Indiana Department of Education -- Education Matters E-News
SPOTLIGHT: High-tech treasure hunt
Students learn life lessons through geocaching
September 11, 2008
Broad Ripple High School senior David Gibson and sophomore Keith Resnover looked at the tiny screen on their bright-orange handheld Global Positioning System (GPS). The arrow they followed through White River State Park disappeared. That meant they were within 20 feet of a cache that another geocacher had left for others like them to find. Both students are part of an educational program that teaches students cross-disciplinary skills through hands-on experience using geocaching – a high-tech treasure hunt using GPS units.
News Briefs
Reed asks Hoosiers to be more 'water wise' in September
September 9, 2008
Precious little freshwater exists. Did you know that if the entire world’s water were to fit into a gallon jug, the amount of freshwater would be just one tablespoon full? Every day, each North American uses 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors and about the same amount outdoors, depending on the season. In contrast, the average person in the developing world uses approximately 2.6 gallons each day. Startling numbers such as these underscore the importance of Indiana’s Learn Green, Live Green focus for September: H2Know: Water Conservation.
State to pay student fees for SAT preparation exams
September 4, 2008
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed announced today that the State of Indiana will cover the cost of PSAT (Preliminary SAT) college preparation exams for all 10th and 11th grade students this year. Reed’s announcement follows news last week that SAT scores remained relatively flat both nationally and in Indiana again this year.
Reed reminds students, families of upcoming ISTEP+ changes
August 28, 2008
With students returning to school this month, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed wants to remind Hoosiers that the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) will be given in the fall and the spring this year as part of changes to the state’s testing system.
SAT scores flat in Indiana, nationwide
August 26, 2008
SAT results released today revealed that scores for the high school class of 2008 remained relatively flat both nationally and in Indiana compared to a year ago. Indiana’s average score on the college entrance exam showed a one-point gain in math (508), a one-point drop in reading (496) and a two-point decrease in writing (481) for a combined score of 1485 (1487 in 2007). Nationally, average scores remained unchanged across the board in math (515), reading (502) and writing (494) for a combined score of 1511.
Making good schools great: State offers new tools for educators
August 22, 2008
More than 1 million students across Indiana head back to school this month to begin another year of their K-12 education. Some will be going to school for the first time while others will be
Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council gives Hoosier students voice in state policymaking
August 22, 2008
Eighteen Hoosier youth are tackling major issues facing state and local governments as part of their appointment to the first Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Representing communities across Indiana, the students will advise state legislators on a variety of matters affecting Indiana youth and adults.
Choice-based learning gives students new options
August 22, 2008
In the art classroom at Sugar Creek Elementary in the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County in New Palestine, students are engaged in making choices about the art activity they want to work on that day. Art teacher Clark Fralick begins each day by teaching a short, focused lesson on art concepts such as color. Then students choose a “station” to try out the concept they just learned.
State offers back-to-school success guides for Hoosier families
August 18, 2008
School is back in session, and the Indiana Department of Education and Commission for Higher Education want to help students and families start the school year off right by providing every student with a grade-specific student success mini-magazine titled OnTrack. These easy-to-read publications provide helpful information on key learning topics including study skills, Indiana’s Academic Standards, ISTEP+, Core 40, career exploration, planning and preparing for college, study strategies, tips for parents and more.
US Education Secretary appoints IDOE Assistant Superintendent to national council
August 14, 2008
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed announced today that Wes Bruce, Indiana Department of Education Assistant Superintendent for the Center for Accreditation, Assessment and Licensing, was appointed by Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education, to serve on the National Technical Advisory Council (NTAC).
Indiana ACT scores above national average for 18th straight year
August 13, 2008
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed announced today that 2008 Indiana high school graduates scored above the national average on the ACT college entrance exam for the 18th consecutive year.
Governor proposes Hoosier College Promise
August 13, 2008
Governor Mitch Daniels will ask the next Indiana General Assembly to approve the Hoosier College Promise, a program that would provide Indiana high school graduates with more affordable access to higher education.
Reed asks Hoosiers to learn more about 'homegrown green'
August 5, 2008
Did you know that choosing locally produced food and other goods not only supports Indiana farmers and businesses, but it is also better for the environment? That is why the Indiana Department of Education is encouraging Hoosier students and adults to learn more about “homegrown green” options as part of its Learn Green, Live Green focus for August: Growing Green.
Back-to-school campaign reaches out to Indiana's uninsured
July 23, 2008
More than half a million Indiana children and adults lack basic health care coverage, many of whom qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through the state’s Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan programs. To prepare Indiana’s uninsured families for a healthy and successful school year, the state’s top education, health and social services officials joined together today to launch the Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Back-to-School Campaign.
Recognition
Eight Indiana schools receive National Blue Ribbon Award
September 9, 2008
Eight Indiana schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools today by the U.S. Department of Education. The No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools awards honor K-12 schools that either make significant gains in closing the achievement gap or demonstrate academic superiority in their states.
Indianapolis Colts to sponsor Healthy Hoosier School Award
September 1, 2008
The Colts have agreed to be a $5,000 sponsor for the 2008-2009 Healthy Hoosier School Award . The Colts will help promote the HHSA and host a Blue Fitness Football Camp for this past year’s top elementary school winner.
The National Rural Education Foundation Essay Contest Winners
September 2008
The NREA Foundation Essay Contest winners were announced September 9, 2008. The first place winner in the elementary division is Hannah Victoria Lee, a 4th grader at Polenta Elementary School, Benson, North Carolina. The runner-up is Eden Phillip Dennis, a 3rd grader from Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Elementary District 2C, Mazon, Illinois.
Charles Hempfling is the junior high/middle school division winner. Charles is an 8th grader at North Posey Junior High School in Poseyville, Indiana. Ali Owen, a 7th grader at Holliday Middle School, Holliday, Texas is this year’s runner-up.
The high school division winner is Evan Dorosheff, a senior at Greenville High School in Greenville, Illinois. The runner- up is Kayla Nicole West, a sophomore at Maysville R-1 School, Maysville, Missouri.
The winner in the elementary division receives $250. The runner-up will receive $100.
The winners in the middle/junior high and high school divisions receive $400. The runner-ups receive a $200 prize. There were over 200 entries in the contest.
Reed announces 2009 Teacher of the Year finalists
August 22, 2008
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed announced today 10 finalists for Indiana’s 2009 Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes outstanding teachers from the state’s public and accredited nonpublic schools.
Students recognized for mural creation in IDOE building
July 23, 2008
The Indiana Department of Education has enjoyed the presence of student artwork as a part of the reception area for the past several years. Works in the gallery have been changed annually. The Department welcomed the permanent installation of a two-part mural researched, designed and created by 15 seventh- and eighth-grade art students from New Augusta Public Academy North. Glenn Litts, art teacher at New Augusta in the MSD of Pike Township for the past 13 years, asked for a new challenge to help him work with student artists. [See photos of the mural in the MULTIMEDIA section.]
Participation
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2008
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