The month of August seemed to fly by, yet it was packed full of excitement in the world of education. From the largest-ever single year increase in literacy scores…to the second draft of our diploma rule…to our top 10 Teacher of the Year announcement. Today, I’d like to share more about a couple of student-centered events that also took place in August, helping students connect what they are learning in the classroom to the world around them, reflecting on both the history of Indiana and our future.
President Benjamin Harrison and “Old Whiskers Escapes”
On Tuesday, August 20, I was invited to help celebrate the birthday of our nation’s 23rd president, and the only president to hail from the Hoosier state, Benjamin Harrison. Gathered in a room at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site located in downtown Indianapolis, we shared the story of “Old Whiskers Escapes” with Callie Hoppes’ second grade class from Lakeside Elementary in MSD Warren Township. “Old Whiskers Escapes” was inspired by a funny, true story that happened during President Harrison's time in the White House.
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The students even got the chance to meet President Benjamin Harrison’s great-great grandson, interact with reenactors of President Benjamin Harrison and his wife, Caroline, and ask them each questions.
I also had a chance to read the story for a short lesson in the Indiana Learning Lab for all to enjoy! That video is available now and can be found below.
Civics Bee
In Indiana, we have placed a significant focus on preparing students to serve as proactive, engaged contributors to society. This includes ensuring every sixth grade student completes a civics course, elevating civic literacy as a skill of an Indiana Graduate Prepared to Succeed, as well as providing increased opportunities for students to engage in service-based learning or to take part in high-quality civic literacy programs.
On Friday, August 23, we partnered with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to host the first-ever state Civics Bee at the Indiana Statehouse, an exciting learning opportunity designed to help students build their knowledge and skills and empower them to make a difference. Middle school students from across the state gathered to compete for a chance to advance to the national competition in Washington D.C., and their passion for civic engagement was on full display!
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A big congratulations to Ellie Fost from Richmond Friends School in Wayne County, who took home the top prize of $1,000 and was proudly selected to represent Indiana at the national Civics Bee in November. The competition included two rounds of multiple-choice questions, with the top five students advancing to the third round, which consisted of an oral debate and Q&A portion from judges. Each participant showcased an impressive understanding of civics and wowed the judges with their commitment to making a positive impact in their communities, drawing from their own unique experiences.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped make this event a success -- from the organizers and judges to the families, friends, and supporters who cheered on these incredible students. Let's continue to encourage and empower Hoosier students to stay informed, get involved, and make their voices heard. They are our future, and I am excited to see how these young Hoosiers will continue to positively shape our state and our nation.
The President Benjamin Harrison birthday celebration and Indiana’s first Civics Bee are just a couple of the many examples of cool learning opportunities offered in Indiana during the month of August. We will keep elevating the good work happening across the state, and I hope you are also sharing your positive impact locally! As always, thank you for all that you do for our students!
REMINDER: Implementation Guidance for Newly Enacted Education Laws
Following the close of each legislative session, IDOE immediately begins working to implement newly-enacted legislation impacting K-12 education, which includes compiling guidance for educators. Guidance is a product of robust cross-agency collaboration and partnership with countless stakeholders. Any future updates will be added to this comprehensive guidance document and shared via the weekly newsletter.
REMINDER: Mandatory and Voluntary Graduation Rate Audit
All schools that are subject to the mandatory graduation rate audit of the 2024 cohort have been notified by email. If you did not receive an email and/or are unsure if your school was selected, please check the list of mandatory audit schools (enrollment key: “AccountabilityCommunity”). Every high school should review their 2024 cohort. If there are students in the 2024 cohort with an incorrect (non-graduate) cohort status, please submit those students on the voluntary graduation rate audit. All schools are welcome to participate in the voluntary graduation rate audit, and it is the final opportunity to request a change to the 2024 cohort. The mandatory and voluntary graduation rate audits will be open from Wednesday, October 2, through Friday, October 25. Contact IDOE’s Office of Accountability with any questions.
