Author: Maine Department of Education

How Williams Elementary School is Teaching and Preparing Students for the Solar Eclipse

Two weeks before the solar eclipse on April 8th, Williams Elementary School in RSU 18 principal Melanie Smith visited all classrooms to read aloud the book A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox. During her visits, Principal Smith also shared a video with students that explained the difference between solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox
A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox

Maps of the path of totality across the United States and our state of Maine were also shown and discussed with students.

In addition to the academic presentations and discussions happening at school, the Williams Elementary School community collected cardboard tubes during the month of March in preparation for a special solar eclipse project. The week before the solar eclipse, art teacher David Clark and 3rd-grade teacher Brynn Charest helped students create their own eclipse viewers out of the collected recycled materials. The self-created handheld eclipse viewers will allow students to view the solar eclipse indirectly. All students in RSU 18 were also provided solar glasses to be distributed to students on Monday, April 8th.

Students working on their solar eclipse viewers:

In addition, Williams Elementary teachers used eclipse resources provided by the Maine Department of Education to educate students about the upcoming solar eclipse.

“We wanted to ensure that our children had background knowledge about a total solar eclipse so that they would understand what was happening on April 8th and know how to view the solar eclipse safely,” said Principal Smith.

For more information, resources, and safety advice for schools regarding the 2024 Social Eclipse, please visit the Maine DOE Eclipse Resource page.

This story was submitted to the Maine DOE by Williams Elementary School. To submit a story about your school, please fill out our Good News Submission form.

Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2024-2025 School Year 

The U.S. Department of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting and would like to thank all those who submitted information during the comment period. The comments related to teacher shortage enabled the Maine DOE to add additional teaching endorsements to the U.S. DOE proposal.  

In Maine, the annual teacher shortage list is utilized by the Maine DOE to determine which endorsements are eligible for emergency certification and for reciprocity from other states, per 20-A MRS §13012-B.   

The following are PreK-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2024-2025 school year: 

  • General Elementary   
  • Computer Technology 
  • Early Childhood   
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages  
  • English/Language Arts (Middle and Secondary Level)   
  • Gifted/Talented 
  • Health and Physical Education (Combined Endorsement) 
  • Mathematics (Middle and Secondary Level)  
  • Music 
  • Science-Physical (Secondary Level)  
  • Science-Life (Secondary Level)  
  • Science (Middle Level) 
  • Social Studies (Middle and Secondary Level) 
  • World Languages 
  • Visual Arts  
  • Deaf-Hearing Impaired* 
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities*  

* On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released a memorandum to clarify the requirements of IDEA Part B, which outlines the expectations for the preparation and training of all special education teachers nationwide and  that special education certification or licensure requirements may not be waived.  This includes the prohibition on issuance of emergency certificates. 

The benefits to student financial aid recipients, such as loan cancellations, are indicated in the following regulatory provisions: 

  • 34 CFR 682.210(b)(5)(ii), (b)(7), (q), and (s) enable a borrower who had no outstanding Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan on July 1, 1987,  but who had an outstanding FFEL Program loan on July 1, 1993, to qualify for deferment of loan repayment under the Stafford Loan Program anytime within the life of the borrower’s loan(s) for up to three years of service as a full-time teacher in a private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area designated by the Department, and as certified by the chief administrative officer of the particular school in which the borrower is teaching; 
  • 34 CFR 674.53(c) enables Federal Perkins Loan borrowers who are full-time teachers of mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or any other field of expertise where the State educational agency determined there is a shortage of qualified teachers to qualify for cancellation of up to 100 percent of the outstanding balance on the borrower’s Federal Perkins loans; and 
  • 34 CFR 686.12(d) enables grant recipients to fulfill their teaching obligation under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (regarding the requirement to serve at least four academic years, within eight years of graduation) by teaching in a “high-need field,” which includes academic disciplines/subject areas identified as teacher shortage areas at the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field. 

Stafford Loan and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) borrowers who have questions concerning their loans, including the teacher shortage area deferment, can contact the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FED-AID. 

Federal Perkins Loan borrowers should contact the school where they received the loan.  

Please contact Erin Reinhard at Cert.DOE@maine.gov with any questions or concerns.  

