As we approach Veterans Day on Monday, many schools across Indiana will host some of our state’s most meaningful celebrations for the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces.
Through these celebrations, our students are able to see first hand the patriotic spirit of our country and the importance of sharing our gratitude for those who served, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
This is also a time to reflect on the many freedoms we enjoy today, the role our veterans have played in preserving those freedoms for all Americans, and how we might give back to those who have given so much for each of us. I also want to thank educators and schools across Indiana for the role you play in bringing communities together to honor our veterans and for providing support for military families throughout the year.
This year, we are once again recognizing a growing number of Indiana schools for their significant display of commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. This year, 131 schools have been newly-designated or renewed their designation as an Indiana Purple Star School. A full list is available here.
These schools go the extra mile to provide a supportive learning environment, while acknowledging the unique challenges that military-connected students may face. From hosting annual military programs to having a dedicated place where families can find resources and support, as well as a dedicated point of contact, these schools are making a significant impact on the lives of students whose families continue to give so much to our nation.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Indiana students! And to our veterans, thank YOU for protecting and serving America!
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NEW: 2024 Federal Accountability Now Available
2024 federal accountability will be released to all public schools in the accountability portal, today, Friday November 8, which will start the four-week review period. Issues should be submitted through a data audit. Information regarding submitting a federal accountability audit can be found on Moodle in the school Accountability & Accreditation Community in the Federal Accountability System/Audit Information folder. The deadline to submit a Federal Accountability audit is Friday, December 6. Contact IDOE's Office of Accountability with any questions.
NEW: Register for Upcoming College Board Training Opportunities
School staff involved in PSAT and SAT School Day testing can register for College Board training opportunities to support test administration and post-testing data use. In-person workshops to support PSAT data use and to prepare School Test Coordinators (STCs) for the SAT School Day will be held from Friday, November 15, through Tuesday, December 10. PSAT workshops will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. local time. SAT workshops will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. local time. Register for the sessions:
Virtual options are available for those unable to attend in-person.
Contact College Board with any questions.
NEW: Summer School Reading Support Guidance
School leaders are reminded to review requirements for providing summer school for students in grade two who score “At Risk” and students in grade three who score “Did Not Pass” on the statewide IREAD assessment. Please review this memo for additional guidance related to staffing and curriculum. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center for K-5 curricular materials or science of reading support, Office of Student Assessment for assessment support, or Office of School Finance for summer school program support.
REMINDER: Nominations for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Close Today, Friday, November 8
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors outstanding high school seniors and encourages high attainment among all students. This memo outlines the required qualifications and nomination process. The rubrics for general and career and technical education (CTE) applications are now available here. Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. today, Friday, November 8, in order to be considered. Contact IDOE's Communications Team with any questions.
REMINDER: Student Learning Recover Grant - Expanding What Works
Inspired by the successful 1008 Student Learning Recovery model out of Indianapolis, Indy Summer Learning Labs, IDOE is excited to once again offer grants to implement a high-quality 2025 summer learning program. The program is designed to award a single grant to a lead regional organization/entity which then partners with community organizations, local nonprofits, school corporations, public charter schools, non-public schools, and others to deploy a successful, multi-site, summer math and English/language arts learning program aligned to the core design principles of the Indy Summer Learning Lab program. Eligible regional grantees include:
- Community-based organizations,
- Education service centers,
- Non-profit community organizations, and
- Municipal entities.
The application for summer 2025 is open through Friday, November 22.
NEW: Science of Reading and Dyslexia Toolkit
The IDOE’s Literacy Center and Marian University Center for Vibrant Schools have launched the new Science of Reading and Dyslexia Toolkit. This resourceful toolkit provides detailed information about reading development and acquisition, evidence-based reading instruction and intervention, recommended approaches for dyslexia intervention, and the areas of literacy. Access the toolkit via the IN Learning Lab. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center for more information.
UPDATE: Praxis 5205 Test At-Home Guidance
Educators using test vouchers (or any payment method) who want to use a school-owned computer to take at-home Praxis exams should review and confirm that the computer equipment and environment meet the test-at-home requirements and that network security settings will not block the test platform software. Please review the At-Home Testing Requirements to ensure the testing session will not be invalidated, thus requiring payment for another exam session. For support with Praxis, contact ETS Praxis Customer Support or 1-800-772-9476.