REMINDER: Third-Party Accreditation Petition Window Now Open
Accrediting organizations for kindergarten through grade 12 schools that are interested in being recognized by the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) may submit a petition to IDOE for review by Saturday, November 30, for recognition during the 2025-2026 school year. Pursuant to statute, IDOE will provide a recommendation to SBOE within six months of receipt of a petition. Additional information and the third-party accreditation petition can be found on IDOE's School Accreditation webpage. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: Indiana SAT Test Blueprint Now Available
The Indiana SAT Test Blueprint is now available in the Indiana Assessment Frameworks for Mathematics and English/Language Arts (ELA). The Assessment Frameworks are also accessible on IDOE’s High School Assessment webpage. The Indiana SAT Test Blueprint defines the essential Mathematics and ELA Indiana Academic Standards that are measured by the SAT. Additional resources including proficiency level descriptors for each measured standard will be added this fall. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: WIDA Alternate ACCESS 2024 Results Release
WIDA Alternate ACCESS 2024 results were delayed due to standard setting for the revised assessment, which took place this summer. Alternate ACCESS results will be released in WIDA AMS Reporting Services on Wednesday, September 11. Schools must review results and share them in a timely manner. Printed reports will arrive in corporations on Thursday, September 26. Student results, including calculations for students with approved domain exemption accommodations, will be available in EdData and Indiana ILP by Monday, September 30. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
REMINDER: 2023-2024 Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant Unused Funds Due Today, Friday, September 6
Each corporation/non-public school that received a distribution from the 2023-2024 Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant and indicated unused, leftover funds are required to return unused funds to IDOE by today, Friday, September 6, using the process indicated in the 2023-2024 Formative (Interim) Assessment Grant Final Report Guidance. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Assessment with any questions.
NEW: Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) and Partner Schools
Schools hosting student teachers or prospective teachers are encouraged to review information regarding an upcoming national review of Indiana EPPs by Teacher Preparation Inspection – US (TPI-US). School leaders (principals, HR directors, etc.) may be contacted by TPI-US and asked to provide additional information about candidate preparation with a particular focus on literacy and alignment with science of reading. Contact your partner EPP or Scott Bogan, IDOE's Director of Higher Education and Educator Preparation Programs with any questions.
NEW: 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year Top Three Finalists Announced
IDOE is excited to announce the top three finalists for the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year. The 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year will be announced in October. Details on the top three finalists can be found here. For more information on the Indiana Teacher of the Year program, contact intoy@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: Universal Screener and Dyslexia Programming Office Hours
Office hours will be offered for universal screener and dyslexia programming guidance to support schools with completing K-2 universal screening within the 90 calendar days of the start of the school year. The requirements and list of approved screeners can be found here.
Register for one of the sessions below:
Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Universal Screener and Dyslexia Programming Guidance
Schools are encouraged to review the Universal Screener and Dyslexia Programming guidance for the 2024-2025 school year. Indiana Code (IC) 20-35.5 requires schools to administer a universal screener to all kindergarten, first, and second grade students annually to identify students who may be “at some risk” or “at risk” for learning characteristics of dyslexia. This early identification of students who are not on track to be proficient readers allows early implementation of targeted support. More information can be found on IDOE's Dyslexia webpage. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Nominations Open for the 2025 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Classified Staff Award
Public and non-public schools across the state are encouraged to nominate up to two classified school employees for the RISE Award. The RISE Award honors and promotes the excellence exhibited by classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 13, at 5 p.m. ET. Nominations can be submitted via JotForm. Contact IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Flexible Keys to Literacy Professional Development Options Available Now
Registration is now open for educators who hold an Indiana professional educator license to enroll in one of the new flexible professional development options outlined in this memo. Additional information can be found here, and the registration form with all available options can be found here. Educators who previously registered are able to continue with their current enrollment and can use the registration form to confirm their plans to remain in the live cohort sessions or choose a different option. Contact IDOE's Literacy Center with any additional questions.
