As we head towards mid-October, the first quarter is nearing completion, and many of you are either starting or gearing up for fall break. I hope you’ll be able to unplug and enjoy your fall break time and prepare mentally and physically for the second half of the semester.
As we talk about often, to really move the needle for our students, we must blur the lines between pre-K-12, higher education, and the workforce. And one example of an initiative that is helping to blur those lines across the country, and right here in Indiana, is Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG).
If you’re not familiar, JAG helps high school students, encountering significant barriers to graduation, learn in-demand employability skills and access career exploration and experiences. I remember when working at Madison Consolidated Schools, JAG really helped us to engage students who we were sometimes struggling to reach in other ways. Our JAG teacher/mentor at the time helped to empower students to see their skills and abilities, as well as their potential. And as their confidence grew, we also saw many of them blossom in other classes, making them more eager to come to school, and ultimately, providing more seamless connections to their next step.
In addition to helping students to see the range of career opportunities available to them after high school, JAG also helps students to increase their educational attainment. Since its inception in 2006, JAG Indiana has served 40,000 Hoosier youth and graduated more than 95% of its students from high school, with many students choosing to continue their education after high school.
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JAG program locations across Indiana.
And in case you missed it, Governor Holcomb recently announced the goal to expand from 125 to 250 JAG programs in Indiana by the end of the 2024-2025 school year, thus impacting an estimated 10,000 Hoosier high school students per year. Through a partnership between the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, this expansion will be based on the following:
- Schools that have already expressed interest in establishing a JAG program;
- Schools with existing JAG programs that have at least an additional 40 students who will benefit from the program; and
- Schools with lower graduation rates and higher rates of Free-or-Reduced Lunch and/or special education cohorts.
The expansion will also allow JAG to serve students in grades nine and 10, as well as add pilot programs for middle school students. By helping students consider a number of careers earlier in their K-12 journey, we can open additional doors of opportunity in high school and beyond. In addition to focusing on skill development and supporting students as they consider their best, unique path ahead, this expansion also focuses on educational attainment by growing the College Success Program at postsecondary institutions. This allows students to continue to participate in the JAG program beyond high school, providing access to resources designed to help them navigate college, earn their credential, and improve their future.
So, if you’ve been thinking about how you might provide additional career engagement and experiences for your students, particularly for those experiencing barriers to graduation, I encourage you to consider adding JAG to your toolbox. If you are interested in becoming a JAG school, you can learn more by visiting jagindiana.org.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Hoosier students, and enjoy fall break (next week or whenever it falls this month)!
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: 2023 Mandatory and Voluntary Graduation Rate Audits
The mandatory and voluntary graduation rate audits close on Friday, October 27. If you are unsure if your school was selected for the mandatory graduation rate audit, please check the list of mandatory audit schools. All schools are welcome to participate in the voluntary graduation rate audit. If a change needs to be made to a student in the 2023 cohort, this will need to go through the voluntary graduation rate audit (unless you are trying to change their status to a graduate status – you can do that now in Data Exchange). The voluntary graduation rate audit involves submitting the student on the voluntary graduation rate audit Excel template and submitting the supporting documentation. (Enrollment key: AccountabilityCommunity) The voluntary graduation rate audit is the final opportunity to request a change to the 2023 cohort. If you are submitting a voluntary graduation rate audit and are subject to the mandatory graduation rate audit, submit both audits in the same, single submission. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023 Federal Accountability Audit Requests Due Today, Friday, October 6
The final deadline to submit a graduate on Data Exchange is today, Friday, October 6. Please check your 2023 cohort on EdData to ensure that all students who graduated have a graduate status on the cohort report. Students who graduated and do not have a graduate status should be submitted now on Data Exchange. Graduates are submitted with a 2024 Enrollment Record and a Graduate Record. Students must have met graduation requirements by Saturday, September 30, 2023 to be a 2023 graduate. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
REMINDER: Third-Party Accreditation Petition Window is Open
Accrediting organizations for K-12 schools interested in being recognized by the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) may submit a petition to IDOE for review. A petition must be submitted by November 30 prior to the school year for which the organization seeks recognition. Pursuant to statute, IDOE will provide a recommendation to SBOE within six months of receipt of a petition. Additional information and the third-party accreditation petition can be found on IDOE's Accreditation webpage. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: PSAT/NMSQT Testing Window Opens Tuesday, October 10
Indiana’s digital PSAT/NMSQT testing window opens Tuesday, October 10. The state of Indiana will be billed directly for students in grades 10 and 11 enrolled in accredited Indiana public or private schools. Schools may choose to offer the test to other students, such as grade 9 students or homeschooled students, and those related expenses will be billed to the school. Access PSAT/NMSQT resources here and refer to the PSAT/NMSQT MIlestones document for additional deadlines following testing. Contact College Board with any questions.
