Greetings!
It won’t be long and our school hallways will be quiet again. Another year in the books! It was another tough year for teachers and administrators as COVID refuses to totally fade away. We’ve learned a lot over the past few years. We know how to manage and to pivot and we’re good at it!
Summers aren’t what they used to be. No more two months off, but you owe it to yourself and next year’s students to find some space to regenerate. You are too important to this entrusted mission not to take time away to relax, renew, and recharge. And in your quiet times this summer, take a moment to look back with pride on what you accomplished, what your students and teachers accomplished, and to some degree, what you survived. Teaching is a heroic profession and yes, that makes you a hero.
So, rest up and we hope to see you soon! God bless!
John, Andrea, and Beatrice
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USDA Discrimination Guidelines and Title IX
Recently, USDA released new discrimination guidelines and posting requirements. The information was communicated in IDOE’s School Nutrition newsletter. The language changed was based on a 7th District Court decision that said when “sex” is used in a discrimination clause, it includes sexual orientation and gender identity. As you are aware, this posting would be in conflict with many of our faith-based schools’ values and religious beliefs.
INPEA has been working with both IDOE and USDOE to gain some clarity on the issue. Here is what we know at this point: This is a Title IX issue and there is a religious exemption in the Title IX language. Currently, USDA is saying schools or jurisdictions must apply to the Secretary of the USDA to receive an exemption from this Title IX requirement. Of course, this only applies to schools participating in the Federal Hot Lunch Program.
INPEA has another conference call next week with USDOE and USDA so more information may be forthcoming. We are also working with our attorney and colleagues nationally to address the best steps forward. Here is a summary from a call that IDOE was on with USDA:
- Clarifying that prohibition on discrimination of sex includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- States given 90 days to update websites and until the end of September to update documents with new civil rights statement.
- Religious schools: educational institutions controlled by religious organizations need to submit a statement in writing to the Secretary of Agriculture and should identify which parts of the new policy violate the specific tenants of their religion. The highest ranking person at the religious education institution should submit the exemption letter.
- USDA will notify the state agency if religious exemption is approved.
- Process is managed at the Secretary level, no time frame provided for response to religious exemption and no known information on what the process for reviewing or granting exemptions looks like right now.
- Religious schools should follow new policy until exemption has been approved.
The following links provide additional information:
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INPAC 2022 Registration Now Open!
Registration for #INPAC 2022 is well underway! Have you registered yet? The preliminary full program is now available on the INPEA website. With the theme: “Leading with Passion and Purpose,” the program committee has developed an exciting two days of sessions built around three learning strands: Operational Vitality in Light of Choice, Instruction and Culture, and All Things Indiana plus a special education-focused pre-conference. In this newsletter, we will be highlighting the Operational Vitality Strand.
Indiana finds itself blessed in a school choice culture that has given tens of thousands of families the opportunity to enroll their children in the school of their choice. Making non-public schools affordable for families has been a hallmark of the Indiana choice movement and in 2021, the financial eligibility for the Choice Scholarship (voucher) program was expanded dramatically, making a significant percentage of our families voucher eligible. With eleven years into the voucher program and thirteen years into the tax credit (SGO) program, it seems like a critical time to step back and take stock in how we operate our schools – fiscally, philanthropically, and programmatically. The Operational Vitality strand will wrestle with: how do we fiscally plan, how do we budget, how do we fundraise, and how do we market in this (not so) new environment.
We believe this strand alone merits inviting a broader audience to attend, including but not limited to, board members, finance directors, development personnel, and pastors.
Check out this message from our Friday keynote, Ted Neitzke. We hope he will get you excited for #INPAC2022!
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Teacher of the Year and Emerging Leader Nominations
Emerging Leaders in Education Due TOMORROW!
IDOE’s Office of Educator Talent is looking for confidential recommendations of secondary-level leaders representing the very best educators in Indiana. These emerging leaders must have between five and 15 years of experience, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom, and positively affect school culture and student achievement. Superintendents and principals may submit recommendations here t hrough Friday, May 27. Contact Rebecca Estes with any questions.
