All data to be included in the Annual Performance Reports will be available online at www.doe.in.gov/apr. While newspapers and the public have access to this information, each school corporation is responsible for notifying local newspapers and authorizing the publication of the Annual Performance Report.

The Annual Performance Reports represent an ongoing effort to encourage students, parents and concerned citizens to play a more active role within their school communities. The Indiana Department of Education makes additional detailed information available year-round online at www.doe.in.gov/schooldata. This Web site extends beyond the capabilities of the printed page, allowing anyone to access a variety of school data, graphically display the results and even compare schools based on a number of characteristics.

“Today’s Summit kicks off 2010 as The Year for Science Education Reform,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said. “Our department is making science education a high priority so all students leave school prepared for success. I am confident if all stakeholders commit to moving the needle on science achievement, our entire state will benefit.”

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“While we support the Colts, two hour delays are reserved for emergency situations,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said. “We have presented IPS with alternatives that ensure our children receive the instructional time they deserve.”

Schools receive automatic waivers of instructional time for “emergency” purposes. If a delay is caused by an emergency, such as weather, state guidelines do not require schools to make up that lost instructional time.

A school corporation that cancels school for an entire day is required to make up that lost instructional day. School cancellation decisions are made by the local school corporation. State law requires schools to have 180 full instructional days per school year.

Click here for more information on the 180 instructional day policy.

“Crawford County School Corporation continues to raise the bar for Indiana education,” Bennett said. “By setting high expectations for students, teachers and administrators Crawford County has demonstrated the type of ‘no excuses’ attitude that leads to improved instruction and measurable academic achievement.”

The National Blue Ribbon Program rewards schools that score high or dramatically improve performance in accordance with state assessment systems.

English Elementary’s scores reflect a commitment to this goal. One hundred percent of the schools sixth graders passed the Math portion of the 2008-2009 ISTEP+ while 91% passed the English Language Arts portion.

“These accomplishments are a testament to the efforts of students, caring parents, dedicated educators, visionary administrators andsupportive community,” Crawford County School Corporation Superintendent Mark Eastridge said. “I truly believe that we are building something special as wefocus onour vision statement, ‘Growing Toward Greatness,’on a daily basis.”

The U.S. Department of Education determines how many schools states may nominate based on the numbers of K-12 students and schools in each state (eight in Indiana). Nominated schools cannot have been selected in previous years and of the schools submitted by each state, at least one-third must meet the criterion of having 40 percent of the students from disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information on the Blue Ribbon Program, go to: www.doe.in.gov/accreditation/blueribb.html.

Kenley offered an amendment removing some of the bill’s detailed provisions regarding prescribed actions in Indiana classrooms and schools. The new language empowers the State Board of Education to devise and implement a plan to ensure third grade students are reading at third grade level before being promoted. Without this directive, the board had no authority to consider social promotion or to require schools to retain students who aren’t prepared to move to the next grade level.

“I am pleased we have been able to keep the core focus of the bill intact while removing sections that might have added costs,” Kenley said. “The primary objective for any K-3 student should be to become a great reader- and we must ensure this happens”

The bill, authored by Kruse, now includes safeguards requiring the State Board of Education to make sure the plan has no fiscal impact, provides legislative oversight and allows public input.

“I cannot imagine anything more important to address in my first year as Senate Education Committee chair than early childhood reading,” Sen. Kruse said. “This bill keeps the focus on the most important skill students must master and will help prepare them for a lifetime of success.”

SB 258 is now eligible for Second Reading amendment before the full Indiana Senate.

“I am thrilled by the cooperation and efforts of Sens. Kenley and Kruse to ensure students are not passed on to the next grade level before they are ready,” Dr. Bennett said. “This bill gives the State Board of Education the authority it needs to take action to end the practice of social promotion in our schools.”

For more information about SB 258, visit www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo.

“While I understand some may have fiscal concerns with the legislation, I believe taxpayers provide schools funding to teach children. Asking schools to realign their resources to support this critical foundation for educational success only makes sense. As we have directed the Department’s resources and time to focus on early childhood reading, I am sure schools will do the same successfully.”

2010 Quick Reference Chart
Letter from the Indiana State Department of Health
Minimum Immunization Requirements
Example Letter to Parents and Guardians