In order for students to experience careers in high school, it’s always best if we can help students explore in elementary school and engage with careers in middle school. If you recall, those are the “3Es” of which MANY of you across the state are working on through the 3E grant. Whether a student pursues employment, enrollment, or enlistment leading to service, anything that we can do to show them what is possible for their life after high school graduation can empower them to take charge of their own learning and light their fire of purpose ahead.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been on the road a lot–checking out our shared progress and the good work happening for students. This week I’d like to share about some of the career exploration, engagement, and experiences I’ve witnessed in and around Evansville (southwestern Indiana). What I’ll share today is just the tip of the iceberg…and in many ways, they are just getting started (their eyes are focused on continuing to improve for students!).
While I have attended Indianapolis’ JobSpark event and visited with Junior Achievement organizations in several other parts of our state, this week I had the opportunity to help kick off JobSpark with Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana – a two day hands-on career engagement opportunity for eighth grade students.
Some quick facts about Evansville’s JobSpark Experience:
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4,300 students attended
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42 schools across 11 counties were represented
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100 businesses represented from across southwestern Indiana
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120 career engagement activities provided across 8 career clusters
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One of the participating school corporations at JA JobSpark was Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC). In my earlier visit to Evansville in September, I made a trip to Berry Global (a major, international corporation in Indiana) to see the Berry Link Program and how it is serving students across EVSC. Just recently launched in May 2023, more than 60 students from high schools across the district expressed interest in this work-based learning experience, and for good reason. Following a competitive interview process, 25 students were selected for the inaugural cohort and now attend class right on the manufacturer’s floor!
During their junior and senior years, students have an opportunity to learn on-site at Berry Global, with the experience culminating in a year-long paid work-based learning program. Students kick off their junior year with classes like Principles of Business Management, Supply Chain Management, and Logistics Management, which are concentrator courses in the Supply Chain and Logistics Next Level Program of Study pathway. While there and with the help of some students, I even got to try out their forklift simulator — check out the photos below!
As seniors, students rotate through different departments at Berry Global to get a feel for the roles within the facility, such as printing, quality assurance, and logistics. Many of the students expressed appreciation for the real-world experience they are receiving at Berry Global and how the skills they are developing can be applied to a range of different careers, regardless of the career path they choose.
Supporting students to know their value and see their purpose is only amplified when we help them see what’s possible beyond K-12. Thank you to EVSC (as today’s example) and the many Indiana educator leaders who are leaning-in to provide these early career opportunities, and ultimately, empower students to seize their future.
NEW: Science of Reading Curriculum Advisory List
House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1558 requires the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to review and publish a list of high-quality curricular materials aligned to science of reading. IDOE has heard from several schools that some vendors are stating that their curriculum is aligned to HEA 1558–as a reminder, list development is in progress and no vendors have been notified of their status at this time. We continue to caution corporations and schools from purchasing or executing new, long-term contracts until the formalized list is provided in the spring of 2024. Contact IDOE's Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Legislatively-Required Posting of School Performance Reports (by October 15, 2023)
In lieu of issuing letter grades for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, HEA 1591 requires IDOE to develop a school performance report for public and state accredited non-public schools. The statutory deadline for schools to embed their performance report on their school website homepage was Sunday, October 15. If you have not already done so, please click here for additional instructions. As a reminder, once the school performance report has been added to your school website homepage, please complete the following Jotform to confirm your school’s compliance with HEA 1591. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: Cohort Report Update
The cohort reports in Ed-Data now show the state graduation rate after the alternate diploma cap has been applied. Indiana Code 20-32-4-14(c) specifies that not more than 1% of a school or corporation’s cohort that receives an alternate diploma may be counted as having graduated when calculating the graduation rate. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
REMINDER: Third-Party Accreditation Petition Window is Open
Accrediting organizations for K-12 schools that are 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.
