The Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) ISTEP+ Parent Network is up and running again this year, with over 31,000 visitors in its first week of availability. Already in its second year of use, the Parent Network is a secure online site where parents can review students’ ISTEP+ results, print a full report and utilize some unique educational resources to improve those scores.

“The ISTEP+ Parent Network is a valuable resource for both students and parents across the state,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett. “Although I am encouraged that 31,597 parents and guardians have visited the site thus far, I know there are others who would benefit from using this Web site and all it has to offer.”

The IDOE provides the ISTEP+ Parent Network as an additional level of communication to ensure that parents and guardians are informed about students’ progress and have the resources they need to help them in areas where students might be struggling. Parents are able to view the students’ actual responses to the essay and open-ended questions as well. Multiple choice questions are secure since they are used year after year.

“I cannot stress how important parental involvement is to student success,” Bennett said. “The Parent Network puts a wide array of resources at your fingertips that support learning and achievement. I encourage all parents to log on and get involved; it could make a difference in your child’s life now and in the future.”

All parents whose students took the Spring 2009 ISTEP+ should have received a letter from their student’s school containing Parent Network login information. Parents or guardians can visit www.doe.in.gov/istepparentnetwork and enter in this information to access their student’s page and other resources. After logging in, parents are encouraged to utilize the Parent Network throughout the year and continue to track student progress after each test.

If parents did not receive a letter or misplaced the invitation code, they should contact their student’s school. In addition, if parents have direct questions on their individual students’ scores, they should contact the student’s school as well.

For more information on the Spring 2009 ISTEP+, go to: www.doe.in.gov/istep/2009.