Maine Celebrates National School Lunch Week and Farm to CACFP Week, with Apple Crunch Day Slated for October 15

National School Lunch Week and Farm to CACFP Week will both be celebrated the week of October 13-17, 2025!

This year’s National School Lunch Week theme, “Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport!”, invites students to explore global flavors and celebrate nutritious meals that fuel learning.

Farm to CACFP Week highlights how the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) connects participants with local food, nutrition education, and gardening experiences.

Maine is grateful to have strong programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Farm to CACFP that help to nourish students and families across the state. These initiatives ensure that every child and adult in care settings has access to nutritious meals that fuel learning, growth, and overall well-being.

The goal of National School Lunch Week, established by the School Nutrition Association, is to highlight the importance of healthy school meals, encourage student participation in the NSLP, and share with families the many benefits of school nutrition programs. Since its creation in 1946, the NSLP has evolved to offer balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and fat-free or low-fat milk—all within age-appropriate calorie ranges and limited in unhealthy fats and sodium.

Here in Maine, all students attending schools that participate in the NSLP receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to them, ensuring equitable access to nutritious meals. When every student chooses school lunch, the entire school community benefits.

Similarly, Farm to CACFP Week celebrates the childcare centers, Head Start programs, family childcare homes, afterschool programs, and adult care centers across Maine that foster healthy habits and support local agriculture. Throughout the week, participating programs are encouraged to:

Serve and incorporate local foods in CACFP meals and snacks.
Engage participants in taste tests, cooking demos, food-themed stories, or gardening activities.
Highlight Maine farms and producers through guest visits or virtual tours.

Together, these programs exemplify Maine’s commitment to feeding both bodies and minds—connecting nutrition, education, and local food systems to strengthen communities statewide.

This year, a special highlight to celebrate nutrition in Maine is Apple Crunch Day, slated for Wednesday, October 15, 2025. This is an engaging and fun event where children and adults across the state are invited to take big, crunchy bites out of fresh, local apples at the same time. This simple activity celebrates Maine’s apple harvest and sparks curiosity about where our food comes from. It also offers an excellent opportunity for students to explore the role that apples play in Maine’s agricultural heritage and the many apple varieties that thrive in Maine’s orchards.

Several schools across Maine are planning to participate in Apple Crunch Day! For additional information about the event, please contact Maine DOE Farm and Sea to School Coordinator Katie Knowles at katie.knowles@maine.gov. Consider sharing pictures/videos of how your school celebrated Apple Crunch Day with Rachel Paling, Maine DOE Communications and Outreach Manager, at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

For more information about the National School Lunch Program or the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), please visit the Maine DOE Child Nutrition website or contact the Maine DOE Child Nutrition Team at child.nutrition@maine.gov.

ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: Legal Requirements to Provide English Language Acquisition Services to Students Who Are Multilingual Learners (Revised October 9, 2025)

Administrative Letter: #2
Policy Code: IHBEA
TO: Public School Administrators
DATE: August 22, 2019, Revised September 15, 2021, Revised June 21, 2023, Revised October 9, 2025

SUBJECT: The legal requirements for providing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services to students who are multilingual learners

Please note that “multilingual learners” is used with reference to students who were previously known as “English learners (ELs).” Federal language still uses “English learners (ELs)” to refer to “multilingual learners.”

Topics included in this letter:

Identification of Students Who Are Multilingual Learners
Exit Criteria from ESOL Services
Monitoring and Reentry into Multilingual Learner Status
Delivery of ESOL services
Administration of WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS (if applicable)
Enrollment of Immigrants and International Students
Rights of Students Who Are Multilingual Learners to Education
Students Who Are Multilingual Learners and Special Education

Identification of Students Who Are Multilingual Learners
It is a federal requirement that all students who are multilingual learners be identified within 30 days of enrollment from the beginning of the school year. For students enrolling at the start of the school year, parents/guardians must be notified of their child’s English learner status within the same 30-day period. After the start of the school year, school administrative units (SAUs) must notify parents/guardians within two weeks of their child’s identification.

Each SAU must provide the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Language Use Survey to the parent/guardian of every student, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, enrolling in the SAU for the first time. The Language Use Survey must be included in the SAU’s enrollment packet or online enrollment system. If a student changes schools within an SAU, a new Language Use Survey is not required.

The Language Use Survey is available for download in English and 29 of Maine’s most commonly spoken languages. Parents/guardians are entitled to complete the Language Use Survey in their preferred language. SAUs must provide translation/interpretation services upon request.

The purpose of the Language Use Survey is to identify students who might be multilingual learners. The Language Use Survey decision tree provides guidance on its use. If any question is answered with a language other than English, the student should be administered an English language proficiency screener. (Please note that Sign Language is not a qualifying language for multilingual learner status; however, if a student uses Sign Language and an additional language other than English, the student may be eligible for multilingual learner status.) See Multilingual Learner Identification for information about the required screeners and identification thresholds, by grade level.

Students who were screened for multilingual learner status but who did not initially qualify may be re-screened at any time if a potential need for ESOL support becomes apparent.