REMINDER: Approval Process for 80 Hours of Professional Development to Support Early Literacy Endorsement Requirements and Praxis Voucher Request
Educators who plan to add Indiana’s Early Literacy Endorsement can follow the process outlined here to submit a request to verify completion of an approved 80 hours of professional development and request a Praxis Voucher. Contact IDOE's Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Early Literacy Endorsement Professional Development Verification
Verified programs that can be used to support the 80 hours of professional development needed for the Early Literacy Endorsement can be found on this document. Training providers (including school districts) may request approval to certify which requirements are met through participation in the training by submitting this form with supporting evidence. The list of approved programs will be updated regularly. Contact IDOE's Literacy Center with any questions.
REMINDER: Staff Performance Evaluation Plan Submission
Senate Enrolled Act 486 (2023) requires each school corporation to develop or adopt a plan for annual performance evaluations for each certificate employee. Staff performance evaluation plans must be submitted via JotForm by Friday, September 13. For more information, click here. Contact IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent with any questions.
REMINDER: Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) Policy Submission Required
Information regarding the TAG Policy Submission can be found here. Local educational agencies (LEAs) (including charter and virtual charter schools) must submit the TAG policy for approval via JotForm by Friday, September 13, to be eligible to receive TAG funding. Contact tag@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW: Federal REMS TA Center Offers Free Cybersecurity Resources
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, the REMS TA Center offers some amazing resources to address Cyber Safety and Cybersecurity Preparedness. Contact Brad Hagg with any questions.
REMINDER: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Offers Free Cybersecurity Resources to Schools
CISA offers some great tools and resources to improve your cybersecurity posture including the K12 Cybersecurity Report and Toolkit, Stop Ransomware resources, a guide jointly developed with U.S. Department of Education: Defensible and Resilient, and the Secure By Design program, which provides standards to providers that house student data such as student information systems and then recognizes their commitment to best practices. CISA also offers great materials for families and employees regarding staying safe online through Secure Our World. Schools can also sign up for free Cyber Hygiene Services. Contact Brad Hagg with any questions.
REMINDER: Attendance Insights Dashboard Now Live
A new attendance dashboard is now available to school leaders with the following roles: LEA Administrator, School Administrator, Data Administrator, Counselor, Principal, Assistant Principal, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and DOE Data Viewer on the EdData platform found on the Link Portal. The Attendance Insights dashboard provides insights into school attendance, broken down by school year, week, corporation, school, and grade, but will not filter to an individual student level. The attendance summary will update weekly to show the current week's attendance separated into attendance events, and will highlight year over year numbers to gauge attendance event trends. For the first time on a dashboard, habitually truant and chronic absenteeism rates will be calculated weekly. This dashboard can be utilized to look at attendance events by specific dates and grade level, comparisons of attendance events within school corporations, and metrics on timely submissions of attendance data. A public version of this dashboard will be released later this year.
REMINDER: INView Integrating Into Indiana GPS Dashboard Today, Friday August 30
Beginning today, Friday, August 30, INview will be integrated into the Indiana GPS dashboard. This will combine the data Hoosiers interact with the most on INView with the user-friendly functionality of Indiana GPS. Bringing this education data together in one spot will make it easier for educators, parents, and other stakeholders to find what they are looking for more quickly. Many features, such as map and compare, have been accessible through Indiana GPS since January 2024. Please fill out this JotForm with any questions or feedback.
REMINDER: Data Exchange (DEX) Office Hours for 2024-2025
Weekly DEX office hours sessions will be available throughout August on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Beginning in September, weekly DEX office hours sessions will return to a Tuesday-only schedule. Links to submit questions, responses, and to join the office hours sessions can be found in Knowledge Hub > Communications Hub > Upcoming Events.