REMINDER: 2023 Mandatory and Voluntary Graduation Rate Audit Window Closes Today, Friday, October 27
The mandatory and voluntary graduation rate audit submission window closes today, 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. If you would like to request a change to the cohort status of a student in the 2023 cohort, this will need to go through the voluntary graduation rate audit. The voluntary graduation rate audit involves submitting the student on the voluntary graduation rate audit Excel template and submitting the supporting documentation. The voluntary graduation rate audit is open to all schools and 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. (The enrollment key to access the linked resources is “AccountabilityCommunity”) Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: PSAT/NMSQT Testing Window Closes Today, Friday, October 27
The PSAT/NMSQT testing window closes today, Friday, October 27, for participating Indiana high schools. Educators can access PSAT/NMSQT scores for students who tested before Saturday, October 14, beginning Thursday, November 2. Staff may contact their corporation’s/school’s data access manager for access to College Board’s K-12 Reporting Portal. Students who tested by Saturday, October 14, will have access to their scores via their College Board student account beginning Monday, November 6. Remaining scores will become available to educators on Tuesday, November 14, and students on Thursday, November 16. Contact College Board with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Close Today, Friday, October 27
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. today, Friday, October 27, in order to be considered. Contact Emily Black with any questions.
REMINDER: Application Center Reporting - Educator Evaluation Rating (ER) 2023 Deadline is Today, Friday, October 27
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 closes today, Friday, October 27, at 4 p.m. ET. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
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 exploring a career in education to connect with numerous programs from around the state focused on preparing future early childhood through grade 12 educators. 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: 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: 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:
REMINDER: 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: Cybersecurity for Education Toolkit 2.0 Now Available
Developed by the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity (IECC), with support from IDOE, 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. The Free Cybersecurity Services and Tools link below provides access to many great resources that will assist schools as they implement the recommended actions.
REMINDER: 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: High Ability Program Grant Final Report
The 2022-2023 (fiscal year 2023) High Ability Program (HAP) Final Report is due Sunday, December 31. All schools that received FY 2023 High Ability funds must complete this report via JotForm. Contact studentpathways_highability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: 2023-2024 High Ability Office Hours
High ability office hours for the 2023-2024 school year will be open to anyone who has questions or concerns regarding high ability programming. Please see the high ability office hours schedule here. Contact studentpathways_highability@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 Student Pathways Monthly Webinars
IDOE's Student Pathways and Opportunities team will host monthly webinars for alternative education, graduation pathways, high ability, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act during the 2023-2024 school year. All webinar dates and the links to join can be found here. Registration is not required. Contact Studentpathways@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: McKinney-Vento Website Requirements
All Indiana local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to post information regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act on their website. Pursuant to IC 20-50-1-5, each LEA must have a dedicated McKinney-Vento webpage on the district’s website, which includes the following:
Please complete the McKinney-Vento website confirmation form by 4 p.m. ET, today, Friday, October 27. Contact McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application – Round 2
The McKinney-Vento subgrant application will open on Monday, October 16, through Tuesday, October 31, to local education agencies (LEAs) that reported 1-49 homeless students for the 2022-2023 school year. Round 2 applicants may apply as individual or consortium applicants. Please contact McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 McKinney-Vento Office Hours
The McKinney-Vento office hours for the 2023-2024 school year will be open to anyone who has questions or concerns regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and how to best serve students. Office hours are on the first Thursday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. ET, and the third Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon, beginning Thursday, October 19. Please see the McKinney-Vento office hours schedule here. Contact McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Maintenance of Effort Training for Part B Funding on Wednesday, November 8
IDOE’s Office of Special Education will review the new Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement for Part B funding on Wednesday, November 8, at 11 a.m. ET. All special education directors and stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Additional MOE support resources are available in the Special Education Community in Moodle. The MOE template will be released this week. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions.
NEW: Preschool Special Education Data Collection Office Hours
IDOE’s Office of Special Education is hosting office hours as a supplement to the Indiana Learning Lab session on preschool special education data collection. Join the office hours below:
Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions.