Exit Criteria from ESOL Services
A multilingual learner who demonstrates proficiency on the state’s annual English language proficiency assessment is eligible for exit from ESOL services. In Maine, the annual English language proficiency assessment is the WIDA ACCESS or, for multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities eligible for alternate assessments, the WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Information about both of these assessments can be found on Maine DOE’s English language proficiency assessment page, located here: English Language Proficiency Assessments | Maine Department of Education.

In Maine, an overall Composite Proficiency Level (CPL) of 4.5 on WIDA ACCESS qualifies multilingual learners for exit from ESOL services. Multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities, eligible for participation in alternate assessments, can be exited from ESOL services with an overall CPL of 4.0 on the WIDA Alternate ACCESS.

In rare instances, multilingual learners qualify for a domain exemption on the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS based on a disability as documented in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In these instances, the SAU must submit a Less Than Four Domains request to the Maine DOE. The Maine DOE will ensure the correct Do Not Score code is entered for the student domain(s) in WIDA Assessment Management System. The student’s state ID will also be submitted to WIDA/Data Recognition Corporation for calculation of an overall CPL and the development of an Individual Student Report. The Less Than Four Domains request can be located on the English language proficiency assessment webpage: English Language Proficiency Assessments | Maine Department of Education > Special Forms Request.

Monitoring and Reentry into Multilingual Learner Status
Per federal guidance, SAUs must monitor the performance of former students who are multilingual learners for at least two years after exiting. If, during the two years of monitoring, or at any time thereafter, a former student who is a multilingual learner shows a potential need for continued ESOL support, that student must be rescreened with the WIDA Screener Online to determine multilingual learner status. If a student scores below the state-defined identification threshold, the student must be reentered into multilingual learner status, must receive ESOL services, and must take WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS, if applicable, until exiting.

Delivery of ESOL Services
An SAU is required to determine the components of an effective English language acquisition program tailored to the needs of each student, which may include, but is not limited to, tutoring, additional classroom support, materials, sheltered instruction, professional development for content area teachers, or other strategies per the Office for Civil Rights December 1985 Title VI policy memorandum, Title VI Language Minority Compliance Procedures.

The Maine DOE requires the English Language Acquisition Service Provision for a student who is a multilingual learner to be provided or overseen by a 660 ESOL-endorsed teacher. (See 34 Code of Federal Regulations C.F.R. Section 100.3 (b)(ii)). All students who are multilingual learners must be provided with English language support services that enable them to meaningfully access the curriculum to meet grade-level standards. English language development and content area knowledge are to be acquired simultaneously rather than consecutively. In other words, English language proficiency is not a prerequisite to participate in grade-level, content classes. If students who are multilingual learners receive services that remove them from content area classes (such as a newcomer program or pull-out services), any academic deficits that result must be remedied so that the student remains on track with their non-multilingual learner peers academically.

English language support services are to be provided in a way that minimizes the isolation of students who are multilingual learners from the general student population and encourages students who are multilingual learners to participate in all aspects of the school program, including advanced coursework, career and technical education, gifted and talented programs, and extracurricular activities. Students who are multilingual learners are entitled to ESOL services until exiting by demonstrating English language proficiency on WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS, if applicable.

Administration of WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS
The annual English language proficiency assessment for all students identified as multilingual learners in kindergarten through grade 12 is required by federal law under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Participation in state assessments is also required under state statute; it is part of annual ESEA application assurances for Title funds. Participation is also included in the school approval process for public schools, including charter schools, and private schools with 60% or more publicly funded students.

In Maine, the required English language proficiency assessment is WIDA ACCESS. A small percentage of multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities, found eligible for participation in alternate assessment through the IEP team process using state guidance resources, participate in WIDA Alternate ACCESS. The Maine DOE defines English language proficiency as a composite proficiency level of 4.5 on WIDA ACCESS and 4.0 on WIDA Alternate ACCESS.

The Maine Multilingual Learner Identification and Placement Guidance Document, updated annually, outlines all training requirements for test administrators of WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Federal peer review requirements outline specific standards for test administration training across state assessments, and, therefore, these training requirements for test administrators of English language proficiency assessments are mandatory. It is not required that test administrators be an ESOL-endorsed teacher; however, only an ESOL-endorsed teacher is qualified to design, oversee, and implement an English language support program, which includes the interpretation of WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS results.

Enrollment of Immigrants and International Students
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, among other factors, by public schools. SAUs are required to enroll children regardless of citizenship or immigration status per Plyler v. Doe. This applies equally to students who are immigrants and international students attending a Maine public school as an exchange student or tuition-paying student.

All students, including those who are immigrants and international students, must be screened for multilingual learner status. Any student who is identified as a multilingual learner, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, is entitled to ESOL services and must be administered WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS, if applicable, annually. International/exchange students are not exempt from Title I required state academic assessments. In Maine, recently arrived multilingual learners who have been enrolled in a U.S. school for fewer than 12 months are exempt from one administration of the state’s English language arts assessment only. See the Maine Comprehensive Assessment System website for further questions and information.

