Year: 2020

Maine DOE Launches a New Web Resource to Support Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Framework Implementation

The Maine Department of Education is thrilled to announce the launch of a new web experience designed to provide relevant content and valuable information about Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). The new resource aims to be a useful guide and implementation tool that will help schools with the complex task of fully implementing MTSS.

The creation of a MTSS website resource began with the establishment of a full time MTSS Specialist in November of 2019. With support and input from a variety of specialists across the Department, as well as many discussions with stakeholders from the field, one thing became clear: Maine educators need a resource they can access that will not only provide information about MTSS, but empower them to take action on a MTSS problem or challenge.  With the theme “what they need, when they need it” in mind, each page of the website seeks to provide a way for educators to find what they are looking for, quickly and easily, so Maine students have access to the supports they need to grow academically, behaviorally, and socially.

Braiding together the “What” and the “How”

Understanding that educators utilize web resources to learn something new, seek answers to questions, or explore solutions to a challenge, the MTSS website seeks to braid together the “what” of MTSS and the “how” of MTSS.  The site provides a combination of informational content and links, learning opportunities, and downloadable tools that can be used immediately.  For example, looking for information on team leadership?  The MTSS Framework page unpacks the “team leadership” component of MTSS and provides tools and resources to put into place as soon as  you leave the site.  Or, maybe you want to learn something new about implementation fidelity or how to facilitate school and family partnerships.  The Professional Learning page offers short learning modules and webinar resources you can participate in to help you on your journey.

The MTSS Framework page and the Professional Learning page are just two examples of what you will find when you visit the MTSS website. Other features include problem solving through technical assistance, information on opportunities for how you can get involved, and trail maps and action guides to help move you forward no matter where you are on your MTSS journey.

A work in Progress

Above all, the MTSS website will be continually growing, adapting, and changing as needs  arise or change. Some sections of the website are still under construction, but plenty of content is already available. Visit the site often to stay up to date on new resources .  If you are looking for something in particular, simply click the contact tab and reach out.  The MTSS Specialist will be in touch to help.

To visit the MTSS website visit http://www.maine.gov/doe/mtss to get started.  For more information contact Andrea Logan, MTSS Specialist via email at andrea.logan@maine.gov, or phone (207) 592-2011.

Controlling Indoor Air Quality to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission: Guidance for Building Managers and Education Leaders

Now that cold weather has arrived in Maine, people are spending more time indoors, adding additional considerations for indoor air and mitigation strategies for COVID-19. This webinar will cover some basic strategies including ventilation and filtration techniques that building managers and other education leaders can use to manage indoor air quality in a way that will help reduce the spread of the virus.  Health engineers from Maine CDC will be joined by indoor air quality experts from the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council for this brief presentation, to be followed by a Q & A session.

  • Presenters: Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Division of Environmental & Community Health
  • December 22, 2020 – 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Register in advance for this presentation: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUvd-qhrzIvHtxO-A7aCsqESVXH_NL1jWX9
  • After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Lewiston Adult Education Computer Training Prepares Students For Future Careers

Computer Support Specialist student Santo Panzo took a moment during November mock interviews for a photo outside the Adult Learning Center at the Longley Multipurpose Center.
Computer Support Specialist student Santo Panzo took a moment during November mock interviews for a photo outside the Adult Learning Center at the Longley Multipurpose Center.

Lewiston Adult Education students have completed the first part of Computer Support Specialist training for technology sector jobs. The combination of in-person and distance learning lessons in the fall focused on digital literacy, English skills and work readiness. Successful completion of the program results in a level one Computer Specialist microbadge that can be accepted for college credit and is recognized by employers around the state.

“The students were very motivated and showed a great work ethic. All of them work full time yet were able to participate in and successfully complete this intense program,” English teacher Irina Petranek said.

Student Santo Panzo thanked computer teacher Greg Yates in an email.

“We are more than proud of the opportunity Lewiston Adult Education provided to us,” Panzo said.

On Nov. 20, Panzo and his classmates participated in mock interviews with staff and community members as another preparation for the workforce. Local partners in the interviews included Carbonite, Bates College and RoundTable Technology. Some of the interviews were remote while others were in person with social distancing and mask-wearing.

Computer Support Specialist student Ester Bassa sat for an outdoor photo during November mock interviews at the Adult Learning Center at the Longley Multipurpose Center.
Computer Support Specialist student Ester Bassa sat for an outdoor photo during November mock interviews at the Adult Learning Center at the Longley Multipurpose Center.

