The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is now accepting applications for exceptional high school students interested in a laboratory research experience at MDI Biological Laboratory in the summer of 2015. Students must be nominated in order to apply. MDI Biological Laboratory usually awards 10 high school fellowships each summer.
Author: Maine Department of Education
Commissioner’s Update – November 6, 2014
From Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier
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. Through rigorous, standards-based programming that always has the student and their post-secondary goals at the center, these important teachers are helping students develop the academic and technical skills they’ll need for success in the 21st century. Like all Maine educators, they deserve our thanks for inspiring students and helping them to realize their potential.
In particular, I’d like to recognize Stanley Sluzenski and Suzanne M. Hall, two excellent educators who reflect the professionalism and commitment to students that is necessary and now commonplace in our CTE centers.
Notices and Reporting
- School Bus Purchase Program Application (NEO Transportation) (EF-T-17), due Nov. 25
- NCLB Title I Comparability, due Nov. 25
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
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
Revised National Board certification process for teachers
Over the years Maine has built an important cohort of National Board certified educators. Created for teachers, by teachers, National Board Certification is a voluntary, performance-based, peer-review process. | More
Resource available for elementary school principals
The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has released a new resource for elementary school principals. | More
Maine DOE provides PD program for arts educators
The Maine DOE is inviting arts educators to participate in a professional development program. | 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
District academic staff evaluation survey data due
The new Maine DOE NEO EDFacts School Academic Staff Evaluation Survey (formerly the MEDMS Educator Quality and Effectiveness EQE survey) is scheduled for initial rollout. | More
Department school nutrition team provides reminders to districts
Numbers in the National School Lunch Program are collected every November when a district files its October claim information. | More
Maine DOE learning technology staff attend SETDA leadership summit
Members of the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team recently returned from the annual State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) leadership summit. | More
Native American history and culture essay contest call for entries
In an effort to enhance Maine Native American Studies lessons, the Secretary of State is sponsoring an essay contest. | More
Register for Schools, Technology and the Law seminar to be held Nov. 14
Registration is open for “Schools, Technology and the Law” seminar hosted by Drummond Woodsum at the Augusta Civic Center on Nov. 14. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
Native American history and culture essay contest call for entries
In an effort to enhance Maine Native American Studies lessons, the Secretary of State is sponsoring an essay contest in which middle and high school students explore at least one aspect of Maine Native American history.
Continue reading “Native American history and culture essay contest call for entries”
Input sought for teacher shortage areas
The Maine DOE has been notified of the requirement to submit Maine teacher shortage areas by Dec. 11 for designation by the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. DOE) for the 2015-2016 school year. The U.S. DOE annually designates teacher shortage areas for purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation under the following student loan programs: Continue reading “Input sought for teacher shortage areas”
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow call for submissions
Maine middle and high schools are invited to enter the annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest for a chance to win a share of $2 million in technology and prizes for their school.
Continue reading “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow call for submissions”
Maine DOE showcases student artwork
The work of student artists from three Maine schools will be displayed at the Maine DOE’s office in Augusta throughout the coming year.
Commissioner’s Update – October 16, 2014
From Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier
Last week, I had the opportunity to spend two full days at the annual conference of the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM). To say I was impressed and inspired by what I experienced would be an understatement. Maine has long been looked to as a national leader when it comes to integrating technology in the classroom and the energy and expertise I saw in the hundreds of technology educators at the conference proved why.
I was especially impacted by the session I attended entitled “A Day in the iPad Empowered Elementary Classroom.” To see how Maine educators are using technology to change the way they teach students is almost as exciting as seeing how students – including those only in Kindergarten – are responding. Maine kids are being engaged and empowered as leaders in their own learning through these new tools in ways that many adults like me can’t even imagine. It is critical we keep up with their appetite and aptitude by finding innovative ways to leverage technology to continue to improve not just the experience of our students but their academic achievement.
I want to thank Maine’s many technology educators who are doing just that in classrooms across the state every day. Not only are you enhancing the educational environment for our students, but you are better preparing them for success in 21st century college and careers.
Notices and Reporting
- Local Entitlement Report of Final Expenditures, due Oct. 30
- Local Entitlement Year End Report, due Oct. 30
- School Facilities Inventory FY13-14, due Dec. 31
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Education Commissioner visiting Bangor schools today
Maine’s Education Commissioner will spend Thursday in the classrooms of the state’s third largest school district to see how proficiency-based education is transforming teaching and learning there. | More
Turner Elementary named Maine’s National Blue Ribbon School
Turner Elementary School in MSAD 52 is one of 287 public schools across the country to be named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School for high levels of student achievement. | More
Charter Commission advances virtual school proposal, schedules public hearing
A second public virtual charter school being proposed in Maine was unanimously advanced to the next round of review by the state’s Charter Commission. | More
District leaders share educator evaluation system implementation strategies
A panel of district leaders who have experienced the challenges and the success of developing and implementing Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems shared their success strategies at a recent seminar. | More
MMSA selects Ruth Kermish-Allen as Executive Director
The board and staff of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance have selected Ruth Kermish-Allen, currently Director of Education at the Island Institute and a resident of Appleton, as the organization’s next Executive Director. | More
Schools encouraged to prepare for Alcohol Awareness Day
Community groups and schools across the state will be conducting activities to raise awareness about alcohol use and abuse throughout Maine’s Alcohol Awareness Week, Dec. 1-5. | More
Maine schools encouraged to enter Verizon Innovative App Challenge
Maine schools are encouraged to enter the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, a creative and collaborative competition that offers up to $20,000 in grants for winning middle schools and high schools. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
Maine schools encouraged to enter Verizon Innovative App Challenge
Maine schools are encouraged to enter the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, a creative and collaborative competition that offers up to $20,000 in grants for winning middle schools and high schools. Designed to ignite students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the Challenge shows students exciting new possibilities for their futures, opening doors they may never have known were there.
Continue reading “Maine schools encouraged to enter Verizon Innovative App Challenge”
Maine DOE provides guidance on world language proficiency
The Maine DOE has recently published guidance on what constitutes proficiency in a world language and recommendations for assessing proficiency for graduation reporting standards on the world languages section of its website.
Continue reading “Maine DOE provides guidance on world language proficiency”
Maine teachers spend summer volunteering at Maine State Aquarium
While some teachers were taking advantage of the summer to relax, Deb Clark, a Gifted and Talented Program teacher at Winslow Elementary, spent the better part of one week volunteering at the Maine State Aquarium in West Boothbay Harbor. The experience provided a chance not only to give back to the aquarium, a place she has been bringing her students for years, but to grow personally and professionally.
Continue reading “Maine teachers spend summer volunteering at Maine State Aquarium”
