Category Archives: Accountability

Accountability and improvement work in high gear

Posted on May 16, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Author icon: Head shot of Commissioner Stephen BowenOur efforts to create an accountability and improvement system that works for our students, teachers and schools — and replaces the system we have under the No Child Left Behind Act — are kicking into high gear.

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Posted in Accountability, From the Commissioner

Bowen testimony in support of educator effectiveness bill

Posted on March 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee held a public hearing March 14 on legislation that takes a number of steps to ensure an effective corps of teachers and school leaders who are well prepared to enter the classroom and receive regular feedback that helps them improve their practice.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen delivered the following testimony supporting LD 1858, An Act to Ensure Effective Teaching and School Leadership. Continue reading →

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Posted in Academics, Accountability, Administrators, Dispatches, Featured, High School, Higher Ed, Instruction, Operations, Students, Teachers, Teaching & Learning, Testimony

Starting the serious work of crafting a new accountability system

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Author icon: Head shot of Commissioner Stephen BowenWhen we took to the road in December, we wanted to hear what the public had to say about the system we use to hold our schools accountable. And hear from the public we did. We had more than 1,500 people respond to an online survey; several dozen turned out at public forums in Bangor, Portland and online.

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Posted in Accountability, Assessment, From the Commissioner, Instruction

Maine DOE makes plans for improved accountability

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

AUGUSTA – The education commissioners in Maine and New Hampshire sent a joint letter to Washington, D.C., today that outlines their plans to craft a thoughtful, fair and constructive system for holding their schools accountable and helping them improve. The letter lays out the two states’ intentions to get out from under the unfair and unrealistic No Child Left Behind accountability system, but through a deliberate and complete process that involves educators, parents and others in building an alternative.

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Posted in Accountability, Press Releases

Students seek voice in accountability

Posted on December 15, 2011 by | Leave a comment

PORTLAND – Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen met with 10 Portland-area high school students on Dec. 14 to ask for their thoughts on school accountability and how to measure school and teacher effectiveness.

The 10 students represented Portland, Deering and Casco Bay high schools, along with Portland Arts and Technology High School and the Real School in Falmouth.

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Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Cumberland County, Featured, High School, Instruction, Students

Portland forum focuses on fair, accurate assessment

Posted on December 15, 2011 by | Leave a comment

PORTLAND — About 40 people turned out for a public forum at Portland Arts and Technology High School on Dec. 14 to discuss a new system for holding schools accountable, recognizing success and supporting schools in need of improvement with Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen.

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Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Cumberland County, Featured, Instruction, Public meetings

Participants join online ESEA flexibility forum

Posted on December 15, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A small, but engaged group of Maine residents signed into an online conference room on Dec. 13 to discuss Elementary and Secondary Education Act flexibility with Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen and share their ideas.

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Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Continuous Learning, Featured, Public meetings

Ed Commissioner in Portland tonight; seeks ideas on school accountability, recognition

Posted on December 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Last of three public forums part of effort to gather feedback for federal flexibility request

PORTLAND — Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will visit Portland tonight to ask the public for ideas on measuring school and teacher effectiveness, and crafting a system that holds schools accountable and rewards success.

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Posted in Accountability, Administrators, Assessment, Continuous Learning, Cumberland County, Families, Press Releases, Public meetings, Students, Teachers

First forum yields ideas on ESEA flexibility

Posted on December 9, 2011 by | Leave a comment

BANGOR — About 45 members of the public – including teachers, administrators and school board members – attended a public forum at Bangor High School on Dec. 8 to hear from Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen about Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility and to share ideas.

Below is a summary of their comments.

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Posted in Accountability, Administrators, Assessment, Families, Featured, Penobscot County, Public meetings, Students, Teachers

Students offer thoughts on accountability

Posted on December 9, 2011 by | Leave a comment

BANGOR — Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen met with eight students at Bangor High School on Dec. 8 to ask their thoughts on what makes for an effective school, and what makes for an effective teacher.

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Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Career & Technical, Featured, High School, Penobscot County, Public meetings, Students