Solutions…we’ve done a good job working together to find them over the past almost three years. We have very intentionally not spent time admiring the problem, but instead we have gone after the solution. And, I sincerely thank you for that.
So, we could use your help on this one. We need some solution ideas, and we need them urgently. I’m going to lay out our problem statement…then hit on some of the tactics we are currently using to overcome the reading crisis in Indiana. Finally, I’ll provide an email address where you can share ideas directly with me and once again, be a part of the solution.
Let’s start with our problem statement and some level-setting data:
At the State Board of Education meeting earlier in the week, we presented some startling state-level data on the number of students who are advancing to fourth grade without the foundational reading skills they need in order to access all future learning. (**Note: we have also been asked to provide this at the school- and district-level and will share this embargoed data with you soon, prior to a public release.)
Just like I stand on the scale in the morning and know that I need to drink more water, eat more vegetables (and fewer Christmas cookies!), and go to the gym more in order to get improved results…we must be very real about our current literacy data, and specifically, what the data show for our students who advance to fourth grade unable to read. This is our “standing on the scale” moment, and if we continue to do the same thing, we will continue to get the same results.
You’ll see in the longitudinal data below the negative implications when we move students on to fourth grade when they cannot read. It is not working for these students academically. Additionally, as educators, we know the increased stress that comes when a child is not able to read in upper grades, including the social and behavioral problems that manifest as a result. I certainly saw this as a high school teacher (and, I’ve heard from many of you who see this too).
As we know, first a student learns to read, and then they read to learn. When a middle or high school teacher has a child who is unable to read, helping them master content in a secondary classroom is unrealistic for the teacher and the student.
As I have shared many times before, Indiana’s literacy rates have been dropping for a decade, well before the COVID-19 pandemic. While third grade enrollment has declined since 2012, the number of students who do not pass IREAD-3 has more than doubled. And as reading scores have continued to decrease, retention rates have also continued to decrease, causing thousands of students to enter fourth grade unable to read. In fact, in 2023, data show that almost 13,500 students who did not have foundational reading skills (pass IREAD-3) were advanced to fourth grade.
|
 |
Graph courtesy of the Capital Chronicle.
Graph courtesy of the Capital Chronicle.
Indiana’s longitudinal data is showing that the vast majority of these students who moved on to fourth grade unable to read will continue to struggle academically (rarely to never achieving proficiency on future state and federal assessments, including ILEARN), AND these students are less likely to graduate high school.
A recent third-party study, 'Holding Back to Move Forward: The Effects of Retention in the Third Grade on Student Outcomes', 2022 also shows that in Indiana from 2011-2012 and 2016-2017, third-grade retention increased achievement in English/language arts and math immediately and substantially, and the positive effects persist into middle school. Being retained did not have a negative effect on student attendance or disciplinary incidents in later grades.
Pro-active Solutions (targeting K-3), to date:
Over the past three years, we have worked incredibly hard, together, to understand our data, leverage our resources, and stay laser-focused on improving our results for students. This includes Indiana’s largest-ever literacy investment ($170 million) to support current and future teachers in science of reading practices that will be essential to reaching our goal of 95% of Indiana’s third grade students being able to read by 2027. Through this historic investment –
- Schools are joining the Indiana Literacy Cadre where educators at participating schools can receive free instructional coaching in science of reading;
- Educators are completing IDOE’s science of reading modules, developed in partnership with Marian University. Eligible teachers can also earn a $1,200 stipend by completing the modules;
- Schools are receiving targeted support through a Literacy Support Plan, specifically designed for Indiana schools falling below 70% IREAD-3 passage;
- Teachers are earning incentives for improving IREAD-3 scores through Indiana’s Literacy Achievement Grants (awards to be announced later this month!); and
- Schools continue to utilize IDOE’s Science of Reading Grant funding to support science of reading implementation through instructional coaching, curriculum, and professional development.
-
COMING SOON: Current educators will also be able to pursue the science of reading-focused literacy endorsement at no cost.
