how to go to college, pay for college, and where they might want to attend. Click here to learn more and to register. Contact Alyson McIntyre-Reiger with any questions.
FROM NEXTECH AND CODEHS: Computer Science Opportunities
Nextech offers the following opportunities for computer science (CS) educators and students:
- Submissions for the CSforGood Competition are open through Wednesday, November 1, for students to create a CS solution to a problem in their school or community. Each student on the winning teams (one per division) will be awarded $200 tech gift cards, and their teacher sponsor will receive $1,000 for classroom tech. Register here. Contact sarah@nextech.org with questions.
- Apply to the Nextech Coaching Program to improve classroom content knowledge, best practices, and classroom management with a 1:1 mentor throughout the year. Contact kerry@nextech.org with any questions.
- Register now for Nextech’s new series Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy: Where Digital Literacy and Computer Science Meet. The series begins in late October in the Indiana Learning Lab.
Registration is also open for CodeHS fall workshops (Java, Python, JavaScript, cybersecurity), CS Praxis Exam prep, and additional PD courses. Indiana K-12 teachers are invited to expand content knowledge, learn pedagogy, and interact with other CS educators. Upon completion of these professional development opportunities, participants earn PGPs and a stipend. Contact CodeHS with any questions.
FROM THE INDIANA STATE LITERACY ASSOCIATION (ISLA): Fall Literacy Conference
The Indiana State Literacy Association is excited to host educators for the Fall Literacy Conference in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 28. 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. Contact Dr. Ryan Eckart with any questions.
FROM THE CENTRAL INDIANA CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP (CICP): See Yourself In Summit
Join CICP and its five talent and industry sector initiatives for the See Yourself In Summit on Thursday, November 16, or Friday, November 17. Attendees will hear about Indiana’s industries of the future and learn from innovative teachers about how they are preparing students through unique programs and projects. Click here to register. Questions may be directed to Raquel Bahamonde.
FROM THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): Join Cohort 12
AP-TIP at the University of Notre Dame is now accepting applications from schools to join Cohort 12. For information about how AP-TIP supports PD and stronger outcomes for students in AP math, science, and English courses across Indiana, visit the AP-TIP website. AP-TIP will begin reviewing applications on Friday, November 3. Contact AP-TIP with any questions.
FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (IDHS): Get ShakIN' Video Contest
Sitting close to two seismic zones, both with the potential of producing major quakes, Hoosiers need to Get ShakIN' when it comes to earthquake preparedness. The Get ShakIN' competition allows students to create their own earthquake awareness video, with the contest winner receiving an Indiana Earthquake Day at their school and a visit by the Quake Cottage earthquake simulator. The contest is open until Tuesday, October 31. Student groups or classes can enter by submitting a student-produced video focused on earthquake preparedness and/or safety. A panel of judges from IDHS will select an overall winner for the grand prize: an “Indiana Earthquake Day” event, either at their school or at the State Emergency Operations Center in Indianapolis. Additional information about the video contest and earthquake safety is on the Get ShakIN' webpage. Teachers may request a teacher's earthquake preparedness toolkit by sending their information to pio@dhs.in.gov.
Upcoming Dates |
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Wednesday, October 4, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET
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October PD with IDOE: Employer-Sponsored Childcare Grant Opportunities
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Wednesday, October 11, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET
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October PD with IDOE: Summer of Learning Keynote Live - Preview and Review
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Wednesday, October 18, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET
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October PD with IDOE: Preschool Special Education Data Collection - Practical Tools to Improve Data Reliability
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Monday, October 23, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET
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Frameworks for the 2023 Indiana Academic Standards Indiana Learning Lab session
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Tuesday, October 24, at 4 p.m. ET
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Blended Learning Series with Dr. Catlin Tucker: From Objectives to Assessment - Crafting Cohesive Units with Backward Design
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Wednesday, October 25, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET
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October PD with IDOE: Roadtrip Nation
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Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29
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Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All statewide conference. Register here.
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