“Lewiston Adult Education is proud to have pioneered in this innovative work. The opportunity to invest in training that results in badges that are recognized for college credit and by local employers is of tremendous benefit to our adult learners,” Lewiston Adult Education Assistant Director Jen Tiner said. “We admire the initiative and persistence that our students demonstrated throughout this program.”

The students’ next step will be taking the National Retail Federation Customer Service and Sales program in collaboration with RSU 16 Adult Education. It will include English classes with a focus on technical writing and speaking skills.

“This class of students reminds us all of the importance of embracing the new ‘global language’ – Information Technology.  A diverse set of students in age, background and origin, they were eager to master the skills of today’s explosion in computer technology,” Yates said.

The Computer Support Specialist Program is funded by the Lumina Foundation and developed in partnership with the University of Maine System, the Maine Department of Labor and the Maine Department of Education.

This story was provided by Lewiston Adult Education Center as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Buckfield Junior Senior High School Teacher Takes on Morning Announcements to Stay Connected with Students

With many schools offering various learning modes through the COVID-19 pandemic, educators and staff alike are going above and beyond to stay connected with their students, both to keep them engaged in learning and to support their wellbeing.

Buckfield Junior Senior High School Teacher Annette Caldwell has been providing morning announcements and news to her school community recently, including the weather and some tips and tricks for staying on track while learning remotely.

While the school was providing learning in a hybrid model, the morning announcements were created by students, with direction and guidance from Annette. More recently, the school has transitioned to a fully remote learning model and Annette has taken on doing the announcements completely. She makes a point to do one everyday for students.

Check out a recent announcement created by Annette in the embedded video below.

“So many of our staff across RSU 10 are going above and beyond,” said RSU 10 Superintendent Deborah Alden.

Lets all take a moment to appreciate and thank our schools, educators, administrators, and staff members for everything they are doing to keep students engaged and learning during this difficult and exhausting time.

Information for this story was provided by RSU 10 as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Update – Teacher Shortage Areas

The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation.  On November 30, 2020 the Department of Education requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting.   The Department would like to thank all those who submitted information related to teacher shortage and, because of public input, have added a number of teaching endorsements to the US DOE proposal.  The Maine DOE will be proposing the following as K-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2021-2022 school year:

  • Early Elementary (K-3)
  • Early Childhood (Pre-K)
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities
  • Teacher – Severe Impaired
  • Blind/Visually Impaired
  • Deaf/Hearing Impaired
  • English/Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Health
  • English – Second Language
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Adapted Physical Education
  • Physical Science
  • Industrial Arts / Technology
  • Visual Arts
  • Gifted/Talented
  • CTE (Firefighter/EMT, Automotive Mechanics, Truck, Automotive Body Repair, Diesel Engine Mechanic, Carpentry, Marine Maintenance, Electrician, Computer Info Services, Machine Toll Oper/Shop, Weld Braze Solder, Building Maintenance, Plumbing, Agricultural Prod. Gen, Allied Health, Nursing Asst., Law Enforcement, Forestry Prod & Proc., Food Production Manager, Child Care/Guidance, Business Admin/Manager)

The Maine Department of Education received additional input regarding specialist and administrator certificates.  However, the Department has already exceeded the allowable federal shortage percentage and is providing additional documentation in our proposal to obtain as many teacher shortage endorsements as possible.

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Carole King

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

What are your roles with DOE?

I began working in DOE afternoons while I was still employed at Cony High School as an Office Secretary to the Principal 1979-2009. I worked full time in the summer months as my position at the school was school-year-only. After two years, I resigned from the position at school and began work at MDOE full time under a contract through the Maine Math and Science Alliance.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy the variety of work I perform for the Specialists on the Maine DOE Learning Systems Team. The work has varied over the years and I have assisted each specialist at one time or another setting up interviews, sending out letters, making entries into Advantage for Contracts, POs, and other clerical duties as requested.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I’ve always enjoyed working in the field of education supporting students and teaching staff.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I enjoy time with my family, knitting, gardening and spending time outside during all our seasons. We are so lucky living in Maine!