- We are also working with higher education educator preparation programs (EPPs) to ensure our future teachers have the knowledge and tools they need to ensure students learn to read. This includes:
- All higher education educator preparation programs are required to embed science of reading into their curriculum.
- All EPPs must also prepare future educators to obtain a literacy endorsement (IC 20-28-5-19.7).
- Indiana educators first licensed after June 30, 2025, in the areas of early childhood, elementary generalist, and special education are required to obtain the new literacy endorsement.
Administratively, we have tried a number of things too. This includes –
- Tightening our guidance regarding considerations for Good Cause Exemptions;
- Allowing schools an opportunity to opt-in to administer IREAD-3 at second grade, providing an early “On Track indicator” for parents/families and teachers to determine if students will master foundational reading skills by the end of grade three;
- Providing opportunities for families to access $1,000 that can be used to provide additional reading tutoring for eligible students, regardless of the family’s ability to pay, through Indiana Learns;
- Partnering with Schoolhouse.world to further remove financial barriers to tutoring opportunities;
- Launching a new Parent and Family Support Hub on the Indiana Learning Lab, providing free, 24/7 access to resources to support student learning; and also
- Providing up to $185 million (often known as the Student Learning Recovery grants) to help schools and community partners support accelerated learning for students through summer and before-, after- school programming.
Dr. Kymyona Burk, who was the State Literacy Director for Mississippi, when they achieved the “Mississippi Miracle” states:
For our students, our communities, and our state–we CAN, we MUST, and we WILL solve this, and you are a key part of helping. If you have other proactive solutions ensuring your local students are reading by the end of third grade, I would love to hear from you! Just as we have continued to do over the past nearly three years, we will not spend our time admiring the problem…rather, we will spend our time seeking and elevating student-focused solutions. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for all that you do!
NEW: Graduation Rate Audit Results and Timeline
All graduation rate audit results have been distributed. If you have not received an email with the graduation rate audit results, please contact schoolaccountability@doe.in.gov immediately. Specific, time-sensitive details regarding submitting a re-review can be found in the original audit result email. Re-review determinations will be sent starting Thursday, December 14. The cohort report on EdData currently reflects the changes made as a result of the graduation rate audit. IDOE is scheduled to lift the embargo of the 2023 graduation rates on Friday, December 29. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Accountability with any questions.
NEW: SAT Indiana Academic Standards Priorities Now Available
New resources highlighting the streamlined Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) for English/Language Arts and Mathematics that are most strongly represented on the SAT School Day test blueprint are now available in the Indiana Learning Lab. Educators may use these resources to help with curriculum planning and pacing and to better understand how the streamlined IAS will be assessed through the SAT. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions regarding the SAT and Office of Teaching and Learning with questions regarding IAS.
REMINDER: ILEARN Checkpoint Pilot Opt-In Opportunity Now Available
IDOE invites schools to opt in to the ILEARN Checkpoints Pilot for the 2024-2025 school year. Schools can sign up to pilot the three checkpoints included in the ILEARN through-year design, but will still participate in the same statewide summative assessment. Refer to the following resources for an overview of the opportunity, reasons for participating, and how to sign up. IDOE will host four live question and answer (Q&A) sessions in December 2023 and January 2024 to answer questions over the pilot.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions regarding this opportunity.
REMINDER: Register for December College Board Training Opportunities
Staff who were unable to attend the live November workshops for PSAT data use and SAT School Day test coordinator preparation may register to attend the following live sessions from College Board:
Additional workshops include the AP Potential and BigFuture Postsecondary Planning Webinar on Thursday, December 14. View more information on training opportunities here, and contact College Board with any questions.