REMINDER: Early Literacy Endorsement Professional Development (PD) & Praxis Voucher Request
Educators who hold an Indiana professional educator license can register here for the flexible Keys to Literacy options. Educators planning to earn Indiana’s Early Literacy Endorsement can follow the process outlined here to submit a request to verify completion of the approved 80 hours and request a Praxis voucher, if needed. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with questions.
REMINDER: Public Attendance Insights Dashboard
A public version of the Attendance Insights Dashboard is now available. This report joins other public reports on the EdData platform. The public version of the Attendance Insights dashboard allows comparison of attendance patterns between schools and against state data. The data will display for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 school years. Contact IDOE’s Office of Information Technology with additional questions.
REMINDER: Key Contact Display in LINK Portal
Key contacts, including the roles of superintendent, financial contact, special education director, principal, Data Exchange contact, etc., are now displayed within the LINK Portal for all users to view. After logging into the LINK Portal, click on the “Contacts” tab at the top of the screen to view. Search for your organization and then click on the “Full Directory” link. If you are a Key Contact for your organization, please review this information for accuracy. Information for how these data are provided to IDOE is included below.
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.
NEW: Estimated 2024 Summer School Reimbursement
IDOE's Office of School Finance has determined the estimate for reimbursement of summer school costs based on the 2024 Summer School Final Cost Reports. This estimate is pending the approval of the State Board of Education to reimburse second and third grade reading costs at 100%. The payment for 2024 summer school programs will occur the week of Monday, November 18. Additional information and the detailed list of distributions can be found here. Please contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions before Tuesday, November 12.
REMINDER: Common School Loan Applications Due Today, Friday, November 8
To assist school corporations and charter schools that have an immediate need to purchase technology and related equipment, the Office of School Finance will accept applications for construction and technology loans from school corporations and school corporation career and technical education schools through today, Friday, November 8. Petitions must be received by the Office of School Finance by Friday, November 8, to be considered. Blank applications can be found in the public school finance community in Moodle under Common School Funds > Fall. Contact CommonSchoolFund@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: Membership Conflict Petition Process
Please read this memo regarding the membership conflict petition process. Today, Friday, November 8, is the deadline for a school corporation or charter school to file a petition. Contact IDOE’s Office of School Finance with any questions.
REMINDER: 3E Grant Reimbursement Requests
As of Monday, September 30, all 3E Grant funds should have been encumbered, and grantees must submit final reimbursement requests to IDOE by Sunday, December 15. Reimbursement forms should be completed, signed by the preparer, and submitted to IDOE via email 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 are not required to be submitted to IDOE for reimbursement. Contact IDOE’s Office of Student Pathways and Opportunities with any questions.
NEW: Webinar- Role of Student Services Personnel
Join IDOE’s Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement on Friday, November 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET to learn about the different roles and responsibilities of student services personnel such as school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists and school nurses, and how they can work together to provide a robust student services team that improves student outcomes. Register here and contact IDOE's Office of Student, School, and Family Engagement with any questions.
REMINDER: 2024 Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All Conference
The Elevating Education: Improving Outcomes for All Conference is less than one month away on Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4, in Indianapolis. Space is limited; click here to learn more and register. Contact Marcee Wilburn with any questions.
REMINDER: English Learner (EL) Exit Criteria - Additional Evidence Review Window Closed
IDOE released updated Exit Criteria for English Learners Guidance for the 2024-2025 school year, which allowed for eligible students to have additional evidence reviewed alongside WIDA ACCESS results to demonstrate proficiency and possibly exit EL status. The deadline to submit the Decision-Making Tools for students who were determined proficient via additional evidence has closed. All submissions have been assessed and contacts have been notified of the results of the IDOE review. The next additional evidence review window will occur after the 2025 WIDA ACCESS results are released later in the spring, and any eligible student not submitted and approved by IDOE will maintain their EL status through the current school year. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with questions.
REMINDER: Monthly New EL Director Professional Learning Community (PLC)
Join us in the PLC for new directors of EL programs during the 2024-2025 school year. This is a place to network with colleagues, access timely program information, and bring questions. The next session of the school year will be Tuesday, November 12, at 9:30 a.m. ET. The meeting link and info can be found on the EL PD Opportunities Calendar. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with questions.
REMINDER: 2024-2025 Refugee Student Data Collection for Refugee School Impact Grant
IDOE is collecting information on students with refugee status and/or meeting ORR eligibility requirements, enrolled in your local educational agency's (LEA's) school(s) as of Tuesday, October 1. This data will generate allocations for the federal 2024-2025 Refugee School Impact Grant (RSIG). Download the refugee student report template and submit your report count using this Jotform by Friday, November 22. RSIG is a voluntary federal grant program from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement. If your LEA does not have students with documented refugee status, you do not need to complete this form. Contact IDOE’s Office of English Learning and Migrant Education with questions.