NEW: Smarter Annotated Response Tool (SmART) Webinar Now Available
IDOE has released an informational webinar over SmART, a tool from Smarter Balanced used to explore released performance task assessment items and student responses for ILEARN assessments. This webinar provides an introduction to understanding how student writing is scored on assessments and how to support writing instruction in your school/classroom. Access the webinar here in IDOE’s ILEARN Moodle Course. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions regarding this webinar and Smarter Balanced with technical questions.
NEW: Apply for the 2024-2025 Dyslexia Assessment Program Approval Committee
IDOE seeks qualified committee members to evaluate dyslexia screener and diagnostic assessment programs for potential approval for the 2024-2025 school year using the Indiana Dyslexia Assessments Evaluation Protocol. Interested educators must complete the 2024-2025 Dyslexia Assessment Program Approval Committee interest survey by Friday, November 3. Completion of the interest survey is non-binding. Additional information regarding dyslexia assessments can be found on IDOE’s Dyslexia webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment or Literacy Center with questions.
NEW: Apply for the 2024-2025 Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant Program Approval Committee
IDOE also seeks qualified candidates to evaluate formative (interim) assessment programs for potential approval for the 2024-2025 school year using the Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant Program Evaluation Protocol. Interested educators must complete the 2024-2025 Formative (Interim) Assessment Program Approval Committee interest survey by Friday, November 3. Completion of the interest survey is non-binding. Additional information can be found on IDOE’s Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions.
NEW: 2024-2025 Dyslexia Vendor Guidance & Evaluation Protocol
IDOE published the 2024-2025 Dyslexia Assessment Guidance for Program Vendors and 2024-2025 Indiana Dyslexia Screener Evaluation Protocol for dyslexia assessment program vendors seeking approval for the 2024-2025 school year. The final date to submit the registration form is Monday, November 6. Refer to IDOE’s Dyslexia webpage for more information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment or Literacy Center with questions.
NEW: 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year Announced
On Monday, October 2, IDOE announced that Eric Jenkins, a language arts teacher at Franklin Community High School in Franklin Community School Corporation, was named the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year. The full release can be found here. For more information about the Indiana Teacher of the Year program, contact Rebecca Estes.
NEW: Nominations Open for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
PAEMST is the highest honor bestowed to educators by the U.S. government, specifically for those teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to grades seven through 12. PAEMST was established by Congress in 1983 and the president may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year. More information about the process can be found here. Nominations must be submitted by January 8, 2024. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
NEW: Nominations Open for the 2024 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (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 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. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions,
REMINDER: Additional Opportunities to Recognize Indiana Educators
Throughout the year, numerous opportunities arise nationwide to acknowledge the incredible work of Indiana educators. IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent has developed this document which will be updated periodically with external opportunities to recognize educators. To submit an educator recognition opportunity not listed, contact Anne Marie Milligan.
REMINDER: Register to Attend Be A Teacher Day hosted by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
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.
REMINDER: Application Center Reporting - Educator Evaluation Rating (ER) 2023
The ER 2023 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: 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: Membership Count Status
Monday, October 2, marked the first official membership count of the 2023-2024 school year. School data personnel have been working to ensure quality and accuracy. Many schools will be able to sign-off on their October data today, Friday, October 6. IDOE will work with schools over the next week to respond to open tickets and move all schools to a timely sign-off. See the item below regarding the resolution of conflicts where two or more schools claim the same student. Complete documentation regarding all data collection and certification is available on the Knowledge Hub. Contact the IT helpdesk with any questions.