SAUs are not permitted to discourage the enrollment of children who are undocumented immigrants by asking about their immigration status, denying enrollment to those with international birth certificates, or denying enrollment to children whose parents decline to provide their social security numbers or race and ethnicity information. Federal regulations allow schools to ask for children’s social security numbers to be used as student identifiers; however, they should inform parents of the purpose and that disclosure of such numbers is voluntary. Schools may not deny enrollment if parents refuse to provide a child’s social security number. SAUs may require proof that a child lives within SAU boundaries, which may include lease agreements, utility bills, or other documents; however, schools may not ask parents about a child’s immigration status to establish residency. SAUs may require proof of a child’s age, but they may not bar enrollment because a child has an international birth certificate or no birth certificate.

Rights of Students Who Are Multilingual Learners to Education
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 remains the foundation of the legal rights of a student who is a multilingual learner. Lau v. Nicholsconfirms that all students who are multilingual learners are entitled to meaningful access to the curriculum.

Although the 2015 U.S. Department of Education ‘Dear Colleague’ guidance on English learners has been rescinded, the civil rights protections underlying that guidance remain fully in effect. Under both federal law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974) and the Maine Human Rights Act, SAUs have an obligation to ensure that multilingual learners have meaningful access to the SAU’s educational programs and services. Failing to provide appropriate language assistance services or to remove barriers to program participation may constitute discrimination on the basis of national origin and language, which is prohibited under the Maine Human Rights Act. SAUs are accountable for implementing policies, practices, and supports that guarantee equitable access to instruction, comparable participation in academic and extracurricular programs, and timely communication with families in languages they can understand.

If a parent refuses ESOL services, this must be documented, but parental refusal does not release the school or SAU from its responsibility to provide meaningful education to students who are multilingual learners. If a student who is a multilingual learner cannot make academic progress without ESOL services, the student has a right to ESOL services, even if a parent refuses. Parental consent is not required to administer an English language proficiency screener or WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS, if applicable. Under state law, SAUs are responsible for administering WIDA ACCESS to all students who are multilingual learners, regardless of parental consent (20-A M.R.S. §6209 (1-A)).

Students Who Are Multilingual Learners and Special Education
Students may qualify for, and have legal entitlement to, both ESOL and special education services. There are specific guidelines for both ESOL and special education that are to determine students’ eligibility for each type of service. Depending on a student’s disability and IEP, universal testing tools or accommodations may be needed to measure English language proficiency. When evaluating a student who is a multilingual learner for disabilities, screening must be linguistically and culturally appropriate. It is advisable to measure a student’s skills in the student’s primary language to clarify whether challenges are due to a learning disability or English language development.

Students who are multilingual learners should not be placed in a special education program unless their IEP determines this placement is appropriate to access specially designed instruction. Multilingual learner status is not a disability and is not covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Maine Unified Special Education Regulation (MUSER). The Maine DOE ESOL Team and Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education have collaborated to develop a policy and resource guide on Identifying and Serving Students Who Are Multilingual Learners with Disabilities. This resource can be used by school teams when making determinations about a student’s status and program of services.

For students who are multilingual learners with IEP teams, the U.S. Department of Education has provided the following guidance:

“When an EL student is determined to be a child with a disability—as defined in IDEA, or an individual with a disability under the broader definition of disability in Section 504—the student’s EL and disability-related educational needs must be met. For EL students, in addition to the required IEP team participants under IDEA, it is essential that the IEP team include participants who have knowledge of the student’s language needs. It is also important that the IEP team include professionals with training, and preferably expertise, in second language acquisition and how to differentiate between the student’s needs stemming from a disability or lack of ELP.”

Students who are multilingual learners with learning disabilities are eligible for exit from ESOL services when they demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving an overall composite proficiency level of 4.5 on WIDA ACCESS or an overall composite proficiency level of 4.0 on WIDA Alternate ACCESS, if applicable.

If you have questions or would like further information about serving students who are multilingual learners, contact Jane Armstrong, Maine DOE ESOL State Specialist, at Jane.Armstrong@maine.gov.

If you have questions regarding WIDA’s English language proficiency assessments, contact Mechelle Ganglfinger, Alternate and English Language Proficiency Assessments Coordinator, at Mechelle.Ganglfinger@maine.gov.

If you have questions regarding students who are multilingual learners and eligible for special education, contact Erin Frazier, Director of the Maine DOE Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, at Erin.Frazier@maine.gov.

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Announces Plans to Strengthen ‘Back-to-Basics’ Reading and Math Skills

New plans to teach essential skills for Maine students will emphasize evidence-based instruction, educator training, and academic partnerships.

Augusta, MAINE—At the direction of Governor Janet Mills, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) today announced major new approaches to strengthen back-to-basics reading and math skills in Maine students.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the Maine DOE has launched the Maine State Reading and Math Action Plans, twin initiatives to bring more evidence-based instruction, educator training, and academic partnerships into Maine classrooms to improve student skills in these core academic areas.

This effort builds upon a $10 million investment by the Maine DOE in 2024 for literacy grants to schools for high-quality teaching materials and professional development opportunities.

“Improving reading and math skills is vital to ensuring that all Maine students reach their full potential,” said Governor Mills. “That is why I have directed the Maine Department of Education to take concrete steps to support teachers across Maine and improve instruction and skills in these critical areas. Our goal must be to see that all Maine students do the best they can in reading, math, and basic skills.”

