Like many of you, I found the IDOE’s live webinar on April 18th to be disappointing. I had hoped that the IDOE's live webinar on April 18th would share additional information to address educators' main concern, which is how to complete the required training. Let me highlight a few items that were new and then share my thoughts and questions.

            They mentioned they are offering a way to opt out of 25 PD hours with Keys to Literacy if you have completed the 25 hours of SOR training on the INLearning Lab. They did not provide specific details, but if you email the Literacy Department, they should be able to assist you with this. I have their email listed in this blog post for your reference. Email: inlitcenter@doe.in.gov.

If you hold a life license, you do not need to complete the literacy endorsement, but you can complete the 80 hours of PD voluntarily.

If you are unable to pass the Praxis by July 1, 2027, they will grant you an extension and work with you on passing the exam. I again go back to the question, is passing the Praxis necessary? The goal of this mandate was to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools to more effectively teach students to read with training in the science of reading. Shouldn’t the training be enough? Why not make the Praxis optional for those who want the endorsement, which leads to an increase in their base pay?

They mentioned they were working on expanding PD options. However, they did not provide any details. This was disappointing because many educators have questions surrounding this. Let’s look at why teachers are upset.

The law states that beginning July 1, 2027, the department may not renew a practitioner license or an accomplished practitioner license, or a comparable license under prior rules, issued to an individual who, based on the content area for which the individual is licensed, including special education, provides literacy instruction to students in prekindergarten through grade 5, unless the individual receives a literacy endorsement under this section.

To be eligible to receive a literacy endorsement an individual must meet the following:

1.        Complete 80 hours of evidence based professional development that is:

a.        Aligned with the science of reading; and

b.        Approved by the department.

2.        Demonstrate proficiency in scientifically based reading instruction skills aligned to the science of reading on a written examination or through other procedures prescribed by the department in accordance with this section.

The IDOE then put out information stating that the Keys to Literacy training was the approved professional development. They then stated that teachers could receive this training for free, have the cost of their Praxis exam covered, and receive a $1,200 stipend if they completed the training by June 30, 2025.

Keys to Literacy training for Indiana requires 40 hours of live training where attendees must attend 7 live sessions that run from 8:30am-3:30pm. The IDOE attendance policy only allows for one absence, and you must fill out an absence justification form. You cannot join 15 minutes late or leave 15 minutes early without completing an absence justification form. I have linked in the attendance policy.

I want to point out that Keys to Literacy provides training for 13 states. Only two states have such a rigid attendance policy. Indiana is one of them.

Teachers looked at the dates for when these live sessions are offered, and many were not available for all seven due to family commitments and jobs outside of teaching. When you go to register the site clearly states that conflicts in schedule will not be accepted as an excuse for not attending all seven live sessions and you should make sure you are available for all dates in your cohort before signing up.

The IDOE mentioned passing a law that will take effect on July 1st removing the requirement of attending the seven live sessions. My question is, will the attendance policy for the live trainings be flexible for those of us who have already signed up and started the training? Additionally, when was this new law enacted? Where can we find it? Why didn't anyone address this before SEA 1 was passed?

                  The limited time that this training is free along with the rigid training schedule and attendance policy is where panic and frustration arises for educators. As we have heard many times from the IDOE you do not have to complete the required training until your license expires. For example, my license expires in 2032, so technically I have until 2032 to complete the training.

However, based on the information we have received from the IDOE after June 30, 2025, the training will no longer be free. This leads to panic because the training is not cheap and educators do not want to get stuck with the bill, especially for something that was mandated. They have yet to address the question of who is going to pay for this mandated training if educators do not complete it by June 30, 2025.

Frustration comes in because of the live training requirement. Most educators could not get their schedule to coincide with the pre-set dates for the live sessions. Hearing that the IDOE is actively working on removing this part of the mandate is a relief. As I noted earlier, Keys to Literacy offers training for thirteen states. All but two of those states have the option to complete courses asynchronously and at their own pace.

                  April 18th’s live webinar was less than thirty minutes long. It was a prerecorded video with a power point that addressed items the IDOE already shared through previous memos. This was to reiterate what they have already shared. They ended the presentation by addressing three frequently asked questions and then ended the webinar without taking questions from the attendees.

                  I am not sure what misleading information they were trying to address but it was clear they are not listening to the concerns that have been shared with them. Their presentation did not address the issue of how teachers can complete the training on a reasonable timetable without paying for it themselves. It has also been reported that the governor’s email is no longer accepting emails from educators who are sharing their concerns with SEA No. 1. Those concerns are not only dealing with this new training mandate, but also the mandated retention of third graders who do not pass IREAD and mandating IREAD for second graders.

                  The IDOE sent out an email to educators following the webinar stating:

                  I want to point out that not all educators in Indiana are receiving these emails.

                  Unfortunately, the IDOE’s live webinar on April 18th created more of a divide between the department and educators. I think the IDOE, and legislators would find that teachers would extend grace if they would come to the table and talk. Educators want this training, but on a more reasonable timeline and without the Praxis exam. As it is educators do not feel heard, while their career and lively hood are being threatened.

                  There are links to the presentation and recording at the bottom of the blog post for this episode. As always, be educationally aware.

Presentation Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xoKzBDuhSdheHe5NKwvB4wurb9aWk7gZ/view?utm_name=

Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hy5I7Nw4QY

Literacy Development Webpage: https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/literacy/literacy-development/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Training Attendance Policy: https://keystoliteracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4.3.24-IN-IDOE-Attendance-Policy.pdf