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Tuesday, September 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET, Topic: DEX Training for New Users
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Tuesday, September 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET, Topics: Calendar, Attendance, and Pupil Enrollment
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Tuesday, September 24, from 10:30 a.m. to noon ET, Topic: Alternative Education
REMINDER: LINK Portal Setup Requirements
The LINK Portal is able to recognize all public, charter, and accredited non-public schools’ local Google G-Suite or Microsoft 365 accounts. IDOE configures the organization’s leader as the first account, and the organization leader must log in to designate up to two security coordinators responsible for overseeing the setup of roles for others in the organization. All superintendents and leaders of non-public schools must log in to the LINK Portal and review/update their security coordinators. Failure to do so will result in access issues to IDOE systems.
- Instructions for organization leaders on how to review/designate the security coordinators can be found here.
- The registration process for the LINK Portal for new public and Choice schools can be found here.
- New superintendents or organization leaders of non-public schools who need an initial account configured should email link@doe.in.gov.
REMINDER: Designation of Key Contacts
Security coordinators for all traditional public, charter, and accredited non-public schools are responsible for ensuring their organization’s key contacts for the 2024-2025 school year are set. Key contacts, including the roles of Superintendent, Financial Contact, Special Education Director, Principal, Data Exchange Contact, etc., are needed for the 2024-2025 school year even if those contacts were provided last school year.
For school corporations that have an Ed-Fi student information system (SIS), key contacts and other staff role assignments should be entered and managed in the local SIS, and then provided to DEX/LINK for the new school year. However, all three options below are available:
- Provide staff classifications in the local SIS per the vendor’s instructions,
- Add a staff type manually for the 2024-2025 school year via the Security Portal, or
- Upload templates 008_StaffAssociation_StaffEdOrgAssignmentAssociation and 009_StaffOrganizationContactAssociation into DEX.
Schools utilizing options two and three may cause overriding or loss of data. Schools should connect with their SIS vendor to better understand how to avoid data loss when providing data via multiple methods. IDOE is now recognizing only the 2024-2025 school year assignments. Security coordinator instructions can be found here. Contact IDOE’s Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: SIS Vendor Changes
IDOE-issued Data Exchange credentials (key and secret) are tied to the supporting SIS vendor. If your corporation will be changing or adding an SIS vendor for the upcoming school year, please email link@doe.in.gov with these changes. Your organization will receive a new set of credentials for the new vendor. An SIS vendor certification status list can be found here. Additional information on the implementation of Data Exchange can be found on IDOE's Data Exchange webpage. Contact IDOE’s Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: STN Application Center Retirement
IDOE will be retiring the STN Application Center in the second quarter of 2025. This system is being replaced by newer systems including Data Exchange, Ed-ID, a new Choice Voucher Application, and an EdData report called Student Data Backpack. Local data administrators should login to the STN Application Center and download any certified roster data that your school requires under Administration > Retrieve Data, as historic data will not be available in the future. IDOE’s Data Exchange Team is also compiling feedback on which current-year reports are still being utilized by data administrators for state reporting purposes, other than the STN Lookup. Please submit this information here. Contact IDOE's Data Exchange Team with any questions.
REMINDER: Updated Attendance Resources - Enrollment Restrictions/Denial
Updated state attendance resources are now available on IDOE’s State Attendance Officer webpage.
Contact State Attendance Officer Catherine Danyluk with additional questions.
REMINDER: Vision and Hearing Screening
Indiana Code requires public school corporations, including charter schools, to conduct vision and hearing screenings for students, including both in-person and virtual learners, in specific grade levels.
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Vision Screening: IC 20-34-3-12 requires public and charter schools to conduct a near and distant visual acuity screening for students in kindergarten or first grade, students in third, fifth, and eighth grades, as well as students suspected of having a visual deficit. In addition to the visual acuity screening conducted by the school corporation or charter school, a more extensive visual screening using the Modified Clinical Technique (MCT) performed by a licensed eye professional, is required for students in kindergarten or first grade. More information can be found in the Vision Screening Guidance memo.
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Hearing Screening: IC 20-34-3-14 requires public and charter schools to conduct a hearing screening for students in first, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades, as well as students suspected of having a hearing deficit.