“These plans are designed to help every student become a confident reader and mathematical thinker,” said Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education. “Professional learning for Maine’s teachers will focus on evidence-based instruction, including ‘Science of Reading’ for literacy and research-based math practices. Direct instruction using real-life examples will ensure that Maine’s youngest students acquire the building blocks for all future learning.”

As part of the action plans, the Maine DOE will establish reading and math advisory councils to oversee statewide implementation of the plans, review feedback from the field, monitor statewide progress, and recommend changes. The Maine DOE has appointed former math teacher Victoria Cohen to lead the math council and Peter Lancia, superintendent of the Westbrook School Department, to lead the reading council.

The action plans include evidence-based strategies and updated guidance for schools and districts, as well as commitment from the Maine DOE to provide necessary support and resources. Strategies in the plans include:

Preparing future elementary and early childhood educators to use evidence-based reading and math instruction;
Providing teachers and school leaders access to high-quality instructional resources, as well as participation in annual teacher summits and workshops;
Helping local schools and districts to set literacy attainment goals using universal literacy screeners in early education and elementary grades;
Enabling schools and districts to utilize best practices in early math instruction, incorporating real-world applications in mathematics;
Creating further recommendations for teacher preparation programs through the advisory councils.

Educational leaders in Maine have underscored the potential of the action plans to drive real improvement, noting their strong support for professional learning and evidence-based practices to benefit teachers and students.

“High-impact professional learning for current educators and equipping future teachers with research-based skills resonated with me,” said Kim Fadrigon, K-8 instructional leader at Narragansett Elementary School in Gorham.

“I think the vision is just so exciting to see coming from a state agency. Sending the message that numeracy is important is a critical message for our Maine students,” said Lora Levenseler, head of the mathematics department at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport.

The Maine DOE developed the action plans with input from experts in the field. The plans were also informed by data, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which sampled 1,700 4th and 8th grade Maine students in reading and math in 2024. Over the past decade, NAEP scores have shown concerning declines in Maine and other states.

Additionally, the action plans incorporated testing data from the Maine Through Year Assessment, which is administered to approximately 85,000 students in grades 3-8 and 10 at least twice a year to measure progress from fall to spring. The Maine DOE used input from schools that administer local assessments that gauge student progress, as well.

The Maine DOE looks forward to continuing to work with district leaders, educators, families, and community members in the coming months in this ongoing effort to provide the best education possible to all Maine students.

Asynchronous Professional Learning Opportunity: Exploring the Question Formulation Technique (QFT)

Starting October 21, 2025, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators to explore the Question Formulation Technique (QFT), developed by the Right Question Institute.

In education, answers matter, but the ability to ask the right questions builds critical thinking and fosters deep learning. The QFT is a practical and structured method for generating, refining, and using questions to drive learning.

This free professional learning opportunity will be available through EnGiNE, the Maine DOE’s online learning platform. Participants will progress through two online modules per week for approximately four weeks, engaging with readings, asynchronous videos, and discussion prompts. The experience concludes with the design of a lesson using the QFT.

Educators who wish to delve further into the QFT can join an optional virtual learning community, with support available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. These sessions provide opportunities to practice the QFT collaboratively, share ideas, and apply it in authentic contexts.

Please complete this form to register for the QFT EnGiNE course. Registration will close on October 20, 2025. Following registration, an email with instructions on how to set up an EnGiNE account will be sent to the email address submitted in the registration.

Together, we will connect the QFT with object-based learning and deep conceptual thinking, equipping educators with powerful strategies to spark curiosity and inquiry in their classrooms. Course participants can earn up to 12 contact hours.

For more information, please contact Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Heather Martin at Heather.Martin@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team to Share Innovative Practices and Strategies at ACTEM Fall Conference

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Learning Through Technology (LTT) team is excited to connect with educators at the ACTEM (Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine) 2025 Fall Conference, taking place October 9-10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center.

The LTT team will be stationed on the main floor with a booth and an interactive playground. Attendees are invited to stop by, join the mailing list, and explore resources designed to support technology education in Maine schools.

The playground sessions, facilitated by Maine DOE learning specialists, will feature some of the LTT team’s most-requested topics, such as artificial intelligence (AI), computer science, and digital citizenship. They will also feature fresh new offerings from the 2025-2026 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Ambassadors.

In addition to the playground, the LTT team will be presenting eight sessions across the two days of ACTEM’s conference, covering a wide range of topics for educators. Details about all sessions can be found below.

Registering for the ACTEM 2025 Fall Conference

Hosted annually by the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM), this popular fall conference brings together educators from across the state to explore how technology can enhance teaching and learning. Through keynotes, workshops, and exhibitors, the conference reflects ACTEM’s mission to enhance education in Maine through the use of technology.

Please use this link to register for the ACTEM 2025 Fall Conference.

LTT Team Session Descriptions

Activate the Spark: Igniting Student Engagement with AI

Hosted by Maine DOE Emerging Technology Digital Specialist Nicole Davis

Come join us for this interactive session to boost student engagement with artificial intelligence (AI)! Learn how to use AI tools to gamify your classroom, create interactive activities, and design high-interest content that captivates and motivates your students.

