On April 5, 2024 the DOE released more information on the training requirements for teachers who already completed training prior to the passing of SEA No.1. This update also covers how these teachers can receive a voucher for their Praxis exam and how to submit their records of completion.

Note in the Friday DOE Newsletter:

NEW: Early Literacy Endorsement 80 Hours of Professional Development Requirement

Additional information related to how educators who hold a PK-6 or Special Education license can obtain the 80 hours of professional development required to add the Early Literacy Endorsement can be found here. Please contact IDOE'S Literacy Center with any questions.

Letter linked into the newsletter blurb. It is the same as the one they sent out on March 20, 2024 with just a few updates.

To support Indiana’s statewide goal of ensuring 95% of third grade students can read by 2027, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1558-2023 required the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish a required literacy endorsement for teacher candidates, as defined in Indiana Code (IC) 20-28-3-1, applying for an initial Professional Educator License covering the pre-K-5 grade span or special education licensure after June 30, 2025. Additionally, to further strengthen the professional knowledge of educators with an existing license covering the pre-k-5 grade span or special education licensure, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1-2024 revised IC 20-28-5-19.7 to include the literacy endorsement requirement for all Indiana educators renewing a practitioner Professional Educator License or accomplished practitioner Professional Educator License that includes these specified grades and content areas after July 1, 2027. Additional information about support for educators to meet these requirements is outlined below.

Indiana Early Literacy Endorsement Requirements

For teacher candidates applying for an initial Professional Educator License covering the pre-K-5 grade span or special education licensure after June 30, 2025

Eligibility for Indiana’s Early Literacy Endorsement is dependent on assurances that instructional skills aligned to science of reading were embedded in the individual’s coursework and preparation prior to program completion.

For all Indiana educators renewing a practitioner Professional Educator License or accomplished practitioner Professional Educator License that includes these specified grades and content areas after July 1, 2027

Eligibility is dependent on the completion of 80 hours of evidence-based professional development that is aligned to science of reading and approved by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).

Additionally, in January 2024, SBOE approved Praxis test 5205 to serve as the required examination for educators to demonstrate proficiency in instructional skills aligned with science of reading. The examination is a requirement of Indiana’s Early Literacy Endorsement, in conjunction with preparation program coursework or completion of 80 hours of professional development.

Meeting the 80 Hours of Evidence-Based Professional Development Requirement

HEA 1001-2023 allocated funding to support educators required to earn the literacy endorsement by securing a provider for the required 80 hours of professional development at no cost to the educator and covering the cost of the licensing exam required to receive the literacy endorsement.

Educators who have an existing Indiana license for the pre-K-6 grade span or a special education license can sign up here to participate in the 80 hours of professional development, offered by Keys to Literacy, through June 2025. Eligible educators will have the opportunity to select their preference of synchronous, virtual sessions to complete alongside asynchronous modules and will receive a voucher to cover the cost of the Praxis 5205 examination. Additionally, eligible educators will receive up to $1,200 in stipends as they progress through the 80-hour course.

Educators who have already completed 80 hours of evidenced-based professional development aligned with the requirements outlined in IC 20-28-5-19.7 will be able to utilize certificates of completion and an assurances document approved by IDOE to support their application for the Early Literacy Endorsement within the LVIS360 system on or after Thursday, August 1. More information on how educators can meet the 80 hours of evidenced-based professional development outside of the Keys to Literacy engagement can be found here. Eligible educators who have already completed this requirement and received approval from IDOE will be able to request a voucher to cover the cost of the Praxis test 5205.

Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be found here. Additional questions should be directed to IDOE’s Literacy Center. (inlitcenter@doe.in.gov)

Something to be sure to note (I go over this in the podcast.) If you completed the Science of Reading modules on the INLearning Lab, it counts towards 25 hours of the required training for you literacy endorsement.