Maine was one of 44 states that received a letter with safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following the NTSB June 18, 2019 report, School Bus Run-Off-Road and Fire, Oakland, Iowa December 12, 2017. The NTSB does not make regulations, but does issue recommendations to organizations. Recommendations regarding driver physicals, physical performance tests, and safety belts on large capacity buses were included in NTSB reports and recommendations.
The Department has engaged in collaboration and conversation with multiple state agencies to discuss possible responsive actions. Further outreach is planned with Maine Association for Pupil Transportation and Maine school administrative unit staff, including a webinar, which is planned for local school bus drivers, transportation directors, business managers, and superintendents on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. An email invitation with webinar details will be sent to Maine superintendents and transportation directors.
We are committed to partnering with schools and other state agencies to continuously improve and ensure the safety and well-being of all Maine students. Media inquiries may be addressed to Kelli Deveaux by email at Kelli.Deveaux@maine.gov. Transportation inquires may be addressed to Pat Hinckley by email at Pat.Hinckley@maine.gov .
Are you opening a new PreK program or expanding an existing program in FY21? – Maine Department of Education will provide funding for FY21 for new or expanded PreK programs!
If your SAU is opening or expanding a PreK program in the 2020-2021 school year, you are eligible to receive funding on your FY21 ED279 for children you enroll in these new or expanding PreK programs in 2020. This means you will receive the funding for enrollment in the same year that you enroll the PreK children, without a year delay.
Beginning in FY19, the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula added an allocation for PreK programs’ estimate student count. The PreK program estimate count allocation is intended to provide funding for PreK programming in advance of actual student enrollment, helping to offset the upfront costs associated with expanding or starting PreK programs. This PreK program allocation was first authorized into law on July 1, 2018 to begin in FY19 and continue indefinitely.
If you are expanding and would like to receive an FY21 estimate PreK allocation, please notify the Maine DOE by completing the FY21 Estimate PreK Count Data Form before October 15, 2019. There are 3 questions to be answered:
Choose your SAU from a list
Do you have an existing PreK program (FY20) – Yes/No
Provide your SAU’s PreK Estimated Increase Count (new slots available in new or expanding program)
SAUs completing the form must also complete the PreK Program Application with DOE’s Early Childhood Team by April 30, 2020 and obtain program approval.
The FY21 Estimate PreK Count Data Collection form is meant to capture the FY21 estimate for new and expanding PreK program enrollment. The estimate student count data, in addition to the current (FY20) enrollment in an existing PreK program, will be used to provide funding on the FY21 ED279. SAUs’ PreK total enrollment number, as reported and verified October 1, 2020, should match the combined existing and estimated increase total that was used to calculate funds in the ED279. After October 1, 2020 an audit adjustment, based on actual enrollment reported in NEO on October 1, 2020, will be made to the PreK allocation assigned on the FY21 ED279. Please note that this may increase or decrease funding.
In her opening remarks to the York and Downeast convenings of Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2), Maine Education Association (MEA) president Grace Leavitt told those assembled, “teaching is not a profession you leave at the door when the bell rings, it is always on your mind.” For the teachers packed into the Pratt & Whitney Building at York County Community College on August 7, and the Science Building at the University of Maine at Machias on August 15, summertime professional learning was certainly alive and well!
This summer marked the fifth anniversary of ECET2 in Maine and the first summer of regional MaineECET2 convenings. Karen MacDonald and Jennifer Dorman (2014 & 2015 Maine Teachers of the Year) hosted the first ECET2 for 150 teachers at Colby College in August of 2015.
Karen MacDonald and Jennifer Dorman
MacDonald and Dorman wrote grants, sought sponsors, and spent countless hours (!!) handling the numerous logistics involved in planning and hosting a free, overnight conference for 150 Maine teachers. Why? They wanted to share the professional learning, leadership, and respect they experienced during their national Teacher of the Year travels with teachers here in Maine. They also wanted to highlight the role teacher leaders can play in our state. Dorman and MacDonald’s efforts were enthusiastically embraced by Maine teachers not only during that first summer, but in each subsequent year. As rave reviews of ECET2 spread, more teachers joined the planning process, including Diana Allen (Sanford Schools) as another co-chair, and the conference became so popular there was not only a waitlist for attendees, but the number of presentation proposals exceeded the available session slots! These factors led to ECET2 branching out to the regional convenings that took place this summer.
