Over the last few years, as we have talked to stakeholders across the state, one thing we have heard on repeat is that, “if” high school looked different for students, “then” we could better connect them to what’s next. On Wednesday, we took a giant step forward in this conversation regarding how we can make the high school experience more flexible and relevant for today’s students.
As a country, the high school experience has not changed for most students in over 100 years, and in Indiana specifically, we have not significantly redesigned our high school diplomas since the late 1980s. Our opportunity is NOW, and if you have not been a part of the feedback process yet, I invite you to join (details and the link is below). I’ve also linked the full presentation, as well as a recording of the meeting below, which will provide additional context and allow you to hear the full discussion.
In the proposal presented to the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE), a number of stakeholders have come together to offer a forward-thinking solution for how we can streamline the number of diplomas, while maintaining rigor. This includes maximizing opportunities for students to increase their educational attainment and personalize their own unique learning pathways and experiences. These solutions are the result of months of stakeholder input and collaboration, including input from educators, parents, colleges and universities, business leaders, as well as our students. On Wednesday, we shared a video (linked below) where business and industry leaders talked about the knowledge and skills that will best prepare students for the future.
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We also shared a second video that highlights several students across Indiana who are already engaged in this incredible work!
For the first time ever, Indiana’s diplomas will be aligned to the state’s current graduation pathways, as well as the five characteristics of an Indiana Graduate Prepared to Succeed (Indiana GPS), which include: academic mastery; career and postsecondary readiness (credentials and experiences); communication and collaboration; work ethic; and civic, financial, and digital literacy. These represent the five characteristics that Hoosier stakeholders consistently agree are essential for all graduates, regardless of where they live or what their path is for the future.
In the proposal presented to SBOE, Indiana’s future diplomas would include:
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Indiana GPS Diploma - a more flexible, personalized version of the current Core 40 diploma
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Indiana GPS Diploma Plus - requires high-quality work-based learning and a credential of value (educational attainment)
For all students, regardless of the diploma type they earn, targeted learning in ninth and 10th grades would be strategically focused on essential knowledge and skills. This will be achieved through a set of foundational courses, aligned to the Indiana GPS characteristics, as well as opportunities for students to demonstrate competencies, acknowledging the learning that is happening both within the school and beyond. This structure allows for additional flexibility and personalization in 11th and 12th grades.
In addition to the foundational courses and competencies for all students, students pursuing the proposed Indiana GPS Diploma must also complete a minimum of 20 additional points, earned through a combination of courses and experiences. Students will use their individual graduation plan, first completed in middle school, to determine initial course sequences.
After completing their foundational coursework and competencies, students pursuing the proposed Indiana GPS Diploma Plus must complete additional coursework necessary to earn their chosen credential of value, as well as complete a high-quality work-based learning experience.
Wednesday’s SBOE meeting kicked off the diploma rulemaking process, opening up several months of feedback, and your voice is key! Please use this Jotform to provide immediate feedback, including additional solution-ideas, as well tools and resources that would be most helpful in supporting implementation.
In K-12 education, we have an incredible opportunity to help every student find their purpose, know their value, and understand the possibilities for their life’s path. This means increasing access to allow more students the flexibility to experience work-based learning, increase their educational attainment by earning a credential, and personalize their journey to achieve their unique goals. We all play a key role in helping students ignite their passion and maximize their potential for success ahead. Let’s continue to work together to make the high school experience the best it can be for Indiana students.
Thank you, as always, for all that you do for our students.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Graduation Pathway Requirements
Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-32-4-1.5, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) established the use of the ASVAB to meet graduation pathway requirements. Beginning with the 2025 graduation cohort, HEA 1635 requires students electing to use the ASVAB as a means for meeting graduation pathway requirements to also fill out the Military Enlistment Intent Form. Students graduating in the 2023 and 2024 cohorts who have earned a qualifying ASVAB score, as determined by SBOE, prior to July 1, 2023, will be able to utilize previously earned ASVAB scores without a signed Military Enlistment Intent Form to fulfill their graduation pathway requirements. Learn more here. Contact IDOE's Student Pathways team with any questions.