NEW: Indiana Academic Standards Resources Available in the Indiana Learning Lab
Vertical articulation guides for English/Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics are now available in the Indiana Learning Lab. These resources provide an overview of the progression of the updated K-12 Indiana Academic Standards. Correlation guides for ELA, Mathematics, and Computer Science to help educators cross-reference the 2020 and 2023 standards will become available soon. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: STEM Certification Applications Due Today, Friday, October 27
Applications for STEM Certification and Recertification are due today, Friday, October 27. Reference the K-8 or Secondary STEM Certification submission guidance for submission forms. Contact stemcertification@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Learning Guidance
Staff, students, and the community need support to be successful with virtual learning, whether in full-time virtual programs or in schools using virtual learning days. This guidance document presents key considerations for facilitating successful virtual learning. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: November Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
November PD with IDOE begins Wednesday, November 1, at 4 p.m. ET with Self-Regulation Strategies for Indiana Students with RoboKind presented by Marleigh Gilyard, Director of Product Management and Strategy at RoboKind. View a full list of the November sessions here. To register for workshops or view on-demand sessions, 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.
NEW: Indiana Course Access Portal 2022-2023 Report
The annual Indiana Course Access Portal (iCAP) report for the 2022-2023 school year is now available. iCAP serves as a course repository of over 200 virtual course options to help high schools meet students’ individual needs, expand learning opportunities, and diversify their curricula while remaining enrolled in their own school. The report provides data on utilization across school corporations, providers, and courses. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Transitions 101: Let’s Get Started - Registration Open
Join IDOE, the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL), and the Indiana Head Start Association on Wednesday, December 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET for a session to explore the basics of smooth transitions for children and families whether transitioning into services or kindergarten. This session will feature how Early Learning Standards prepare students for kindergarten, review a toolkit of transition tools, and learn how family engagement can assist in the overall process for children. Register for this session now. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
NEW: Partnering for Preschool Series Continues Thursday, November 9
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 Thursday, November 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. ET with a session on measuring quality in a preschool program. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: Educators Needed for Content Connector Committees
IDOE seeks qualified educators to participate in committee reviews of Indiana’s redesigned Content Connectors, which are used to measure the knowledge and skills of students with significant cognitive disabilities and assessed by Indiana’s alternate assessment, I AM. Updated Content Connectors will align with the future-focused 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, and the newly-developed Indiana Academic Standards for Integrated STEM. Educators with expertise in one of the five content areas listed above and experience teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities are encouraged to apply. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Tips from the Field: Digital Learning Leadership Cadre Session - Accessible Design
The Digital Learning Leadership Cadre’s series Tips from the Field, featuring educators across the state, continues on Monday, October 30, at 4 p.m. ET. Teachers will present practical tips, tools, and strategies to boost the accessibility of teaching and learning resources to support diverse learners in your environment. Join to further your understanding of accessible design and walk away with several practical tools for immediate implementation. Register for this session here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Title Con 2024 - Call for Proposals
The Title Grants and Support team is excited to announce Title Con 2024 held April 10 and 11, 2024, in Plainfield. Title Con 2024 will bring together hundreds of Indiana educators and school personnel from across the state to learn and build stronger federal programs for student growth and achievement. Title Con seeks dynamic presentations on topics related to Title grants and federal funding that align with the theme of “The Student Behind the Funding.” Please review the call for proposal form for more information. All submissions are due by January 5, 2024. Contact Caitlin Laurino with any questions.
REMINDER: 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.
NEW FROM SCHOOLHOUSE.WORLD: Register for December SAT Bootcamps
Schoolhouse is excited to share that we just launched registration for our December SAT Bootcamps (in preparation for the Saturday, December 2, SAT). Students will review foundational concepts and testing strategies, practice and review multiple full-length SAT practice tests, and get personalized support from your tutor for challenging questions. Students and their parents can sign up at this link ahead of the Wednesday, November 1, registration deadline.
