Welcome to the September edition of Maine DOE Updates.
And welcome back, everyone, to another school year.
This month, we applied for flexibility under the No Child Left Behind Act, named a top-notch educator from Poland our 2013 Maine Teacher of the Year and kicked off our new statewide literacy plan.
Now we’re asking communities to begin putting together their own literacy plans by joining us at one of six regional meetings in the coming weeks. And, looking ahead, the Maine Charter School Commission has started accepting applications for the 2013-14 school year.
DISPATCHES
Finding my center
July was a thrilling month as Maine Teacher of the Year—it involved Bill Gates and Space Camp. My head was spinning…in part from the amount of information to be digested from a national conference on educational policy, and in part due to the multi-axis trainer at Space Camp. By Alana Margeson | More
Lewiston teacher hailed “Champion of Change” by White House
The White House honored Linda St. Andre, principal of Governor James B. Longley Elementary School in Lewiston, among 12 distinguished school turnaround leaders named “Champions of Change.” | More
Waterville teens “spark” change at Seventeen magazine
Julia Bluhm, an eighth grader from Waterville Junior High, had a sneaking suspicion that not all young women were beautiful, thin and fit. | More
Opportunity to participate in NECAP science inquiry tasks
The Maine Department of Education has agreed to recruit schools to serve as field testing sites to administer NECAP science inquiry tasks in grades 5, 8 and 11. | More
Commissioner Stephen Bowen’s remarks at Literacy for ME launch in Lewiston
“We are here to support our schools and educators, that’s clear. And we are helping them to help our students achieve and aspire and be prepared for success after high school – in college and careers and as engaged citizens.” | More
- School-located vaccine clinics offered again this year
- Veterans will benefit from WorkReady workforce training program
PRESS RELEASES
Poland teacher named 2013 Teacher of the Year
POLAND – Shannon Shanning, a seventh- and eighth-grade special education teacher at Whittier Middle School, was named the 2013 Maine Teacher of the Year in front of students, colleagues, family and other distinguished guests. | More
Commission issues request for Charter School proposals
AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission announced last week it will accept applications from potential charter school operators who hope to open schools for the 2013-14 school year. | More
Request for ESEA flexibility formally submitted to feds
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education submitted a request for flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (or No Child Left Behind Act) to the federal government Sept. 6. | More
Communities asked to create local literacy plans
LEWISTON – Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen, educators, business people and others joined together at the Lewiston Public Library to launch a statewide effort aimed at assisting communities to build local plans for helping their kids, adults, immigrants and others achieve higher levels of literacy. | More
FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Literacy: not just for schools, anymore
It’s time for a new school year, and here at the Maine DOE we’re continuing the work of our strategic plan. In a few weeks, the Department will launch its birth-to-adult literacy initiative, Literacy for ME, and we’re hoping to get the whole state involved. By Stephen Bowen | More