Additional resources regarding vision and hearing screening can be found in the School Nurse Moodle Community.
REMINDER: Office of School Finance Office Hours for September
The Office of School Finance will host office hours on Tuesday, September 10, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss curricular materials and the upcoming fee study. The link can be found in the Public School Finance Moodle community (enrollment key PSCOM) under "General." Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: School Summer School Reimbursement for Public and Non-Public Schools
The window to submit final 2024 summer school costs closes on Sunday, September 15, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Instructions for submitting summer school costs can be found in this memo. Please submit a form even if you do not have costs to report. Contact IDOE's Office of School Finance with any questions.
UPDATE: School Improvement Plan (SIP) Submissions Due Friday, October 4
In accordance with IC 20-31-5-1, public and state-accredited non-public schools must develop a strategic and continuous three-year SIP, and review these plans on a regular basis. All Indiana schools must submit SIPs during the 2025-2026 school year. Use of IDOE’s ESSA-aligned SIP template is recommended, however, schools may use any template as long as all required portions are included. This memo provides additional information regarding school improvement plans. Schools that are identified under the federal accountability model as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), or Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) are required to submit SIPs and comprehensive needs assessments (CNAs) annually. Submissions for CSI, ATSI, and TSI schools only are due Friday, October 4, using this JotForm. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions.
UPDATE: Recipients of Next Generation School Improvement Grant Announced
The Office of School Support and Transformation is pleased to announce the recipients of the Next Generation School Improvement Grant, a federally funded initiative to transform educational opportunities in schools identified for additional support under Indiana’s approved ESSA plan. Grant recipients will receive one year’s worth of planning funds. Successful completion of the planning year will be followed by funding for three years of implementation. More information can be found in the Next Generation School Improvement Grant Award Summary. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Support and Transformation with any questions.
REMINDER: 3E Grant Encumbrance Deadline and Reimbursement Requests
There are only 25 days remaining until the 3E Grant encumbrance deadline of Monday, September 30. All 3E grantees must encumber all funds by the deadline and 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 case 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.
REMINDER: Career Scholarship Account (CSA) Application Open
The State of Indiana is accepting applications for students to participate in the CSA program during the 2024-2025 school year. The first-in-the-nation CSA program provides $5,000 annually for tenth through twelfth grade students enrolled in eligible work-based learning programs, including internships, apprenticeships, applied learning experiences, and credential attainment experiences. Students at any Indiana high school are encouraged to apply. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted through Tuesday, October 1. Visit the Indiana Treasurer of State's student resources webpage for additional information on the CSA program, eligibility requirements, and to access the student application. Additional details on how funds may be used can be found here. Contact IDOE's Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with any questions.
NEW: Public Comment for I AM Waiver Extension Request Now Open
IDOE is seeking public comment on its waiver extension request for the number of students tested using the statewide alternate assessment (I AM). For each subject assessed, the number of students tested with I AM may not exceed 1% of the total Indiana students assessed in that subject, which requires Indiana to submit a federal waiver extension request. See the 2023-2024 Alternate Assessment Waiver Extension Request and this information regarding the federal requirement. Public comment may be submitted via this form through Tuesday, October 1. Contact IDOE’s Office of Special Education data team with any questions.