NEW: 2024-2025 Teacher Shortage Areas Proposed to the U.S. Department of Education
The Office of Educator Licensing has submitted proposed teacher shortage areas for 2024-2025 to the U.S. Department of Education. The proposed shortage areas are: all special education areas, all STEM areas, English learners, all world language areas, all career and technical education (CTE) areas, early childhood, and school counselors. When approved, these areas will be used to inform federal financial aid recipients on opportunities to reduce, defer, or discharge student loan repayments and meet specified (e.g., teaching) obligations, and to inform prospective teachers on employment opportunities in each state. Contact Risa Regnier with any questions.
UPDATE: Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) Literacy Endorsement Professional Development Grant
Applications for the EPP Literacy Endorsement Professional Development Grant are now open through 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15. This competitive grant opportunity for educator preparation providers is funded through appropriations by the Indiana General Assembly in the state budget. The 2023-2024 EPP Literacy Endorsement Professional Development Grant is designed to support Indiana-approved educator preparation providers with early childhood, elementary, and/or special education educator licensure programs to provide professional development to preservice teachers who will not be prepared by July 1, 2025, to pass the required Literacy Endorsement assessment. EPPs will be required to utilize IDOE approved professional development vendors. More information regarding the EPP Literacy Endorsement Professional Development Grant application process can be found in this guidance and FAQ. Contact Scott Bogan or Renee Baratta with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations Open for Distinguished Educators Recognition
IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent is looking for confidential recommendations of teachers representing the very best educators in Indiana. These emerging leaders must have between five and 15 years of experience, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom, and positively impact school culture and student achievement. Superintendents and principals may submit recommendations here. Nominations must be submitted by May 26, 2024. Contact Rebecca Estes 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: Indiana STEM Educator Expansion Program (I-STEM) Registration Now Available
IDOE is pleased to announce a new partnership with Educational Service Centers of Indiana to strengthen Indiana’s STEM educator pipeline. The I-STEM partnership 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 to learn more and register. Contact the Office of Educator Talent with questions.
NEW: December Tuition Support Payment Memo
Please read this memo regarding updates to the December tuition support payment. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Membership Conflict Petition Process
Please read the following memo regarding the membership conflict petition process. Next Friday, December 15, is the deadline for a school corporation or charter school to file a petition. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual 1003 Flexibility Waivers
IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation is now accepting applications for 1003 flexibility waivers. Flexibility through waivers is offered to help support schools in their design efforts to improve student performance and outcomes, help to improve efficiency of school operations, and to help promote innovative educational approaches to student learning. Interested officials can read more about the opportunity in this memo and Flexibility Guide for Indiana's K-12 Schools. Applications are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, April 5, 2024. Contact Georgia Watson with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 Student Pathways Monthly Webinars
The student pathways team will host monthly webinars for alternative education, graduation pathways, high ability, and McKinney-Vento throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Monthly webinar dates and links can be found here. No registration is required. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with any questions.
REMINDER: High Ability Program (HAP) Grant Final Report
The 2022-2023 (fiscal year 2023) HAP Final Report is due by Sunday, December 31. All schools that received fiscal year 2023 high ability funds must complete this report. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities’ High Ability team with any questions.
REMINDER: Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) Grant Reimbursement Requests
All 3E Grantees should regularly submit reimbursement requests to IDOE. Reimbursement forms should be completed, signed by the preparer, and submitted to DOECares@doe.in.gov on the first and 15th of each month. Grantees must keep receipts, invoices, staff time and effort logs, and all other relevant documentation of your grant expenses on file locally, in the event of an audit. These documents do not have to be submitted to IDOE when seeking reimbursement. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with any questions.
NEW: Federal Guidance for Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Settings
The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an updated joint policy statement emphasizing the importance of supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood settings. View the Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children With Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs publication for additional information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with questions.
