May in Indiana! Is there anything better anywhere? There’s the Mini Marathon, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” basketball playoffs, and the beginning of the outdoor concert season. Closer to home, there are proms, award ceremonies, and graduations… and yes, we close the book on another successful school year! This has been a great year for Indiana’s non-public schools! We saw record growth in Indiana’s Choice programs as well as associated enrollment growth in non-public schools across the state. Several schools are adding to their campuses while some others are moving to larger buildings. Many factors contribute to this good news but one factor remains constant, a commitment to the mission of providing the highest quality academic programs with the foundation of forming the whole person. 

Indiana families are blessed with the options available to them in the Hoosier State! Thanks for all you do for making those opportunities available!

Enjoy your summer!  

John, Chris, Andrea, and Beatrice

The INPEA Team

Register for INPAC 2024!

Registration for #INPAC2024 is now open! If you have funds available this fiscal year, now is an excellent time to get registered!

INPAC is the ONLY conference designed specifically for non-public school leaders in Indiana. Here are just a few reasons why you should register for INPAC:

• The opportunity to connect or reconnect with colleagues from across the state.
• Outstanding keynote speakers that will re-energize you and celebrate how INPEA leaders are “Rooted in a Legacy of Leading.” 
• An incredible Thursday pre-conference focused on Artificial Intelligence with a panel of experts and six breakout sessions. 
• Twenty breakout sessions led by nationally-recognized and locally-loved presenters, centered around the learning strands of All Things Indiana, Leadership of Learning, Organizational Leadership, and Workforce Development. 
• Learning opportunities for school administrators, pastors, board members, business managers, development directors, aspiring leaders, and more! Whether you are new to your role or a seasoned administrator, there will be something for you at INPAC! 

Can’t come for the full conference? No problem! A variety of registration options are available and INPEA members receive a discount. You can pay via check, credit card, or use Title or EANS funds! 

We hope you will join us for INPAC 2024 on September 26 & 27, 2024 at the Renaissance Hotel in Carmel. You can find more information here.

2025 Legislative Session Planning

We need ALL non-public schools to help us achieve universal choice in the 2025 legislative session! To plan our legislative engagement strategy, all INPEA schools are asked to complete and submit an action plan by June 14. This is a simple form and will take just a few minutes to complete. Having this information for each school is critical for us as we plan our overall strategy for the 2025 legislative session. Please note, download the action plan below as a pdf so you are able to edit it - do not download it as a Google doc.

If you need additional information or guidance, please join us for a 2025 legislative strategy virtual planning session on June 3 at 2:00 p.m. ET. We will hear from INPEA and the Institute for Quality Education staff and school leaders on how to complete the action plan and what schools can be doing NOW to help us achieve universal choice. 

June 3 2024, 2:00 p.m. ET

Register Here

Secured School Safety Grant

The Fiscal Year 2025 Secured School Safety Grant (FY24 SSSG) application period opens Monday, June 3, 2024. The application period will close July 1, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY25 SSSG includes all the information necessary for a successful grant application for the SSSG program. Before submitting your application:

1. Be registered in IntelliGrants.
2. Have an active bidder number with the state of Indiana.
3. Have an active supplier number with the state of Indiana.
4. Sign up for Grant updates.

The period of performance for the FY25 SSSG will be Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025.

Since 2014, Indiana has awarded more than $163 million in SSSG grants to support school security. Last year, 474 schools received more than $29.8 million in awards.

Click here for complete information on the SSSG program and the history of awards distributed.

IDHS is offering two virtual training sessions with a question-and-answer opportunity via Microsoft Teams. After registering for the training sessions, participants will receive an email containing the link to join the meeting. 

Friday, May 31, 2024, is the final day to register for the training sessions. 

