From the Maine Department of Education
Reporting Items
Changes to Graduation Reporting
Due to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, Maine has been refining a new accountability model moving towards a more purposeful and meaningful approach to supporting Maine’s schools experiencing challenges. A component of the high school accountability model is graduation. In order to reduce the burden on school districts and refine graduation reporting to align with the accountability model data requirements, the Department is instituting the following changes. | More
2017/2018 graduation data report due 6/08; webinar training available for new collection process
The Maine Department of Education (Department) has modified the data collection process for graduation reporting which will impact the process for collecting the 2017-2018 graduation data. The graduation data is due for submission in the Maine DOE’s NEO System on June 8, 2018, and needs be certified by June 15, 2018. | More
| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |
News & Updates
PRIORITY NOTICE: Delay in changes for documentation of IEPs; DOE will update guidance in admin letter #13
On April 14, 2018, the Maine Department of Education issued Administrative Letter #13: Important changes in documenting medical services in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). This notification announced changes in documenting IEP plans with Maine Care services that are necessary for a free appropriate public education (FAPE). | More
MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE approves formation of 12 regional service centers
Maine Department of Education Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr has approved the formation of 12 Regional Service Centers as part of the Department’s EMBRACE Regionalization initiative. Collectively, the 12 centers represent 84 discrete School Administrative Units (SAU) and 56 percent of Maine’s students. | More
New certification system has opened to 6 additional pilot districts
The Maine Department of Education’s new certification system began the pilot phase of its launch on April 27, 2018. The initial 4 pilot districts have reported that the system as intuitive and have found the Department’s directions easy to use and helpful. More than 200 recommendations have been processed using the new system as of today, May 3, 2018. | More
Submit board decisions about school calendar revisions (including weather-related) to Maine DOE by May 30
The Department is asking Superintendents to submit any board decisions about revising the School Administrative Unit calendar, including the number of weather-related makeup days using the extended hours option, as outlined in M.R.S. Title 20-A Section 4801. | More
Registration now open for 2018 Commissioner’s Conference
Registration is now open for the 107th Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents. | More
Stand up to Bullying and Youth Violence Survey being sent to superintendents and school leaders
The Maine Department of Education is collaborating with the University of Minnesota, in partnership with Columbia University, the University of Iowa, and Temple University, on an Anti-bullying Policy Research Study to understand how Maine’s anti-bullying law and the Department’s model policy are implemented and their effectiveness in addressing bullying behavior in Maine’s public schools. | More
Federal grant to promote safe communities now open for higher education
Institutions of higher education are eligible for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Community Policing Development (CPD) Program. Applications are due by June 7, 2018 at 7:59 p.m. EDT. | More
Maine DOE celebrates “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”
The Maine Department of Education celebrated “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” on April 26 this year with a theme of, “Agents of Positive Change”. The Department celebrates this annual, nationally celebrated day as a way to inspire and prepare Maine students as they start to think about their future careers. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices
Professional Development & Training Opportunities
2018 Summer Literacy Institute
The Maine Department of Education invites educators to register for the 2018 Summer Literacy Institute. Proven Practices: Accelerate Student Literacy with Visible Learning is a two-day event that builds from Dr. John Hattie’s ground-breaking research which identifies effectiveness of strategies and influences on education. | More
| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |