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One part of my job that I truly enjoy is helping school leaders navigate policy and regulation related to state and federal programs. Often, these questions center around special education. It is in that vein that we decided to offer a one-day Summer Special Education Summit on June 5.
This is a topic near and dear to my heart, as I believe that serving all types of learners is central to the mission of most of our schools. All of God’s children are made in His image and likeness. But the desire to serve these students is only the first step. Non-public schools face many barriers to providing appropriate services to students with identified needs. Understanding available funding streams, identifying service providers, navigating Child Find, and consulting with LEAs are all challenges in developing effective service plans. Then comes the ongoing work of implementing appropriate accommodations to best serve each student.
As we have developed the program, we have intentionally selected session topics to help administrators and teachers overcome these barriers. Presenters include higher education experts with a passion for supporting non-public schools, our friends from ADAC, as well as outstanding practitioners from our own schools who will share best practices for serving these students well. A special emphasis will be placed on understanding Indiana’s CSEP option, and we will hear directly from schools that have made that transition. We will also offer a “Special Ed 101” track for schools that are just beginning to build programs and are looking for a strong foundation.
And since everyone will be celebrating the end of another school year, we’ll include a special celebratory surprise! I hope you will be able to join us, or send a teacher who could benefit from this opportunity. More information is included in this newsletter.
Wishing everyone a peaceful spring. May God grant you strength for the final leg of the journey.
Warm regards,
James McNeany
INPEA Executive Director
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Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8!
Our INPEA member school teachers are the best! We thank you for all you do! Please know that you are truly appreciated every day!
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INPEA Summer Special Education Summit
Summer Special Education Summit
June 5, 2026 ⬥ 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
St. Theodore Guerin High School, Noblesville
Join INPEA on June 5 for a summer special education summit at St. Theodore Guerin High School. Our keynote will be Dr. Martin Scanlan, author and professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College.
Breakout sessions will be centered around four learning tracks:
- Beginning a Special Education Program
- Elementary Focus
- Secondary Focus
- Administrative Focus
The cost to register is $25 per person and you must register by May 22, 2026. Please note, registration is limited to INPEA member schools only. Additional information, including a schedule, is linked below.
Thank you to all the schools that have already registered for the special education summit! Please check your spam folder for your invoice if you don’t see it in your inbox.
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Accountability Model Webinars
This week, INPEA is hosting webinars for school leaders on IDOE’s new school accountability model. If you are a school leader of a junior high or high school, there’s still time to register for the junior high/high school session on Friday, April 24.
Resources from the K-8 webinar can be found at the link below. All webinar registrants will receive more detailed information and resources by next week.
Grade 7-12 Schools Webinar
Friday, April 24, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. ET
Register Now
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IDOE Updates
Choice Scholarship Program Spring Payments + May Regional Meetings
For any school needing to submit an appeal for a student who was excluded in the first spring payment, please visit the Non-Public School Community in Moodle for the Appeals Form. Additionally, registration for upcoming May regional meetings is now open. This meeting will cover an overview of legislative/policy changes for the 2026-2027 school year, refunds, student applications, reporting, shadow visits, and important reminders. Please take a moment to register if you have not done so already. Contact ChoiceSchool@doe.in.gov with any questions.
2026-2027 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant Application
The 2026-2027 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant is designed to support state-accredited schools and other eligible organizations in establishing or maintaining robotics competition programs designed to increase interest and improve skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through participation in competitive robotics programs. Please note that all eligible schools and organizations must submit any 2026-2027 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant applications by 11:45 p.m. on Friday, May 15. Contact TLgrants@doe.in.gov with any questions.
2026-2027 Annual K-8 School Reading Plan
Indiana Code (IC) 20-32-8.5 and 511 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 6.2-3.1 require all public, charter, and non-public schools, including Choice scholarship eligible schools, with students enrolled in kindergarten through grade eight to submit an annual reading plan to IDOE by Tuesday, June 30. Additional information about completing the 2026-2027 Annual K-8 School Reading Plan can be found here. Contact the Literacy Center with any questions.
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April Early Childhood Newsletter
Check out our latest issue of INPEA’s Early Childhood Newsletter for curated content specifically for educators focused on our youngest learners. If you have staff we should include in future distribution, please reach out to Andrea Anderson at aanderson@inpea.org.
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INPAC 2026 Registration to Open in May!
The INPAC 2026 planning committee has been hard at work finalizing sessions and speakers - we are excited for this year’s conference! Conference registration will open in May but you can find some conference details, including registration fees at https://bit.ly/INPAC2026. We are thrilled to announce that Big Shoulders Fund of Northwest Indiana has signed on as our title sponsor for the conference!
Mark your calendar for INPAC 2026 on September 24 and 25 at the Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel in Carmel. We hope to see you at the conference!
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Thank You, School Donors!
Every year we ask our member schools to consider giving to INPEA above and beyond their annual dues so we can continue to make strides in legislation, professional development, and consultation for Indiana's non-public schools.
We want to thank the following schools who stepped up so far this school year to donate money above their individual school membership dues, as of April 23, 2026:
Andrean High School, Merrillville
Blackhawk Christian Schools, Fort Wayne
Cardinal Ritter High School, Indianapolis
Crown Point Christian School, St. John
Heritage Christian School, Indianapolis
Lafayette Catholic School System, Lafayette
Providence Cristo Rey High School, Indianapolis
Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville
Roncalli High School, Indianapolis
Scecina High School, Indianapolis
If your school has the ability and the heart to give to our annual fund campaign, you can find more information on giving online or sending in a check here. Or feel free to reach out to Beatrice Bursten for more information.
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Cambridge International Grant
Cambridge International, in partnership with IDOE, has a grant available for any school wanting to implement a Cambridge Math or Science course for the 2026-2027 school year.
Eligibility
- Must be an Indiana-accredited school (public, charter, or private)
- Must commit to implementing at least one math, science, or Thinking Skills course
- Must outline a plan for long-term sustainability beyond the pilot funding period
Participating schools and students gain access to several key benefits:
- Guaranteed college credit at all Indiana public higher education institutions, including Ivy Tech
- Guaranteed college acceptance to Indiana public higher education institutions with the AICE Diploma
- Supports Indiana diploma requirements
- Exam fees covered for up to 3 Cambridge exams per student, per year
Click the link below for more details.
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Work-Based Learning & New Graduation Requirements Webinar
As high school redesign implementation continues, schools, parents, and employers may be seeking assistance or information on providing and scaling high-quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences.
In response, the Institute for Quality Education (IQE) and Ascend Indiana are hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 30, at 11:00 am ET. We will discuss how career experiences—such as school-based enterprises, internships, and apprenticeships—are key to meeting high school graduation requirements for all students beginning with the Class of 2029.
As Indiana’s statewide workforce initiative, Ascend will share information about its comprehensive suite of resources and support, including its network of regional intermediaries equipped to coordinate and expand student WBL opportunities.
Event Information:
Thursday, April 30
11:00 am EST
Register Here
Any questions can be directed to Greg Harrell at greg.harrell@h4qed.org.
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K–12 EdTech Assessments: Fast, Free, and Built for Schools
Get a clear, actionable snapshot of your district’s technology landscape in just 10–15 minutes with Five Star Technology Solutions' free EdTech Assessments. Designed specifically for K-12 school leaders, these quick evaluations help you understand your technology readiness, cybersecurity posture, team structure, and A/V needs with no registration or email required.
Choose the assessment that fits your needs:
Tech Team Survey
Evaluate your IT team structure, processes, technology inventory, and cybersecurity
alignment to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Cyber Incident Readiness
Assess how prepared your district is to respond to cybersecurity incidents using a
K–12-adapted framework, including incident response planning and security alignment.
Cybersecurity “Gut Check”
Get an instant snapshot of your school’s security posture, including MFA usage, incident response readiness, and potential vulnerabilities.
Virtual AV Assessment
Receive a comprehensive evaluation of your audiovisual technology infrastructure, including front-of-class equipment, audio systems, and district communication capabilities.
Each assessment delivers expert-informed insights to help K–12 leaders quickly identify
strengths, uncover gaps, and prioritize next steps, whether you're strengthening
infrastructure, improving cybersecurity, or planning for responsible AI adoption.
Start your assessment today and explore more here: Visit the K–12 EdTech Assessments page.
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Professional Development Dates are Filling Fast–Secure Your Preferred Date Before It’s Gone
Your school community doesn’t grow by accident. It is built on purpose with intentionality.
Friendzy Professional Development equips your educators with practical, evidence-backed strategies to strengthen relationships, build emotional intelligence, and create classrooms where students flourish. Our PD sessions are interactive, energizing, and immediately applicable, giving your team tools they can use the very next day.
Spring and early fall dates are already filling quickly as schools plan ahead. If professional development is on your roadmap, now is the time to secure your session before your ideal dates are gone!
Book your Friendzy session today to reserve your spot on the calendar. Let’s build the culture your faculty and students deserve!
Schedule Your PD Session!
Curious how Friendzy professional development fits into a bigger character and emotional development framework? Connect with Lead Partnership Specialist Megan Majchrowicz, megan@friendzy.co or schedule or schedule a quick demo here!
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Professional Development That Works Around Teachers' Lives
Indiana's nonpublic school teachers are among the most dedicated educators in the state — and they deserve professional development that respects their time. On-demand PD has emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional in-person training, offering teachers flexibility to learn on their own schedule, the ability to revisit content as many times as needed, and access to high-quality instruction without the cost of travel or lost classroom time.
For smaller schools with limited budgets, it also makes it possible to reach every staff member — not just a handful who can attend an off-site event.
Smekens Education offers two flexible on-demand options built specifically for literacy and writing instruction — both hosted on a newly updated learning platform:
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webPD — A video subscription library with 200+ PD videos teachers can explore at their own pace, revisit as needed, and use to earn continuing education credit. It's a great fit for individual growth or whole-staff learning during PLC time.
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webAcademy Workshops — Structured online workshops delivering the same research-based strategies Smekens is known for, in a format that fits busy schedules. All content is rooted in best practices, including the Science of Writing.
Want to Go Deeper This Summer?
For teachers ready to fully invest in their writing instruction, Smekens Education is hosting Ignite to Write this summer in Indianapolis — and virtually. This K-12 conference with 40+ is designed to send teachers home with practical, ready-to-implement strategies they can use right away.
Whether you join in person or online, it's an experience worth making time for.
| | Thank You to Our Business Partners! | | Would you like to become an INPEA Business Partner or know a business that would be a good fit? Check out our website here or contact Chris Brunson at cbrunson@inpea.org for more information! | | |
Mission
The Indiana Non-Public Education Association serves as an advocate,
promotes engagement, and strives for the advancement of non-public schools.
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