Maine DOE Update – September 4, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

News & Updates

Mills Administration Updates COVID-19 School Health Advisory System

The Mills Administration today released a special update to its color-coded Health Advisory System that classifies counties’ relative risk of COVID-19 transmission by color, and is provided to assist schools as they continue with their plans to deliver instruction and support students safely this fall. York County now categorized as yellow, other counties remain green. | More

Maine DOE Celebrates Extension of 9 USDA Waivers that Provide Maine Children with Better Access to Food

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) received confirmation on Monday, August 31st that 9 waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be extended, allowing continued flexibility in the way that school districts and other non-profit, community organizations can offer meals to children 18 years of age or younger. | More

Priority Notice: New Certification Options Through Executive Order #7

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce additional flexibility for educator certification as detailed by Executive Order # 7 FY 20/21 entitled “An Order Regarding Pre-K-12 Education,” signed by Governor Mills on August 26, 2020. As some school organizations across the state work to employ enough educators to meet the additional demands on education because of COVID-19, this executive order extends the DOE’s support of those School Administrative Units (SAUs). Please note these new certificates, “shall be employed only as necessary to meet an identified staffing shortage and shall not be used to supplant persons who meet the underlying standards and are available and willing to work.” | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Maine Learning Results Still Guide Instruction

We have been asked to re-affirm the expectations that are included in Part IV of the Framework for Reopening Schools and Returning to In-Person Instruction, as it relates to all content areas within the Maine Learning Results. | More

MCCS Offering Flexible, Free Early College Options

As high school administrators grapple with the question of whether there are enough teachers or space to provide the usual range of courses, there is another option – supporting or encouraging students to sign up for free, online, community college courses through Maine’s Community College System (MCCS). | More

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Shawn Lagasse

Maine DOE Team member Shawn Lagasse is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Campaign. Learn a little more about Shawn in the brief question and answer below. | More