Graduation Waiver Caps
As outlined in Indiana Code (IC) 20-26-13-10, for purposes of calculating the 2024 graduation rate, Indiana schools may not count more than 9% of their graduation cohort as graduating if utilizing postsecondary ready competency waivers. Schools exceeding the 9% cap will receive an adjusted state graduation rate. Postsecondary ready competency graduation waivers will be capped at 6% for the 2025 cohort and 3% for the 2026 cohort and beyond. In December, schools received a letter with their 2023 graduation rates along their post-secondary competency waiver rates. The letter provided a breakdown of how the 9% cap would impact their graduation rate, which should be considered when helping the class of 2024 meet their graduation requirements. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with questions regarding postsecondary ready competency qualifications, or Office of Accountability with questions regarding the calculation of the graduation rate or the cohort report.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 Corporation Amendments
The 2024-2025 school year corporation amendment window is Monday, April 1, through Friday, August 30. Corporations and schools with school profile changes should submit a corporation amendment request with supporting documentation via Jotform. Information regarding submission can be found here. Corporations and schools without any school profile changes do not need to submit a request. Contact IDOE’s Office of Accountability with any questions.
REMINDER: SAT School Day Makeup Testing Window Question and Answer (Q&A) Sessions
IDOE will hold two Q&A sessions in April to address any questions regarding the upcoming SAT School Day makeup testing window, which is Monday, April 8, through Friday, April 19.
Find additional resources and webinars here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions.
REMINDER: ILEARN Q&A Sessions
IDOE will hold two Q&A sessions in April to address any questions regarding the upcoming ILEARN 3-8, ILEARN Biology End-of-Course Assessment (ECA), and optional ILEARN U.S. Government ECA testing windows.
Additional resources and webinars can be found on IDOE’s ILEARN webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with questions.
REMINDER: LVIS360 Update
Educators applying for initial licenses or renewals in the next few months should log in to the updated LVIS360 system soon to link their LVIS legacy licensure data to their LVIS360 account. The new system requires users to create an Access Indiana account prior to accessing LVIS360. The Office of Educator Licensing recommends getting acquainted with the new login process and linking your new LVIS360 login to your legacy account now before the busy season for licensing starts in May. Administrators, please encourage your teachers to log in soon. Access the user portal here. Contact IDOE's Office of Educator Licensing with any questions.
REMINDER: Literacy Endorsement Professional Development
Indiana educators with an existing pre-kindergarten through grade six or special education license are invited to register for a Keys to Literacy training cohort at no cost, to help them earn Indiana’s Literacy Endorsement. Eligible educators who participate in a Keys to Literacy training cohort can receive up to $1,200 in stipends for completion of the course. Additional information can be found in this memo and educators can register here. Contact the Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominate an Educator for Teacher of the Year
The Indiana Teacher of the Year Program works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state. Local schools are encouraged to participate in an annual selection process and local Teacher(s) of the Year are encouraged to complete the state application process by Friday, July 5. Find more information on the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process here. Contact intoy@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Applications for Spanish Visiting Teacher Program
Find details for the 2024-2025 school year Spanish Visiting Teacher Program here and learn more about the responsibilities of being a host school here. Districts can express interest by completing the application form here. Priority will be given to applications completed by Sunday, March 31. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations Open for the Indiana History Teacher of the Year Award
In partnership with IDOE, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History awards the Indiana History Teacher of the Year title each year in its effort to promote the study and love of American history. State winners are then considered for the National History Teacher of the Year award. For more information about the nomination process and to nominate an Indiana history teacher, click here. Nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
REMINDER: Indiana STEM Educator Expansion Program (I-STEM) Registration Now Available
IDOE is partnering with Educational Service Centers (ESCs) 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 but hold a bachelor’s degree, to become licensed to teach in a STEM content area. Eligible STEM content areas are life science, chemistry, earth/space science, physics, physical science, computer science, technology education, and mathematics. Learn more and register here. Contact the Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
NEW: 2024 School Tech Plan Survey Now Open
The 2024 School Tech Plan Survey is open through Friday, May 3. All public schools are required to complete this survey to qualify for the connectivity formula grant, the common school fund, and grants from IDOE's Office of Academics. While not required, non-public schools are encouraged to complete the survey in order to inform and collaborate regarding digital learning best practices. Find previous year public data in the Digital Readiness Dashboard or through EdData. Contact Brad Hagg with any questions.
NEW: Annual Performance Reports (APRs) Requirement Repealed
The requirement for the governing body of a school corporation to publish an annual performance report of the school corporation (IC 20-20-8-3) was repealed during the 2023 session of the Indiana General Assembly. School corporations are no longer required to publish annual performance reports to satisfy these requirements. Submit any questions here.
