Commissioner’s Update – January 16, 2014

From the Maine DOE

Acting Commissioner Rier speaks at Adult Education Day at the State House. — Acting Commissioner Rier speaks about the strength of Maine’s adult education system last week at the State House.

Last week I had the honor to speak at the annual Adult Education State House Day on behalf of the Maine DOE and Governor Paul LePage.

I was fortunate to talk with several students who had powerful stories to share about how their commitment to bettering themselves through learning is not just improving their college and career prospects, but enriching their lives and that of their families.

Adult education offers something for everyone. From the opportunity to earn a high school credential to support preparing for college to offering low-cost courses on everything from cooking to computer programming, the people of Maine are fortunate to have such a robust adult education system.

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Notices and Reporting

MaineCare Seed Payment Adjustments (Reminder), due Jan. 17
Annual Certification of Superintendent (Reminder), due Jan. 31
Qualified Zone Academy Bond Applications (Reminder), due Feb. 14

More Notices
Administrative Letters
Reporting Calendar

News & Views

State Board supports Governor LePage’s candidate for Education Commissioner

AUGUSTA –The State Board of Education says they support Governor Paul R. LePage’s proposed Education Commissioner, following an interview with the candidate today. | More

IDEA’s excess costs and MOE requirements

All school administrative units (SAUs) that receive funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are reminded to review two important requirements governing those funds to ensure compliance with them. | More

Educator shares experience transitioning to standards-based system

As Maine schools move to graduating students with a proficiency-based diploma by 2018, the Maine DOE is offering extensive resources to support those locally-led transitions, including through its Center for Best Practice. New to the Center is an interview with Hall-Dale Middle School teacher-leader Dan Crocker. Entitled “Taking It Personally,” Crocker provides personal perspective on transitioning students, and himself, to a standards-based system, including takeaways for other teachers in transition. | More

New financial literacy resources available from Maine DOE, FAME

A list of suggested financial literacy resources that can help teachers integrate financial literacy instruction in the classroom is available on the Maine DOE’s Social Studies web page. Additionally, a searchable list of Maine Financial Education Services is now available on the Finance Authority of Maine website. | More

Youth health survey reveals gender differences

Last week the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released the results of the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). While there are hundreds of pages of findings, the Department will use the weekly Commissioner’s Update to spotlight some areas of interest. This week, we focus on the responses of the high school students by gender. | More

Acting Commissioner Rier writes in support of uniformed access to Maine schools

The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee held a public hearing today on legislation that would require the boards of Maine secondary schools to adopt and implement policies ensuring that members of the United States Armed Forces or the Maine National Guard and public safety personnel may wear their uniforms when visiting schools in their official capacities. | More