Why is ECET2 so popular? Let’s start with the title—this conference is all about celebrating effective teaching and teachers—and it is, from start to finish, put on by teachers for teachers. It was born out of a desire to provide a forum for exceptional teachers to learn from one another and to celebrate the teaching profession, and seeks to realize a teacher’s potential by ensuring each convening includes these six elements:
Nurtures trust among teachers
Focuses on each teacher’s potential for growth
Inspires both the intellect and the passion that drives teachers in their work
Provides time for collaboration and learning
Puts teachers in the lead
Recognizes teachers as talented professionals
Inspired from their own experiences at ECET2, Pamela Starkey (Marshwood Great Works School, 2016 Oxford County Teacher of the Year), and Devan Weber (Eliot Elementary School) co-chaired ECET2 York, and Marielle Edgecomb (Peninsula School, 2017 Hancock County Teacher of the Year) chaired ECET2 Downeast. Both convenings featured breakout sessions on best teaching practices in content areas, as well as sessions on social-emotional learning and mindfulness in the classroom. Teacher leadership and innovation were embedded throughout the gatherings. Keeping in mind the importance of collaboration, inspiration, and celebration, the convenings also included these components:
Cultivating the Calling:
These inspirational talks are given by teachers on why they chose to teach, or what inspires them to continue teaching. In York, Katie Toothaker, 2018 Androscoggin Teacher of the Year, told the audience, “each school year is a new beginning for you and your students.” Toothaker shared how her teachers demonstrated the ability of public educators to nurture self-worth in their students and the difference that made for her and how she pays that forward with her own students. Teresa Gaetjens, National Board Certified Teacher, shared the importance of growth mindset, contextualizing her topic around the passing of her young daughter. This heart-wrenching story underscored the importance of perseverance both in and out of the classroom. At ECET2 Downeast, Marielle Edgecomb shared the importance of professional learning –teacher to teacher—being brave enough to open our classroom doors and teaching practices for others to see, learn from, and celebrate. Marielle challenged educators to see their students and colleagues through “eyes of appreciation.”
Colleague Circles:
This is a dedicated time for teachers to collaborate on “problems of practice” and generate possible solutions. Topics this year included: teacher shortages, school improvement, mental and physical wellness, school safety, diversity, and culturally responsive teaching. In York, teachers recorded goals or action steps on a post card and gave them to the ECET2 organizers, with the understanding that they will receive them in the mail sometime this fall as a reminder/check-in on their summer work and goals.
Educator Shark Tank—a fabulous idea that was shared from another state’s ECET2!
Just like on TV—except the prize money, $1000 generously donated by the Maine Education Association, was awarded to two innovative education projects that will positively impact student learning. Educators at ECET2 Downeast submitted many compelling proposals to the Sharks, four of which made the final round. The four finalists had three minutes each to present their best “pitch” to the Sharks. After a lively round of presentations and lots of laugher, followed by clarifying questions from the Sharks, the two $500 cash awards went to the Rose Gaffney School for their proposal to use technology to increase community and collaboration, and the Brooklin School for their work on diversity and literacy. Congratulations to all who submitted proposals—the Sharks had a tough task choosing just two!
The verdict is in on the first summer of regional ECET2 convenings: resounding success! As with their central Maine ECET2 predecessors, the regional convenings provided a platform for optimistic and personal professional learning—and a true celebration of teachers and the teaching profession! As teachers were preparing to leave, many of their comments echoed Paula Bourque’s (Instructional Coach, NBCT, Augusta Schools) reflection of her ECET2 experience:
“Each of us left the conference feeling inspired, empowered, and connected. We are charged with going out and sharing what we experienced and learned with our colleagues and cultivating the calling of teacher leadership. We left with a stronger network to lean on and collaborate with as we navigate the challenges of teaching. We are dedicated to promoting teacher leadership, positive school culture, and the advocacy for what is best for our students.”
ECET2: A perfect way for educators to recharge in preparation for a new school year!
The Washington County Educator Profile is submitted by Sarah Woog, Executive Director of the Washington County Consortium.
I have known Mitch Look for some years now. He’s been a member of the Washington County Leadership Team (WCLT) since before I began working with the team four years ago. I have always been struck by Mitch’s passion for education in Washington County, and by his skills as a leader. I appreciate his ability to act as a kind and supportive team member but also advocate and dissent when he is called to do so. Honestly, I admire Mitch and wanted to learn about what makes him tick. I also thought his story could provide some lessons for all of us. I met Mitch in his office last week, in the midst of back-to-school prep and PD that’s a familiar ritual to us all.
Mitch has been teaching “ever since I could.” He studied education at the University of Maine at Machias and coached basketball at Machias Memorial High School while still an undergraduate student. After working in the classroom for some years, as a middle school teacher and coach, he “wanted to have a bigger voice in decision-making” and went back to school to get his Master’s Degree and become a certified administrator. He engaged in the years long trek familiar to many of us, teaching full time while traveling back and forth in the evening for his studies in Orono. He earned his credentials, and was first a teaching principal at Fort O’brien Elementary, then principal at D.W. Merritt School, after which he served as principal at Rose M. Gaffney School for seventeen years. In 2009 he added a Certificate in Advanced Studies (CAS) to his resume.