REMINDER: 2024 Eclipse Guidance
As was shared in a memo on October 13, 2023, schools across Indiana will experience the eclipse differently, depending on their geographic location, with portions of central and southern Indiana in the path of totality. Any determinations regarding instruction on the day of the eclipse will be a local decision, and local planning should be occurring now. Some schools will be in-person and holding special events this day, others will have virtual learning, and others have already extended spring break so they are not in session on this day. As a reminder, per IC 20 -24.2-4-2, schools are required to meet a minimum instructional time threshold, and waivers will not be granted due to the eclipse. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Building Physical Safety and Security with any questions.
NEW: Common School Advancements
IDOE’s Office of School Finance is now accepting applications for construction and technology loans from school corporations and school corporation career and technical education schools. To be considered, applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 19. Applications can be found in the Public School Finance Community in Moodle under Common School Funds > Spring. Contact commschofund@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: ESSER III Subrecipient Awards
In order to maximize Indiana’s federal relief dollars to best support student learning, IDOE will review all subrecipient awards funded using ESSER III beginning Friday, April 12. Subrecipients should ensure reimbursement requests are submitted as soon as possible to bring project reimbursements up to date and accurately reflect the work completed thus far. Any subrecipient that has not spent what would reasonably be expected by Friday, April 12, will be required to provide supporting documentation to ensure funds will be fully utilized during the contract or grant period. The subrecipient may have its award re-evaluated and could see a reduction in funding. IDOE will contact the subrecipients required to provide additional information. IDOE will perform additional rounds of evaluation in June and August. Please note that the ESSER III LEA formula grants will not be impacted. Contact Tracy Brown or Derek Deuth with any questions.
REMINDER: Summer School Estimates
The window to submit the Estimated Cost Report for Summer School 2024 closes Monday, April 1. Please read this memo for information regarding eligible courses, important dates, and financial provisions. Detailed information about the summer school programs and how to report is included in this presentation. Contact Teresa Hemmerle or Alex Waite with any questions.
REMINDER: Next Generation School Improvement Grant (Next Gen SIG)
Applications for the Next Gen SIG are open. This is a competitive multi-year, multi-million dollar grant, and must include a well-developed vision and intentional strategic plan to innovate or transform the educational experience for your students and their community. Eligibility for this grant extends to all schools currently identified as CSI and TSI under Indiana’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. Interested school officials can read more about the grant program in this memo. A list of eligible schools can be found here. The NextGen SIG application will remain open through Friday, May 24. Please review the scoring rubric that will be used to evaluate the application before filling out the application. Contact IDOE's Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions.
REMINDER: Annual 1003 Flexibility Waivers
IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation is 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 will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, April 5. Contact Georgia Watson with any questions.
NEW: 3E Grant Amendments
The 3E Grant amendments deadline is Friday, May 31. Any grantee seeking to amend their approved budget must submit an amendment form to IDOE prior to this deadline. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities to receive a copy of your amendment form or with any questions.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application Open
The 2024-2025 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application is open through Friday, April 26. The McKinney-Vento subgrant provides funding to local educational agencies (LEAs) to support the unique needs and challenges that homeless children and youth face when enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. The McKinney-Vento subgrant contract runs from October 1 through September 30 each year. Please contact IDOE's McKinney-Vento team for support.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 Locally Created Pathway (LCP) Application Open
The application for new LCPs is open for any LEAs who seek approval for a new LCP beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. Additional information about LCPs can be found on the Graduation Pathways webpage. Contact IDOE's Student Pathways team with any questions.
REMINDER: Upcoming PREPaRE Workshops
IDOE, in collaboration with Project AWARE, is providing training opportunities for school personnel using the National Association of School Psychologists’ PREPaRE model. These workshops will provide school personnel with comprehensive training on how to establish and serve on school crisis response teams.
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PREPaRE Workshop 1: Two regional one-day workshops will be offered to school mental health professionals, administrators, and security officers from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time, on Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, August 15. Workshop 1 emphasizes the unique needs and functions of school safety and crisis response teams and the important steps needed to develop cohesive and sustainable teams that integrate school personnel and community service provider roles. The focus of the workshop will explore how to prepare for school crises by developing, exercising, and evaluating crisis preparedness plans. Register here. Space is limited.