NEW: Feedback on Reporting Preschool Special Education Outcomes
IDOE's Office of Special Education is seeking feedback on the way preschool special education outcomes are gathered and reported on. If you are a teacher, administrator, data manager or other professional who has administered, documented, and/or reported on ISPROUT or ISTAR-KR, please complete this Google form to help the department gather feedback on its current and former practices. The feedback form will be open until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31. Contact IDOE's Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: Non-English Speaking Program (NESP) Funds for English Learners (ELs) Begins Distribution This Month
In the 2023 legislative session, NESP funding became part of the state tuition formula for local education agencies (LEAs). IDOE is in the process of updating financial year 2024 state tuition support to reflect NESP funding beginning with the December tuition support payment. See this memo for additional information on NESP funding changes for the 2023-2024 school year. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
REMINDER: Monthly New EL Director Professional Learning Community (PLC)
New directors of EL programs are invited to join this PLC during the 2023-2024 school year. The PLC offers the opportunity to network with other new directors, access timely program information, and bring questions. The next session will be held on Tuesday, December 12, at 9:30 a.m. E.T. 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: Request Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Part B Grant Reimbursements by Friday, December 15
All FY 2022 and ARP Part B grants closed on Saturday, September 30. The deadline to claim reimbursements for encumbered expenditures in approved FY 2022 Part B 611, 619, ARP 611, and ARP 619 grant budgets is Friday, December 15. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education grants team with additional questions.
NEW: 2024-2025 Course Titles and Descriptions (CTDs) Now Available
The 2024-2025 High School CTDs and 2024-2025 Elementary and Middle School CTDs provide important guidance as school leaders prepare their course and content offerings for the upcoming year. In addition to core content and general elective course updates, the 2024-2025 High School CTD includes updates specific to career and technical education course offerings. Codes listed before each program/course title and descriptions will be used for IDOE data reporting. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with questions.
NEW: December Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
December PD with IDOE continues Wednesday, December 13, at 4 p.m. ET with Introduction to the Employability Skills Playbook. View the full list of December sessions here. To register for workshops, or view on-demand sessions, create a free Learning Lab account by visiting the LINK Portal or the Indiana Learning Lab directly and use your school email address to log in. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions
NEW: Science of Reading Experts Explain Series Continues Thursday, December 14
Join IDOE and The Reading League Indiana from noon to 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 14, for Benefits and Costs of Whole Group and Small Group Intervention with Jamey Peavler. The Science of Reading: Experts Explain series runs throughout the 2023-2024 school year and features nationally-renowned reading experts to support schools in shifting instruction toward evidence-based reading and writing instruction. Register for the sessions and view previous sessions on-demand in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
NEW: Virtual Learning Professional Development (PD) Series
Join us for Virtual Learning Essentials, a series of presentations from experts, researchers, and authors, featuring deep dives into essential elements of virtual learning. This series continues Tuesday, December 12, at 4 p.m. ET with Online Learner Support Systems: The ACE Framework by Dr. Jered Borup of George Mason University. Register here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions
NEW: On-Demand Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
Access November’s PD with IDOE sessions on-demand in the Indiana Learning Lab:
Attend future live sessions and view other on-demand content in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions
UPDATE: Indiana Early Literacy Achievement Grant
IDOE’s Early Literacy Achievement Grant was established to reward schools and teachers for improving students’ foundational reading skills. Additional guidance for public school corporations and charter schools can be found here. Recipients can anticipate distribution of funds by Wednesday, December 27. Refer to the frequently asked questions document for additional information. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
UPDATE: U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools’ (ED-GRS) Nomination Due Friday, December 15
IDOE is pleased to release the application for nomination to the ED-GRS program for 2023. The ED-GRS program is a federal recognition award for school sustainability. Interested corporations and schools are encouraged to review this memo for additional information and submit their applications by Friday, December 15. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with questions.
REMINDER: Title Con 2024 Call for Proposals
The Title Grants and Support team is excited to announce Title Con 2024. The event will be held on April 10 and 11, 2024, in Plainfield, IN. 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 Friday, January 5, 2023. Contact Caitlin Laurino with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA BAR FOUNDATION: Free Resources for Sixth-Grade Civics Education
The Indiana Bar Foundation has released a comprehensive series of free resources to provide ready-to-use academic standard-aligned classroom materials for Indiana educators teaching the new required semester of sixth-grade civics. Materials include PowerPoint presentations, student handouts, reading materials, worksheets, activities, vocabulary guides, and more. Learn more and access materials here and contact Tim Kalgreen, Indiana Bar Foundation’s Director of Civic Education, with questions.
