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On October 16, the State Board of Education unveiled the second iteration of its proposed school accountability model. This work follows legislation requiring the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the State Board of Education (SBOE) to approve a new model by December 31. The model will be used to calculate school letter grades for the 2025–26 school year, based on data from the current academic year.
While INPEA advocated against the use of a single letter grade—believing it oversimplifies school performance—the argument in favor of it was that it is more easily understood by parents and community members. Despite this difference, INPEA has actively engaged in the process, offering feedback that has been well received by IDOE and has already resulted in meaningful revisions to the model.
The proposed framework places greater emphasis on indicators of student success beyond standardized test scores. In fact, Dr. Jenner has faced some criticism from those who believe test scores should carry more weight. We appreciate her commitment to recognizing that student and school success can be measured in more comprehensive ways than a single test score.
Another aspect of the model that resonates deeply with INPEA is its focus on the value of every student. This principle aligns closely with the mission of our non-public schools, which strive to honor and nurture the individual worth and potential of each learner.
The process is not yet complete. We invite our school leaders to join us for a special webinar next Thursday, November 6, featuring Vanessa Bachle, Director of Accountability at IDOE. She will provide an overview of the proposed model and answer questions. Because the plan remains in the proposal stage, schools still have an opportunity to provide feedback—and we strongly encourage you to do so. More information, including a link to register for the webinar, is included in this newsletter.
INPEA is honored to serve as the voice and advocate for Indiana’s non-public schools on this and other important policy matters.
James McNeany
INPEA Executive Director
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Welcome, New Member Schools!
This fall, we have welcomed four schools into INPEA membership! Welcome to Calumet Christian Schools in Griffith and Cedars Christian School in Bloomington. We are also excited to welcome our first two provisional member schools, Harvest Christian Academy in Rensselaer and Summit Christian School in Muncie.
Do you know of a school that is just getting started? Whether it's in its first year of operation or planning to enroll students next year, provisional membership is a great option for new schools. Learn more about INPEA provisional membership at the link below. Questions? Contact Andrea Anderson.
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Indiana's Blue Ribbon School Honorees
Earlier this week, Governor Mike Braun and Dr. Katie Jenner announced the honorees of the newly-established Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools designation. Of the 11 schools recognized, INPEA is proud to have five member schools honored:
- Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis
- St. John the Evangelist School in St. John
- St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Fishers
- St. Mary’s Catholic School in North Vernon, and
- St. Philip Catholic School in Mt. Vernon
These schools will be honored at IDOE’s Educational Excellence Awards Gala on November 21. You can read more here.
The National Blue Ribbon School program was established in 1982 but with the recent changes in the U.S. Department of Education, states have now been asked to manage their own recognition program for exemplary schools. At this time, we do not know what the future nomination and selection process for Hoosier schools will be. INPEA will keep our member schools informed as soon as we have information to share.
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New INPEA Podcast Guests and Ideas Needed!
Many of you have tuned into INPEA’s Statehouse Express podcast over the past six legislative sessions. The seventh season of the Statehouse Express will return in January to keep you posted on the 2026 legislative session.
This fall, we hope to launch a new podcast, the INPEA Express, and we need your help! We are looking for interesting stories to highlight from our member schools across the state and we need your help! If you have a teacher doing innovative work, students involved in something unique, or something happening in your school that could benefit others across the state, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Andrea Anderson at aanderson@inpea.org with your ideas and suggestions!
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School Accountability Feedback: Second Public Comment Period Now Open
In June 2025, the Indiana State Board of Education began a process to refocus the future of K-12 accountability to align school accountability with the five characteristics that Hoosiers consistently agree are most important to a student’s lifelong success:
- Academic Mastery
- Career and Postsecondary Readiness: Credentials and Experiences
- Communication and Collaboration
- Work Ethic
- Civic, Financial, and Digital Literacy
The second public comment period for feedback on this model is open through Monday, November 17. Feedback can be provided at the link below.
Join INPEA for a webinar on Thursday, November 6, at 1:00PM ET, to learn more about the revised school accountability model. Vanessa Bachle, Director of Accountability for the Indiana Department of Education, will be a featured speaker. Register at the link below. A link to the recording will be sent to all registrants after the webinar.
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Indiana Learns Enrollment
Beginning Monday, November 3, families can visit IndianaLearns.org to determine student eligibility and enroll in Indiana Learns – a statewide grant program that provides qualifying students with one-time $1,000 grants for high-dosage math and reading tutoring. Families will need to enter a student’s Student Test Number (STN) and date of birth to verify eligibility. After enrolling, students can officially begin tutoring for the 2025–2026 program year on Monday, November 10.