Mitch became the ESEA/Curriculum Coordinator for AOS 96 five years ago. He is happy in his position, happy to “make it my own.” He had been apprehensive about assuming leadership positions outside of schools because he cannot stand the idea of his work getting further from the educators and students, which creates a tension with his desire to increase his impact. He told me he takes every opportunity to get into the schools of AOS 96, to feel the pulse of the school and learn from those he serves. His idea of staying current, in addition to being informed by current research and best practices, is also keeping an ear to the ground and finding innovative ways to problem-solve based on what’s working and what’s not working in schools. Mitch’s perspective expresses the duality we all experience in our work- the eternal quest for improvement fed by learning, not only from the “experts” but also, and especially, from the folks right in our schools and communities.
And Mitch loves those schools and communities. He has a keen eye for equity. When I asked what he hoped for education in Washington County, he said “the same opportunities and resources for our kids and educators that others get. Always been a dream of mine to see our kids and teachers have the resources that others have. With the talent we have down here, can you imagine what could be.” I hear you, Mitch. And I agree with your not-so-veiled critique of the inequities we all experience. However, I’d argue we can do what Mitch does in the meantime, and harness our greatest resource- our people- to realize the visions of our collective imagination.
The Maine Department of Education’s Head Start State Collaboration Office is collaborating with MaineAEYC, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network, Educare Central Maine, Head Start Directors, Family Child Care Association of Maine, and DHHS Office of Child and Family Services for the 2019 Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th, 8:30am-4:15pm
WHERE: Cross Insurance Center, Bangor, ME
Explore topics such as:
social and emotional development
learning through exploration and play
building resiliency
trauma-informed practices
continuity of care
deepening connections with children and families
early childhood mental health
inclusion and special education
working in multi-age settings
coaching and mentoring
early childhood leadership, policy, and advocacy
Discover how knowledge of these topics facilitates early learning success in public and private PreK-3, preschool, and infant and toddler early care and education.
A certificate for 7 training hours for each day will be issued to all participants.
Registration is open for Maine’s Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference!
To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting data to the Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding two webinars on Tuesday Septemper 17th.
Quarter 1 Webinar September 17th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
This webinar will focus on required Quarter 1 student data submissions and certifications (attendance, truancy, behavior and/or bullying incidents). If you are tasked with submitting attendance, truancy, behavior and/or bullying incidents, you are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, comments or concerns in regards to this webinar, please do not hesitate to contact us at the MEDMS helpdesk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@Maine.gov or (207) 624-6896. Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2771720780838537740 and Webinar ID: 562-931-003
Oct. 1st Student and Staff Data Reporting Webinar September 17th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
This webinar will focus on required Oct. 1st student and staff data reporting, including student and staff data submissions and certifications. If you are tasked with submitting student enrollment and/or staff data for EPS consideration, you are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, comments or concerns in regards to this webinar, please do not hesitate to contact us at the MEDMS helpdesk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@Maine.gov or (207) 624-6896. Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/546920574685042700 and Webinar ID: 301-620-387
On June 23, 2019 the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies went into effect. As districts work to implement the revised standards, the Maine Department of Education will spend the 2019-2020 school year providing training and creating resources that support district adoption. The first set of professional development workshops to support implementation of the standards have been set. Three different trainings will occur at three different locations around the state during the 2019-2020 school year. Check out the descriptions of the trainings below, which also include more information about how to register. (Please note that there is a September 15 registration deadline for the first training, taking place in Farmington.)
Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Overview
This full day workshop will be led by Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist), who will provide an overview of the revision process for the Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, as well as share resources that support their implementation. Focus topics will include:
Changes to the overall framework for both elementary and secondary schools
The embedding of the skills and processes of social studies throughout the document
A greater emphasis on teaching about Maine Native Americans
A greater emphasis on teaching about personal finance
Districts are encouraged to send representative teams of social studies teachers, as time will be provided for participants to explore the standards and resources in order to plan for classroom and district implementation.
October 25 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.
Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Maine Native Americans
This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about Maine Native Americans, as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on Maine Native Americans. Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) will discuss the revised standards, and time will be provided for participants to work with presenters, explore resources, and plan for classroom and district implementation.
Training dates and locations:
September 25- University of New England- Biddeford: Registration can be found here-**Please note that registration will open September 6.
October 23 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.
Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Personal Finance
This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about personal finance as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on personal finance. Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) will discuss the revised standards and time will be provided for participants to work with presenters, explore resources, and plan for classroom and district implementation.
October 2 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.
Webinar about Newly Revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies
Joe Schmidt, Social Studies Specialist for the Maine Department of Education, recently hosted a webinar about the newly revised standards. The webinar can be found on the DOE Standards & Instruction – Social Studies webpage or directly through the webinar recording link. This webinar is the first in a monthly series of webinars that will feature teacher leaders from around the state throughout the 2019-20 school year.