NEW: Home Language Survey (HLS) Amendment Request Deadline
When attempting to change a student’s language assignment from a non-English language to English, an HLS Amendment Request must be submitted to IDOE for review prior to a change occurring. Due to the time needed for review and the volume of requests at the beginning of a school year, HLS Amendment Requests must be submitted by Friday, September 20, to be reviewed prior to the October 1 Multilingual Learner Report count date. Due to FERPA, HLS Amendment Request forms, along with the student’s original HLS, must be faxed. The HLS Amendment Request guidance and form can be found in the Compliance Documents section of IDOE’s English Learning and Migrant Education webpage. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: Certificate of Multilingual Proficiency (CoMP) Informational Meeting
CoMP, Indiana’s Seal of Biliteracy, is awarded to seniors who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and another language. It is a great way to celebrate students’ achievement in world languages and honor the home language of English learners and heritage speakers. Join IDOE for an informational webinar on Tuesday, September 24, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET. Participation, implementation, and guidance updates will be discussed. No registration is required, and the access link can be found on the Indiana EL Professional Development Opportunities Calendar. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
REMINDER: September Indiana IEP (IIEP) Virtual Office Hours
Join IIEP virtual office hours sessions hosted by Public Consulting Group (PCG) on the third Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon ET via Microsoft Teams. Sessions will also be recorded and available in IIEP under the Training tab. Register for September’s session to learn more about recent system updates and upcoming changes, followed by a question and answer session. Contact PCG with questions regarding these office hours.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 English Learner (EL) Guidebook Now Available
IDOE’s 2024-2025 EL Guidebook is now available on IDOE’s English Learning and Migrant Education webpage. This year’s guidebook includes updated EL exit criteria guidance, information on the roles of EL Teachers of Record and Teachers of Service, and additional form templates in the appendices. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
REMINDER: WIDA Writing with Multilingual Learners in the Secondary Grades Workshop
WIDA will be facilitating a two-day, in-person workshop on Wednesday, October 2, and Thursday, October 3, at MSD Lawrence Township. This free, interactive workshop is for secondary teachers of multilingual learners and will focus on developing academic writing skills and communicating effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences. More information on the session can be found on this flier. Registration is required via Jotform by Monday, September 16. Space is limited, and LEAs may send two participants. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
REMINDER: WIDA Workshop - Instructional Planning for the Bilingual Classroom
WIDA will facilitate an in-person workshop on Friday, October 4, at MSD Lawrence Township. This free, interactive workshop is for Spanish bilingual education teachers and will focus on instructional planning that will elevate the assets of their multilingual learners; the session will be delivered primarily in Spanish. More information on the session can be found on this flier. Registration is required via Jotform by Monday, September 16. Space is limited, and LEAs may send two participants. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with any questions.
NEW: Bridging the Gap - Indiana Academic Standards Professional Development (PD) Session
Bridging the Gap: Shifting from the 2020 to the 2023 K-8 Indiana Academic Standards is a session that provides an overview of updated resources related to the streamlined 2023 Indiana Academic Standards in ELA and mathematics and a new analysis tool intended to help with identifying learning gaps. Visit Bridging the Gap: Shifting from the 2020 to 2023 Indiana Academic Standards in ELA and Math to view the recorded training in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
NEW: September PD with IDOE Continues Wednesday, September 11
September PD with IDOE continues Wednesday, September 11, with Creating a Crisis Response Action Plan presented by IDOE’s Director of Student, School, and Family Engagement, Michelle Clarke. View a full list of September sessions here. To register for workshops, or view on demand sessions, create a free Learning Lab account by visiting the LINK Portal or the Indiana Learning Lab directly and use your school email address to log in. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Updated Computer Science Course Guidance for Schools
Pursuant to IC 20-32-4-18, IDOE and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) defined guidance to support schools in the implementation of the computer science course requirement. This update includes standards for Computing Foundations for a Digital Age (4565) and additional pathway courses. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning or ICHE’s Office of Career and Technical Education with any questions.
