When hearing from educators, parents, families, and students, one thing that is top of mind is how we might make the four years of high school as valuable as possible–with the goal to support students in lighting their unique fire of purpose, knowing their value, and understanding the possibilities for their life ahead. Our K-12 schools play a key role in helping to launch students towards a successful future, including offering more streamlined pathways (especially during the 11th and 12th grade years) to help them pursue their unique hopes and dreams.
Over the past few years, we have seen more and more high schools and local career centers forging partnerships with business and industry, as well as higher education, to connect students to their future next steps. This connection is increasingly providing some sort of credential of value (i.e., market-driven industry certification, the Indiana College Core, etc.), as well as increasing access to experiential learning (e.g. work-based learning). Combined, this allows students to have greater access to:
- Increase their level of educational attainment;
- Hone their skill development in a work-based learning setting;
- Connect with a broader network of people (who they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to know); and
- Gain career experience that will help inform their path ahead…whether they discover they want to consider exploring something different, or they find that they love it!
Hearing from you, we have many success stories around the state, including some that I’ve highlighted in the past and more to come. We also undoubtedly have challenges and barriers that we must continue to work together to overcome.
So, as we step on the gas to rethink the high school experience for Indiana students, we want to continue hearing from you. Through this survey in particular, we hope to learn more about the good work happening in schools and communities across Indiana with regard to work-based learning opportunities, as well as how we as a state can continue to support these efforts. This optional survey is designed for district- and school-level administrators and staff familiar with work-based learning activities (superintendents, principals, CTE directors, work-based learning coordinators, school counselors, other administrators, etc.).
We know this is a busy time of year, and we really appreciate your feedback! Thank you in advance for taking a moment to complete the survey, and as always, thank you for all that you do for Indiana 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.
NEW: IREAD-3 Spring 2024 Final Student Results Now Available
Student results for the IREAD-3 Spring 2024 test administration are now finalized within the Centralized Reporting System (CRS), and Individual Student Reports (ISRs) may be downloaded and provided to families. Pass percentages (and other aggregated data) will be released publicly following the summer retest. Internal aggregate scores (e.g., total percent of students who passed) should not be shared publicly (e.g., on school websites) until IDOE releases the data following the summer retest. Review this guidance and resources for providing interventions and early summer school opportunities to support early literacy efforts. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: WIDA ACCESS Initial Results Release
WIDA ACCESS electronic reports and data files are available in WIDA AMS today, Friday, April 26. Printed reports will arrive in corporations on Tuesday, May 21. Data discrepancies identified and corrected by corporations and schools during pre-reporting data validation are reflected in the initial results. Review and share results in a timely manner.
As a reminder, WIDA Alternate ACCESS results are delayed due to standard setting of the new assessment this summer. Electronic reports and data files will be available in WIDA AMS on Wednesday, September 11. Printed reports will arrive in corporations and schools by Thursday, September 26. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Naturalization Examination Requirements
Pursuant to Indiana Code (IC) 20-30-5-7(d), students must take the naturalization examination from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) during the student’s high school U.S. government course. Corporations must report data from this testing to IDOE annually by Sunday, June 30, for the previous school year. Learn more here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: ILEARN Spring 2024 Monitoring
IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment will conduct virtual and onsite monitoring visits during the ILEARN 3-8 and ILEARN Biology ECA testing windows to ensure fidelity of test administration and test security requirements.
- ILEARN 3-8: Monday, April 15, through Friday, May 10
- ILEARN Biology ECA: Monday, April 15, through Friday, May 17
Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Indiana Purple Star School Application Now Available
The Indiana Purple Star School Designation honors schools that have displayed a significant commitment to service members, veterans, and students and families connected to our nation’s military. The 2024 application is now open through Monday, September 2. Learn about the requirements and apply here. Contact Lily Brown with any 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. Submit questions here.
REMINDER: Annual Principal Survey Regarding Initial Educator License Holders
Indiana Code (IC) 20-28-11.5-9 requires principals at each school corporation, charter school, and virtual school, to complete an annual survey that provides information regarding the principal's assessment of the quality of instruction by each particular teacher preparation program located in Indiana for teachers employed at the school who initially received their teaching license in Indiana in the previous two years. A survey is not required for those who completed an out-of-state program for initial licensure. The 2024 survey can be accessed here, select “Complete the Survey,” and then enter the access code provided earlier this week. Summary results will be shared with educator preparation programs for program improvement, and summary data without names will be posted here. Contact Scott Bogan with any questions.