NEW: Resources for Cybersecurity Awareness Month
As you begin planning for your communication to stakeholders during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, here are some great resources to keep training and knowledge up to date:
NEW: National Cybersecurity Review (NCSR) Now Open
A great way to assess the cybersecurity posture of your school/school corporation is to complete the free annual NCSR from MS-ISAC. As your team completes the survey, your information is secure and is only used to provide nationwide statistics and trending in aggregate. By completing the NCSR, you also have the option to review next steps at no cost during a meeting with a representative from MS-ISAC. You can also measure growth as you complete it each year. For a quick overview of the process, review this one-page overview.
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: Data Collection from Career and Technical Education (CTE) Centers
For the 2023-2024 school year, CTE centers are expected to submit the same data to IDOE as was submitted in the 2022-2023 school year. CTE centers will do this via Data Exchange. This memo explains how the various types of CTE programs should be reporting data in concert with local high schools. As new expectations come online for course-based data including graduation plans, course enrollments, and course outcomes, it is even more critical that the entire student academic record comes directly to IDOE from the source data systems. IDOE and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) will continue to work together to improve the integration and streamlining of data collection from schools and CTE centers. Finally, IDOE has produced extensive documentation to support the accurate submission of required data elements. This documentation is available on the Knowledge Hub. Contact the IT helpdesk 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 with 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: Basic Training Registration
Registration for Basic Training Group 25 of the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy is now open and will close Monday, October 30. Basic Training will be held in the traditional format consisting of a total of three days in person, along with online courses. To be certified as a school safety specialist, participants are required to complete all training. Register here. To ensure successful registration, all forms must be completed and returned by Monday, November 6. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
REMINDER: Advanced Training
Registration is now available for the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy Fall Advanced Training. This training will take place on Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (350 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN). You can register for the training here. Contact Stephen Balko with any questions.
NEW: Curricular Material Cost Report
Please read this memo regarding the submission of the curricular material cost report, which closes Tuesday, October 31. The cost of providing curricular materials for the 2023-2024 school year must be reported through a JotForm. Contact doetextbooks@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Collective Bargaining - Second Notices
IDOE plans to email school corporations the second notice of the estimate of Education Fund revenue from tuition support the week of Monday, October 9. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Membership and Enrollment
As the membership census date approaches on Monday, October 2, enrollment questions have increased. The memos can be found in Moodle Finance under Membership. Contact Cathy Danyluk with any questions.
NEW: October Alternative Education Webinar
IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the first 2023-2024 school year alternative education webinar on Thursday, October 12, from 10 to 11 a.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. Contact Studentpathways_alted@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: October Graduation Pathways Webinar
IDOE’s Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host the first 2023-2024 school year graduation pathways webinar on Thursday, October 19, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET via Microsoft Teams. Please use this link to join. Contact DOEGradpathways@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Webinar for Part B Funding on Wednesday, October 11
IDOE’s Office of Special Education Part B finance team will present the new MOE requirement for receiving Part B funding on Wednesday, October 11, at 11 a.m. ET. All special education and fiscal directors are encouraged to attend, and instructions to download additional MOE support will be available in the Special Education Community in Moodle. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions.
NEW: RoboKind Grant Recipients Announced
Recipients for the 2023-2024 RoboKind Grant have been announced. This grant is designed to provide funds to purchase technology and professional development to improve the social and behavioral skills of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions.
NEW: Dual Language (DL) Office Hours Begins Thursday, October 12
Join IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education on Thursday, October 12, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET for the first DL Office Hours session of the 2023-2024 school year. Dual Language 101 will discuss available resources, target language usage, and purposefully planning for language. Participants will have the opportunity to network and collaborate with other DL teachers in the state and will leave with a variety of tools and ideas for implementation. Visit the Indiana EL Professional Development Opportunities Calendar for more information and the meeting link. No registration is required. 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.
