We knew there were a lot of opinions and concerns about the nearly decade-old No Child Left Behind Act and its system of for holding schools accountable. We figured people would have a lot to say, and much of it critical.
But almost 1,300 survey responses in a little more than a week?! Well, it’s exactly what we were hoping for. We also had almost 50 people at our Bangor forum last Thursday night, a small but engaged audience online Tuesday night, and about 40 more in Portland last night.
The highlight for me has been sitting with groups of very thoughtful high school students in Bangor and in Portland who shared their thoughts about what makes for an effective school and an effective teacher, and how to measure those qualities.
Keep the comments coming. I especially encourage you to participate in our Newsroom discussion. We are required by the feds to show how we solicited public input. But, more importantly, we need your input to craft an alternative system for measuring up schools, working with those that need help, and recognizing (and sharing best practices from) schools that are excelling.
There’s a bunch of information online about how we’re going about developing our request for flexibility on our ESEA Flexibility web page. Check it out and join the conversation.
— Stephen Bowen
ACTION ITEMS
Administrative Letters
- No Administrative Letters this week.
Notices
- Federal tax credit bond applications are open
- Feedback wanted on SMARTER Balanced math specs
- Comments sought on school grounds management practice
- More scheduled: Regional events focus on new science standards
Reporting
Please note: We generally provide notice of requirements only once. Please check the Reporting Calendar (link below) regularly for a list of ALL upcoming items.
- USDA Food Extras, Dec. 18
- Annual Certification of Superintendent, Dec. 31
- Report of Adult Education for Subsidy Purposes, Jan. 15, 2012
NEWS & VIEWS
ESEA Flexibility: Students offer thoughts on accountability
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. | More | First forum yields ideas on ESEA flexibility
Math, science award finalists honored
The three Maine teachers who are finalists for the 2011 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching were honored at a banquet in Hallowell on Dec. 9. | More | Physical Ed teachers honored at conference
Series highlights Wabanaki scholarship
The Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department will host a three-part Wabanaki Scholars Series starting tonight at Minsky Hall on the University of Maine campus in Orono. | More
Ed board approves charter school commission members
The Maine State Board of Education has appointed four people to serve on the State Charter School Commission. | More | DOE delivers update on charter schools
- Winter camp emphasizes survival skills
- Maine students chosen to participate in U.S. Senate Youth Program