Commissioner’s Update – Jan. 12, 2012

We’re putting the final touches this week on the first release of our long-awaited strategic plan to create a learner-centered education system in Maine. The plan is the result of feedback I’ve received over the past nine months in conversations with students, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, school board members, Maine DOE staff and others.

On Tuesday, we will release the plan to the public. At that point, it becomes a working, fluid document.

Over the next few months, the Department of Education will invite students, educators, parents and others to review the plan and share what they think. We’ll invite feedback online and in person, and incorporate that input as we prepare a final version of the plan.

I look forward to starting a conversation with this plan about the best ways to serve our learners, and prepare them to succeed in college, careers and civic life.

Stay tuned.

— Stephen Bowen

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ACTION ITEMS

Administrative Letters

• No Administrative Letters this week.

More Administrative Letters

Notices

• Schools can apply to host a Chinese teacher
• Deadline extended: Three programs offer schools international connections

More Notices

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.

• Rural Education Information Form, Jan. 13
• State Agency Client Request for Reimbursement, Jan. 15

Reporting Calendar

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NEWS & VIEWS

Charter School Commission holds inaugural meeting

AUGUSTA — The newly appointed State Charter School Commission held its first meeting Tuesday and elected a chair and vice chair. The Commission can authorize up to 10 public charter schools statewide during the first 10 years of Maine’s new public charter school law. | More

Schools list gets green light

AUGUSTA — Six schools in critical need of renovation or replacement got the go-ahead to build new facilities or renovate existing ones Wednesday from the State Board of Education. | More

Maine DOE, Taiwan renew international partnership

The Maine Department of Education and the Taiwanese Ministry of Education have renewed a strategic partnership that will allow teachers and students in both places to participate in a variety of educational exchanges. | More

Mitchell Institute offers college scholarships

Applications have opened for the 2012 round of college scholarships from the Sen. George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute. College-bound seniors attending Maine public high schools are eligible to apply. | More

• Marine science internships available to high school juniors

More

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