REMINDER: 2025 Summer of Learning Grant Application Now Open
IDOE’s 2025 Summer of Learning Grant application is open through Friday, October 11. In summer 2024, this grant supported 11 conferences throughout the state, providing opportunities for over 3,000 Indiana educators to learn about teaching and learning in technology-rich environments. Public school corporations and public charter schools may apply to host one of these conference opportunities. School corporations must have completed the 2024 School Tech Plan Survey to be eligible to apply. More information about the grant application can be found in this memo. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Platforms in Indiana Series
Are you interested in seeing the AI-platforms teachers and students are using in Indiana? As part of three grant opportunities, corporations across the state adopted AI platforms that met vendor requirements set forth by IDOE. Join us in the Indiana Learning Lab from Monday, September 30, through Friday, October 4, for sessions that highlight the capabilities and features of these platforms. Register for these workshops in the Indiana Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Cohort Now Open to Additional Roles
IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning is partnering with Novak Education to offer an opportunity for those that provide coaching for teachers in instructional practices to earn a UDL Associate Level 1 Credential. This opportunity will support participants in the why, what, and how of UDL principles while developing coaching techniques to empower and support teachers in integrating UDL effectively. Participants must be able to attend two in-person workshops, six virtual sessions, and complete an online course. Register via this form. Registration will close on Friday, September 27, or when registration reaches 90 participants who meet the requirements. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Opt-In Early Learning Assessment Opportunity
The Indiana Student Performance Readiness and Observation of Understanding Tool (ISPROUT) will be available for children from birth to age two beginning in January 2025. This voluntary opportunity provides a snapshot of children’s abilities in all early learning domains. Complete this form to opt in. You may also opt in for children ages three to five. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: ISPROUT Committee Applications Now Open
Educators for children ages birth to five are needed for item acceptance, standard setting, and reporting committees for ISPROUT. The committees will meet one to two times virtually in October, and stipends will be awarded for participation. Complete the form if interested, and contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: Charter School Program (CSP) Quality Counts II Cohort 1 Awardees
Congratulations to the 10 grantees named for Quality Counts II Cohort 1. Click here to see the listing and for more information. Contact CharterPrograms@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Fall 2024 Microcredential Program
IDOE's Office of Title Grants and Support will continue to offer a microcredential program for experienced program administrators in fall 2024. The microcredential program is a no-cost program that allows program administrators to develop their current practices and participate in ongoing learning and reflection by dedicating between four and six hours of work per microcredential skill. Two optional checkpoints will be provided by IDOE staff for any needed support. Participants will be provided five professional growth plan (PGP) points for each skill, as well as a bonus point on the risk assessment. Interested in participating in the fall informational session on Friday, September 27, at 11 a.m. ET. Please complete the Microcredential Interest Survey. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Quarterly Meeting Schedule for the 2024-2025 School Year
IDOE’s Office of Title Grants and Support will continue hosting a meeting each quarter to provide updates regarding federal grants. The quarterly meetings will be hosted on Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the following dates:
Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 Budget Applications
FFY24 Title II and FFY24 Title IV budget applications are due by Monday, September 30. The budget applications are being finalized and will be distributed when available. Contact TitleII@doe.in.gov or TitleIV@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Alternative Household Application for Free and Reduced Eligibility
The new Alternative Household Application for Free and Reduced Eligibility form has been released (replacing the former Textbook Rental Assistance form). LEAs may use this alternative form in determining poverty for a Community Eligibility Program (CEP). Charter schools are encouraged to use this form for reporting poverty counts used in calculating Federal Title Funding through Data Exchange. Contact TitleI@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: CSP Quality Counts II Cohort 2 Application
CSP Quality Counts II Cohort 2 application is now live. Learn more here. Contact CharterPrograms@doe.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE: I Voted Sticker Contest
Young Hoosiers are invited to participate in the I Voted Sticker Contest, an opportunity for children across the state to get involved in the election process. This contest encourages creativity and civic engagement by challenging students to design “I Voted” stickers that will be handed out to voters at polls in November. The contest is open to all Indiana students. Participants must agree to the official rules and submit their design via email or on a printed official entry form sent in by mail. Submissions for the contest are due by Monday, September 30. The competition is divided into three groups based on grade level: Kindergarten through third grade, fourth through eighth grade, and ninth through twelfth grade. The first place winning design from each grade level will be featured on stickers distributed to voters on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. First place winners will be invited to meet with Secretary of State Diego Morales in the Statehouse. Second and third place winners from each grade level will receive social media recognition and be featured on the Indiana Secretary of State’s website. All winners will receive a certificate. Competition entry form and rules can be found here. Contact Lindsey Eaton with any questions.
