Charter Clues
Updates from IDOE's Office of Charter Schools
July 2020 Charter Clues Newsletter
Important Re-entry Information- The COVID-19 Health and Safety Considerations for Indiana Schools Guidance Document (IN-Class) is Now Available
In partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has created the Indiana Considerations for Learning and Safe Schools (IN-CLASS) re-entry guidance document for the 2020-2021 school year. IN-CLASS, has been vetted and approved for release by Governor Holcomb’s team.
Free Professional Development Seminar on Increasing Charter School Enrollment
Enrollment is one of the most important factors in the success of any school. Having low enrollment puts financial strain on a school and prevents it from being able to focus on delivering quality academics. The failure to sustain a consistent level of enrollment is the number one reason why a charter school fails.
The State Department of Education is pleased to announce that as part of the Quality Counts Grant that they will be providing an intensive enrollment marketing course for charter schools in the state of Indiana.
Designed by our partner and enrollment marketing expert, Nick LeRoy of Bright Minds Marketing, this 8-week intensive series of lessons will help schools develop the capabilities to improve their marketing and increase student enrollment.
The course will include sessions such as:
- How to develop your school’s brand
- Building an effective enrollment process
- Maximizing the school tour
- Using digital marketing in your enrollment efforts
- How to design your school’s website to increase enrollment
- Why prospect nurturing is critical in enrollment
Please click for a description of the course, A Comprehensive Approach to Driving Enrollment at Charter Schools
Please click here to submit an application(link is external) to participate in the course. Please note that submitting an application for the course does not guarantee enrollment in the course.
2020 IDOE Legislative Updates
IDOE is continuing to provide clear and timely guidance related to bills passed during the 2020 legislative session. Find the latest releases below and a curation of all 2020 legislative guidance here.
Special Education COVID-19 Progress Monitoring Guidance
The Office of Special Education has provided guidance on Progress Monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here.
Superintendent Weekly Webinars
Dr. McCormick's weekly webinars can be found here. Please visit the site for information about upcoming webinars, directions on how to access, and to find out where to submit questions for the webinar.
Invitation for Charter Schools to Share Best Practices
Are there strategies or ideas your team has been implementing well that you would like to share with other Indiana charter schools? If so, please connect with Bea Pacheco at bpacheco@doe.in.gov
Indiana Charter School Network Virtual Conference
In case you missed it! The Indiana Charter School Network put on a phenomenal virtual conference last month. Click here to access the resources shared including session recordings led by charter school experts that include guidance on school reopening.
2020 Census Impacts Indiana Students
The 2020 Census greatly impacts Indiana students and communities. Please continue to help us raise awareness about the census to ensure students receive the necessary federal funds for the next several years to come. IDOE has collated a list of census resources for superintendents, school leaders, families, and educators. Click here to access IDOE's 2020 Census website.
FSSA P-EBT Program
Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is providing Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfers (P-EBT) to households that were eligible for free or reduced meals this school year. Recently FSSA released additional information about this benefit. Click here to access the COVID-19 site to find out more information about P-EBT including parent flyers and an FAQ.
Fiscal Guidance Handbook
The IDOE Title Grants and Support team has created a Fiscal Handbook to support LEAs. It includes guidance for understanding state and federal grant requirements and grant implementation. Click here to access the Fiscal Guidance Handbook on the Title Grants landing page.
COVID-19 Information
Charter School Start Up Guide
Cohort Four RFP Available
The Indiana Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of the Cohort Four Charter School Program Request for Proposals. Please click here and navigate to the Cohort Four drop down menu for materials.
Applications are due July 31, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Please view the Cohort 4 Folder for updated Allowable Cost Guidance.
CSP Grant Calendars
Amreen Vora
317.234.3063
Beatriz Pacheco
317.232.9057
Brandon Phillips
317.232.6612
Indiana Department of Education
Website: https://www.doe.in.gov
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317) 232-6610