REMINDER: Early Literacy Endorsement 80 Hours of Professional Development Requirement
Information regarding how educators with an existing prekindergarten through grade six or special education license can obtain the 80 hours of professional development required to add the Early Literacy Endorsement can be found here. Copies of both the presentation, as well as the recording of the informational webinar to understand the early literacy endorsement and educator supports can be accessed at your convenience. These links are also available on IDOE’s Literacy Development webpage Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with additional questions.
REMINDER: Teacher Nominations Open – 2024 Education Excellence Awards
Award nominations are open for the third annual Educational Excellence Awards Gala on Friday, September 6. Nominate an excellent educator here by Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. ET. All certified Indiana teachers are eligible. Contact the Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Support for Schools Below 70% Passing on IREAD-3
As outlined in IC 20-32-8.5-2, public schools where fewer than 70% of students achieved a passing score on IREAD-3 must provide curriculum based on science of reading, employ an instructional coach trained in science of reading, administer IREAD-3 in grade two, and use IDOE-approved formative assessments the 2024-2025 school year. Schools and districts that would like additional support should register for the Indiana Literacy Cadre by Wednesday, May 1. Please see this memo for more details. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with 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 by Friday, May 24. Contact Anne Marie Milligan 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: 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: State Guidance for Indiana Schools Regarding New Federal Title IX Regulations
Last Friday, the federal government sent out a nearly 1,600-page unofficial version of the final Title IX regulations to be implemented in August 2024. IDOE is currently working with legal counsel to review these new regulations, which among other things expands the definition of “sex” in Title IX. At initial review, these draft regulations will undoubtedly have major implications for Indiana schools and students and will likely be subject to legal challenges. Therefore, we are advising schools not to change their existing policies.
REMINDER: Final Week for 2024 School Tech Plan Survey Submissions
The 2024 School Tech Plan Survey will close on Friday, May 3. This survey is to be completed by all Indiana school corporations, charter schools, and optionally for non-public schools. Completion of this survey is a requirement for all public schools 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. The survey can be found here. Previous year public data may be found in the Digital Readiness Dashboard or through EdData. Contact Brad Hagg with any questions.
NEW: Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Indirect Cost Rate Application Period
IDOE’s Office of School Finance is accepting applications from local educational agencies (LEAs) eligible to receive FY 2025 Indirect Cost Rates. Entities, including school corporations and charter schools, that provided Form 9 financial information for FY 2023 are eligible to receive a restricted and an unrestricted indirect cost rate in FY 2025. New charter schools are eligible to apply but will be subject to the median rate. This memo includes application instructions. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: Next Generation School Improvement Grant (Next Gen SIG)
Applications for the Next Gen SIG are open through Friday, May 24. 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 for comprehensive support and improvements (CSI) and targeted support and improvements (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. A PDF version of the application can be found here for your review prior to filling out the JotForm. 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.
UPDATED: American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) Remaining Balance
Funds appropriated under ARP-HCY I & II are available for obligation until Monday, September 30. The drawdown window of obligated ARP-HCY I & II funds is 120 days, or January 30, 2025 (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.344(b)). Indiana school districts must report expenditures monthly in order for IDOE to maintain accurate reporting of dollars spent and dollars available. An amendment request must be submitted to the IDOE if a school district would like to modify their approved ARP HCY budget. LEAs must receive approval of their amendment from IDOE before the implementation of any changes. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with questions.
REMINDER: Benefits and Considerations of Purchasing a Vehicle with ARP-HCY Funds
High rates of mobility and lack of reliable transportation contribute to academic challenges and extremely high chronic absenteeism rates. While the McKinney-Vento Act provides educational protections for students experiencing homelessness, including specific transportation requirements, transportation remains one of the biggest unmet needs for students experiencing homelessness. ARP-HCY provides an opportunity to meet transportation needs through more flexible uses of funding, including vehicle purchases. Please see this two-pager from SchoolHouse Connection for some key considerations for LEAs. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with questions.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application Open
The 2024-2025 McKinney-Vento Subgrant Application is open through today, Friday, April 26. The McKinney-Vento subgrant provides funding to 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: High Ability Grant Application
The High Ability Program Grant Application is open to all public and public charter LEAs until the end of the day on Wednesday, May 1. Superintendents and high ability coordinators received their LEA’s allocation letter and application JotForm link via email on Monday, April 15. Contact IDOE’s High Ability team with any questions.
REMINDER: 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 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.
NEW: Elementary School Counseling Grant
Indiana Code 20-20-17 provides guidelines for the allocation of funds to schools serving students in kindergarten through grade six for the purpose of “addressing a documented need for a new or expanded school intervention or career counseling program.” The revised annual competitive grant will award to each selected school totals of up to $15,000 for two school calendar years (up to $7,500 per semester) to be applied to the education costs (tuition) for a current elementary-level teacher at an approved post-secondary school counselor preparation program. Please see the full grant guidance document here for further information and to apply. Applications are open through Friday, May 24. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement 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.