Stay Tuned for More
Additional training locations and dates for Southern Maine are being confirmed, further information will be forthcoming.
After the initial roll out of the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, look for information about additional trainings coming this school year related to best practices in Social Studies and how they relate to teachers and districts implementing the revised standards. These trainings will include discussion of the “Major Enduring Themes” of Social Studies, as found in the Maine Learning Results, which can be used to support instruction around topics such as: unity and diversity, African American studies, historical and recent immigrant experiences, and the teaching of various perspectives.
If you would like weekly updates about social studies professional development opportunities and related resources, you can sign up for the Maine DOE social studies listserv by clicking the Social Studies ListServ Signup page; for more information, please contact Joe Schmidt at Joe.Schmidt@maine.gov.
The Maine Forest Products Council, through the State of Maine, has issued a proclamation celebrating Maine Forest Products Week Oct. 20-26 (in conjunction with National Forest Products Week).
Schools and educators are encouraged to consider teaching a lesson or creating a display, event or other activities to highlight one of Maine’s oldest industries. Perhaps you might partner with local forest-related businesses or organizations, such as your historical society.
The goals of this celebration are to showcase Maine’s rebounding forest products industry — with about $700 million in investments over the past few years — and to showcase forest-related businesses and jobs (more than 30,000) in every county in the state.
Sarah Medina of Seven Islands, which manages forest land for the Pingree family whose holdings date back to 1820, has written a column that explains more about Maine Forest Products Week and about activities that occur in other states with active forest products industries. The Maine Forest Products Council is also planning to set up a web page with a calendar of Maine events, be on the lookout for that.
It is a federal requirement that all students who are English learners be identified within 30 days of enrollment from the beginning of the school year, or within two weeks of enrollment during the school year. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) released a Back to School Thank You video just in time for the many teacher in-service days that are taking place all over the state this week, prior to Maine schools welcoming students back into the classroom for the 2019-2020 school year. | More
Three Maine teachers have been announced as State finalists for the 2020 Maine Teacher of the Year. The finalists were chosen from the 2019 Maine County Teachers of the Year honored earlier this year at the Hall of Flags. | More
As most of you are aware, L.D. 1715, “An Act to Reorganize the Provision of Services for Children with Disabilities from Birth to 5 Years of Age” has been carried over to the next Legislative session. This bill proposes the transition of responsibility for special education services for preschool-age children from Child Development Services to the public schools. | More
The Department of Education is performing a review of the Maine Learning Results for Career and Education Development and has openings on its writing team. The purpose of the writing team is to revise the current standards, based on guidance provided from a steering committee. For more information about the standards review process, check the new Maine DOE standards revision website. | More
Maine students and their families still have one week to explore and apply for Early College courses at all of Maine’s Public Universities using the ExploreEC Portal. The portal is new for the fall semester and classes start September 3rd. UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy welcomed students and their families to Orono today for an Early College Orientation and urged everyone to share the news that students throughout the state still have to apply now for fall Early College courses. | More
Maine DOE is proud to announce the release of Prek for ME, an open-source curriculum for preschoolers. Developed in response to public prek teachers looking for an evidence-based, whole child, content integrated curriculum that is low cost, Prek for ME builds on the Boston Public Schools preschool curriculum and contains a comprehensive program, including outdoor learning and technology activities appropriate for young children. | More
Maine DOE team member Stephanie Clark is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to Know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Stephanie. | More
The Department of Education is performing a review of the Maine Learning Results for Career and Education Development and has openings on its writing team. The purpose of the writing team is to revise the current standards, based on guidance provided from a steering committee. For more information about the standards review process, check the newMaine DOE standards revision website.
The team will serve as a representative sample of Maine K-12 teachers and school counselors actively working across geographic locations in Maine. While all interested educators are encouraged to participate, those who work in K-8 grades or have experience explicitly teaching Maine’s Guiding Principles are highly encouraged to apply. Also, to help ensure that the geographic diversity of our state is represented, those who teach in the following counties: Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Piscataquis, or Sagadahoc are strongly encouraged to apply.
We are hoping as many of the writing team members as possible will be able to participate on Sept. 11th and/or 12th so we may have rich conversations from a variety of perspectives across Maine. These dialogues will inform and set the direction for any remaining work on Sept. 17, 25, 26. We understand the challenges when school is in session, and are grateful for any amount of days writing team members are able to participate at our meetings in Augusta.
Participants will receive contact hours for time worked, be reimbursed for travel costs, and be provided continental breakfast and lunch for participants of in-person meetings.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this short survey by 4:00 pm Tuesday, September 10th to be considered. For more information, contact Maine DOE Career and Education Development Specialist, Diana Doiron at 207-624-6823 or diana.doiron@maine.gov
Maine DOE Newsroom 