Indiana Department of Education News

SuperMail: Update on Senate Enrolled Act 228 regarding post-trip inspection of school and special purpose buses

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:00:40 -0400

Update on Senate Enrolled Act 228 regarding post-trip inspection of school and special purpose buses and reporting of students or passengers left on the bus to the Department of Education. The purpose of this memo is to provide an update on Senate Enrolled Act No. 228, P.L. No. 39-2009, that goes into effect on July 1, 2009 pertaining to the post trip inspection of a school or special purpose bus interior for any remaining students or passengers. The Act creates a new section in the Indiana Code found at I.C. 9-21-12-19. Follow this link to view the Act. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2009/PDF/SE/SE0228.1.pdf

SuperMail: 2009 – 2010 Full-Day Kindergarten Grant Estimation

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:59:49 -0400

Based on data from corporations that submitted an “Intent to Participate” information for the Full-Day Kindergarten Grant for the 2009 – 2010 school year, we estimate the grant will be funded at approximately $1,030.00 per full-day kindergarten student if the current numbers materialize in the fall. Attached is the list of corporations and student counts for those corporations that submitted notice of their intent to participate in the grant.

SuperMail: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Supplemental Project InformationCertification of the Issuance of Bonds

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:00:44 -0400

This memorandum serves as a follow up to the June 11, 2009 memorandum on Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB). Since the original memorandum was issued, several questions have been raised concerning QSCB. This memorandum addresses some of the frequently asked questions, requests supplemental information regarding each project, and includes a form for certification after bonds have been issued.

SuperMail: HEA 1462 Update on Convicted Teacher Database

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:58:46 -0400

HEA 1462 Update on Convicted Teacher Database; Online reporting of offenses under HEA 1462; and Clarification on payment for Expanded Criminal History Checks - Online reporting tool developed for school employers to facilitate HEA 1462’s mandatory reporting requirement.

SuperMail: Changes in State Board of Education Meeting Schedule

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:57:58 -0400

The State Board of Education meeting scheduled for August 5, 2009, has been moved to July 29, 2009. Meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and streaming video of State Board of Education meetings are available at www.doe.in.gov/stateboard.

News: Bennett Statement on Passage of State Budget

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:41:18 -0400

Statement by Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett on the passage of a state budget.

“In a time of declining state revenue, Indiana is fortunate to be able to increase education spending. In this budget, every area of state government experienced cuts except K-12 education, and that’s good news for students. I am particularly pleased House Democrats heeded our call, and the guidance of President Obama, and dropped their effort to place a moratorium on public charter schools.”

SuperMail: Ordering of LAS Links Placement Tests

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:28:05 -0400

Beginning in the Fall of 2006, the LAS Links Placement Test became the only State-approved instrument for initial placement/screening of new language minority students. The LAS Links Placement Test will be used with grades 1-12 for the 2009-2010 school year. Students in Kindergarten will be assessed for initial placement using the Pre LAS 2000.

SuperMail: Changes in State Board of Education Meeting Schedule

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:27:36 -0400

News: It’s time for Indiana to get serious about math achievement

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:09:16 -0400

America’s 15-year-olds rank 25th among the 30 developed nations in math skills on an international assessment; even our top students rank only 24th. The knowledge gap doesn’t end at the classroom door: 78 percent of adults cannot explain how to compute the interest paid on a loan; 58 percent cannot even figure a 10 percent tip for a restaurant bill.

It was with these and other startling statistics in mind that we brought together national experts and key decision-makers from across the state this week for the first-ever Indiana Math Summit. The summit is the first – and only the first – in a series of steps we are taking as a state to raise awareness about the importance of math, to reach a consensus around what works to improve math learning, and to create a sense of urgency that now is the time for change in classrooms and communities across Indiana.

We recognize that despite having some of the best math standards in the country, the math achievement of our students is nowhere close to where it needs to be. We understand that far too few of our students are learning even the basics, let alone mastering higher-level math. We accept that far too many of our graduates are not prepared for college-level math coursework, and most employers are dissatisfied with our students’ math skills as a result.

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SuperMail: Military Recruitment in schools

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:32:48 -0400

A college degree or other post secondary schooling is directly related to success in later life. Thus, it is critical that we allow our students to hear and learn about every opportunity available that would allow them to achieve academic and professional success following high school. consider expanding opportunities in your schools for students to receive information about full tuition scholarships for college and, after graduation, jobs with the largest employer in the United States, the United States Military. The United States Military is the world’s leader in technology, skilled jobs and research development, and we should not detract from student interest in this field.

SuperMail: Use of Student’s Legal Name for Student Test Number (STN)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:32:23 -0400

All students who attend a public or accredited non-public school in Indiana should have a single STN that remains with them throughout their educational experience in Indiana. In order to minimize inaccurate or duplicate STNs, a school corporation or school must use the student’s legal name when assigning the STN to

Video: Dr. Tony Bennett's Podcast - June 16th, 2009

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:58:54 -0400

Dr. Tony Bennett's Podcast
June 16th, 2009

2009 Indiana Math Summit