-
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.
-
PREPaRE Workshop 2: These 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 next two-day workshop will be held in La Porte on Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, and the final 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.
REMINDER: Paraprofessional Training Grant Application & Office Hours
IDOE is offering a grant opportunity to school corporations, charter schools, and state schools to guarantee that paraprofessionals, as defined in 511 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 7-32-69, receive training to assist students with disabilities. The grant application closes Friday, May 3. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education with additional questions.
REMINDER: RoboKind Grant Opportunity School Year 2024-2025
IDOE is offering the RoboKind Grant opportunity for selected corporations or schools to purchase robotic technology and provide professional development endorsed by the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) to improve the social and behavioral skills for students with autism. Successful applicants will receive the curriculum, humanoid robot, applicable training, and infrastructure support at no charge to the district. Information, applications, and the budget form can be found here. Please email the signed application and budget to robokind@doe.in.gov. Contact robokind@doe.in.gov with additional questions.
NEW: Building Foundations Series for Early Childhood Educators
Join IDOE and educators from around the state in the Indiana Learning Lab on Thursday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m. ET for the Building Foundations Series, to uncover how play is instrumental in developing foundational knowledge of the Early Learning Standards for young children, as well as how to adapt your activities for special populations. Early learning educators and administrators are invited to register for all sessions in the series:
Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with questions.
NEW: May PD with IDOE
New May PD with IDOE sessions begin next week, on Wednesday, May 1, with the 2024 Summer of Learning Preview led by IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning and the 2024 Summer Conference Coordinators. View a full list of May 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: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance
This AI guidance document presents key considerations related to AI and education. It is designed to be easy to unpack, encourage conversation about each of the key topics, and share resources for further learning. Future resources and professional development will be released to build on this document. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Virtual Learning Professional Development Series
Virtual Learning Essentials, a series of presentations from experts, researchers, and authors, featuring deep dives into essential elements of virtual learning, continues Tuesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. ET with “Planning for Inclusive, Online, Distance, and Digital Education that Serves Learners” by Dr. Mary Rice from the University of New Mexico. Register here. Previous sessions are available on the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Future-Focused Indiana Academic Standards (IAS) for Mathematics Course Now Available
Pursuant to House Enrolled Act 1243, IDOE developed the new 2023 Future-Focused Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics Course. This self-paced, asynchronous course focuses on unpacking the elementary and secondary 2023 IAS for Mathematics, and provides educator and administrator support for standards implementation, the application of effective mathematics teaching strategies, and methods for emphasizing contextual problem solving. High-quality resources are included to assist educators in providing support to a diverse range of learners while fostering a collaborative learning environment. This free course is available in the Indiana Learning Lab and Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points are available upon completion. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Fall 2024 Opt-In Early Learning Assessment System - Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)
As part of Indiana’s new system to measure and support kindergarten readiness, Indiana’s KRA for children in kindergarten will be available to all public, charter, and non-public schools as an opt-in assessment for fall 2024. Schools may opt in beginning in early May; details will be provided in Dr. Jenner’s Weekly Update. The opportunity for early child care providers to opt in to administration of ISPROUT to children in ages five and under will be forthcoming. Join IDOE for several informational sessions in the Indiana Learning Lab in the coming weeks, and contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: High-Quality Curricular Materials Review Committee Applications Now Open
IDOE seeks qualified educators and other stakeholders to serve on high-quality curricular materials review committees for Early Learning Integrated (infant/toddler, preschool, and mixed age groups) and Early Learning Supplemental (student wellbeing, mathematics, science, literacy, handwriting, and family engagement). View this flier and memo for more information and apply using the educator Jotform or community member Jotform. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: Meaningful Early Math Experiences Series for Early Childhood Educators
Join Ryan Flessner, Professor of Teacher Education at Butler University, for a professional development series on meaningful early math experiences. Gain deeper knowledge about Indiana’s early learning mathematics standards and walk away with easy-to-implement ideas you can use in your learning environment the following day. Session topics include:
All sessions will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. ET in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with additional questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA STATE BUDGET AGENCY: IASBO Spring Conference Session on New Grants Management System
At the IASBO Spring Conference on Thursday, May 9, IDOE and the Budget Agency’s Grants Management Team will give two, thirty-minute presentations on Indiana’s new grants management system, eCivis. The sessions are titled “Today’s Grants. Tomorrow’s Results.” Information on the Spring Conference Schedule can be found here. For training materials, technical support, and other information about eCivis, please visit the Indiana State Budget Agency website.