Training Session 1: 

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 10:00 a.m. ET

Training Session 2: 

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 10:00 a.m. ET

IDOE Literacy Endorsement Updates

Dr. Jenner provided some updates on the literacy endorsement in her May 17 newsletter. Here are some highlights we wanted to bring to your attention:

Synchronous vs. asynchronous training options

On July 1, a new law will go into effect which will allow the full 80 hours of required professional development to be completed asynchronously. In addition to the approved trainings, IDOE is actively working with Keys to Literacy to quickly build an asynchronous option that will be available this fall (after the effective date of the new law). IDOE will be able to accommodate any teacher wishing to participate in the asynchronous option, including anyone who may have already registered but wishes to participate in this new option instead. More information on asynchronous training options can be found in the FAQ, and our team can answer any unique questions. Send those to INLitCenter@doe.in.gov.

Flexibility for teachers who have a PK-6 “parent license” but do not currently teach PK-5 literacy

An educator who holds a PK-6 parent license but teaches in a content area that does NOT involve literacy instruction for PK-5 students will NOT be required to earn the early literacy endorsement. In the future, if the educator does teach PK-5 literacy, they would be required to earn the early literacy endorsement in order to renew their license.

All Indiana educators are still welcome and strongly encouraged to participate in science of reading training (including, the free training through Keys to Literacy or the many other options available).

Additional, no cost training options

Because PK-5 literacy teachers have three years or more to complete the requirements for the early literacy endorsement, some teachers have asked if there will be additional training opportunities beyond spring 2025. Because the state budget runs on a two-year budget cycle (for example, 2021-2023, 2023-2025, and 2025-2027, etc.), the current training is funded through the conclusion of the current state budget. IDOE will continue to advocate for sustained funding for free teacher literacy training when the General Assembly convenes in January to build the 2025-2027 budget.

ILEARN Science Standard Setting Opportunity

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is conducting standard setting for the new ILEARN Science assessments that were administered this Spring. The standard setting workshop, held virtually from July 23-25, determines proficiency cut scores for the state and is a very important part of test design which will impact students across the state. IDOE is seeking educators who are strong in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) content knowledge and can participate in a collaborative process to set the cut scores. We invite you to recommend strong candidates from your corporation which meet the following parameters to participate in this important work:

• Grade 4, 6, and/or High School Biology;
• General Education Teacher or Special Education Teacher; and
• Representative of your student population demographics (preferred).

Confirmed candidates will receive a $480 honorarium for full participation in the three-day workshop. Please make your recommendations in this Jotform.

Indiana Learning Lab Resources

INPEA is excited to offer a pre-conference dedicated to Artificial Intelligence at INPAC 2024. If you’d like some information about AI now, check out the Day of AI resources available in the Indiana Learning Lab. 

Webinar for High School Leaders

Leverage Career+ Locally Created Pathway to help your students meet Indiana’s Post Secondary Readiness Requirements.

June 5, 2024 @ 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Join our webinar with former INPEA board member, Eric Davis, to discover how Indiana private school leaders can employ the Career+™ Locally Created Graduation Pathway to meet the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness requirements. This innovative program integrates high school education with real-world career-connected learning, providing students with valuable experiences to help inform their career choices. Essential for schools across Indiana, this webinar will guide you in adopting a forward-thinking approach to career education that supports student success and meets key readiness criteria. If you are unable to attend, please send a request for further information to eric@careerpluspathways.org.  

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 23, 2024:

Bishop Chatard High School, Indianapolis

Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond

Blackhawk Christian Schools, Fort Wayne

Cardinal Ritter High School, Indianapolis

Cathedral High School, Indianapolis

Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School, Lafayette

Christian Academy of Indiana, New Albany

Crown Point Christian School, St. John

DeMotte Christian School, DeMotte

Evansville Christian School, Newburgh

Heritage Christian School, Indianapolis

Highland Christian School, Highland

Illiana Christian High School, Dyer

Indiana Association of Christian Schools

Lafayette Christian School, Lafyatte

Marian High School, Mishawaka

Mater Dei High School, Evansville

Our Lady of Providence Jr.-Sr. High School, Clarksville

Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville

Roncalli High School, Indianapolis

Saint Joseph High School, South Bend

St. Boniface Elementary School, Lafayette

St. Francis Early Learning Academy, Lafayette

St. Lawrence Elementary School, Lafayette

St. Joseph Catholic Grade School, South Bend

St. Mary Cathedral Elementary School, Lafayette

St. Peter’s Lutheran School, Columbus

St. Theodore Guerin High School, Noblesville

Tabernacle Christian School, Martinsville

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.

Congrats to INPEA Board Members!

Earlier this month, INPEA Board member Dr. Kara Bratton was announced as the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Award from Concordia University Chicago for her commitment and leadership within Lutheran education. Kara currently serves as an assistant professor at Concordia University Irvine in the EdD Leadership Program. She will receive this award at Concordia’s gala in September. 

Diocese of Gary Superintendent Colleen Brewer successfully defended her doctoral dissertation this spring at Loyola University of Chicago.

Congratulations, Dr. Brewer!

Congratulations to Dr. Kyle Weener, principal of Highland Christian School and CSI jurisdiction representative on the INPEA Board. Kyle graduated with his doctorate in education from Liberty University this spring.

Free Classes & Full Credits for High School Students This Summer

Ivy Tech is offering FREE tuition and textbooks for high school students this summer! Students who will be enrolled in high school during the 2024-25 school year and current graduating seniors can take free summer classes to:

●     Start working toward college goals

●     Move closer to college completion

●     Focus on areas needing attention

●     Explore fields of interest and future careers

Encourage your students to take advantage of something free that’s actually valuable! Learn more at ivytech.edu/freecourses.

Time and Space: A Series for Women in Ed Leadership

Dr. Charity Flores, formerly of IDOE, is offering a unique professional opportunity for women in educational leadership roles. Join other women in leadership roles for virtual coffee chats centered around a specific topic. Upcoming chats are scheduled for June 5 and 19 from 9:30-10:00 a.m. ET. Learn more here.

Indiana STEM Integration Grant Applications Due June 7!

The STEM Integration Grant aims to enhance student achievement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) by aligning educational programs with integrated STEM standards. The grant focuses on improving the quality and accessibility of STEM education, particularly for underserved populations and provides financial support for various initiatives, including:

• Developing and implementing integrated STEM curriculum and instructional practices.
• Professional development programs for teachers to enhance their STEM teaching skills.
• Programs that increase STEM exposure and engagement for students.
• Resources and tools to support effective STEM education, including technology and classroom materials.

For more information, visit https://mathtrack.co/24-25-idoe-stem-integration-grant.

Virtual Instruction with MU Prep

Marian University Preparatory School can help fill instructional gaps by providing virtual instruction led by an Indiana-licensed teacher.

How does it work?

• Schools work with MU Prep staff to determine needs and scheduling logistics
• Schools provide a space for students to attend class online
• A learning coach must be present in the room for classroom management and some technical support
• Schools provide computers with an internet connection for students to attend class
• Each class is taught live, and students learn alongside their peers and other MU Prep students

Courses start at $450 per student each semester. Click here for more information, including a full list of available courses. Click here to connect with Marian University Preparatory School. 

Contact: Josh Weinberg

Contact: Khaliah Williams

Contact: Alex Urrea

Contact: Mike Rivard

Contact: Joy Roberts

Contact: Katie Lash

Contact: Dr. Ken Britt

Contact: Rob Pizzauro

Contact: Cathy Tooley

Agudath Israel of America

Archdiocese of Indianapolis

Association of Christian Schools International

Christian Schools International

Diocese of Evansville

Diocese of Fort Wayne- South Bend

Diocese of Gary

Diocese of Lafayette

Indiana Association of Independent Schools

Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - Indiana District

The Lutheran School Partnership