Graduation Certification Report to Open December 21st, 2020

New for 2019-2020: To assist schools in the data process, there have been changes to the Graduation Certification Report. The transfer-In/Out counts of students will no longer be used to determine adjusted cohort, and there will be no more validating of the start and exit codes of students during this report. The report will also no longer be required to be ‘Accepted’ by the Maine Department of Education (DOE). With that said, please make sure that all the data is accurate, as we are losing this step of data validation.

Users looking to complete the Dropout Certification Report will need access to the Student Data module within the Neo application. If you do not have access to this module, please have your superintendent submit a NEO access request form on your behalf.

NEO Access Request Form

Graduation Certification Report Instructions

Report Open Date: December 21st, 2020
Report Due Date: January 15th, 2021

We are hosting the following two webinars in the Graduation Certification Report:

Tuesday December 22nd @ 10AM – Register Here
Wednesday January 6th @ 1PM – Register Here

Questions, comments, or concerns in regards to the Graduation Certification Report should be directed to the Maine Educational Data Management Systems helpdesk at:

MEDMS.Helpdesk@Maine.gov or (207) 624-6896

Maine DOE Update – December 11, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Dropout Reporting Certification for Federal Reporting Year 2019-2020 to Open December 14th, 2020

On December 10, 2019 the DOE Data Governance team voted to bring Maine’s dropout reporting into compliance with USDOEs guidance, starting with the 2019-2020 school year. As a result, our state level dropout reporting, and your review of your district’s data, will include all compulsory age students that meet the dropout definition of being enrolled as of 10/01/2019 and not enrolled on 10/01/2020 and were expected to be in enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year (i.e. – did not graduate, exit to home instruction, etc.) | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Mills Administration Updates COVID-19 School Health Advisory System

Androscoggin, Oxford, and York counties remain in yellow designation; Cumberland and Kennebec counties closely monitored in green The Mills Administration today released an update to its color-coded Health Advisory System that classifies counties’ relative risk of COVID-19 transmission to assist schools as they continue with their plans to deliver instruction and support to students safely. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) assessed COVID-19 data and trends for all counties. | More

Priority Notice: Public Comment Welcomed on Additional Title IV, Part A Waiver Opportunities

Recognizing that many schools and communities continue to face unprecedented challenges this year, the federal government has provided states with additional waiver opportunities related to Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the ESEA, the U.S. Department of Education has invited states apply for waivers for one or more of the following Title IV, Part A program requirements: | More

Priority Notice: Taking Care of our School Community Members

Recognizing the possible emotional impact on students and educators early on, your Maine Department of Education worked to prioritize mental health and social-emotional supports. Since March, the DOE’s Office of School and Student Supports has been deeply committed to bolstering the emotional well-being of our school communities by providing resources, technical assistance and general support. | More

Joint Statement of Commitment and Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Maine Schools

The Maine Department of Education, Maine School Boards Association, Maine School Superintendents Association, Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities, Maine Education Association, Maine Principals Association, and Maine Curriculum Leaders Association enthusiastically affirm the right of every student to an equitable education.  We proudly and steadfastly support the educators and districts in Maine who are taking on the work of understanding and dismantling racism and inequity in our schools and communities. We urge all Maine schools and educators to accept their role and responsibilities in examining and addressing the inequities that have long existed in our society and institutions. | More

Maine DOE Child Nutrition Team Provides USDA with Virtual Tour of Culinary Classroom

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Child Nutrition team provided a virtual tour and presentation of its Culinary Classroom recently in an effort to showcase to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) how the classroom has benefited Maine schools since its initial launch in September of 2019.   | More

Get to Know the DOE Team: Meet Lee Anne Larsen

Maine DOE team member Lee Anne Larsen is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Lee Anne. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Thoughts from a Virtual Session with 2020 National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, the Maine Department of Education welcomed 2020 National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy for a virtual question and answer session with Maine educators. Joining from her home in Kansas, Tabatha introduced herself and greeted a group of early childhood educators from the public, private, and special education sectors in Maine and beyond. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Priority Notice: Taking Care of our School Community Members

We know that this time of year has historically been one that can be difficult for many people. While there are times of reveling and joy, there can also be feelings of stress, loss, and isolation. This experience has been compounded with the physical, fiscal and emotional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the possible emotional impact on students and educators early on, your Maine Department of Education worked to prioritize mental health and social-emotional supports. Since March, the DOE’s Office of School and Student Supports has been deeply committed to bolstering the emotional well-being of our school communities by providing resources, technical assistance and general support.

