As part of the Maine Department of Education’s efforts to streamline and clarify certification processes for Maine educators, the Department is proposing revisions to Rule Chapter 115: Credentialing of Educational Personnel. The Department had withdrawn an earlier proposal in order to make necessary changes and fall within the timeframe needed for public hearings and legislative action during this session. Having made those changes, the Department is now releasing a refined proposed rule for public comment.
Please note: The Part I proposed changes are to the current Rule Chapter 115, Part 1, adopted in July 2018. The Part II proposed changes are to Rule Chapter, Part II, adopted in August 2017, which had been scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2019.
The proposed Rule Chapter 115 can be found here (proposed rules are listed in order by rule number).
Summary of changes: Part I revisions refine and correct for articulation with statute and Part II and clarify certain provisions. Part II revisions include clarifications and refinements as well as more substantial changes, including the elimination of some provisions scheduled to take effect July 1, 2019. Part II proposed changes include:
- Eliminating literacy course work for Secondary Teacher Endorsement, Pathway 2
- Proposing grade spans: Public preschool-3, K-8, 6-12, Public preschool-12, and K-12
- Establishing a pathway to qualifying as a secondary teacher based on work experience and specified education course work
- Refining Career and Technical Education endorsement requirements to better meet the needs of the field.
- Sun setting endorsement 093: School Psychologist (Specialist or Doctoral), Pathway 4; and updating the requirements for this pathway
- Repealing and replacing endorsement pathways for some certificates to account for statutory changes in types of certificates (e.g. the elimination of the targeted certificate) and for clarity.
Public Comment Period Information for Rule Chapter 115:
Public Comment Period: December 26, 2018 – January 28, 2019
Comments should be submitted to Mary Paine at mary.paine@maine.gov or to the address below.
Public Hearing: January 14, 2019, 9:30 – 11:00 am Rm. 500, Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine. People wishing to speak are asked to sign in and provide two written copies of their comments.
Anyone unable to send comments via email or attend the public hearing may send written comments to:
Mary Paine
Department of Education
23 State House Station, Augusta, ME