Nominations Open for 2026 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is joining Volunteer Maine in encouraging schools across the state to submit nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism, which recognize outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations that are making a meaningful impact through volunteer service. Nominations are open now through March 9, 2026. Since 1987, the…
Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant; Informational Session on March 4
Pursuant to S.P. 182, L.D. 396, Resolve 2025, Chapter 110, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is now accepting applications for a competitive, one-time funding opportunity for Maine school administrative units (SAUs) that are interested in collaborating to change school start times so that secondary schools begin at 8:30 a.m. or later. SAUs may access…
Maine DOE Update – February 6, 2026
From the Maine Department of Education News & Updates Maine DOE Encourages Mainers to Participate in 2026 Read to ME Challenge The 2026 Read to ME Challenge, a month-long public awareness campaign designed to support literacy development among Maine children, is officially underway. Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin launched the challenge on…
Maine Launches Statewide Career Exploration Survey to Strengthen Resources and Opportunities for Students
Throughout Maine, schools and school administrative units (SAUs) are finding new and creative ways to help students explore careers, connect learning to real-world experiences, and prepare for life beyond the classroom. To better understand and strengthen these efforts, educators and education leaders are invited to participate in a brief Career Exploration Survey. The Career Exploration…
Professional Learning Series – ‘Beyond Compliance: Integrated Supports for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities’
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is offering a new, six-part professional learning series titled, “Beyond Compliance: Integrated Supports for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities,” to be facilitated by Maine DOE Teacher Leader Fellow Melissa Frans. When students are both multilingual learners and students with disabilities, the supports they receive sometimes operate in parallel rather than in…
Student Opportunity: Applications Now Open for Free, Immersive Keller BLOOM Ocean Sciences Program
Do you know a Maine high school junior who’s passionate about science and curious about the ocean? Applications are now open for a no-cost, immersive ocean research experience through the Keller BLOOM Program, offered by the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. The Keller BLOOM Program runs May 17-22, 2026, and gives selected students the chance…
PBIS in Action: How RSU 22 Is Building Positive School Culture District-Wide
(Pictured: A student getting a book from the book vending machine, part of RSU 22’s PBIS reward system.) Regional School Unit (RSU) 22 (Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport, and Frankfort) is making significant strides in creating a positive, student-centered culture, thanks to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. RSU 22’s PBIS journey began in the…
Energy Savings Funding Opportunities and Resources for Maine Schools
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to share information about new funding opportunities and resources for Maine schools, as it pertains to energy savings. The following three items are intended to help school administrative units (SAUs) maximize their energy efficiency, save money, and reduce air pollution. Free Energy Audit and Indoor Air Quality…
MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Encourages Mainers to Participate in 2026 Read to ME Challenge
Reading to a child for 15 minutes per day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, which can lead to high literacy development. The 2026 Read to ME Challenge, a month-long public awareness campaign designed to support literacy development among Maine children, is officially underway. Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender…
Maine DOE Update – January 30, 2026
From the Maine Department of Education News & Updates Maine DOE Seeks Organizations to Participate in Summer 2026 SUN Meals Program The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking organizations to help feed children this summer through the federally funded SUN Meals program—also known as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Eligible organizations may apply…
Maine DOE Newsroom 