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PREPaRE Workshop 2: Three regional two-day workshops will be offered to all professionals within districts who provide mental health crisis intervention services from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. local time. Workshop 2 teaches participants how to prevent and prepare for psychological trauma, help to reaffirm both the physical health of members of the school community and students’ perceptions that they are safe and secure, evaluate conduct psychological triage, respond to the psychological needs of the school community utilizing a multitiered approach, and examine the effectiveness of school crisis intervention and recovery efforts. Participants must be able to attend both days. The first will be held in Indianapolis on Monday, May 6, and Friday, May 10, the second in La Porte on Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, and the third in Bedford on Wednesday, August 28, and Thursday, August 29. Learn more here and register here. Space is limited.
Contact Terri Miller or IDOE's Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions.
NEW: Aspiring Special Education Leadership Institute (ASELI) Applications Now Open
The Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) developed ASELI, a one-year leadership development program that prepares a diverse group of educators for special education leadership roles to improve outcomes for all students. ASELI is currently accepting applications for cohort five. ASELI is composed of teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and principals from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to be special education administrators and are committed to a career in special education leadership. ASELI is not available for currently-licensed special education directors. Contact ICASE or IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
NEW: April Special Education Child Count
The spring Special Education Child Count, required by IC 20-43-4-4, begins on Monday, April 1. Data Exchange (DEX) will count students receiving services as of Monday, April 1, using the special education program record. LEAs and non-public Choice schools should ensure all current records are accurate and remove any conflicts with other entities. The last nightly April certification cycle validation will be performed on Friday, March 29. Schools may run their own validations beginning Saturday, March 30, through midnight on Thursday, April 4. Certification must be complete by Friday, April 12. Please consult the DEX Knowledge Hub and the Office of Special Education Moodle Community for additional support. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education data team with questions.
NEW: Part B Data Verification Due Wednesday, April 3
LEAs are asked to complete Part B data verification and upload the file to the Grant Management platform by Wednesday, April 3. Submission for all remaining LEAs is optional unless there are students enrolled in non-public schools or homeschools who have been identified with a disability but are not receiving services. Schools should be aware that Part B allocations cannot be changed following the finalization of counts. For details, please consult the Part B Grants section of the Office of Special Education Moodle Community. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education Part B grants team with any questions.
NEW: Special Education Excess Cost (SEEC) Funding Updates
IDOE will be unable to process any new requests for SEEC funding contracts from Friday, March 29, through Sunday, June 30, the start of the 2025 fiscal year. LEAs can submit applications for SEEC funding during this period, but contracts for any funds that are granted will not be processed until after Monday, July 1. LEAs should continue paying all vendor invoices. Following contract execution, LEAs will receive notification and may submit invoices for payment. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the authorized contract once all supporting documentation is provided, demonstrating that the LEA’s share of cost has been paid. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
REMINDER: Required Part B Proportionate Share Office Hours
IDOE’s Office of Special Education Part B fiscal team will be hosting mandatory office hours to assist LEAs with proportionate share balances or are planning to complete a Proportionate Share Release (Waiver). The fiscal year (FY) 2023 611 and 619 grants will close on Monday, September 30. This forum will answer questions and provide support for LEAs to expend funds for students with disabilities parentally placed in a non-public or homeschool setting.
Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with any questions.
REMINDER: Early Childhood Stakeholder Group Applications Close Sunday, March 31
IDOE is seeking participants for an ongoing early childhood special education stakeholder group to build a large, diverse community of individuals involved, in various capacities, with children ages birth to five with and without disabilities who can provide input on early childhood initiatives. If interested, submit this form by Sunday, March 31. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education monitoring team with any questions.