Maine DOE Update – March 29, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY23 ESEA funds and FY24 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to apply for a Tydings Amendment waiver and a Title I Carryover of Excess waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). As required, the Maine DOE is seeking 15 days of public comment from March 22, 2024 – April 6, 2024, on the request to waive the period of availability for Elementary & Secondary Education Act funds. and Title I, Part A carryover limitations. |  More

Celebrating Early Childhood Education Day at the State House

Staff from Maine’s Department of Education’s (DOE) Early Learning Team and Child Development Services gathered with several other Early Childhood agencies, organizations, and programs in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House in Augusta on Thursday, March 21st for the annual Early Childhood Day at the Hall of Flags. |  More

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for Current Social Studies Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking public comments regarding the current social studies standards. These comments will inform the work of the standards revision teams. |  More

Public Pre-K Partnership Pilot Grant Request for Applications (RFA)

Maine’s Preschool Development Renewal Grant is supporting the Maine Department of Education in offering grant funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to increase the number of eligible 4-year-olds attending high-quality public Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programming through partnerships with licensed community providers (center-based and family child care) during the 24-25 school year. |  More

Information for Celebrating The Week of the Young Child April 6th – 12th

We hope that you will join us in celebrating the Week of the Young Child! To help elevate the importance of high-quality early learning and care for the great community, please share photos through this form to show how your early learning program/classroom celebrates the Week of the Young Child by utilizing high-quality practices and strategies to build positive relationships and a sense of community in your early care and education setting. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

21st Annual MLTI Student Conference Registration Closes Soon; Calling for Session Proposals

There’s still time to register to attend the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference! Join us for a fun-filled day of technology learning with #CampMLTI, the in-person student conference. Registration to attend the in-person MLTI student conference on May 23rd at the University of Maine in Orono is open until April 5th. |  More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY23 ESEA funds and FY24 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to apply for a Tydings Amendment waiver and a Title I Carryover of Excess waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).  As required, the Maine DOE is seeking 15 days of public comment from March 22, 2024 – April 6, 2024, on the request to waive the period of availability for Elementary & Secondary Education Act funds. and Title I, Part A carryover limitations.

Requirements from which Maine will be seeking a waiver include:

  • A Tydings amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Tydings amendment waiver seeks an extension to the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2022/State Fiscal Year 2023 Elementary and Secondary Education funds. Programs affected by this waiver:
    • Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs), including the portions of the SEA’s Title I, Part A award used to carry out section 1003 school improvement, section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
    • Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants)
    • Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children)
    • Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk)
    • Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction)
    • Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement)
    • Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
    • Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
    • Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program)
    • McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
  • A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2023/State Fiscal Year 2024 Title I, Part A funds. The carryover limitation waiver seeks to waive the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its local educational agencies (LEAs) a waiver of the 15 percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.

The Maine DOE must solicit and respond to public comment on its waiver request as well as provide evidence of the available comment period.  As the Maine DOE moves forward to provide as much flexibility as possible and continued support for expending ESEA federal funds, comments can be submitted to:  Janette.Kirk@maine.gov

Celebrating Early Childhood Education Day at the State House

Staff from Maine’s Department of Education’s (DOE) Early Learning Team and Child Development Services gathered with several other Early Childhood agencies, organizations, and programs in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House in Augusta on Thursday, March 21st for the annual Early Childhood Day at the Hall of Flags.

The event allowed early childhood educators, families, and advocates to unite to celebrate and elevate the need for high-quality early care and education (ECE) opportunities and the importance of a strong ECE workforce in Maine.

Maine DOE Early Learning Team and members of Child Development Services (pictured above) took part in the event by sharing resources and facilitating a session related to public pre-k partnerships.

For more information and resources on early learning in Maine, visit:

 

21st Annual MLTI Student Conference Registration Closes Soon; Calling for Session Proposals

There’s still time to register to attend the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference! Join us for a fun-filled day of technology learning with #CampMLTI, the in-person student conference.  Registration to attend the in-person MLTI student conference on May 23rd at the University of Maine in Orono is open until April 5th.

Please register using this form as soon as possible to ensure your group can attend. 

The MLTI Student Conference is a unique technology experience developed exclusively for students at MLTI schools.  Since MLTI’s beginning in 2001 this conference has been providing students with their own conference where they can engage in authentic, relevant, technology-rich, learning experiences that prepare them for a fulfilling future. Starting in 2020, MLTI has offered a virtual Student Conference and now we offer two events annually. The 2024 virtual conference, the Maine Winter Classic, occurred last month and brought together approximately 5,000 participants from schools in every county across the state.