NEW FROM INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING EMPLOYMENT FIRST (INAPSE): Transition Survey
INAPSE is reaching out to students, parents, educators, and service providers. By completing this survey, INAPSE hopes to clarify which topics are important for youth to understand. Respondents roles as youths in school, youths recently exiting school, educators, or parents will give unique insight into information gaps. Once gaps are identified, INAPSE will respond by creating content specific learning opportunities. The submission deadline is Friday, December 22. Contact INAPSE with any questions.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: Literacy by Design Workshop
Literacy by Design is a workshop designed for teachers and instructional leaders to study the progression of reading skills across the grade levels. By digging into the standards, educators can determine how the progressive skills are useful in building and maintaining instruction across multiple grade levels. Register here and contact Keep Indiana Learning with any questions.
NEW FROM THE NATIONAL POSTSECONDARY STRATEGY INSTITUTE (NPSI): 2023 Power of Hope Awards
NPSI is excited to announce the launch of our 2023 Power of Hope Awards in collaboration with Common App and Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Initiative. This award honors school districts that engage school counselors as postsecondary leaders, tracking FAFSA and delivering postsecondary interventions in collaboration with district administrators. The goal of these awards is to support the vision that all students can achieve their educational and career goals. Districts can apply or be nominated here.
NEW FROM WORK AND LEARN INDIANA: The 2024 Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference
The Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference, featuring the 18th Annual Impact Awards, will be on February 22, 2024 at the Embassy Suites in Noblesville. The event is a convening of best practices and sharing of ideas toward growth and partnership within workforce and education. Register here or contact Sally Saydshoev for more information.
NEW FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR WORKFORCE EXCELLENCE: AHEAD Human Resources Information Session
The Institute for Workforce Excellence, a 501c-3 subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with IDOE will be hosting an AHEAD Human Resources representative to address employer questions related to work-based learning workers compensation and liability. During the virtual information sessions, AHEAD Human Resources will address questions and concerns from the audience while also providing an overview of services offered. The sessions will take place on Tuesday, December 12 from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. ET, and Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. ET. To register please use these links: Tuesday, December 12, session and Thursday, January 11, session or contact Sally Saydshoev for more information.
NEW FROM THE AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION INDIANA (ADAI): Free Nutrition Education Resources
Looking for nutrition education resources? The National Dairy Council Fuel Up Learning Plan includes free downloadable resources aligned with National Health Education Standards. Each of the four units includes a lesson plan, activities and assignments, handouts, and vocabulary. Topics such as environmentally sustainable agriculture practices, how foods relate to gut health, and the connection between wellness and the practice of healthy eating are highlighted. There is something for everyone! Click here to learn more.
REMINDER FROM INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (IDOH): Indiana Health Survey
Hoosiers throughout the state are asked to respond to the annual IDOH Indiana Health Survey by Friday, December 15. This survey asks about the health and wellness of individuals, families, and their communities and is available in both English and Spanish. Anyone Indiana resident over the age of 18 can take the survey. Participants have a chance to win gift cards for their participation, and schools are encouraged to distribute this within their network and community (e.g., newsletters, social media). IDOH will use these findings to inform its work and priorities for the next Maternal and Child Health strategic plan. Contact IDOH with questions.
REMINDER FROM TEACH INDY: Register now for the 2024 Teach Indy Educators Conference
The 2024 Teach Indy Educators Conference will be at the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Join us to enhance teachers’ expertise, share best practices, amplify the educator’s voice, and seize the opportunity to learn and grow. All current and aspiring educators are welcome. Register here and contact Teach Indy with questions.
|