NEW: 2024 Summer of Learning Grant Application Closes Friday, October 13
The 2024 Summer of Learning Grant application closes Friday, October 13, at 4 p.m. ET. Public school corporations and charter schools may apply to be one of several host sites throughout the state for this summer conference grant. Corporations must have completed the 2023 School Tech Plan Survey to be eligible to apply. See additional information and apply by Friday, October 13, via this memo. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Learning Courses Now Available in the Indiana Learning Lab
Virtual Learning Design & Delivery: K-5 and Virtual Learning Design & Delivery: 6-12 are now available in the Indiana Learning Lab. These self-paced, introductory courses are ideal for educators who are new to virtual learning and want to learn the essential elements of designing and delivering virtual instruction. To learn more and enroll in the courses, check out this resource. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: On-Demand Sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab
Access on-demand PD sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab for September’s PD with IDOE as well as the first two sessions of the Blended Learning Series with Dr. Caitlin Tucker.
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: Partnering for Preschool Series Continues Tuesday, October 10
Join IDOE in the Indiana Learning Lab for Partnering for Preschool: Nurturing Success in Early Education, a targeted learning series to support success in preschool and early education. The series continues Tuesday, October 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET with a session on starting the preschool conversation. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: Competitive Science of Reading Grant Applications Close Today, Friday, October 6
Applications for the 2023-2024 Competitive Science of Reading Grant are open through 11:59 p.m. ET today, Friday, October 6. The grant period has been extended to August 31, 2024, and all funds must be expended by this date. This competitive grant opportunity is designed to support state-accredited schools that serve K-3 students with educators who are interested in implementing evidence-based practices aligned with science of reading and Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy. Information regarding the 2023-2024 Competitive Science of Reading Grant can be found in the grant guidance, planning guide, and application. More information can be found in the office hours recording and frequently asked questions resource. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER (UPDATED): Educators Needed for High-Quality STEM Curricular Materials Review Committees
IDOE seeks qualified educators (including accessibility representatives) and other stakeholders to serve on high-quality curricular materials review committees, particularly in the areas of 9-12 science (i.e., Physics and Earth Space Science). 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: October Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
October PD with IDOE kicks off on Wednesday, October 4, at 4 p.m. ET with the Partnering for Preschool: Nurturing Success in Early Education series session Employer-Sponsored Childcare Grant Opportunities hosted by IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness, The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, and Wawasee Community School Corporation. View a full list of the October 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: 2022-2023 Early Intervention Grant (EIG) End-of-Year Guidance and Final Report Form
Corporations and schools must encumber all distributed EIG funds by today, Friday, September 29, and return any unused funds to IDOE by Friday, December 15. Review the 2022-2023 EIG Final Report Guidance for more details and submit the final report to verify your corporation or school’s use of EIG funds by Friday, December 15. This grant was discontinued after the 2022-2023 school year since it was not included in the biennial budget passed during the recent legislative session. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: 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. October’s topic will cover family engagement. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions or suggestions for topics.
REMINDER: ESSER II/GEER II Late Liquidation
The U.S. Department of Education released a FAQ document regarding the late liquidation extension request template for grantee use for the CRRSA/ESSER II Fund and the GEER II Fund. A flowchart of the submission process can be found at this link. Please view this process flowchart for information on how to apply for a late liquidation approval. Use this JotForm to submit the necessary information. Submissions are due no later than Friday, November 10. Contact esser@doe.in.gov or geersupport@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (IDEM): Fall 2023 Environmental Education Bulletin Now Available
IDEM’s fall 2023 Environmental Education Bulletin is now available here. Topics that can be used to support student learning include composting in the classroom, preparing for America Recycles Day, in-class and virtual presentations for Earth Day, Monarch butterfly crafting, and more! Contact Jessica Irvine, IDEM Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator, with any questions.
NEW FROM THE K12 CYBERSECURITY TASK FORCE: FREE RESOURCES FOR CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH
The Cybersecurity Task Force, a group composed of educational technology leaders selected from Indiana schools by the Indiana CTO Council and the Indiana Department of Education, has prepared a free guide to empower schools to offer meaningful activities during Cybersecurity Awareness Month with the purpose of improving cybersecurity posture and employee situational threat awareness.