Teacher of the Year
Each year, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) conducts the Indiana Teacher of the Year program to recognize outstanding classroom teachers from across the state. From this talented group, one person is selected to represent Indiana teachers at the national level, in accordance with National Teacher of the Year guidelines. A candidate for Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY) is a teacher in a state-approved or accredited school (including private, charter, and virtual), pre-kindergarten through grade 12, who is planning to continue in an active teaching status. More information is available here and the deadline to submit an application is Friday, July 1, 2022.
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2022 Legislative Updates and 2023 Legislative Session Planning
As we were preparing this newsletter, the Indiana General Assembly overturned Governor Holcomb’s veto of HB 1041, which prohibits transgender girls from playing girls school sports. In response, the ACLU of Indiana has filed a lawsuit challenging the law in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. We will continue to keep you updated on this law, which will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
It’s hard to believe but we are already planning for the upcoming 2023 General Assembly Session. This will be a budget year so there is little doubt that choice will be on the menu. Advocacy will be critical! Make sure you have a legislative liaison in place, and you set your two public policy goals. After school starts and before session begins in January, it’s an ideal time to invite legislators into your building.
Also, if you have ideas for future choice expansion or for needed fixes to the program, please email them to John.
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ESA Program Updates
The application portal for providers, including qualified schools, opened on April 25. For more information, visit their website or reach out to Emma Vise in the Treasurer’s Office. Or if you prefer, don’t hesitate to reach out to John!
Indiana ESA will be hosting a series of webinars geared towards families starting May 24th! These will feature an overview of the program including eligibility requirements, how the scholarship is calculated, how the scholarships may be used, and how to apply! A Q&A session will follow each presentation. For more information, contact Emma Vise.
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New IDOE Ombudsman Announced
Eric McGuire brings over 15 years of experience in education to his new role as equitable services ombudsman. Having previously served as a teacher and administrator in public, private, and charter settings, he brings a unique background to this new role.
A first generation college graduate, Mr. McGuire is a product of rural education and a proud lifelong Hoosier. He grew up as the youngest in a family of 10 children, receiving free and reduced lunch for his K-12 education. Upon graduating from Marian University, he began his teaching career in non-public schools in Lafayette before moving to Ireland where he earned a Master’s degree with Honors from University College Dublin.
In 2010, Mr. McGuire joined the inaugural cohort of the Marian University Teaching and Learning Leadership Academy and earned his building level administrator license while teaching early college philosophy courses with a charter school in Indianapolis. His first leadership position was as dean of academics at a non-public high school in Indianapolis, serving a high-need student population before joining Indianapolis Public Schools as an assistant principal. In 2015, Mr. McGuire joined the NCAA Eligibility Center as coordinator of high school review, where he served as an evaluator of multiple school models against the NCAA traditional and non-traditional core course legislation.
Eric McGuire comes to the Indiana Department of Education after completing four years of turnaround school leadership work with a public charter school serving the Haughville neighborhood in Indianapolis. After joining the team in 2018 as middle school principal, he later transitioned into a LEA-level role as director of personalization, overseeing academic and operational functions and serving on the board subcommittees for finance and academics.
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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 May 26, 2022:
Andrean High School
Bishop Chatard High School
Bishop Luers High School
Cardinal Ritter High School
Cathedral High School
Crown Point Christian School - St. John
Heritage Christian School
Highland Christian School
Marian High School
Marquette High School
Mater Dei High School
Our Lady of Providence High School
Providence Cristo Rey High School
Reitz Memorial High School
Roncalli High School
Scecina Memorial High School
St. Joseph High School
St. Peter Lutheran School
St. Theodore Guerin High School
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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Marian OG Training
Marian University is opening an additional training for OG Reading this summer. There are 180 slots available for non-public school tutors the week of July 5th. The training is scheduled for July 5-8 from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET at the Marian Campus. There will be both virtual and in person options. The in-person slots are very limited.