At the outset, a focus was on the foundational support of relationships and creating safe schools where students could connect, engage, and get support, no matter if they were in a school building or learning remotely. Mental Health supports were recognized as an integral part of our summer “back to school” planning, and this has been instrumental in the successful engagement of students this fall. Ongoing content support, specific to social emotional development and school based mental health supports, have provided educators with practical and real time guidance in connecting with and addressing the needs of vulnerable students.

This fall, a free, preK-12 prevention curriculum was launched so that every Maine educator would have access to social-emotional learning to support their students. These materials are focused on developing resilience, compassion and self-advocacy skills, as well as regulating emotions and caring for one’s physical and emotional well-being.

At the DOE we will continue to hold student and staff mental health and wellbeing as one of our highest priorities, and as we move into the winter, we would like to again share these resources with you. As always, please feel free to reach out directly and thank you for all that you do to support Maine students, families, our communities and each other.

Joint Statement of Commitment and Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Maine Schools

The Maine Department of Education, Maine School Boards Association, Maine School Superintendents Association, Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities, Maine Education Association, Maine Principals Association, and Maine Curriculum Leaders Association enthusiastically affirm the right of every student to an equitable education.  We proudly and steadfastly support the educators and districts in Maine who are taking on the work of understanding and dismantling racism and inequity in our schools and communities. We urge all Maine schools and educators to accept their role and responsibilities in examining and addressing the inequities that have long existed in our society and institutions.

We define educational equity as providing each student a legitimate opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in school and beyond.

Equity depends on a deliberate and systematic abolition of the inequities that have been sewn into the fabric of American society. These persistent inequities have long disadvantaged students on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender expression, language, physical and intellectual ability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, indigenous origin, religion, and all aspects of human identity that have been subjugated within our society. We recognize that education is one of many systems that have had a role in perpetuating racial inequities, and that through close examination of our system, we can and must strive to attain diversity, equity, and inclusion of all voices and experiences. We believe this work is central to living up to our promises of providing an outstanding education for every Maine learner and continuing to be a public education system of excellence.

We recognize and commit to our role and duty as Maine public education leaders to actively partner with all schools in constructing a new educational paradigm, founded on the certainty that every student can and will be successful when:

  • School is a welcoming, safe place for all school community members to bring their whole identities with them
  •  Social emotional and behavioral supports are understood as critical prerequisites to academic learning
  • Students’ primary and home languages are recognized as assets, cultivated, and leveraged
  • Every educator in every role shares the responsibility for ensuring equity for every student and participates in equity education, both in teacher and administrator preparation programs and ongoing throughout their careers
  •  Families are meaningfully engaged as partners in their children’s education and welcomed into our schools
  • All academic and non-academic programming is culturally responsive and co-constructed with community members

Examining racism and inequity is difficult work. As each student of Maine is a future citizen of our global society, we believe this is work that needs to be engaged in respectfully and civilly by all the schools and communities in our state.  Understanding and addressing racism and inequity will take many different forms, all of which are valid and needed. Already many educators, school districts, and organizations are exploring this work in some of the following ways:

  • Defining with school and community members what makes a safe and welcoming place for all and committing to the vision
  • Reviewing your SAU’s Controversial Issues policy and best practices for engaging in discussions responsively and responsibly.
  • Engaging community members in discussions and actions to ensure that schools are a safe and welcoming place for all students
  • Engaging in equity audits to examine a variety of practices and programs
  • Expecting all school personnel to engage in professional learning about anti-racism and culturally responsive practices
  • Reviewing and revising curricula and materials to ensure they are well-rounded, decolonized, and representing all experiences
  • Adopting anti-racism instructional practices, programs, and policies
  • Establishing Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committees of stakeholders
  • Establishing expectations that every student will achieve and is challenged with rigorous curricula
  • Creating, supporting or amplifying student Civil Rights Teams within each school

We believe in the power and responsibilities that are bestowed on our educational institutions to provide a safe and equitable place in which all students can thrive, and where students are encouraged to examine their world, their beliefs and their role in society through multiple perspectives. We believe all students, all families, and all human beings deserve to be celebrated, included, and heard, and we are committed to supporting our schools and educators in taking on the challenge of examining and changing our practices.

We stand united in our commitment to this work and our support of the educators who are courageously stepping up and stepping into the learning, growing and changing that is needed. Our organizations will continue to provide resources, support and technical assistance as we all expand our own knowledge and capacity to engage in this critically important work on behalf of our students and our collective future.