ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: 68
POLICY CODE: GCFC
On September 28, 2011, changes made to State law during the 125th Legislature went into effect. Accordingly, Maine Department of Education Rule Chapter 115 must be revised to reflect the changes in the following new laws:
Public Law 2011, Chapter 49 (LD 129), “An Act to Eliminate Dual Certification Requirements for Speech-Language Pathologists” now allows professionals who are licensed by the State of Maine to be employed in Maine schools without needing to hold the Department of Education educational specialist certificate (293).
Public Law 2011, Chapter 386 (LD 1094), “An Act to Improve the Delivery of School Psychological Services to Children” eliminates references to the title “School Psychological Service Providers” and changes the title to “School Psychologists.” The revised rule reinstates a requirement for supervision (at no cost to local school administrative units) during the first year of independent practice in order to renew the initial certificate. It also reinstates an alternative pathway to certification through transcript analysis that was removed during an earlier revision to Chapter 115.
The current rule and the proposed amendments are available online at: http://www.maine.gov/education/rulechanges.htm.
Hard copies may be obtained by contacting Mark A. Cyr, Certification Coordinator, at the Maine Department of Education at 207-624-6603 or by email at mark.cyr@maine.gov.
PUBLIC HEARING: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, 1 to 3 p.m., Room 500, Cross Office Building, Augusta.
WRITTEN COMMENT DEADLINE: Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at 5 p.m. Comments may be submitted to the Department of Education as follows:
Email:
mark.cyr@maine.gov
Mail:
Mark A. Cyr
Department of Education
Certification Office
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Hand Deliver:
Mark A. Cyr
Department of Education
Cross Office Building, 5th Floor
111 Sewall St.
Augusta, ME 04330
NOTE: No Saturday or Sunday hand delivery; Cross State Office Building is closed.