NEW: Transition to Kindergarten Summit
Join early learning educators and administrators for the virtual Transition to Kindergarten Summit on Wednesday, December 6, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. ET. Presenters will discuss the new Kindergarten Transition Model and Self-Assessment, data sharing, and inclusion. Registration is required. Contact IDOE’s Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions.
REMINDER: November Professional Development (PD) with IDOE
November PD with IDOE begins Wednesday, November 13, at 4 p.m. ET with LVIS Has Entered the Indiana Learning Lab presented by Nate Walden, Director of Professional Development, Five Star Technology Solutions. View a full list of November 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: High Ability Program Grant Final Report Now Available
The 2023-2024 (fiscal year 2024) High Ability Program Final Report is due Tuesday, December 31. All schools that received fiscal year 2024 high ability funds must complete this report via this JotForm. Please send any unused funds for fiscal year 2024 in the form of a check to:
Indiana Department of Education
Attn: Trent Gooding
Indiana Government Center North, 9th Floor
100 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Contact IDOE’s high ability team with any questions.
REMINDER: Green Ribbon Schools Call for Applications
Indiana’s nomination window is now open for corporations and schools to apply for the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) federal sustainability recognition award. ED-GRS awardees are recognized at both state and national levels, are the subject of media attention, and reflect local sustainability efforts and achievements aligned with the three ED-GRS Pillars (i.e., reduced environmental impact and costs, improved health and wellness, and effective environmental and sustainability education). Join the 12 schools that have already been awarded in Indiana and receive recognition for your school’s sustainability practices. Review the 2025 Green Ribbon Schools Memo for School Leaders and visit the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Webpage for more details. Corporations and schools wishing to nominate themselves for this award must submit the online application by Friday, December 6. Contact IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning with any questions.
REMINDER: Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant Recipients
IDOE is excited to announce 39 recipients of the 2024-2025 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant. This grant allows a school or corporation to design a plan to support parents and families with topics related to educational technology and blended/virtual learning environments. See this memo for a full list of grant recipients. Contact IDOE’s Office of Digital Learning with any questions.
NEW: Save the Date - Cohort 13 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) RFP Launch
The 21st CCLC Cohort 13 Request for Proposals will go live at in.gov/OST on February 28, 2025, and will close on August 15, 2025. 21st CCLC is a competitive grant that focuses on the development and enhancement of out-of-school time programs across the state. Schools (public, private, and charter) as well as community-based organizations are eligible to apply, pending they meet eligibility criteria. Contact OSTprogram@doe.in.gov with any questions.
REMINDER: TitleCon 2025 Call for Proposals
The Title Grants and Support team is excited to announce Title Con 2025. The event will be held on April 16 and 17, 2025, in Plainfield. Title Con 2025 will bring together hundreds of Indiana educators and school personnel from across the state to learn and build stronger federal programs for student growth and achievement. Title Con seeks dynamic presentations on topics related to Title grants and federal funding that align with the theme of “Learning From Yesterday, Planning for Tomorrow.” Please review the call for proposal form for more information. All submissions are due by Friday, December 13. Contact Caitlin Laurino with any questions.
REMINDER: Save the Date for TitleCon 2025
TitleCon 2025 will bring together hundreds of Indiana educators including superintendents, principals, program administrators, teachers, and fiscal representatives from local education agencies (LEA), charter schools, and non-public schools across the state. This two-day conference on April 16 and 17, 2025, will feature keynote speakers and several breakout sessions designed to provide schools with programmatic and fiscal guidance to advance federal education programs in their respective communities. This year will also feature a pre-conference on April 15, 2025, to provide additional learning opportunities regarding student groups and additional specialty programs. More information regarding registration, hotel block information, and specific conference details will be provided soon.
REMINDER: Ed-Flex Cohort Two Waiver Now Available
The Ed-Flex waiver for cohort two is now live. All LEAs with previously-approved waivers are required to reapply for the 2024-2025 school year here. Those applying for waiver two (i.e., paraprofessional qualification requirements) or waiver four (i.e., Title IV spending requirements), must submit the application by Friday, November 15. The application for waiver one (up to 25% carryover for FY 2024 to FY 2025) is due March 30, 2025. Review these frequently asked questions for more information on the Ed-Flex waiver process, and contact IDOE’s Office of Title Grants and Support with additional questions.
