Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Champion Families
What is Indiana Learns?
Indiana Learns is a statewide grant program that provides qualifying families with up to $1,000 to spend on approved Mathematics and English/language arts high-dosage tutoring
What is a Champion Family?
A Champion Family has one or more students that are eligible for the Indiana Learns grant program.
Is my student eligible?
To qualify for the Indiana Learns program, a student must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Student resides in Indiana
- Student is currently enrolled in an Indiana school as a 3rd-8th grade student
- NOTE: 8th graders in the 2022-2023 school year can use funds from April 15-August 15, 2023. The funds will then expire, and cannot be used in 9th grade.
- Student qualifies for the federal free or reduced lunch program in 2022 or no later than October 2023
- Student scored below proficiency in either Mathematics or English/Language Arts on ILEARN in 2022.
- NOTE: approaching proficiency will not qualify
What if my student is not eligible?
- Check in regularly with your student’s teacher regarding their educational progress.
- Ask about online tutoring programs your school may offer for free.
- Visit your local library and ask about resources they may offer.
- Read with your student every day.
- Explore Schoolhouse.world, a free online resource for students.
How does the program work?
All students who qualify for Indiana Learns will be able to use funds with approved providers. Once a family has registered, they can manage their grant and find approved learning partners through an online platform.
How long does my student have to use the award?
Program funds are available until June 30, 2024.
Where can I share my general program feedback or questions?
Families and Learning Partners are encouraged to provide feedback regarding the Indiana Learns program by emailing info@indianalearns.org.
Can more than one student in the family participate?
Yes! Any student who meets the eligibility requirements can participate, and parents will have access to individualized online portals to manage each student’s grant while funds are available.
Where do I sign up?
Families can visit the platform to check eligibility. You will need the student’s student test number (STN) and date of birth to verify eligibility. Don’t have the STN? You can also submit an eligibility worksheet to info@indianalearns.org and the Indiana Learns team will register the account on your behalf.
Where can I find my student’s student test number (STN)?
Parents can locate their student’s STN on their ILEARN score report or by reaching out to their school’s registrar or office staff.
What if I can’t find the student test number (STN)?
If you can’t find the STN, which is needed to sign up online, please complete an enrollment worksheet and submit both pages to info@indianalearns.org. Our team will register the account on your behalf and let you know how to proceed.
Where does the grant come from?
The money for student grants comes from the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) allocation of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. This is federal aid given in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where does the money go?
The grant can be accessed through the online portal. Families can view, but not directly manage, available funds. Learning Partners will be paid directly from this portal. At no point will families receive money directly from Indiana Learns or any approved provider.
What can the grant be used for?
Students may use awarded grant funding to receive virtual or in-person tutoring opportunities from an approved Learning Partner in Mathematics or English/language arts.
How much money will be in my child’s grant?
All eligible students will receive a one-time grant of $500. Students may be eligible for up to $1,000 in schools that provide an additional $250 matching grant.
What is the Indiana Learns data use policy?
Indiana Learns adopted a strict data use policy and is aligned to FERPA expectations.
How will families access the platform?
The Indiana Learns platform is available through our website and can be viewed on any electronic device with internet access.
Will families have support in the application process? If so, what will this look like?
There is no application for families to fill out. Families only need to check eligibility. If a student is eligible and there are funds available, that student will have access to their portal and schedule services. Families who need support in the process can email info@indianalearns.org.
How will families be notified that they are eligible for this grant?
Indiana Learns utilizes many strategies to inform families about the program. Our team encourages Champion Schools to notify their eligible families about Indiana Learns and encourage them to take advantage of the funds available to them.
What if my student meets some of the criteria, but not all of it?
To qualify for the Indiana Learns program, a student must meet ALL of the below criteria:
- Student resides in Indiana
- Student is currently enrolled in an Indiana school as a 3rd-8th grade student
- Student qualifies for the federal free or reduced lunch program in 2022 or no later than October 2023
- Student scored below proficiency in either Mathematics or English/Language Arts on ILEARN in 2022.
- NOTE: approaching proficiency will not qualify
If your student does not meet all of the criteria, they will not be eligible for Indiana Learns, but we encourage you to explore the following alternatives:
- Check in regularly with your student’s teacher about their educational progress.
- Ask about online tutoring programs your school may offer for free.
- Visit your local library and ask about resources they may offer.
- Read with your student every day.
- Explore Schoolhouse.world, a free online resource for students.
Learning Partners
How do I become an approved Learning Partner?
Interested providers may complete a profile through the Indiana Learns website as their formal application to become a Learning Partner. Candidates will be evaluated by the Indiana Learns review committee based on a scoring rubric. This committee will convene on a rolling basis to review Learning Partner submissions. Click here to start your application!
I’m a current or retired teacher in Indiana. Can I be a tutor for Indiana Learns?
Yes! During the initial rollout of this program, Indiana Learns is partnering with organizations to provide tutoring services. If you are an individual hoping to provide tutoring, you can partner with an approved tutoring organization to provide student support through Indiana Learns.
Who do the Learning Partners bill for services rendered?
Learning Partners will bill Indiana Learns directly for provided services. Indiana Learns programming and reimbursement management will be overseen by The Mind Trust, an Indianapolis-based educational nonprofit. More information on The Mind Trust can be found here.
Will IDOE provide any assessment materials to the Learning Partners?