REMINDER: Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency (CoMP) Participation Deadline Extended Through Friday, April 5
CoMP, Indiana’s seal of biliteracy, is awarded to seniors who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and another language. School corporations or non-public schools intending on participating in Indiana’s CoMP must renew their registration annually. Those wishing to participate in the 2023-2024 school year must sign up here by Friday, April 5. This document lists the corporations or schools that have already registered. For more information, see IDOE’s CoMP webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
REMINDER: Funding Available for CoMP Language Assessments
The Indiana Language Roadmap project offers funding assistance for language proficiency exams for high school students planning on obtaining Indiana’s CoMP. Students must be nominated by an educator, counselor, or parent. Individuals may nominate more than one student, but preference will be given to students from a variety of school districts taking proficiency exams for less commonly-taught languages and who demonstrate financial need. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, April 5. Complete the nomination form here. For more information, visit the IDOE Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: Future-Focused Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) for Social Studies Course Now Available
The Future-Focused IAS for Social Studies Course is an asynchronous learning opportunity for educators that unpacks elementary and secondary 2023 IAS for Social Studies progress monitoring, formative assessments, and leadership/coaching strategies. This course is free and available in the Indiana Learning Lab. Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points are available upon completion. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: 2024 Summer of Learning Conferences
IDOE’s Summer of Learning Conferences offer educators opportunities to connect with technology-enhanced pedagogy related to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility, science of reading, integrated STEM standards, academic recovery, designing virtual and blended learning experiences, and more. Eleven conference host sites were selected through the Summer of Learning Grant process. View the conference schedule on IDOE’s Digital Learning and Professional Development webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: April Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
April PD with IDOE sessions begin on Wednesday, April 3, with “Hello Dolly! Getting More Books into the Hands of More Children” led by Katie Mullins, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Indiana’s Community Engagement Coordinator. View a full list of April 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: Virtual Learning Professional Development Series - Supporting English Learners
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, April 9, at 4 p.m. ET, with “Supporting English Learners in Virtual Environments” by Kristina Robertson, multilingual learner teacher from Saint Paul Public Schools and contributor to Colorín Colorado. Register here. Previous sessions are available in the Indiana Learning Lab collection. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: 2024 Summer School Reading Support Memo
Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1 (2024) requires schools to offer summer school courses for second graders identified as “At Risk” on IREAD-3 as well as non-passing third grade students beginning summer 2025. Please review this guidance for corporations and schools providing early summer school opportunities to support early literacy efforts. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning or Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: Digital Learning Coach Grant Application Now Open
Applications for the 2024-2025 Digital Learning Coach Grant are open until Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. ET. This competitive grant opportunity supports the professional development of individuals who spend at least half of their contracted time in a digital learning coaching role. See this memo for additional information. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Week of the Young Child® (WOYC) Activities and Resources
WOYC is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) designed to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. WOYC serves as a time to reaffirm our commitment to the importance of child experience in all types of early environments and promote critical foundational learning. This resource and activity guide, designed for both educators and families, has been developed to support this commitment. Celebrate WOYC with children and families Saturday, April 6, through Friday, April 12. Educators and families can also register for daily sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab as part of this annual celebration. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with questions.
NEW: TitleCon 2024 Agenda and Session Schedule Available
The agenda for TitleCon 2024 along with the breakout session schedule are now posted in the conference app YAPP. The conference code for the app is “TC2024”. Information regarding the sessions and presenters is still being added. Session dates and times are subject to change as plans are finalized. Contact Gabriela Escoto with any questions.
REMINDER: Register for TitleCon 2024
TitleCon 2024 will be on Wednesday, April 10, and Thursday, April 11, in Plainfield. This year, there is an optional pre-conference on Tuesday, April 9, to provide an overview of the new eCivis grants management system. The pre-conference morning and afternoon sessions will be identical. Register here. Contact Gabriela Escoto with any questions.
NEW FROM INDIANA UNIVERSITY: Well-Rounded Course Access (WRCA) Registration Now Available
IDOE has partnered with Indiana University on the WRCA federal grant program to create and offer free high-quality, supplementary virtual courses that are designed and delivered by certified Indiana teachers. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open until Thursday, August 1. Available courses can be found here. Contact Mark Conrad for more information or questions.
NEW FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA (USI): Quantitative Reasoning Conference
USI will host its annual Quantitative Reasoning Conference on Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, on the USI campus in Evansville. The conference is sponsored by a grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s STEM Teacher Recruitment Fund and is intended for public high school teachers who offer a quantitative reasoning course or are planning to offer one in the future. Participating teachers will receive a $240 stipend to attend and hotel accommodations will be provided for two nights for individuals who live more than 60 miles from Evansville. Applications are due by Friday, May 3. Contact Dr. Rick Hudson at USI with any questions.