NEW FROM INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY: Registration for The Power of Reading and Power of Math Summit 2023 Now Open
Registration is now open for the annual Power of Reading Summit and Power of Math Summit from Indiana State University on Monday, November 20, and Tuesday, November 21. This free summit is geared toward K-3 educators, and virtual or in-person attendance is available. View the lineup of speakers here and register for these events here.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: Instructional Coach PD - Data-Driven Coaching Workshop
Keep Indiana Learning is hosting a one-day, in-person workshop on Tuesday, November 28, for instructional coaches to explore data-driven coaching conversations designed to move teaching and learning forward. Learn strategies for engaging in tough conversations that focus on what students are learning and what to do when they aren’t. Learn more and register for this opportunity here. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with questions.
NEW FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: National STEM Challenge Submissions Due Sunday, November 12
Students in grades six through 12 are invited to craft a STEM project that tackles a real-world challenge chosen from one of the 2024 themes of the National STEM Challenge. The best project from Indiana will become a finalist with the opportunity to advance to the next level by submitting a video in the second round. Up to 200 National Champions will win a trip to the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C. in April 2024, to showcase their projects to some of our nation's most influential leaders. The National STEM Challenge is co-presented by the U.S. Department of Education and EXPLR. Contact support@nationalstemchallenge.com with any questions.
NEW FROM INDIANA ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED (IAG): Annual Conference
IAG will host its annual conference Sunday, December 3, through Tuesday, December 5, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. This is an opportunity for high ability educators from across the state to come together and learn about best practices and innovations in high ability education. Sessions are geared toward teachers, coordinators, counselors, administrators and parents. Learn more and register here. Contact IAG with any questions.
NEW FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: Proteus - National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP)
NFJP is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor and Proteus implements this program in Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska. Funding provided through this program supports the response to chronic seasonal unemployment and underemployment experienced by agricultural workers by offering educational assistance, short-term certification programs, job training, and/or career placements. The program helps farmworkers cover costs related to career and training programs such as tuition, books, tools/equipment, or provides a stipend for class attendance. Learn more about the program at their website. Connect with your region’s liaison to learn how your students and community can benefit from this program by emailing info@proteusinc.net.
NEW FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROTECTION: $500 Million Available to Fund School Buses that Reduce Pollution, Save Money, and Protect Health
This year’s $500 million Clean School Bus Rebate Program will provide a combined funding amount to cover bus, workforce development costs, and infrastructure costs for awardees requesting electric school buses. Applicants can request up to $345,000 per bus. Selectees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases. The amount of funding per bus will depend on the applicant’s prioritization status, as well as the type and size of bus replacement(s) requested. EPA will prioritize applications that will replace buses serving low-income, rural, and Tribal communities. Large school districts with communities of concentrated poverty also will be prioritized if their application focuses on clean school buses serving those communities. To learn more about the rebate program, applicant eligibility, selection process, and informational webinar dates, visit the Clean School Bus Program webpage. Contact CleanSchoolBus@epa.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM BUILD YOUR FUTURE (BYF): Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation
The BYF team is hosting a girls construction camp to promote exploration in construction education. The camp starts Monday, October 16. Learn more in the ICRF Newsletter. Contact BYF staff with any questions.
REMINDER 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.
REMINDER FROM IDHS: School Resource Officer Reporting Requirement
By law, school corporations and charter schools are required to annually report the number of school resource officers employed by a school corporation or charter school. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly modified IC 20-26-18.2-5, which requires school corporations and charter schools to annually report data to IDHS regarding school resource officers or law enforcement officers that serve a school corporation or charter school. Data submissions are due today, Friday, October 6. For safety reasons, IDHS is required to keep such information confidential and not release it for public disclosure. Please report data here. Contact Rusty Goodpaster with any questions.
REMINDER 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.
REMINDER 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.
REMINDER 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 professional development 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.
REMINDER 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.
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