NEW FROM GET YOUR TEACH ON: Gold Star Teacher of the Year Nominations
Do you know a teacher who exemplifies excellence in the classroom? Someone whose passion for teaching ignites a love for learning in their students? Now is your chance to celebrate their dedication and hard work by nominating them to be Get Your Teach On’s 2024 Gold Star Teacher of the Year and win over $5,000 in incredible prizes. For more information about Get Your Teach On's Gold Star Teacher of the Year program click here. Nominations close Friday, May 3, 11:59 p.m. ET. Contact Get Your Teach On with any questions.
NEW FROM THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP OF LEARNING (CELL): Cognitive Science Academy
CELL at the University of Indianapolis is excited to announce the Cognitive Science Academy, a new virtual masterclass series for school teams to apply cognitive science research to classroom practice. School teams of up to four people will meet virtually once a month from September 2024 through May 2025 to engage with international experts on cognitive science and education. Learn more here.
NEW FROM THE SOUTHERN INDIANA EDUCATION CENTER (SIEC): Project Protege
The Southern Indiana Education Center’s Division of Youth Apprenticeships and Employer Partnerships is launching a new initiative: SIEC Project Protege. The work, focus, and heart of this project will include sustainable workforce solutions in Southwest Indiana, support of Indiana’s 2030 Vision of ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education and training options and aiming to make Indiana a top ten destination for employers, development as well as on-going support of effective and established youth apprenticeships and work-based learning efforts across the region, inclusivity and engagement within our rural communities fostered at all levels – governmental entities, education, workforce and economic development, and student leadership development and voice. Please join us on the morning of Monday May 6, for our official launch. For more information and to register, click here.
NEW FROM SCHOOLHOUSE: Free SAT Bootcamp Registration Now Available
Registration is now available for students to attend free SAT Bootcamps from Schoolhouse in preparation for the June SAT administration. This high-quality tutoring will take place virtually from Friday, May 3, through Thursday, May 30, and registration is open through Wednesday, May 1. Previous participants in these bootcamps have seen an average score increase of 40-55 points on the SAT. Contact Schoolhouse with any questions regarding this opportunity.
NEW FROM IN*SOURCE: Order Parent Resource Brochures
IN*SOURCE received many requests from special education administrators for hard copies of resource brochures to distribute to families. Submit this form to order free brochures for your school by Thursday, May 23. Contact IN*SOURCE with any questions.
NEW FROM THE PATINS PROJECT: Register for No-Cost Training - Cases & Keyguards
Navigating the world of cases and keyguards can be intimidating! Join this no-cost PATINS Project webinar to learn about our favorite resources to fit every budget and meet your unique specifications, from temporary keyguards to indestructible cases, to creating a school-wide 3D-printing design cycle. The target audience for this training includes assistive technology coordinators, STEM teachers, and educators supporting students with visual and/or orthopedic impairments. Contact the PATINS Project with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (DWD): Early Childhood Education Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant Webinar
Join DWD on Wednesday, May 8, at noon ET for an informative session about the Next Level Jobs Employer Training Grant designed to enhance educator training within your organization. This presentation aims to equip participants with essential knowledge on accessing the funding to elevate the skills and expertise of educators. Register here. If you have any issues registering, please contact Holly Meyer.
REMINDER FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: Summer Conference Opportunities
Register now for summer conference opportunities from Keep Indiana Learning! Grades five through nine educators, administrators, and student service providers are invited to attend MidCon on Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27, at Westfield Middle School. Join us on Thursday, June 13, for the Literacy Summit at Lebanon High School, which features keynote and breakout sessions by Kate Roberts, Maggie Roberts, and Dr. Chase Young. Learn more about both conferences here. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE INDIANA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (CHE): Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Updates
CHE is currently using NCAN’s FAFSA Tracker to monitor FAFSA data. As of Friday, April 5, 28.0% of the class of 2024 had completed the FAFSA, and of the total 31,624 students who have submitted the FAFSA, 6,710 will need updates and/or corrections. While this represents a 27.9% decrease compared to last year, Indiana ranks first in the nation for closing the gap compared to last year. While CHE will not extend the Monday, April 15, priority deadline, state aid will be awarded to all Hoosiers who filed by Monday, April 15, and qualify based on their FAFSA. After that, CHE will award state aid on a first-come, first-serve basis if funds remain. Schools should continue to encourage students and families to file after Monday, April 15. See this announcement for additional FAFSA updates. CHE’s Outreach Coordinators are available to assist students, families, and school or community partners with FSA ID creation, FAFSA filing/corrections, and appeals. Hoosier families can also access free FAFSA help through INvestEd by email at outreach@investedindiana.org or phone at 317-715-9007.
