Welcome to the September issue of the Maine DOE Monthly, which provides a recap of some of the month’s news from the Department.
On Sept. 21, Acting Commissioner Tom Desjardin wrote to staff expressing his gratitude for all the well wishes he received following his accident Sept. 13.
“As you may already know, I managed to fall through the second floor of our barn and broke my back… the great news is I will likely only need to wear a big brace, sort of a cast, for about eight weeks to give my spine some time to heal. No surgery is needed. It makes my healing much easier knowing the work of DOE will continue as usual thanks to the great staff there…I can’t wait to get back to “the floor” and to working with you all again soon. See you all soon!”
-Tom Desjardin
Dispatches & Press Releases
Learning that is accessible, free and takes students into the future
The Maine Department of Education and the University of Maine at Fort Kent have announced a first-of-a-kind partnership to expand the number of options Maine students have to earn college credit while still in high school. This partnership was celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the State House. | More
Standardized Assessment Scores for 2014-15
As Maine shifts to a proficiency-based system by 2018, the 2014-15 Smarter Balanced Assessment scores in English language arts and mathematics for grades 3 through 8 and the third year of high school are the first statewide assessment of our students’ accomplishments in meeting Maine’s college and career readiness standards. | More
Maine is one of 16 states to gain federal approval on Educator Equity Plan
The U. S. Department of Education has approved Maine’s Educator Equity Plan aimed at increasing access to excellent educators. Maine is one of only 16 states to receive approval of the required state Educator Equity Plan, filed with USDOE last month. | More
Numbers of CTE students earning postsecondary credit increases
Approximately 250 high school students enrolled in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program will earn nearly 3,000 postsecondary credits during the 2015-16 school year. | More
Grants awarded in adult education
Making close to 500 adult students hirable is the focus of $319,000 Integrated Education and Training Pilot Grant that will be evenly split between five adult education programs spanning from Androscoggin County to Hancock and Aroostook Counties. | More
Maine DOE provides $1M in grant funds to CTE schools
Maine DOE is pleased to announce 27 Career and Technical Education schools will receive their share of $1 million in grant funds in FY 2016. | More
Cross Disciplinary Literacy Network registration now open
Maine educators are invited to register for the 2015-16 school year. This year’s CDLN plans include four webinar strands developed by Maine educators as well as two in-person opportunities offered at four regional locations. | More
Registration open for ACTEM conference
The Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) will be holding its annual statewide conference Oct. 15-16 at the Cross Center in Bangor. | More