Empowering and Engaging Students through UDL and AI

Hosted by Maine DOE MLTI Ambassadors Amy McInerney and Stephanie McGruder

Design smarter, not harder. Unlock the power of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiation with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and educational technology. This session explores how AI and other technology tools can help educators to easily create differentiated lessons that meet the needs of all learners. Learn how to increase student engagement and foster student agency, all while reducing your planning time. Leave with ready-to-use ideas to transform your classroom into a place where every student can thrive.

It’s Elementary, My Dear Miltie: MLTI in Grades 1-5

Hosted by Maine DOE Digital Learning Specialist Jon Graham and MLTI Ambassadors Amy McInerney and Ashley Carroll

How can the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) better serve our youngest learners? The team is on the case! We will talk about recent successes and plans for the 2025-2026 school year, and we want to hear from you! If you are an elementary educator, please come, share, and advocate for how MLTI can best serve you and your students.

MLTI Magic: Dig Cit, CS, AI

Hosted by Maine DOE Emerging Technology Digital Specialist Nicole Davis, Maine DOE Computer Science Specialist Allison Braley, and Maine DOE MLTI Ambassador Program Coordinator Jonathan Werner

What happens when computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) team up? Schools and students thrive! Join us for an engaging session that explores the seamless integration of emerging technologies like AI with computer science education, all while promoting responsible digital citizenship. We’ll present the work of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), which unites CS, AI, and digital citizenship (Dig Cit) to develop innovative, future-ready curricula that ensure equitable access to computing knowledge for all students. In this interactive session, you’ll learn best practices, explore hands-on strategies, and find inspiration to implement similar frameworks in your own schools. Whether from Maine or beyond, this session is intended for anyone eager to enhance student learning in a tech-driven world. Let’s take the friendship between CS and AI to a national level!

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Differentiating Computer Science in K-8 Classrooms

Hosted by Maine DOE Computer Science Specialist Allison Braley

Computer science (CS) is for every student—but how do we ensure our instruction meets the diverse needs of learners across elementary and middle school grades? In this session, we’ll explore practical strategies for differentiating CS content by grade level, ability, interests, and learning style. From unplugged activities to scaffolded coding projects, participants will leave with adaptable tools, lesson ideas, and classroom-ready resources that support inclusion and engagement for all students, including those with little prior experience, multilingual learners, and students with individualized education plans (IEPs). Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your practice, this session will help you bring equitable, differentiated CS instruction to your classroom or program.

Out of Focus: Education in the Age of Digital Distraction and Danger

Hosted by Maine DOE Technology Infrastructure Specialist Jim Chasse and Maine DOE MLTI Ambassador Program Coordinator Jonathan Werner

Far too often, kids use technology in ways that distract them. But, are we any less guilty? And, are they to blame? In this session, we’ll look at how big tech manipulates our students (and us!) and how we can help to empower one another to redefine our relationships with our devices. We’ll discuss ways to refocus our attention on what matters: our amazing students and excellent teachers. We’ll conclude the session by sharing and crowdsourcing strategies to help build a culture of healthy, mindful technology use in classrooms where our devices work for us—not the other way around!

STEAM Dreams: Turning Curious Minds into Creative Problem Solvers

Hosted by MLTI Ambassadors Janice Medenica and Ashley Carroll

This session will examine how to use science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) in the classroom to engage learners and turn them into problem solvers. It will focus on different thinking processes, routines, and practices, as well as where to begin moving STEAM into your curriculum.

Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine

Hosted by Maine DOE Student Leadership Development Coordinator Kern Kelley

The Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine, or SLAM, is made up of students from across the state who connect over technology topics and more. Join us to learn about how to participate in the weekly live-streams or have an in-person event at your school! Turn students into technology problem finders and provide the tools for them to solve those problems.

Teaching the Future: A Think Tank for Today’s Educators

Hosted by the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team

Educators have the hefty task of preparing students for an evolving, technology-driven future. In this session, we’ll explore how customized, flexible professional learning can help and invite you to take part in a collaborative think tank. Together, we’ll forecast what students might need next and co-design how professional learning can rise to meet that challenge. Your insights will help shape our next steps in staying relevant and responsive in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

The Maine DOE Learning Through Technology (LTT) Team is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. To learn more about the resources and opportunities available, visit Maine Department of Education | Technology & Learning.

Deadline Extended for Attendance Messaging Campaign Logo Design Contest; Details on How Schools Can Submit

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that schools will have additional time to participate in the Maine DOE’s attendance messaging campaign, which launched in September.

Background: In the summer of 2025, the Maine Engagement and Attendance Center (MEAC) held an attendance campaign name and slogan contest. The winning selection was “Rooted in Learning, Growing Every Day: Be Pine Tree Present!” This slogan has become an integral part of Maine’s attendance celebration, highlighting how educators and staff are supporting their learning communities through increased attendance and engagement.

In September, MEAC invited schools across the state to host their own logo design contests based on this campaign name/slogan. Schools may determine the parameters of their contests. Their winning logo must be submitted to the Maine DOE by Friday, October 24, 2025, at 5 p.m. (extended from the original submission date of October 10). This is an excellent opportunity for potential statewide recognition, as we all consider our vital role in increasing attendance in Maine schools.