Parents will share their student’s ILEARN results with tutors as part of the experience. Learning Partners will use the information to benchmark and measure impact based on assessment blueprints and Indiana Academic Standards to support individual areas of intended growth for students.
Who are the Learning Partners?
Learning Partner applications are reviewed monthly. A list of approved organizational Learning Partners can be found on our website.
Will tutors be required to complete an application process?
Indiana Learns currently partners with College Tutors of Indiana to place individuals seeking to serve as tutors. Individuals will meet the screening and hiring requirements of College of Tutors of Indiana. Information about College Tutors of Indiana can be found here.
Can entities reapply if they are not initially approved to be a Learning Partner?
Yes. If the initial application is not approved, tutors and organizations can work with an Indiana Learns team member to resolve outstanding issues that prevented approval of the initial application.
Does each individual from an organization need to apply, or is one application for the whole organization sufficient?
Only one application should be submitted from an organization.
What is the criteria for the tutoring providers?
To become an approved Learning Partner, organizations must:
- Provide services outside of regular school hours
- Serve Indiana Learns student population; these students:
- Live in Indiana
- Attend school in Indiana
- Qualify for Free and/or Reduce price lunch
- Scored below proficient in Math and English/Language Arts on the 2022 ILEARN as a 3rd or 4th grade student
- Utilize highly qualified tutors as defined by the Indiana Department of Education to provide services. The tutors will meet one of the following requirements:
- Has two years of college experience
- Has a two year college degree
- Passed the parapro assessment (within the first year of employment)
- One year or 1,000 hours of previous employment experience in a school or working with children
- Passed annual school-level evaluations
- Completed 48 credit hours of college level classes
- Has Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
- Completed LE required professional development modules/training
- Completed Other requirements-LEAs may request approval from IDOE
- Employ licensed or retired teachers as the service supervisor. The supervisor will have the responsibility of supervising all non-licensed teachers at all times during which services are provided
- Maintain 1:4 tutor/student ratio
- Benchmark and communicate progress on a weekly basis
- Conduct scheduling of student services and billing for services rendered within the Indiana Learns student portal
- Deliver services on a reimbursement basis (the program will only pay for services rendered)
- Provide a minimum dosage of tutoring of 60 minutes per week
- Provide evidence of science of reading training for all reading tutors
- Keep prices to no more than $100 per student/per session
Only services covering math and reading will be approved for scheduling through Indiana Learns.
Champion Schools
What is a Champion School?
Champion Schools are those with families that are actively using Indiana Learns to strengthen their students’ proficiency in Mathematics and English/Language Arts. Champion Schools can work with eligible student families to promote the use of funds. Champion Schools also help share information about Indiana Learns with their eligible families.
Will the state be responsible for criminal background checks on individuals who will be doing the tutoring?
Approved Learning Partners will conduct criminal history checks for all tutors.
Can teachers serve as individual tutors with the program?
Educators who meet the Learning Partner requirements must work with an approved Learning Partner to provide tutoring services through this program. As the program progresses, Indiana Learns seeks to connect qualified tutors with established organizations to provide support, offer resources, and conduct background checks. Indiana Learns currently partners with College Tutors of Indiana to place individuals seeking to serve as tutors. Individuals will meet the screening and hiring requirements of College of Tutors of Indiana. Information about College Tutors of Indiana can be found here.
What role should school corporations play in motivating families to take advantage of this opportunity?
Corporations and schools are invited to encourage participation of eligible families. Indiana Learns encourages schools to provide families with information regarding the program and benefits to eligible students.
Can a school leverage the funds to support existing out-of-school learning opportunities?
Yes, as an approved organizational Learning Partner, a school can leverage the funds to support existing out-of-school learning opportunities.
How can schools find out if a student is using the grant?
The Indiana Learns team will provide corporation and building level updates on the number of students who have enrolled into the program. Corporation leaders can also request access to the Indiana Learns portal. This access allows corporation leaders to monitor student engagement with the program.
What other support will Indiana Learns offer schools?
In addition to providing informational materials, Indiana Learns team members are available to provide on-site support to families and school personnel upon request.
Champion Plus Schools
What is a Champion Plus School?
Champion Plus Schools have all the characteristics of Champion Schools and additionally choose to match funds of $250 for eligible students. Indiana Learns will match funding for Champion Plus Schools with an additional $250 for eligible students; this totals $1,000 per eligible student to be used with approved Learning Partners.
Is the match a requirement for students to receive the grant?
No. While the match is encouraged, as it extends the amount of support to the student, it is not required. A corporation match is required if the corporation seeks to serve as an approved learning partner.
How can I commit to matching funds for students in my school?
Corporations interested in providing a match should reach out to Alli Vanneman via email at avanneman@indianalearns.org.
What role will schools have in the Indiana Learns program?
Champion Schools are those with families that are actively using Indiana Learns to strengthen their student’s skill level in math and reading. In addition to individual student account activation, Champion Schools may offer on-site Mathematics and English/Language Arts engagement opportunities—outside of school hours—to qualifying students.
Schools can work with the families of eligible students to promote the use of funds to support the delivery of qualified expenses. Champion Schools will also help share information about Indiana Learns with their eligible families. Champion Plus Schools have all the characteristics of Champion Schools, PLUS they choose to match funds of $250 for eligible students. Indiana Learns will match the funds with an additional $250 for eligible students, totaling $1,000 per eligible student to be spent with approved learning partners.