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Research Project: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities
We have the opportunity to participate in a research project that will help us better understand how Indiana non-public school practices address the needs of children with disabilities. Dr. Julie Lane, Fresno Pacific University, and Dr. Kara Bratton, Concordia University, Irvine, are seeking to understand the alignment between our mission and vision statements and our admission practices as applied to children with disabilities. The project will also help us understand how COVID has affected our enrollment and current enrollment of children with disabilities.
Below is the link to the e-survey. The survey will take no more than 20 minutes to complete. Upon completion of the project, the researchers will provide a report on their findings. No identifiable information will be included in the report. You may contact either of the researchers via the following contact information.
Julie M. Lane, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
Fresno, CA 93702
559.453.5682
Kara Bratton, Ph.D.
Adjunct Faculty
Concordia University, Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA, 92612
260-385-4033
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ISP Seeking Safe Schools Topics
The Indiana State Police Department understands how critical instructional time is to Indiana schools. With that in mind, the Department wishes to continue to provide free information on a variety of school safety topics to Indiana educators. The Indiana State Police plan to post brief videos dealing with various school safety issues on the ISP webpage.
In order to focus on the topics most needed by Indiana schools, the Department is requesting input from educators across the state on future topics. These topics will be recorded and posted in 10-15 minute segments. If you have any ideas for future school safety topics, please send those to Dr. Rich Hogue at rhogue@isp.in.gov or call 317-379-6506.
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Free Ivy Tech Courses for High School Students
Did you know that current, incoming, and graduating high school students are all eligible for FREE college courses this summer through Ivy Tech’s Crossing the Finish Line program? Last year, nearly 1,900 high school students from over 275 high schools completed a credential or a certificate – saving those students and their families over $1.4 million in tuition, fees, books, and other education expenses.
This initiative is a partnership between the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, Ivy Tech Community College, and Vincennes University. With more than 20+ associate degrees that qualify for guaranteed admission to many other four-year institutions around the state, completing coursework at Ivy Tech is a great option for students and their families to explore potential careers, get an introduction to the college classroom, earn college credit, and save money. Interested students should complete this short form. Classes start June 6! Here is a one-page flyer that can be shared with students and families.
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Host a Parent Info Session
The Institute for Quality Education and My School Options are looking for schools to partner with them to host a Parent Information Session through August 2022. During these sessions, a member of the MSO Outreach Team will explain the different choice programs (Voucher and Tax Credit Scholarship) available and how to qualify and apply for these programs. As an incentive, once again the Institute for Quality Education will contribute a $500.00 SGO scholarship donation to each school who hosts a session with 20 or more families attending.
To schedule a session at your school, please contact:
Sarah Milligan, Manager of Community Engagement
My School Options
812-272-7216
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June SAT Data Workshops Announced
College Board and IDOE will provide free workshops focused on the release of SAT School Day results. SAT and PSAT coordinators and assessment staff are encouraged to attend these workshops which include a review of accessing and navigating the K-12 score reporting portal, analyzing academic performance data relative to the college and career readiness benchmarks, and reviewing any additional College Board resources. Workshops will occur from Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 17, and registration information can be found in the weekly Corporation Test Coordinator (CTC) high school listserv. Please contact the College Board with questions.
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Consultation Tips from Michelle Doyle Educational Consulting, LLC
The consultation process is a real-time activity, changing and evolving depending on the persons participating, the program being discussed, the needs of the private school students, and the challenges the public school district may be facing. Michelle Doyle is the CEO of Michelle Doyle Educational Consulting, LLC and has been the education lobbyist for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Director of the Office of Non-Public Education at the US Department of Education. Her expertise is in the equitable participation of private school students in federal education programs.
Read more about successful consultation, including topics to discuss on Michelle Doyle’s blog.
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Thank You to Our Business Partners! |
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As we finish another school year, we like to recognize our INPEA Business Partners. We appreciate their continued support of Indiana's non-public schools!
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Thank you to Catapult Learning, FACTS, Friendzy, and Tools for Success for their renewed support for the upcoming school year!
Would you like to be come an INPEA Business Partner or know a business that would be a good fit? Check out our website here or contact John Elcesser at jelcesser@inpea.org for more information!
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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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(317) 236-7329
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
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