Submissions should please be sent to Sarah Nelson, Maine DOE Climate Culture Resilience Engagement Specialist, at Sarah.Nelson@maine.gov. When submitting, please consider the following guidelines:

The graphic must be high-resolution (at least 300 pixels per inch).
The graphic must have a transparent background.
The graphic must be saved in PNG format.
The Maine DOE will only accept original artwork. Copyrighted or previously published images are not allowed.
Please include the name of the artist who submitted the winning logo, where they attend school, and the municipality.
Optional: Consider including one to two sentences in student voice about what “Be Pine Tree Present!” means to them.

For continued resources supporting increased attendance, please mark your calendar for the upcoming MEAC Office Hours, a new, year-long series of monthly virtual office hours focused on evidence-based practices positively impacting attendance. These meetings occur on the third Thursday of each month from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The session on October 16 will explore the power of building routine, relationships, and relevance. Please register here to attend.

MEAC is a cross-office collaborative initiative of the Maine DOE. For further information and with questions, please contact Sarah Nelson at Sarah.Nelson@maine.gov or visit the Maine DOE website.

Public Comment Period for Proposed Rule Chapter 115 – The Credentialing of Education Personnel

In response to the 131st and 132nd Maine Legislature, the Maine State Board of Education is engaging in rulemaking to revise Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel in alignment with its 2023 report to the Legislature. In that report, the State Board reviewed a number of credentialing topics, including pathways for specific endorsements.

As required by law, a period of public comment opened on September 24, 2025, and will continue through October 25, 2025. Written comments may be submitted to Maine DOE Legislative Team member Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov, 207-446-8791, or State House Station #23, Augusta, Maine 04333 until 5 p.m. on October 25.

Additionally, a public hearing for the proposed new rule will be held in person and virtually on October 15, 2025, from 3-5 p.m. at the Burton M. Cross Office Building (111 Sewall Street Room 103, Augusta, Maine 04333). As space will be limited, participants are encouraged to attend virtually via Zoom, using the following link:

Join the Zoom Meeting here.
Meeting ID: 879 4623 6101
Passcode: 47786916

With questions, please contact Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov or 207-446-8791.

Summary of Proposed Changes to Chapter 115 Part I
The updates to Chapter 115 Part I refine definitions, expand credentialing pathways, and adjust requirements for educational technicians, conditional certificates, and emergency credentials. The revisions aim to enhance flexibility in staffing, while maintaining high-quality standards and compliance. Key changes include:

Definitions and General Requirements

Updated and clarified definitions for credential, clearance, conditional certificate, endorsement, lapsed credential, employed, contracted service provider, and others
Renewal “lapsed” grace period extended from six months to twelve months
More precise requirements stipulate that all individuals must hold the appropriate credential on the first day of service; school administrative units (SAUs) must verify credentials annually.

Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Certification

Streamlined process for accepting equivalent certificates from other states or countries
Requires official transcripts for international coursework and a course-by-course analysis from an approved evaluator
Certificates issued under reciprocity are valid for five years and renewable in accordance with Maine’s requirements.

Educational Technician Certificates

Reorganized into Ed Tech I, II, III, and Emergency Ed Tech categories with clearer permitted responsibilities and supervision levels. Eligibility updates include:
- Ed Tech I: high school diploma/GED
- Ed Tech II: reduced requirement from 60 credits to 48 credits or two years of CTE employment
- Ed Tech III: may qualify with 90 semester hours or an approved Maine training program, such as community college “learning facilitator” programs
- Emergency Ed Tech: must complete a state-approved program targeting essential skills
Certificates are valid for five years; renewal requires three semester hours of approved study/in-service training per term.

Conditional Certificates

Still valid for three years, non-renewable
SAUs must provide intensive supervision and mentoring for conditionally certified teachers and specialists.
Provision for issuing additional conditional certificates in shortage areas, if the applicant documents English is not their first language

Emergency Teacher Certificate

May be issued only to fill a staffing shortage.
Eligibility expanded to include:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- Enrollment in an educator preparation program
- Ed Tech III certification (excluding Emergency Ed Tech III)
Holders must participate in a mentoring program.
Term limited to one year, renewable up to three times total

Clearance Certificates

Required for all non-certified staff in schools or Child Development Services (CDS) sites
Valid for five years from the date of application; renewable with proof of service and CHRC completion
These updates emphasize greater flexibility in staffing, particularly for Ed Techs and conditional/emergency certifications, while reinforcing oversight, renewal, and mentoring obligations for SAUs and the Maine DOE.

Summary of Proposed Changes to Maine Chapter 115 Part II
This document contains extensive revisions to teacher and administrator certification requirements. Key changes include:

General Changes across Multiple Endorsements

Addition of Portfolio Pathway: A new “Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 3” has been added to most teaching endorsements, allowing candidates to earn certification through an approved portfolio process with superintendent and department approval.
Revised Language: “Graduated from” changed to “Successful completion of” throughout the document for consistency
Reduced Conditional Certificate Requirements: Many conditional certificate requirements have been reduced (e.g., from 24 to 18 semester hours for secondary teachers, from 24 to 15 semester hours for ESOL teachers).

