Welcome to the December issue of the Maine DOE Monthly.

With the administration window for the new Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by Smarter Balanced just a few months away, the Department has been busy releasing resources to ensure students and schools are prepared for success. In December we announced that we’d hired one of Maine’s foremost learning technology leaders to provide assessment implementation technical support; launched a website and portal with administration calendars, tools, and practice and training tests; and scheduled regional workshops for district and school test administrators.

This month we also shared the good news that the Maine DOE had received $14.8 million to support the expansion of locally driven preschool programs and provided clarification on what the expectations are of local districts following the passage of preschool legislation earlier this year. And, in light of several high profile security threats, we reminded districts of the Department’s existing resources to keep schools safe.

Read on for a roundup of other recent updates from the Department and as always, stay tuned to our Newsroom and weekly Commissioner’s Updates for the latest news you can use from the Maine DOE.

Please note: The Department will not be distributing our weekly Commissioner’s Update this Thursday, Jan. 1 as our offices will be closed for the New Year’s holiday. Expect to receive the next Commissioner’s Update on Thursday, Jan. 8 and the next Maine DOE Monthly on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

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Dispatches & Press Releases

Maine DOE awarded $14.8 million to help expand public preschool access

In total, 33 new classrooms will be created with the funding and most will open next September, adding to Maine’s existing 205 classrooms serving 4-year-old students. Another 23 classrooms already in operation will be expanded so students can attend five days a week for the full day. | More

Department offers clarification of public preschool program requirements

The Maine DOE has received many inquiries from school district personnel seeking clarification on the public preschool legislation passed last spring. | More

Maine DOE provides resources to help schools keep students safe

In light of several high profile incidents in Maine involving threats to schools, the Department is reminding districts of the many resources it has already available to support schools in their ongoing efforts to keep students safe. | More

Maine DOE hires learning technology leader to assist with online assessment implementation

Andy Wallace will work with the Department to develop technology related resources and provide support to schools to ensure they are ready to successfully administer the Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). | More

Maine DOE launches web resources for assessment

The Maine DOE has launched a new section on its website with resources related to the new online Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy as well as a portal developed by its vendor for assessment administration. | More

Maine DOE offers regional assessment administration workshops in January

The Maine DOE is offering four regional workshops in January to support school districts as they prepare for the spring administration of the Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. | More

Interim assessments available next month

The new Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is part of a comprehensive assessment system with multiple components, including  two types of interim assessments for optional classroom use that will be available on Jan. 27. | More

Maine DOE releases scheduling guidance for new State assessment

To support district and school testing coordinators in their planning for the spring 2015 administration of the Maine Educational Assessment in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy, the Maine DOE has posted scheduling guidelines on the assessment section of its website. | More

Consortium sets new assessment achievement levels

These initial achievement levels establish a new baseline for measuring college and career readiness and were developed with input from thousands of educators and members of the public including many from Maine. | More

Maine DOE releases resources to support new educator evaluation system development

The Maine DOE has released new online resources to support school administrative units (SAUs) in designing and implementing Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems. | More

Department provides resources from principals as instructional leaders workshops

The resources provided by the Maine DOE during its November regional workshops focused on principals as instructional leaders are now available on the Department’s website. | More

Collaboration continues to develop policies to support implementation of proficiency-based diplomas

Collaborations begun last year to develop sample policies that can be used by districts to support their local implementation of systems that support the awarding of proficiency-based diplomas are continuing across Maine. | More

Maine joins New England states to create common system for reporting on educational performance

A consortium of states including Maine has released two years of reports created under a first of its kind regional common data project. | More

Student art submissions sought for MLTI screensaver contest

The Maine DOE is seeking artwork created by students to feature next year on the screensavers of the thousands of devices it provides to Maine schools through the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). | More

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Dispatches
Press Releases
From the Commissioner

Welcome to the November issue of the Maine DOE Monthly.

Though the March 16 through May 29, 2015 window schools have for administering the new Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is months away, the Department recently overviewed the significant work already underway across the state to ensure schools and students are prepared for success.

This month, the Maine DOE also continued delivering on its commitment to supporting schools by announcing professional development for administrators to learn more about the educator effectiveness law, arts teachers to integrate arts across the curriculum and alternative educators to improve HIV prevention efforts. Additionally, we announced that 99 high schools have requested extensions to ensure the thoughtful implementation of systems that support proficiency-based diplomas or said they will be ready in all eight content areas by 2018.

Read on for a roundup of other recent updates from the Department and stay tuned to our Newsroom and weekly Commissioner’s Updates for the latest news you can use from the Maine DOE.

Please note because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Commissioner’s Update this Thursday and the Department will be closed both Thursday and Friday.

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Dispatches & Press Releases

Commissioner Rier on Leave, CAO Tome serving as Acting Commissioner

Commissioner Jim Rier is out indefinitely on leave, though he remains in close communication with Department leadership. In his absence, Governor LePage has appointed Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome to serve as Acting Commissioner.| More

Planning for success: 2014-15 State assessment

While transitioning to an entirely new assessment requires hard work at schools across the state and at the Maine DOE,  education leaders are excited about the opportunities the computer-adaptive MEA for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy offers in providing timely, accurate information on achievement and growth that will improve teaching and learning. | More

Commissioner Rier: Extension applications show Maine’s commitment to proficiency-based diplomas

To date, 95 applications/confirmations representing 99 high schools have been submitted and the Department has been contacted by superintendents representing seven other high schools that their applications are forthcoming following local school board approval. | More

Department recognizes Maine’s career and technical educators

Career and technical education (CTE) plays a critical role in strengthening the college and career readiness of our students and the economic future of our state. At 27 centers across Maine, CTE educators are engaging and exciting our students with relevant, hands-on learning experiences. | More

Commission approves second virtual public charter school

The Maine Charter School Commission has voted to enter into contract negotiations with the backers of what will be the state’s second virtual public charter school. | More

Maine DOE hosts educator effectiveness workshop on Dec. 12

The Maine DOE is offering a free half-day workshop for new superintendents and building administrators who need general information on the educator effectiveness law, which requires all school administrative units to develop and implement performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) systems by the 2015 school year. | More

MEA science testing window extended, will better accommodate AP students

The science portion of the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) will be administered to all students in grades five and eight and to those in their third year of high school during a three-week window from May 4 to May 22. | More

Maine DOE provides PD program for arts educators

The Maine DOE is inviting arts educators to participate in a professional development program that will deepen student learning and appreciation for the arts while energizing engagement and motivation. | More

Maine DOE offers HIV prevention educator trainings

Two HIV prevention educator trainings are scheduled in December as a result of funding provided by the passage of LD1699. | More

Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey registration open

The Maine DOE, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is encouraging public schools to register for the 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). | More

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Dispatches
Press Releases
From the Commissioner