At this time, to qualify for an Indiana Learns tutoring grant, a student must meet all of the following criteria:
- Student completed ILEARN testing and scored below proficiency in either Mathematics or English/Language Arts;
- Student resides in Indiana;
- Student is enrolled in and is attending a CSI, TSI or ATSI-designated school as a third through eighth grade student; and
- Student qualifies for the federal free or reduced lunch program.
For more information or assistance, families can visit IndianaLearns.org or contact info@indianalearns.org.
Researching School Cell Phone Policies
On behalf of the National Governors Association, Dr. Angela Duckworth (author of “Grit”) is asking Indiana educators to join a landmark study on school cell phone policies. Share what you think is the best way to handle student cell phones! This brief survey will take less than five minutes and is completely confidential. Educators will be entered to win one of 10 $500 gift cards for participating. Make your voice heard and complete the survey today by clicking here.
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Attention IQE SGO schools!
Private School Capacity and Growth Survey
As we prepare for universal school choice next school year, IQE and My School Options (MSO) have launched an enrollment campaign to increase the number of students enrolled in private schools across the state. The 2026 IQE Enrollment Campaign will be a data-driven effort in partnership with current IQE SGO schools to drive enrollment to schools with available seats across the state.
Through this campaign, IQE and MSO will work to:
- Partner with schools that have open seats and work together in a marketing/grassroots campaign.
- Increase the number of new students enrolled in your school.
- Offer schools resources for those interested in expansion and increasing capacity.
The first step of this enrollment campaign is the “Private School Capacity and Growth Survey, ” created by IQE/MSO, in partnership with EdChoice. It can be completed by anyone in school leadership who has an understanding of your enrollment and capacity needs. To be considered for partnership and future enrollment resources, the school must complete the survey by December 15, 2025. Questions? Reach out to Cesar Roman at cesar.roman@i4qed.org.
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INPEC 2025 and Gala Photo Galleries
Relive the moments from #INPEC2025 and INPEA’s 50th Anniversary Gala. Check out the INPEC photo gallery at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCvNtj and the Gala photo gallery at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCvV9B.
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Launch Well. Land Even Better!
School is in full swing—and so are the challenges.
Classrooms are buzzing, behaviors are surfacing, and it’s no secret teachers are stretched thin. At Friendzy, we get it; this season is busy, and time is precious.
That’s why we created Launch Well! A low-burden, quick-turn option that helps you bring Friendzy’s Scripturally-rooted character education to your school right now while setting your educators up for success for a full roll out next academic year.
With complete digital access, ready-to-use lessons, and quick onboarding, Launch Well makes it easy to strengthen connection, build belonging, and support emotional wellness—without adding more to your teachers’ plates.
Start small this semester and build momentum for a full rollout next year. The best part? Launch Well is available at a special discounted rate, making it easier than ever to begin your Friendzy journey.
Learn More
Ready to learn more or see Friendzy in action? Reach out to Lead Partnership Specialist Whitney Stovall, MS, NCC at whitney@friendzy.co, or schedule a quick call or demo here!
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The 2026-27 FAFSA is Now Open!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2026-2027 school year is now open. The FAFSA is an important part of the college process and required by most colleges and universities to calculate financial aid. Encourage your students to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible! Some federal, state, and school aid is first-come, first-served, so by applying early your students can be sure to qualify for the maximum amount of aid.
If your students need assistance with completing the FAFSA, Ivy Tech can help. Ivy Tech campuses across the state regularly host special FAFSA events during Tuesdays@TheTech, where financial aid experts are available to guide students through the process and answer questions.
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Building Strong Connections Through Parent–Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences, when structured with warmth, evidence, and shared goal-setting, become powerful touchpoints for building trust and alignment between families and educators. Reach Tools for Success’ new blog for six practical strategies, from positive framing to follow-up check-ins, to transform those meetings into meaningful, ongoing partnerships. Building Strong Connections Through Parent–Teacher Conferences: A Guide for Educators | Tools for Success
What to Do After Successful Parent–Teacher Conferences to Keep Parents Engaged
Sustaining parent engagement after conferences is key — simple follow-ups, two-way communication, family events, shared leadership, and celebrating wins all help deepen family–school partnerships. Read the full blog for concrete strategies educators can start using immediately. Read More. What to Do After Successful Parent–Teacher Conferences to Keep Parents Engaged | Tools for Success
| | Thank You to Our Business Partners! | | 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 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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