NEW FROM BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES CURRICULUM STUDY (BSCS): Science Learning Three-Dimensional Assessment Pilot Test
BSCS is recruiting middle school science teachers to pilot test assessments with students to investigate the validity of three-dimensional assessment tasks. Learn more about this opportunity and the launch of the new assessment website here. Contact BSCS Science Learning with additional questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (CHE): Indiana’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Priority Deadline is Quickly Approaching
CHE encourages all high school seniors and current or prospective college students to submit their FAFSA by Monday, April 15. Earlier this year, CHE announced a 60% completion goal for the high school graduating class of 2024. CHE’s Outreach Coordinators are available to assist students and families in the filing process. Contact your region’s Outreach Coordinator with questions.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: College and Career Counseling at the Elementary Level
Keep Indiana Learning is hosting a virtual professional development focused on college and career counseling at the elementary level on Wednesday, April 24, at 11:30 a.m. ET. Learn more and register here.
NEW FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO: Conservation Educator Academy - Conservation for a Sustainable World
Participants in this four-day professional development program at the Indianapolis Zoo, organized by the Zoo and Ball State University, will learn how to integrate science practices and inquiry-based activities about conservation into lesson plans. Observe science practices about global and local conservation firsthand and hear from experts in areas of science, conservation, animal care and education. Participants will also be able to develop science inquiry-based lessons and hands-on STEM activities that you can take with you to use with your students! Learn more and register here.
NEW FROM THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO: Add-Ons for Your Next Zoo Field Trip
Led by a Zoo educator, Learning Safaris use the Zoo as a learning laboratory, stopping at various animal habitats to observe wildlife and engage in student exploration activities. STEM Investigations are 45-minute programs in the Zoo’s Hix Institute educational building that allow students to explore a Zoo-themed topic through direct scientific inquiry. All programs feature hands-on activities for the students, showcase animals and plants at the Zoo, and align with both the Indiana Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
NEW FROM COLLEGE BOARD: AP Precalculus Webinar
College Board will host a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, April 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET, or 3 to 4 p.m. ET to share AP Precalculus details for the 2024-2025 school year. Participants will learn how AP Precalculus supports Indiana’s Grad Pathways, aligns to state standards, meets higher education credit policies, and compares to Dual Credit coursework in precalculus and trigonometry. Click here to register for the morning session or here for the afternoon session. The information covered will be the same in each session.
NEW FROM EDUNOMICS LAB: School District Finance Workshop
Edunomics Lab's April Finance Workshop is designed to equip leaders for this complex financial moment and takes place virtually via four two-hour sessions. For most districts, financial pressures are intensifying as federal relief funds wind down, enrollments shift, and labor costs continue to rise, all against the backdrop of slowing state revenues. Decisions made at this spring’s budget meetings will play a critical role in ensuring that the district’s limited funds are able to deliver the most for its students. School board members, district leaders, and advocates will build skills in strategic fiscal management and prepare to engage with communities about the difficult tradeoffs ahead. Sessions will take place virtually on Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19, Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26, from noon to 2 p.m. ET. Participants will receive a packet of materials in the mail ahead of the training to access customized data and communication templates. Learn more and register here. Some scholarships and group districts are available. Contact Jordan Tollefson with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE INDIANA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (INAEYC): 2024 Indiana Early Childhood Conference
Kick off Week of the Young Child 2024 with the 2024 Indiana Early Childhood Conference on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, at the Indiana Convention Center. Staff involved in a program that is state-licensed, registered, or certified, may qualify for a scholarship to attend. Learn more and register here. Contact Stefanie Brooks at INAEYC with questions.
REMINDER FROM TEACH PLUS: Indiana Policy Fellowship Applications Open
Applications for the 2024-2025 Indiana Policy Fellowship are open through Sunday, April 21. This highly selective leadership opportunity is a paid fellowship for outstanding Indiana teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy, learn more about the education landscape, and advocate for their students and the teaching profession. Nominate a teacher here and apply here. To learn more please register to attend an information session:
Contact Kimberly Nguyen with any questions.
REMINDER FROM ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): Mock Exam Registration
Registration for the AP-TIP Mock Exams for Math and Computer Science A remains open until Monday, April 1. The Mock Exam is AP-TIP’s highest-rated professional event. The Mock Exam provides full-length practice exams (using previously released AP Exams from the College Board) to implement training on scoring in a format similar to an AP Reading. Learn more about the Mock Exam, review the dates and logistics by subject, and register here.
REMINDER FROM AP-TIP: AP Summer Institute
The 2024 AP Summer Institute sponsored by AP-TIP will be from Tuesday, July 9, through Friday, July 12, in Indianapolis. Training in a wide array of subjects across disciplines will be offered. AP Capstone sessions, Research, Seminar, and Seminar ELA, will be available at this location as well. Learn more about this College Board-endorsed event and register here.
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