The board is meeting in James Whitcomb Riley Conference Room 151 West Ohio Street Indianapolis IN 46204

How are the grades calculated for our schools?

Elementary and Middle School Grades are calculated with the following criteria:
Student performance and improvement on ISTEP+, IMAST and ISTAR
Student growth on ISTEP+
Grades are determined separately for English/Language Arts and Math (the final grade is determined by averaging the two scores)

High School Grades are calculated with the following criteria:
Student performance and improvement on English 10 and Algebra 1 ECAs (end of course assement) and ISTAR
Graduation Rate
College and career readiness indicators

Proposed changes:

1. The IDOE is proposing that we use a different limited English proficient (LEP) exemption for ISTEP proficiency calculations. The exemption will only be allowed for the students that have been enrolled in school in United States for less than 12 months (current federal standard)
2. Another proposed change is removing the IEP exemption for Graduation Rate Calculations (would remove the up to 3% exemption for students earning a certificate of completion in the denominator when calculating graduation rate) (current federal standard)
3. Add a 1% corporation cap for ISTAR passing rate for proficiency calculations
4. Add a 2% corporation cap for IMAST passing rates for proficiency calculations

Synopsis: The proposed changes will align the current system to many of the same standards already being followed by the Federal Government. The changes will create tougher standards for our schools and may result initially in lower grades due to the changes.

As our President Barry Jones stated in his recent letter to the Board, “It’s hard to believe that it is already 2012. I hope everyone had a great holiday. This is sure to be a great year for Indiana PTA. Indiana PTA is proud to have two of our local units chosen as grant winners from National PTA: Cynthia Heights PTA for their Healthy Lifestyle Grant and Northrop PTSA Take Your Family to School Week.”

We are all gearing up to meet in February to complete some plans and formulate others to make the coming Convention something everyone will remember.

Announces Take Your Family to School Week Grant Recipients
ALEXANDRIA, VA. (December 19, 2011) – Dozens of PTAs will sing joyously together this holiday season as National PTA® today announced 45 PTAs will receive a $1,000 grant to help promote family engagement and support student achievement through PTA Take Your Family to School Week®, February 12–18, 2012.
“Take Your Family to School Week embodies PTA’s legacy of building family-school partnerships. We’re proud to provide these grants to PTAs at the grassroots level to ensure that our legacy lives, families are involved and students succeed,” said Betsy Landers, National PTA President. “This special week also reminds us that now more than ever all families, schools and communities need to work together to increase student achievement as U.S. children are behind their counterparts around the world in English and math.”
For the seventh consecutive year, National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week Grant program expands and enhances family engagement efforts in school across the country. Each grantee demonstrated how they will improve family engagement in their school communities and how their work will support the implementation of PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships.
The timing of the week—in February—honors the day PTA was founded: February 17, 1897. The activities planned for the week feature a variety of educational themes, including preparing for college, literacy, math, and other topics.
This year’s grant recipients come from 22 states across the country. The 2012 PTA Take Your Family to School Week Grant recipients are:
Alfred E. Zampella Public School #27 PTA – Jersey City, NJ
Arbolita School PTA – La Habra, CA
Bailey Middle School PTSA – Cornelius, NC
Banksville PTA – Pittsburgh, PA
Bayside High School PTSA – Virginia Beach, VA
Bedford Primary School PTA – Bedford, VA
Bernice Young Elementary PTA – Springdale, AR
Bradford Academy PTA – Southfield, MI
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools PTA Council – Chapel Hill, NC
Chimneyrock Elementary PTA – Memphis, TN
Citrus Grove Elementary PTA – Palm City, FL
Clover Street School PTA – Jessup, MD
Denver Elementary PTA – Denver, PA
Donaldson Way Elementary PTA – American Canyon, CA
Dubiski Career High School PTSA – Grand Prairie, TX
Falcon Middle School PTSA – Peyton, CO
Franklin Township School PTA – Quakertown, NJ
Gene George Elementary PTA – Springdale, AR
Gypsy School PTA – Bristow, OK
Hammocks Middle School PTSA – Miami, FL
Jefferson Elementary School PTA – West Allis, WI
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary PTA – Arlington, VA
Kilbourne Middle School PTSA – Worthington, OH
Longfellow Middle School PTA – Falls Church, VA
Maine School Administrative District #30 – Winn, ME
Matthew Whaley Elementary School PTA – Williamsburg, VA
McDougal Elementary PTA – Chapel Hill, NC
McKinley School PTA – Fairfield, CT
Morningside Elementary PTA – Fort Worth, TX
Norco Elementary PTA – Norco, CA
Northrop High School PTSA – Fort Wayne, IN
Oakmont Elementary PTA – Fort Worth, TX
Oakton Elementary PTA – Oakton, VA
Old Village PTA – Northville, MI
Provost Elementary PTA – Provost, UT
Redwood Early Childhood Center PTA – North Little Rock, AR
Stephen Knight Center for Early Education – Jessup, MD
Stuart Middle School PTSA – Stuart, FL
Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Arts Focus School – Landover, MD
Three Rivers Elementary PTA – Cincinnati, OH
Tuskegee Institute Middle School PTA – Tuskegee, AL
Tyhee Elementary PTA – Chubbock, ID
Vista Verde Middle School PTSA – Phoenix, AZ
Walt Whitman Elementary PTA – San Diego, CA
Wenatchee Lewis and Clark PTSA – Wenatchee, WA
PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week is sponsored by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, and a Proud National Sponsor of PTA.
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
About AXA Foundation
The AXA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AXA Equitable, one of the nation’s premier financial services organizations and a member of the global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection and wealth management. The Foundation directs the company’s philanthropic and volunteer activities, working to improve the quality of life in communities across the country where AXA has a presence. Since its inception, the AXA Foundation has awarded over $20 million in college scholarships through its multifaceted flagship program, AXA Achievement, which provides resources that help make college possible: access and advice. More than 4,300 students, known as AXA Achievers, have received scholarships. For more information and to read about the 2011 AXA Achievers, visit www.axa-achievement.com.