REMINDER: Quarterly Meeting Schedule for 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 IDOE’s Office of Title Grants and Support with any questions.
REMINDER: Liquidation and Final Expenditure Report (FER) Deadlines
The liquidation date for FFY2023/FY2024 Title I, FFY2021/FY2022 Title II, and 2021 ESSER III is Sunday, December 15, for reimbursement requests. FERs are due no later than Tuesday, December 31. Please send questions to IDOE’s Office of Title Grants and Support.
REMINDER: Title I Comparability Reports
Title I Comparability Reports are due via the Title I App Center no later than Wednesday, October 30. Please send questions to IDOE’s Office of Title Grants and Support.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION: Applications Now Open for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is accepting applications for the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 of financial support for aspiring teachers. High-achieving high school students who plan to teach in Indiana for at least five years can receive up to $10,000 per year of college (up to $40,000 total). Find additional requirements here. Priority will be given to students graduating high school, although current college freshmen and sophomore students are eligible to apply. Applications are submitted through ScholarTrack and will be accepted until January 31, 2025. Handouts are available in English and Spanish. Contact NextTeacher@che.in.gov with any questions.
NEW FROM THE INDIANA DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION: Peer Mentoring Program Opportunity-DMHA and One in Five
Through a partnership with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, One in Five is thrilled to extend an invitation to apply for a partnership to pilot a Peer Mentoring Program in your school or school district. At One in Five, our mission is to revolutionize how we support youth living with mental health challenges by championing new models that prioritize their lived experiences and inner strengths. This grant allows any Indiana district to apply for support to pilot a youth-created, youth-driven peer mentoring program during the 2025-2026 school year. One in Five provides training and curriculum, staff support and coaching, and participant stipends. The grant opportunity webpage, including an informational webinar recording, information slides, and link to the application can be found here. Contact nicole@oneinfive.org with any questions.
NEW FROM PROJECT AWARE: Educator Mental Health and Wellness Mini-Grants
The Project AWARE State Team is excited to announce the availability of Educator Mental Health and Wellness Mini-Grants. The purpose of these competitive mini-grants is to enhance educator mental health/wellness within LEAs (local educational agencies) in partnership with mental health providers, community mental health centers, community organizations OR school mental health staff members (counselors, social workers, psychologists). The Division of Mental Health and Addiction intends to award 10 mini-grants for funding of up to $5,000 each. A maximum of one proposal may be submitted per LEA. Please click this link to apply before Friday, December 6.
NEW FROM TECHPOINT FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH: Hour of Code
TechPoint Foundation for Youth is excited to announce a statewide Hour of Code challenge for all grades and we want your classroom to join us! Every year, TechPoint Foundation for Youth provides resources, volunteers, and support to educators across the state as they join thousands of students from all over the world in Hour of Code. Hour of Code is a global event taking place during the week of Monday, December 9, to Friday, December 13, where students can learn about and explore coding. A list of coding activities for your students can be found here, as well as the volunteer and teacher resources behind each activity. The Foundation is interested in accurately tracking and reporting the number of students in Indiana who participate in Hour of Code. Last year, Indiana had over 12,000 students participate in Hour of Code! Please fill out this Google Form to let us know just how many Indiana students have joined the global initiative to expand their coding knowledge. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about Hour of Code, please contact andy@techpointyouth.org
REMINDER FROM THE WABASH VALLEY EDUCATION CENTER (WVEC): Save the Date - Embracing the Magic of Early Learning Conference
Are you an Early Learning Educator for PreK through first grade? Join WVEC for the third annual Early Learning Conference with special guests Hilary Statum, founder of Pencils to Pigtails, and Dr. Sonia Cabell, author of Strive-for-Five Conversations on Thursday, December 12. Click here for additional details and registration. Contact Melissa Gill with any questions.
REMINDER FROM THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER INVESTMENT PROGRAM (AP-TIP): Cohort 13 Applications Available
The application to Cohort 13 of AP-TIP is now open. AP-TIP is a fully-funded, non-profit program of the university’s Center for STEM Education and the Institute for Educational Initiatives that
- Engages math, science, and English program teachers in exemplary professional learning opportunities tailored to the specific needs of teachers of advanced coursework,
- Provides personalized instructional coaching and mentoring for program teachers, and
- Pays stipends to program teachers for participation in professional events.
Applications are due by Friday, December 20. Teachers and school leaders can learn more about AP-TIP here.
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