Welcome to the summer edition of Maine DOE Updates.
Around the Department, summer is no time to sit back and relax. Since our last Update, Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen has toured a number of schools to showcase the Department’s strategic plan, we’ve kicked-off an early college pilot program in Hermon, and the Maine Charter School Commission has approved three public charter schools – and it’s not even August yet.
PRESS RELEASES
Two more public charter schools OK’d
AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission voted to approve two more public charter schools. Members unanimously approved the Baxter Academy of Technology and Science to open in Portland in the fall of 2013, and reversed an earlier vote by approving the Cornville Regional Charter School to open this fall. | More
Harvard study shows Maine at the bottom in education achievement growth
AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage said he is extremely concerned by 20 years of education efforts that have resulted in almost no gains in student achievement. His comments were in response to a report, “Achievement Growth: International and U.S. State Trends in Student Performance,” released by Harvard University. | More
- Maine grad rate improves again
- Ed commissioner tours schools to showcase education plan
- Charter School Commission approves Academy of Natural Sciences
- New chair, vice chair for state ed board
- Camden Hills teacher receives Presidential Award
- More Press Releases
FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Teachers as students
I had the chance to speak with future teachers at the University of Maine Wednesday. It was great to witness their passion for education and the student-centered direction the profession is moving in. By Stephen Bowen | More
Five-year high school a reality at Hermon
Governor LePage and I had the opportunity to attend Hermon High School’s kick-off ceremony for the Bridge Year Program, a pilot project set to launch 15 students on the path toward associate’s degrees starting in July. By Stephen Bowen | More
New teacher eval system means better education training
Administrators and teachers at Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston are using iPads to develop new educator evaluation rubrics, the first Teacher Incentive Fund school in Maine to do so. I had the chance to use the app to evaluate fifth grade teacher Danielle Bilodeau when I visited Farwell. By Stephen Bowen | More
DISPATCHES
Virtual learning center a success for family literacy program
With the press of a button, members of more than a dozen families in RSU 3 can transport themselves to the halls of Mount View High School – the virtual halls, that is. Select families in 11 Waldo County towns can enroll in this virtual learning center, which opened in 2010 as part of the Students and Parents in Cooperative Education Family Literacy Program. | More
Priceless moments, both near and far
As an only child growing up surrounded by potato fields in beautiful Aroostook County, I dreamed of visiting faraway places. My mother subscribed to National Geographic, and PBS was one of the three channels that came in without adjusting the rabbit ears too much. These two resources fueled my imagination. By Alana Margeson | More
Laura Richards School overcomes CIPS status, surpasses standards
Being identified as a Continuous Improvement Priority School in 2009 was devastating for staff at Laura E. Richards School in Gardiner. Now, after two years of hard work by Principal Karen Moody, her staff and the entire school community, students at Laura Richards have surpassed the targets in both math and reading. | More
Students start culinary program to better school lunch
VIDEO: Teachers at The REAL School, a public alternative and special education school in Falmouth, started an agriculture and culinary arts program this past year, utilizing adventure- and project-based service learning practices to enhance the school lunch program with locally grown produce. | More