Join PTA before March 15th and when your PTA submits your roster and dues to the State Office, you could win a 3 Day Carnival Cruise for two from Ambassador Travel valued at $1,500! Taxes and gratuity are included (airfare not included). The trip will be given away at the 100th Annual Indiana PTA Convention in May. Encourage your parents, family, friends, businesses to join to be eligible!

 Spring Break Cruise Specials from Ambassador Travel: 

* Government fees not included.

For more information on these specials, contact Connie Corbett at 812-479-8687 or conniec@myambassadortravel.com. Indiana PTA is very pleased to welcome Ambassador Travel as a sponsor this year. Proceeds from travel purchased through their agency directly benefits Indiana PTA!

“Hoosier PTA Daddy”
Male engagement takes many forms. As a society, we sometimes focus on the negative impacts of absent fathers rather than celebrating the positive outcomes that result from relationships that males have with our children each and every day. Children with fathers who are involved in their education tend to achieve better grades, have fewer behavioral problems in school, and are more likely to involve themselves in extracurricular activities. Our latest National PTA President Elect, Otha Thornton, and our current Indiana PTA President, Barry Jones, illustrate what the men among us bring to PTA. The kick-off of Hoosier PTA Daddy will occur this weekend at the quarterly meeting of the Indiana PTA Board of Managers. T-shirts are available by contacting your region VP to order shirts for your unit. There is also a brochure available called Male Involvement: Helping Children Achieve that can be used by units to encourage male engagement.

National PTA has partnered with several organizations that comprise PTA MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement). In Indiana, we have had great success with some regional campaigns that promote male involvement in PTA culminating in the National PTA MP3: Male Engagement Award that was given to Indiana PTA at the National PTA Convention in June 2011. In the interest of unity, our focus has turned to a statewide initiative: Hoosier PTA Daddy. The logo is designed to bring awareness to the need for more men in PTA, elevate the profile of men who are currently involved with PTA, and highlight the 100 year anniversary of Indiana PTA.