Specific Endorsement Changes
Early Elementary and Elementary Teachers (029, 020)

Added portfolio pathway option
Restructured conditional certificate requirements to include portfolio option

Middle Level Teachers (1.3)

Added world languages to the endorsement areas covered (grades 5-8)
Added specific teaching methods and coursework requirements
Included language proficiency testing options (ACTFL, STAMP, ASLPI)

Secondary Teachers (1.4)

Reduced the conditional certificate requirement from 24 to 18 semester hours
Added portfolio pathway

Pre-K through Grade 12 Teachers (1.5)

Expanded from 2 to 4-6 pathways, depending on endorsement
Added specific pathway for endorsement 700 (industrial arts/technology education), including apprenticeship and experience requirements
Added detailed pathway for endorsement 510 (physical education) with specific coursework requirements
Reduced the conditional certificate requirement from 24 to 18 semester hours

Special Education (Section 2)

New Endorsement 283: Provider of Early Intervention/Teacher of Children with Disabilities, Birth to Age 5
Revised grade span of 282: Birth through grade 12
Added portfolio pathway options
Modified grade span renewal option, allowing current 282 holders to renew in birth-grade 12 span

ESOL Teachers (1.8)

Added fifth pathway option
Reduced the conditional certificate requirement from 24 to 15 semester hours
Allowed alternative credit options (CEUs, in-service hours, workshops)

Library Media Specialist (1.11)

Removed competency demonstration requirement reference
Streamlined pathways and requirements

School Counselor (1.12)

Added detailed CACREP standards alignment requirements
Specified coursework in three areas: Foundations, Contextual Dimensions, and Practice of School Counseling

Athletic Director (1.14)

Added second pathway option
Added detailed coursework requirements covering legal issues, student athlete wellness, and diversity
Restructured renewal requirements

Career and Technical Education (Section 3)

New Endorsement 095: Career Development Coordinator in CTE
New Endorsement 096: Student Services Coordinator in CTE
Added sixth transitional pathway for those holding current CTE certificates seeking additional endorsements
Reduced professional certification requirements from 12 to nine semester hours

Administrator Certificates (Section 4)

Changed terminology from “Certificate” to “Endorsement” throughout Section 4
Added references to the Student Services Coordinator in CTE role across multiple certificates
Maintained PSEL (Professional Standards for Educational Leaders) alignment requirements
Clarified internship/practicum requirements with three options: approved program, one year employment, or mentorship plan

These changes generally aim to provide more flexible pathways to certification, while maintaining quality standards—with particular emphasis on portfolio options, CTE positions, and special education specializations.

Maine Student Leader Nathan Prest Honored with 2025 FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader Award

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to celebrate Nathan Prest, a student leader and advocate, for being named a 2025 FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader. This national recognition honors exceptional youth with lived experience in foster care who are creating positive change in their communities.

Presented annually by FosterClub, a leading national nonprofit supporting youth in foster care, the Outstanding Young Leader Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, resilience, and advocacy.

Prest received the award for his tireless work supporting youth in Maine through leadership and advocacy, particularly around transition supports and eligibility through age 22 for students with disabilities. His efforts are rooted in a deep commitment to belonging, resilience, and empowering others—especially those navigating both the foster care system and the transition to adulthood.

Prest is a current member of the Executive Student Transition Committee (ESTC), a youth-led advisory group of the Transition Maine initiative under the Maine DOE Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education. Transition Maine works to support students with disabilities as they move from high school into adult life, including employment, post-secondary education, and independent living. Prest’s voice has been central to shaping the program’s statewide direction and impact.

“We could not be more proud of Nathan and his accomplishments,” Connor Archer, Transition Maine Project Consultant, said. “Nathan’s commitment to inspiring others is remarkable, and his resilience in doing so has helped reshape many important initiatives when it comes to helping our students with varying abilities and challenges transition from high school into adulthood successfully. In 2025 alone, Nathan has presented at several conferences and summits, representing the strong presence that Transition Maine has not only here in Maine but across the country.”

“Nathan is an important and wonderful member of the ESTC, and we are so proud of him receiving this amazing award,” Xavier Pettis, Chair of the ESTC, said. “His work with youth advocacy and his own lived experience bring tremendous joy and excitement to everything he does with us. We are all excited to work alongside him in this journey as a leader and human being, as he grows and evolves over these next few years!”

About Nathan Prest

Prest’s journey in foster care began at just four days old. After living with a foster family and then his grandmother, who became his primary support system until her passing, Prest returned to his former foster family, who eventually adopted him. Despite early life challenges, he graduated from Bonny Eagle High School, a milestone he once thought unreachable.

Today, Prest is a passionate advocate for youth with disabilities, including those living with autism, like himself. He speaks at youth summits and conferences, where he shares his story to encourage others to dream big and persist. He’s currently writing a book about his experiences and hopes to one day launch a business that supports others who are navigating similar journeys.