Submit a session proposal! 

The Maine DOE is issuing a call for session proposals for the in-person student conference on May 23rd, 2024 at the University of Maine at Orono. 

Conference Theme: #CampMLTI – This year’s conference is using a fun summer camp and camping-based theme. We love to have sessions that are tailored to the theme, but it’s not a requirement. There are endless possibilities for session topics. Technology-focused is essential; from traditional use of tech to unplugged, it’s all on the table. 

Sessions should be “platform agnostic” (not device specific) and feature only free apps and tools that are accessible to all, and appropriate for 5th through 10th grade MLTI students. If you have concerns or questions about these requirements, please contact the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology team at doe-ltt@maine.gov. 

Sessions can be led entirely by educators or students co-led with educators. We will also consider educational organization, higher ed, and other education stakeholder proposals. 

Sessions are blocked for 90 minutes and should actively engage students in exploration, creation, and collaboration through technology and/or computer science. Presenters should plan to deliver their session twice, unless their schedule needs prohibit this. 

We hope you’ll consider submitting a session proposal and join us. To submit a session proposal, please complete this form. 

Important Dates 

  • Friday, April 5th, 2024 – Registration Closes 
  • Friday, April 5th, 2024 – Session Proposals Due 
  • Monday April 8th, 2024 – Notification of Session Acceptance 
  • Monday, April 8th, 2024 – Session Registration Opens 
  • Friday April 26th, 2024 – Session Registration Closes 
  • Thursday, May 23rd, 2924 – MLTI (in-person) Student Conference

For further questions, please contact the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology team at doe-ltt@maine.gov. 

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for Current Social Studies Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking public comments regarding the current social studies standards. These comments will inform the work of the standards revision teams.

The standards review process opens with a public comment and public hearing prior to the convening of teams that will review and revise the social studies standards. The public hearing will occur on April 29th, Burton Cross Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Room 500, from 3-5pm and is intended to give anyone the opportunity to weigh-in on the direction of future social studies standards in Maine. Anyone may speak at the public hearing. People wishing to speak will be asked to sign in and it will be helpful, but not mandatory, to provide a written copy of their comments.

Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments by 5 pm on April 29th, 2024. Written comments may be emailed to sis.doe@maine.gov with the subject “Social Studies Standards Review” or mailed to Maine Department of Education, attn: Beth Lambert, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. You may also fill out this form.

For further information about the standards review process contact Beth Lambert at Beth.Lambert@maine.gov.

 

Maine DOE Update – March 22, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Seeks Participants for Climate Education Action Plan Task Force

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) wants your help designing the future of climate education in Maine. If you are a teacher, student or young adult (under 30), school administrator, or education partner, consider filling out the interest form below to be a part of the Maine DOE Climate Education Action Plan Task Force. |  More

Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facilities Program Funding Opportunity

Maine school administrative units (SAUs) may apply for the Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facilities Program through the application posted on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of School Facilities website. The application deadline is June 30, 2025. |  More

Maine DOE Seeks Comments on Maine’s IDEA Part C Application

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), Child Development Services – Early Intervention for ME is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which covers early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and/or suspected disabilities from birth to their third birthday. |  More

Maine DOE Seeks Comments on Maine’s IDEA Part B Application

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which covers services to children with disabilities, ages 3-22. |  More

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment: Performance Levels for Career and Technical Education Perkins State Plan Revision (2024)

As required under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (“Perkins V”), the Maine DOE is completing a non-substantive revision of our four-year Perkins state plan. Among minor updates, this revision to the state plan will also include adjusted values of Maine’s state-determined performance levels (“SDPLs” or “performance levels”) for the 2024-2025 school year through the 2027-2028 school year. |  More

Maine Department of Education Ramping Up for Kindergarten Entry Inventory Project

Calling all Maine kindergarten teachers, administrators, and curriculum directors! Are you interested in exploring strategies to help support transitions from early childhood settings into a Kindergarten setting? If so, you may be interested in engaging in an upcoming project the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is launching related to the design of a Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI). |  More

Public Pre-K Partnership Pilot Grant Request for Applications (RFA)

