Indiana Required Literacy Endorsement Update

                  There have been some interesting developments surrounding SEA No. 1 and the literacy endorsement requirement. In this episode I will clarify who needs the endorsement, what your training options are, and address new information from the IDOE and ISTA. I believe all of you put enough heat on the IDOE and ISTA to have them backpedaling.

                  Let’s clarify who is required to have the literacy endorsement. The law states that anyone with the following teachers’ licenses must get a literacy endorsement.

                  It is important to note that for many educators the generalist, early childhood, primary, and intermediate licenses are considered parent licenses. This means you have to renew it in order to keep any of your add on licenses or endorsements. For example, my parent license has early childhood, primary, and intermediate. It is the parent license for my special education license covering grades PreK-6.

                  That means if you hold any of these licenses and you are teaching a subject where that license does not standalone, you are required to get your literacy endorsement.

                  Currently, teachers have two options for completing the 80 hours of required professional development.

Option 1: Complete the Keys to Literacy training by June 30, 2025.

Pros:

·      It is free

·      Cost of Praxis is covered

·      Can receive a $1,200 stipend (Per the IDOE there are only enough funds to pay 9,500 teachers this stipend.)

Cons:

·      No flexibility in training schedule.

·      Strict attendance guidelines.

Option 2: Use a combination of the partially covered training options or another complete training option approved by the IDOE. I have those listed in the blog post for this episode.

Pros:

·      More flexible training completion schedule.

Cons:

·      Not free

·      No stipend

                  I want to point out that IC 20-28-5-19.7 states that:

So, can schools bring in a trainer for an approved training program to have their teachers complete training on a more reasonable timetable, and the IDOE pays for it? I would love to hear some guidance on this.

                  In addition to the 80 hours of training, teachers must pass the Praxis exam 5205. The goal of this law was to ensure all teachers receive training in the science of reading. So, what is the purpose of the Praxis? Is it necessary? And is it necessary to get the endorsement or just the training?

                  Alright, let’s move to the ISTA’s reaction first because I believe it feeds into the IDOE’s most recent email to teachers. Here is ISTA’s initial reaction to the passing of SEA No. 1.

Their support for this mandated PD is evident. Just to reiterate, teachers want the training, but not on the rigid timetable. Questions you should ask the ISTA about their initial response.

·      Why weren’t teachers notified that this requirement was coming before the bill was passed?

·      Did you think the requirements and timetable were fair and reasonable?

·      Did you attend the legislative sessions to represent the teachers who pay you to represent them?

Those questions may seem harsh to some. However, if you are paying ISTA to represent you, ask these questions. It is impossible for them to have been unaware of this requirement being passed.

         I believe because so many of you have reached out, asked questions, and expressed your concerns, you were able to push ISTA and the IDOE to make changes.

         Here is the current statement from the ISTA on the literacy endorsement requirement.

         This is a step in the right direction. Continue to ask questions, share your thoughts, and hold them accountable. You pay them a significant amount to represent you. Make sure they do.

         *Side note: I will have an interview with a retired educator in Indiana discussing the formation of a local union in their district. If ISTA won’t represent you, a local union may serve you better in the long run.

         Since you spoke up not only did the ISTA change their tune, but the IDOE did as well. This is what we wanted, and I am thankful. Let’s dive into their most recent communication.

         The IDOE emailed all teachers on Monday April 15, 2024.

         If you listen to my earlier episodes covering SEA No. 1 you will notice that the IDOE themselves, put out misleading information on the science of reading training. The IDOE newsletter and emails to teachers clearly stated it was an opportunity and that teachers can and/are invited to complete the training. It was not until the April 5, 2024, IDOE newsletter that they stated this training was a requirement. The bill was signed into law on March 11th.

         Some questions I have when I read this are:

·      Who gave the misleading information?

·      Who encouraged teachers to contact the state and express their concerns? Furthermore, why is this wrong?

·      What key details were omitted?

The email had a memo attached with more details. Here is what it stated.

                  I appreciate the fact that the IDOE wants to work with teachers to help improve the reading rate of our students. Once more, the requirement had good intentions, but it needed more careful consideration.

                  A link was provided to the document sent on April 5th from the IDOE. I covered its contents in my SEA No. 1 updates episode.

                  I want to stop and highlight a couple of things. First, when you look at the state law they linked into this document, it takes you to IC 20-28-5-19.7. When I looked at the code it states the following:

                  The bill had July 1, 2025 scratched off and July 1, 2027 written in. The code still says July 1, 2025. I am sure it just a typo, but it needs to be fixed. Second, you do have until your license expires to complete the training. For some educators that means you don’t have to worry about it until well after the July 1, 2027 deadline. However, the ability to obtain this training for free and receive a stipend has a deadline of June 30, 2025. On top of that there are only funds to pay 9,500 teachers the $1,200 stipend. I would like to know how the state plans to fund this training after June 30, 2025.

                  Here are some of my questions and thoughts on this information.

·      How many teachers can participate in the Keys to Literacy training? The IDOE attendance policy states that there are limited seats for each cohort.

·      If we completed the science of reading modules offered in partnership with Marion Univeristy, how do we complete the rest of the required training and who pays for it?

·      Where can this new law be found? When was it passed? Why wasn’t this done before SEA No. 1 was signed into law on March 11, 2024?

·      Where is the money coming from to sustain the pay increase for teachers?

·      Is it true that only 9,500 teachers will receive the $1,200 stipend for completing the Keys to Literacy training?

                  Again, educators have until July 1, 2027 or until their license expires to complete this training. However, at this point, to complete this training for free, have the praxis exam paid for, and receive a stipend it must be completed by June 30, 2025. This should also be stated in the timeline. Since there has not been any guidance on how training will be paid for beyond June 30, 2025 educators are frustrated by the short timeline and rigid schedule put in place to meet the literacy endorsement requirements.

                  I will be attending the webinar on Thursday April 18, 2024 at 4:30pm EST. I highly recommend others attend as well or view the recording on April 19th.   

                  I also don’t want to us to lose sight of the other items in this bill that are concerning. The retention of third graders, and state mandated testing in second grade. Our students need us to advocate for them as well.

                  As always, stay educationally aware.