The September 2012 deadline to request flexibility from the federal government in Maine’s implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (or Elementary and Secondary Education Act) is growing nearer, and we at the Department need your feedback to develop our proposal.
On Tuesday, we launched the ESEA Flexibility web page, providing a host of information aimed to keep you informed as we enter the final phases of developing and submitting our request. From this page, you can view meeting agendas, materials and notes for the newly established steering committee and three work groups—in fact, all of the materials that work group members see and create will be found here.
Additional resources and ways to contribute are also highlighted, so you can stay informed as well as share your ideas for crafting legitimate measures of student performance.
— Stephen Bowen
ACTION ITEMS
Administrative Letters
- No administrative letters this week.
Notices
- 2012 Superindendents’ Conference agenda posted
- Sequestration of federal funds possible in FY 2013
- Rules for restraint and seclusion updated; now accepting training program applications
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.
- No new reporting requirements this week.
NEWS & VIEWS
Students rock ninth MLTI Conference
Students gathered at UMaine both to celebrate learning through technology and to turn their state-issued laptops into musical keyboards as part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative Student Conference. | More | MLTI design student turns mentor | The new Morse code: Japanese | 1,000 students with laptops make music, learn (press release, 5/24/12)
Schools triumph in nutrition challenge
Last week, multiple schools in four districts received one of the nation’s highest nutrition awards for their achievements in the HealthierUS School Challenge. |More
Second round of special education scholarships expands eligibility
The Maine DOEis now accepting second-round applications from a broader group of special education personnel than in the previous round, including occupational therapists, speech/language therapists and individuals interested in becoming either orientation and mobility specialists or teachers for the visually impaired. | More
Accepting applications for Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services
The Maine DOE is now accepting applications for grants from the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services, which provide incentives for creation of regional service centers, purchasing alliances, innovative school systems and other programs. | More
Chance to develop Smarter Balanced assessment
Since Maine is a governing state for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the Maine Department of Education encourages qualified grades 3-11 English language arts/literacy and mathematics teachers to apply to become item authors for the Consortium. | More
“Dig into Science” contest open to Maine students
For the second year in a row, S. W. Cole Engineering, Inc. will hold a contest this fall to promote science and engineering educational programs in Maine and New Hampshire. Science, math or engineering students in first through 12th grade can participate. | More