Thank you to Nashia Abdul-Aleem for writing this story on behalf of the Indiana PTA Membership Commission Male Engagement team.

It’s in honor of PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month in November. The grants are up to $1,000 in funding.

PTA’s will work with families and schools on different year-round efforts, including:

Experimenting with diverse fruits and vegetables from other countries
Teaching students about preventative health
Walking challenges
Healthy cooking classes
Healthy behaviors workshops
Learning and integrating farming practices
Physical activity pledges

Congratulations to Cynthia Heights PTA!

At the stroke of midnight October 1st we took the celebration of our centennial year to a whole new level by starting an exciting ongoing challenge to every unit across the state. At the beginning of each month we will present a new challenge. Once it is revealed it will generate enthusiasm, hard work, dedication and spirit within your unit. Indiana PTA has been making its mark on many of the communities within our state for 100 years; and here is your chance to be the face and future of 100 more years to come!
>My membership matters…
*at my school
*in my community
*when talking to my legislators!
My Membership Matters because I am the face of the future of 100 years of the Indiana PTA. I am a mother, teacher, school administrator, father, business leader and community leader who wants to devote my time to making a positive difference in the life of a child who also matters. I am everyone… and everyone has a part to play…so I am starting today to support schools in my community and in Indiana!
So what is October’s
Membership Matters Challenge?
JOIN THE PTA EARLY!! Here is your chance to strengthen your membership now. Each PTA that turns in and has paid for their members by October 31st will be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 check to do with it however you want! Want to throw a party for members, staff, or parents? Need to make a school improvement, implement a new project or buy those much needed supplies? Do it! The money is all yours! Beat the November 15th dues deadline and turn your members in early for your chance to win! If possible, take a few pictures of your PTA enjoying your well earned cool cash for us to share on our Face Book page.

As we search for new ideas that will improve the quality of education for Indiana students, it is important we embrace every opportunity to encourage parental/family involvement.   We could not move forward without including the PTA family and asking for your help as the professional volunteer association relating to parental/family involvement.

Today, I am pleased to introduce to you an initiative titled ‘School House to Your House’ or ‘SH2YH.’ SH2YH focuses on both increasing parental/family outreach and strengthening support for students at home. Research proves that the role of the family is an important factor that can have a tremendously positive impact on student learning.  With today’s busy, often overburdened schedules, we must do everything possible to open the lines of communications between students, families, and educators.

The School House to Your House Program placemats are specifically designed to help meet this need. They serve as structured conversation starters for topics ranging from bullying, patriotism, and more.  As a qualified program for Title I funding, SH2YH can also help you meet your Title I parental involvement requirements. Please be reminded to check with your Title I Director about supplanting if you use Title 1 funds for Title schools and the General Fund for non-Title 1 schools. SH2YH can also serve as a model PTA initiative for all schools.

School House to Your House 2011-2012 placemats will be available in both English and Spanish. It is important to note that SH2YH can be implemented in the classroom on a weekly basis in less than ten (10) minutes. More information about the SH2YH program can be found at the following website:

http://www.sh2yh.com/about.asp

It is my hope that you will join me in learning more about how we can begin implementing School House to Your House.  For more information, please contact info@SH2YH.com or 877-318-2095.

When educators are empowered to help students in this manner,Indianachildren are better served. Please join me in encouraging parental involvement in our schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tony Bennett

IndianaSuperintendent of Public Instruction

Check out a sample place mat here.

Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union won an award in a state credit union competition for their participation in the 2010 Evansville PTA Back-to-School Blitz! The award is called the “Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award.” The credit union won for credit unions in Indiana in the $500 million to $1 billion asset size. Their entry will represent the state in the national competition.

Evansville Council PTA replied: “Congratulations! Thank you for all you do for our PTA/PTSA’s in the Evansville area! We are so happy for you and your organization. Isn’t it great the way these two organizations complement each other?” The credit union agreed saying: “You make it so easy for us to participate! I agree that our organizations complement each other very well!” It is these type of partnerships across our state that is making Indiana PTA a leader! Thank you Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union for your support!