NEW FROM INDIANA GROWN FOR SCHOOLS NETWORK: Harvest of the Month
Harvest of the Month provides lessons and activities for students, families, and communities to engage in hands-on learning opportunities to explore, taste, and understand the importance of eating fresh local produce. The Indiana Grown for Schools Network has lessons and activities that have been aligned with Indiana Academic Standards for a variety of different products. You will also find updated videos, fact posters, and more to support student engagement! All materials are free and can be downloaded by visiting the Indiana Grown for Schools Network Harvest of the Month database. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please email the Indiana Grown for Schools Network’s Farm to School Coordinator, Brianna Goode.
NEW FROM THE AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION (ADAI): Grant Opportunity
The “Refuel with Milk” School Extracurricular Grant is now accepting applications. ADAI is supporting Indiana school-based youth athletics and other extracurricular groups by granting upright coolers to keep milk cold and readily available after student workouts, practices and/or games. Click here for more information and to begin the application. Contact Sheri Shipp with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (FSSA): Boosting Child Care Access Through $25M Fund
FSSA’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning has announced the $25 million Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund, a new initiative in collaboration with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The fund aims to mobilize the business community to bolster child care benefits for their employees by providing seed funding for employers and community-based non-profit organizations working on behalf of local employers to create or expand child care benefits to address growing local needs. Visit the Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund webpage to learn more, review frequently-asked questions and the application guide, and access the link to apply. Interested applicants can also register for an upcoming informational webinar at 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, October 31. Applications are open through Wednesday, November 22. Contact the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning with any questions.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: RISE Evaluation Training & Certification
Teacher evaluation is more crucial than ever as we look to recruit and retain quality educators. This workshop incorporates the key components of the teacher effectiveness rubric and embeds work related to retaining teacher talent through effective feedback, building teacher efficacy, and providing ongoing support through continued reflection and goal setting. This training will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16. Learn more about this opportunity and register here. Contact KeepIndianaLearning@CIESC.org with questions.
NEW FROM PURDUE UNIVERSITY: Indiana STEM Education Conference
The theme of the 2024 Indiana STEM Education Conference is “Resourcing STEM Education.” The conference will feature over 50 presentations on STEM curriculum, instruction, careers, and research and provide opportunities to network with a variety of STEM education sponsors. The conference will take place in-person on January 11, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET at Purdue University. Register now by Friday, December 15, to receive discounted registration. Attendees will receive access to a resource webpage containing presentation slides, handouts, and posters, as well as Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points. Contact Bill Walker with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR): Arbor Day Poster Contest
Indiana schools are encouraged to have their fifth grade students participate in an Arbor Day poster contest, helping students learn more about the important role of trees in the state’s urban and forest communities. All Indiana schools and homeschooling families/co-ops are eligible to participate by submitting their winning poster to the statewide contest by March 1, 2024. One poster will be accepted per school. More information is available here. Contact DNR Urban Forestry Director Jacob Roos with questions.
NEW FROM THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF INDIANA (ACEC): Civil Engineering Presentations for National Engineers Week
Each year, ACEC Indiana coordinates an effort to organize volunteers in the civil engineering profession to speak at elementary, middle, and high schools across Indiana during National Engineers Week (February 18-24, 2024). “EWeek” is dedicated to promoting engineering as a potential career in young students by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. Teachers may request up to five presentations/sessions to host an engineer in the classroom and ACEC will accommodate at least one from every teacher (potentially more, based on volunteer availability). Learn more at ACEC’s website and request presentations/sessions using this link.
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 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 AP-TIP: Fall Conference
In light of College Board’s recent changes to the AP Computer Science Principles exam, the AP-TIP Fall Conference for both CSP and CSA has been rescheduled to Wednesday, November 8. Registration will remain open until Wednesday, November 1. If teachers have already registered, they do not need to do so again. Please direct any questions about this change to Math Content Director Greg Macklem.
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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