Category Archives: Focus

MLTI conference celebrates evolution of learning

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

As you receive this, 1,000 students and 200 educators along with their Apple MacBooks are at the University of Maine showcasing how State-supplied technology is transforming learning and better preparing them for success in their classroom, career and civic life as part of the 10th Annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative Student Conference.

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Posted in From the Commissioner, Professional Development, Students, Teachers, Technology

Discover two pathways to an engineering degree in Maine

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The University of Maine and Southern Maine Community College have partnered to provide two unique pathways to a degree in engineering: SMCC Pre-Engineering and UMaine Brunswick Engineering, both available at the SMCC Midcoast Campus at Brunswick Landing. These programs will be hosting an information session Thursday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. on-site at the Maine Advanced Technology & Engineering Center. Families, teachers and administrators are welcome to attend.

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Posted in Dispatches, Higher Ed, Science & Technology, Students

Four districts prepare for construction projects

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Maine Department of Education School Facilities Services team is working with four districts on a total of six proposed construction projects.

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Posted in Administrators, Dispatches, Facilities, Oxford County, Penobscot County, York County

New Center for Best Practice videos feature RSU 16

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Maine Center for Best Practice is pleased to announce the posting of two new videos of Maine schools working toward learner-centered, proficiency-based education. Both schools are from Regional School Unit 16.

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Posted in Androscoggin County, Elementary School, English Language Arts, Featured, High School, Middle School, Social Studies, Students, Teachers

Maine FFA Association hosts 83rd state convention

Posted on May 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Maine FFA State President Isaac Wortman (left) presents honorary state FFA degrees to Commissioners Bowen and Whitcomb.

Maine FFA State President Isaac Wortman (left) presents honorary state FFA degrees to Commissioners Bowen and Whitcomb.

The Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) held its 83rd annual state convention May 9-10 at the University of Maine.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen and Agriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb spoke at the FFA award banquet, as did visiting National FFA President Clay Sapp. Gabrielle Cyr of Ashland High School was named Outstanding Student Chapter Officer, and Kevin Marquis of Easton was named FFA Chapter Advisor of the Year. Maine FFA specially recognized Thomas Hale, Caribou Regional Technology Center agriculture teacher, who is retiring after 38 years of teaching and numerous accomplishments.

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Posted in Career & Technical, Featured, High School, Images, Middle School, Science & Technology, Students

Education Commissioner invites teachers to online forum on A-F grading opportunities

Posted on May 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The conversation with teachers about using their school’s report card to improve student achievement is part of the Maine Department of Education’s larger plan to better support schools in meeting the needs of all students

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education will continue the conversation on using its new A-F grades to improve schools with an online teacher forum this Thursday.

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Posted in Governor LePage, Press Releases, Professional Development, Teachers

Students, educators to celebrate technology as learning tool at 10th MLTI conference Thursday

Posted on May 14, 2013 by | 1 Comment

ORONO – Students from 48 Maine schools will gather at UMaine Thursday to showcase how State-supplied technology is transforming learning and better preparing them for success in their classroom, career and civic life.

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Posted in Governor LePage, Press Releases, Students, Teachers, Technology

Update on status of teacher/principal evaluation rules

Posted on May 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Dear Superintendents:

The Department provisionally adopted Chapter 180, the rules for implementing required teacher and principal evaluation systems, seven weeks ago today. A number of you have been asking me and other Department staff when you can expect the new rules on teacher effectiveness evaluations to go into effect. This is to update you on where that stands and why we have not been able to help you move forward with that work.

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Posted in Administrators, Featured, From the Commissioner, Instruction, Teachers

Bowen praises improvement efforts at Indian Township and Caravel Middle Schools

Posted on May 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CARMEL – Department of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen commended regional sharing of resources as well as professional development efforts at Indian Township School in Princeton and Caravel Middle School (RSU 87/MSAD 23) in Carmel, which he visited Thursday and Friday as part of his Promising Practices Tour.

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Posted in Accountability, Administrators, Elementary School, Governor LePage, Middle School, Penobscot County, Press Releases, Professional Development, Students, Teachers, Washington County

Empowering Educators with A-F: A Conversation on Where We Can Go From Here

Posted on May 9, 2013 by | 4 Comments

Teachers invited to participate in webinar

Last week, the Maine Department of Education rolled out A-F report cards for each school in the state as part of our new Maine School Performance Grading System.

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Posted in Administrators, From the Commissioner, Governor LePage, Teachers