NEW FROM KEEP INDIANA LEARNING: Counselor Connect Professional Development
Check out the professional learning planned so far for this fall! We have many virtual workshops and two in-person workshops this month including Data Day and Engage & Renew. Contact Keep Indiana Learning with questions.
NEW FROM DONATE LIFE INDIANA: Educator Curriculum Resources
Donate Life Indiana offers schools resources for complying with Indiana’s state-mandated organ and tissue donation education. Presentations are available via in-person, virtual, or self-guided and are tailored based on the grade level of students receiving the lesson. Additionally, programs can enhance health, anatomy, biology, entry level nursing, or career-related courses. Click here to book a presentation or visit the Donate Life Indiana educators webpage for presentations, educational videos, and teaching resources.
REMINDER FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (IDOH): Upcoming Professional Development Trainings for PE Teachers and Out-of-School Time Professionals
Join School Health Corporation and the IDOH, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA) for free professional development training for K-12 Indiana physical education teachers, health educators, and youth-serving organization program coordinators to engage students in active movement throughout before, during, and afterschool settings. These one-day trainings will focus on teaching participants new and creative ways to engage youth and adolescents to become physically active in before, during, and afterschool settings, including techniques on inclusive and adaptive play, social and emotional learning activities, and activities to offer with limited PE equipment available. Register below for a specific location:
Contact Emma Smythe with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE U.S. FEDERAL COURTS: Fall 2024 Field Trips and Bill of Rights Day Contest
Field Trips: The U.S. District Court in Indianapolis is once again offering its popular student fieldtrips during fall 2024. Field trips are open to all ages. Full details may be found here.
Bill of Rights Day Contest: The 5th Annual Bill of Rights Day art and essay contest sponsored by the U.S. Courts takes place in October 2024. Students in grades five through 12 residing in select states including Indiana will respond to specific prompts pertaining to the Bill of Rights. Students can win up to $500, and teachers can win prizes too. Contest deadline is Friday, November 1. Contest prompts, complete rules, and a link to the online submission form, can be found here. Questions on either program may be sent to outreach coordinator Contact Mary Giorgio with any questions.
REMINDER FROM BUTLER UNIVERSITY: Applications Now Open for the Founder's College
Butler University introduces an exciting new pathway for Indiana high school students who have high potential for postsecondary success, but because of financial barriers feel college is out of reach. Founder’s College at Butler University offers a new, affordable, high-quality two-year degree option right here in Indiana. Applications are now open. The first cohort of students will begin August 2025.
Contact Founders Admissions Director Donneisha Baker with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE INDIANA CONNECTED EDUCATORS CONFERENCE: Register for 2024 Conference Now
Registration is now available for the Indiana Connected Educators Conference this fall, which will be held on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10, at Franklin Central Junior High School. More information and registration can be found here. Contact Nadine Gilkison or Jenna Eastham with questions regarding the conference.
REMINDER FROM WARREN ARTS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION & PROJECT REBUILD FOUNDATION: Homeless, Attendance, and Student Pathways Conference
Educators are invited to the Northwest Indiana 2024, Warren Arts & Education Foundation, and Project Rebuild Foundation Homeless, Attendance, and Student Pathways conference, entitled "Indiana: Finding Solutions for the Future” on Wednesday, September 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. More information and registration details can be found here.
REMINDER FROM TEACHER INDUSTRY EXPERIENCES IN INDIANA (TIE-IN): Embark on an Exploratory Journey
Elevate your teaching and ignite your creativity with TIE-IN, an initiative designed to bridge the classroom with the dynamic world of industry. This program, brought to life through a partnership with IDOE and Central Indiana Educational Service Center’s Keep Indiana Learning team, is open to all licensed Indiana educators, including prekindergarten through grade 12 classroom teachers, counselors, media specialists, and instructional coaches. Learn more and register here. Contact Dr. Christy Hilton with any questions.
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