REMINDER FROM THE DISTRESSED UNIT APPEAL BOARD (DUAB): Preparing for Post-ESSER Operating Budgets
School boards and administrators throughout Indiana obligated ESSER funds in a variety of ways. Those who budgeted a portion of ESSER dollars to increased operating costs will experience greater challenges once the temporary funding runs out. It is imperative that school officials evaluate this situation. To assist with this evaluation, additional information and a forecasting tool can be found in this memo (re-issued from September 2023). While voluntary, school corporations and charter schools are encouraged to develop financial forecasts to project revenues, expenditures, and cash balances beyond the life of ESSER in order to measure your school or district’s ESSER cliff and inform current management decisions. Once complete, if the exercise forecasts fiscal problems on the horizon, please contact indicators@duab.in.gov so that we might assist you in navigating through this challenging period.
REMINDER FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT: Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program 2025
Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce the 2025 Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP). This program supports educators throughout Indiana by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. Endowment staff will host four virtual informational sessions on Thursday, May 16, Thursday, May 30, Thursday, August 8, and Tuesday, August 13, to review the TCFP application process and answer questions from interested educators. Click here to learn more and register for one of the virtual informational sessions.
REMINDER FROM THE INDIANA CONNECTED EDUCATOR CONFERENCE: Early Bird Registration is Open
The Indiana Connected Educators Conference is on Thursday, October 10, at Franklin Central Jr. High. Jon Corippo will be the keynote speaker as participants take a journey through the Crossroads of Connected Learning. Participants will have a map of breakout sessions to choose from, a delicious picnic lunch from Trax BBQ, pit stops with vendors, and fun prizes to be given away. Be sure to claim your ticket before Wednesday, May 1, to get early bird special pricing of $80. If you are a coach, attend Coach Con for free on Wednesday, October 9. Learn more here.
REMINDER FROM NEXTECH AND THE COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION (CSTA): Apply for CSPDWeek
Nextech, in partnership with IDOE, and CSTA, is proud to announce the application window for Indiana CSPDWeek is open with limited space available. All Indiana kindergarten through grade 12 educators teaching computer science content during the 2023-2024 school year are invited to apply for this intensive professional development from Monday, June 10, through Friday, June 14. Professional development spans all stages of computer science teachers from beginning to advanced. Don’t pass up this opportunity to engage in high-quality professional development from a variety of national providers. There are still openings in both the Code.org AP Computer Science Principles and Code.org AP CS A tracks. These professional learning experiences count as the summer institute for your AP course as well as providing you with an endorsed curriculum and syllabus. Apply here and contact in.cspdweek@gmail.com with any questions.
REMINDER FROM CODEHS: Spring Computer Science (CS) Professional Development Opportunities
CodeHS released their spring/summer 2024 menu of high quality professional learning opportunities to promote best practices in CS instruction. With options ranging from developing computational thinking skills in a workshop to learning new programming languages in a bootcamp to preparing for teacher licensure exams in CS, there are opportunities for all grade and experience levels. Register here and reach out to hello@codehs.com with any questions.
REMINDER FROM PILOT LIGHT: 2024-2025 Food Education Fellowship
Pilot Light created the Food Education Fellowship to invest in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 teacher leaders who are committed to bringing food education to their students. In addition to integrated food education lessons, fellows will partner with an individual or organization in the food space to support student-led advocacy work within their classrooms. Learn more about the fellowship here. Pilot Light will hold a virtual office hour about the fellowship on Wednesday, May 1, at 5 p.m. ET. Register here to learn more. Contact Caitlin Arens at Pilot Light with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE WARREN ARTS AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION: 2024 Warren Arts and Education Foundation Conference
You are invited to attend the 2024 Warren Arts & Education Foundation, Attendance and Trauma Informed Care Conference, titled "Building Hope: Finding Solutions for the Future of Attendance. A Journey Through Adversity and Trauma Informed Care". The conference will be held from Tuesday, May 14, through Wednesday, May 15, at the Marriott North in Indianapolis. Learn more here.
REMINDER FROM GET YOUR TEACH ON: Register now to attend the Indiana Educator Celebration
Get Your Teach On is hosting an Indiana Educator Celebration in partnership with IDOE on Friday, May 31 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Attendees can expect giveaways, food, keynote speakers, special guests, and much more. Register here. Contact Anne Marie Milligan with any questions.
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.
|