Maine’s Preschool Development Renewal Grant is supporting the Maine Department of Education in offering grant funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to increase the number of eligible 4-year-olds attending high-quality public Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programming through partnerships with licensed community providers (center-based and family child care) during the 24-25 school year. |  More

No Cost ‘Envirothon KickStarter Kits’ Available to Maine Educators/Schools

Do you want to engage students in learning about Maine’s Natural Resources? Do you want to promote outdoor education? Do you want access to environmental science equipment? Do you want to provide students with more opportunities to master the Maine Science and Technology Learning Results Standards? The Envirothon KickStarter Program may be for you. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Maine Students Showcase Career & Technical Talents at Annual SkillsUSA Competition in Bangor

The hallways of United Technologies Center (UTC) were packed with students dressed in different uniforms adorned with the SkillsUSA emblem on March 15 as they came together from across Maine to test their talents at Maine’s annual SkillsUSA event. |  More

Noble Middle School Builds Stronger Relationships Through BARR

Noble Middle School has created a community of students who genuinely respect and trust their teachers and each other through the Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR) model. “The teachers, the students, and everyone just support you. There’s really no negativity,” Chase, a Noble seventh grader, says of his school. |  More

How Saco Middle School is Integrating Technology into Student-Driven Curriculum

This year, Saco Middle School (SMS) has three exciting student technology projects that highlight highly engaging, student-driven learning. These projects are a combination of projects funded through the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning through Technology Initiative (MLTI) as well as a student project submission to the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. |  More

Windham High School Students Welcome Peers from Poland Regional High to Practice Civil Discourse

For the second consecutive year, a student group from Windham High School (WHS) volunteered to participate in the Can We? Project and hosted their peers from Poland Regional High School (PRHS) in mid-February to practice skills needed for civilized conversations. |  More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Maine DOE and DHHS to Offer Early Childhood Summer Regional Summit Events With Mini Grant Opportunity

Through the Preschool Development Renewal Grant (PDG), the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) are offering the opportunity for a summer summit series in 2024 and 2025 to support communities in their local system alignment and coordination for early childhood care and education programming from birth through the early elementary years. Teams accepted to participate in the summit will also be awarded $800 mini grants to support their efforts in developing and implementing action plans to address an identified early care and education need in their communities. |  More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Maine DOE Seeks Comments on Maine’s IDEA Part C Application

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), Child Development Services – Early Intervention for ME is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which covers early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and/or suspected disabilities from birth to their third birthday.

The application, which covers Maine fiscal year 2025 (starting July 1, 2024) is posted on the Maine DOE’s website at Part C Application.  The Part C budget is estimated/projected based on Maine’s current award, pending the State’s receipt of the finalized federal award for the coming year. Both documents will be posted from March 22, 2024, through May 22, 2024.

Written comments will be accepted from Monday, April 1, 2024, until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Please send comments to Erin Frazier at erin.frazier@maine.gov or 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME. 04333

Maine Department of Education Ramping Up for Kindergarten Entry Inventory Project

Calling all Maine kindergarten teachers, administrators, and curriculum directors! Are you interested in exploring strategies to help support transitions from early childhood settings into a Kindergarten setting? If so, you may be interested in engaging in an upcoming project the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is launching related to the design of a Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI).

A KEI is a tool administered in the beginning of Kindergarten to help teachers gather information about children’s development across a range of domains so that teachers can be responsive to children’s learning.  Additionally, data aggregated from KEIs can help strengthen Maine’s early care and education system by identifying areas of steady growth and continuous improvement.

In 2022, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), was awarded the Preschool Development Renewal Grant B-5. This three-year, $8,000,000/year grant supports early care and educational programming for our youngest students. One of the many projects included in the grant is the development of a KEI.

If you are an early childhood educator or school administrator serving these grade levels, please be on the lookout for an upcoming survey later this spring. The survey will gather multiple points of information including current assessment practices utilized as part of children’s transition into, and journey through, kindergarten. The survey will also gather educators’ thoughts about the design of a KEI and questions they may have. Additionally, the survey will offer an opportunity to recruit for educator involvement by either serving on a KEI Advisory Team or by being a Kindergarten Entry Implementation Team Member.

Keep watching your emails. More details and information will follow soon.

For questions, please reach out to Karen Mathieu, Maine DOE Kindergarten Entry Inventory Specialist, at karen.mathieu@maine.gov .