Commissioner’s Update – September 11, 2014

From Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier

Following the horrific attacks of Sept. 11 now 13 years ago, many Mainers stepped up to serve our country and the cause of freedom around the world. Their children are unsung heroes who face frequent moves, the absence of a beloved mom and/or dad during long deployments and daily uncertainty.

Those realities make the supports our schools can provide these special students all the more important. Today, I am proud to announce that our state has been nationally recognized for our above and beyond efforts to do just that.

In a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C., a collaboration between the Maine DOE, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the Kittery School Department, the Rotary Club of Kittery and the Maine Military Interstate Compact Council (MIC3) was honored with the Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award from the Military Child Education Coalition. The award, one of only five given out this year to partnerships that serve K-12 students, was presented by Pentagon Director of the Joint Staff Lieutenant General David L. Goldfein.

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Maine DOE offers K-12 educators technology-focused courses

Maine DOE’s Office of Adult Education and Family Literacy is offering four technology focused courses to K-12 educators this fall and spring. | More

Maine DOE creates assessment tool for standards-based IEP goals

The Department has created Self-Assessing for Standards-Based IEP Goals as an optional tool to assist school administrative units (SAUs) to self-assess progress in writing standards-aligned IEP goals. | More

Maine DOE hosts mentoring workshops for gifted and talented educators

New and experienced gifted and talented educators will have a chance to learn new skills and practices at upcoming mentoring workshops. | More

Dine and Discuss to focus on formative assessment, digital library

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Invitation to participate in NECAP science inquiry task field test

The Maine DOE is recruiting schools to serve as field testing sites to administer the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) Science Inquiry Tasks in grades 5, 8 and 11. | More

Resources available to support transition to computerized English language proficiency assessment

In 2015-2016, ACCESS for ELLs 2.0, a computerized assessment, will replace the current paper-based version of ACCESS for ELLs for Grades 1-12. | More

Revisions proposed to Maine School Facilities Program and School Revolving Renovation Fund rule

The enactment of PL 2013, Chapter 506 (LD 1805), authorizes the repeal of several unfunded or burdensome mandates, including the requirement that all school administrative units use State-mandated templates and software to plan facility maintenance and capital improvement plans. | More

NAEP tools available, board members sought

The National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), has unveiled a Back-to-School section on its website. | More

Free webinars on science standards scheduled

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is conducting a series of free web seminars in the coming months with the focus of each webinar on a different grade level. | More

2014 Verizon Innovative App Challenge call for submissions

Maine schools are invited to enter the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, a creative and collaborative competition that offers up to $20,000 in grants for winning middle schools and high schools. | More

John T. Gorman Foundation leadership development program call for applicants

The Maine DOE is encouraging educators and other interested parties to apply for the John T. Gorman Foundation’s new leadership development program in Maine announced this past June. | More

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