The Maine DOE congratulates Prest on this national recognition and thanks him for his ongoing leadership, both in Maine and beyond. His work embodies the core values of Transition Maine—empowerment, advocacy, and resilience—and we are proud to have his voice helping to shape a more inclusive and supportive future for all Maine students!

Learn more about the award and this year’s recipients here. You can also read Nathan Prest’s bio on FosterClub’s website.

Maine DOE Update – October 3, 2025

From the Maine Department of Education

Data Reporting

Fall Data Reports Now Open in NEO

Several fall data reports are now open in the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) NEO system, including Dropout, October 1 Enrollment, and Staff Certification. Superintendents must review, validate, and certify the following reports in October. | More

News & Updates

Maine Recognized Nationally for Digital Equity and Human-Centered Innovation in 2025 Government Experience Awards

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to announce that Maine has been recognized in the 2025 Government Experience Awards, presented by the Center for Digital Government (CDG). These national awards honor states, cities, counties, and agencies leading the way in delivering accessible, equitable, and engaging digital services. | More

Clarification Surrounding LD 384, “An Act to Prevent Student Homelessness”

During the first session of the 132nd Maine Legislature, Public Law 2025, Chapter 453 was passed, taking effect on September 24, 2025. It is effectively a continuation of the Preventing Student Homelessness Pilot Program that the Maine Department of Education (DOE) implemented over the past two years. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Maine Schools Strengthen Global Connections in the Fall of 2025

As a new season of learning unfolds, Maine classrooms are building on the strength of global connections. Through community celebrations, exchanges, and new language resources, students and educators are experiencing how language and culture are assets for learning. | More

Stepping Forward: How Problem Solving Has Allowed RSU 29 to Succeed in the Transition of Early Childhood Special Education Services

Innovation in education comes in many forms, whether from a teaching or an administrative angle. During the 2023-2024 school year, staff at RSU 29 in Houlton learned about an upcoming major opportunity for innovative leadership: joining Cohort 1 of the transition of early childhood special education services from Child Development Services (CDS) to school administrative units (SAUs). | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Reminder to Register for the Maine Green Schools Symposium on November 7

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is thrilled to announce Maine’s first-ever Green Schools Symposium—a groundbreaking event celebrating climate education and sustainability leadership across Maine’s schools. It will take place on Friday, November 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Thomas College in Waterville. | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine Schools Strengthen Global Connections in the Fall of 2025

In Lewiston, Portuguese cultural brokers and educators are partnering with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Portugal’s education leaders to bring free, high-quality resources into classrooms—work extending from Maine’s international agreement with Portugal. Teachers are accessing digital materials from Porto Editora that support Portuguese as a foreign, second, and heritage language. Additionally, local feedback has provided a reminder that implementation support matters: Since few classrooms in Maine have Portuguese-speaking teachers, educators may need guidance about how to use these materials effectively. The Maine DOE continues to coordinate practical “how-to” supports and warm introductions, so resources are usable in everyday instruction.

Maine educators are also connecting through events that celebrate language and culture. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston hosts Taiwan’s 114th National Day Celebration on October 3. A week later, teachers will gather at Husson University for the Maine Chinese Language Conference, an annual convening organized with the Bangor Chinese School/Chinese Language and Culture Center of Maine (CLCCM) that offers professional learning and continuing education units (CEUs).

Maine students continue to benefit from opportunities in German. At Cony High School—one of only 14 U.S. schools in PASCH (Schools: Partners for the Future), a global initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office via the Goethe-Institut—two students head to Estes Park, Colorado for an immersion weekend and competition with peers from across the Americas. Each summer, two Cony students also receive full scholarships for a three-week course in Germany, and this November, Goethe-Institut representatives will visit campus to share additional pathways, including study abroad.

“As a PASCH school, Cony has access to unique global connections, cutting-edge teaching resources, and annual teacher training that elevate German instruction,” Deb Backman, German teacher at Cony Middle and High School in Augusta, and 2025 Kennebec County Teacher of the Year, said. “Students build real language fluency and cross-cultural understanding, with many chances to use their skills inside and outside the classroom.”

Maine’s collaboration with the Académie de Nantes (France) supports classroom-to-classroom exchanges and educator partnerships that give students real audiences for their language skills. Those supports exist today but are underutilized; the Académie is actively seeking conversations with Maine educators about how to increase participation and make these opportunities easier to access.

“The supports are in place, and we want to hear directly from Maine educators about what would make participation easier and more impactful for their students,” Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships Ayesha Hall said. “Districts can connect with partner contacts on the Global Partners Network webpage, and I’m glad to make a warm introduction, when helpful.”

Together, these stories show that Maine schools are not just teaching languages; they are building bridges. By investing in multilingual pathways and international partnerships—and by listening to local feedback that improves access and use—schools across the state foster the curiosity, respect, and collaboration skills students need to thrive in a connected world.

A next step for educators and administrators: On October 20, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Maine DOE hosts the next session of the Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series—a virtual session for educators and district leaders who want practical ways to translate international partnerships into classroom learning and schoolwide engagement. Please register here, if you are interested in attending.

For more information, please contact Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Ayesha.Hall@maine.gov. Additionally, if this work is of interest to you, consider visiting the Maine DOE Global Partners Network webpage.