Category: Assessment

National Indian Education Study (NIES) WebEx Event: Wednesday, June 5 from 2 – 3 pm EDT.

The National Center for Education Statistics released a follow-up report on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 to the 2015 National Indian Education Study (NIES). A post-release webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 5th from 2 to 3 pm, EDT. Sharing highlights from the new report will be:

  • Dr. Peggy G. Carr, Associate Commissioner, Assessments Division, National Center for Education Statistics
  • Dr. Susan C. Faircloth, NIES Technical Review Panel Chair and Professor and Director of Colorado State University’s School of Education

This WebEX event with Dr. Carr and Dr. Faircloth is a terrific opportunity to hear from the experts, and is open to those with an interest in Indian Education, education research, equity or to simply learn more.

To RSVP for the webinar, please contact Emily Martin at emartin@hagersharp.com.

The new NIES report can be accessed via:  https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2019048

For a perspective on this report and the importance of the study as a whole, please see:  National Indian Education Study 2015:  Setting the Context, or https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/oas/nies-setting-the-context.pdf.  

This document was written by members of the NIES Technical Review Panel.  This panel is made up of individuals with expertise in matters related to the education of American Indian and Alaska Native students.  For more information, please contact Maine Department of Education Coordinator of NAEP and International Assessments, Regina Lewis at regina.lewis@maine.gov or (207) 624-6715.

Department of Education Seeks Educators for Standards Revision Writing Teams

As a part of our regular review cycle schedule, The Department of Education is performing a review of the Maine Learning Results for English language arts, career and education development, and mathematics, and is looking for participants to serve as part of the writing teams for each content area. The purpose of each writing team is to revise the current standards based on guidance provided from a steering committee. For more information about the standards review process, check the new Maine DOE standards revision website.

The Department will be convening three writing teams, one for each content area under review. The writing teams will serve as a representative sample of Maine K-12 educators covering K-12 grade levels, geographic locations, and content area strengths. While specific dates are still to be determined, a majority of the work will take place in July and August, and will include at least one face to face meeting in Augusta.

All interested educators are encouraged to participate. To help ensure that the geographic diversity of our state is represented, those who teach in the following counties are strongly encouraged to apply: Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, or Washington.

Participants will receive contact hours for time worked, be reimbursed for travel costs, and be provided lunch at face to face meetings.

If you are interested in participating as a member of one of these writing teams, please complete the application associated with your desired content area by 4:00pm on Friday, May 24th to be considered. We will reach out to interested participants with more information in the coming weeks.

Links to Writing Team Applications:

English Language Arts: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ELAwriting2019

Career and Education Development: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NG69J98

Mathematics: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MathWTApp

For further information, contact Beth Lambert at (207) 624-6642 or beth.lambert@maine.gov.

 

Science Standards Revision-LD 283

On April 19, 2019  Governor Mills signed LD 283, which contained the revised Science and Engineering standards in the Maine Learning Results. The revised standards are an adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards, which represent significant shifts from the previous version. The revised standards call for students to build core knowledge by making sense of observable events that use science to explain or predict. The three-dimensional nature of the standards promotes students “doing” science over passively listening to lectures. The standards also foster students’ ability to communicate scientific arguments and explanations. The revised standards replace breadth with depth of scientific ideas and practices.

The signed bill is currently going through the Maine Administrative Procedure Act to officially become law through the Secretary of State’s office. It is anticipated that the law will go into effect near the end of this school year. This timeline allows schools to begin planning for implementation during the summer of 2019. To help support schools as they transition to use of the revised standards., planning is underway here at the Department of Education to provide a series of professional development opportunities around the state in 2019 and 2020, as well as online resources.

For questions regarding the standards review process please contact Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

For questions regarding science education please contact Shari Templeton at shari.templeton@maine.gov.

Learning for the 21st Century- a Professional Development Opportunity for Educators

Join the Maine Department of Education as we explore knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for 21st century careers as well as the intentional actions of educators that support students’ skill and will to fuel their learning. During these day-long workshops, participants will delve into the principles of formative assessment as they examine strategies for building units of instruction that integrate multiple content areas. Sessions will be led by teams of the Department’s content specialists. Units will integrate combinations of world language, social studies, visual and performing arts, science, English language arts, health education and physical education, and mathematics. Units will also incorporate strategies for technology integration and family engagement.

Structure of the Day:

School districts are strongly encouraged to attend as teams of three or more people. Teams will gather at the beginning of the day for a panel presentation and discussion. Then, team members will attend breakout sessions where they will experience integrated lessons and units incorporating the principles of formative assessment drawn from Hattie, Fisher and Frey’s (2018) Developing Assessment Capable Learners text. Finally, at the end of the day, teams will reconvene to share, process, and apply what they experienced in the breakout sessions, as well as have opportunity to connect with other teams to gather additional ideas.

Team Configuration:

Teams may include PK-12 educators, administrators, instructional coaches, and special education instructors.  Schools are encouraged to include representation from multiple grade levels and all content areas when forming teams and to divide up team members across breakout sessions.  The time at the end of the day will be more productive if participants attend as part of a team, but if an educator attends without a team, accommodations will be made to group single participants for sharing and planning. When registering participants, be sure to gather information about which breakout session each will attend.  Session descriptions are included below.

Registration Dates/Locations/Links:

Elementary (Pk-5):

July 9th at the Ramada in Lewiston, 8:30-3:30

July 24th at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, 8:30-3:30

Secondary (6-12):

July 10th at the Ramada in Lewiston, 8:30-3:30

July 25th at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, 8:30-3:30

Registration Cost:

$75/team of 3 or $30/ person.  Individual registrations are accepted but teams are strongly encouraged.  Register by June 28, 2019.  Credit or debit cards are necessary for registration.  Cancellations must be made at least a week prior to the event to be eligible for a refund.  A morning snack and lunch will be provided. Participants will earn 6 contact hours.

For more information please contact Lee Anne Larsen, leeann.larsen@maine.gov or Beth Lambert, beth.lambert@maine.gov.

 

PK-5 Breakout Session Selections

Session 1: Laying a Foundation for Future Learning

Wendy L. Ostroff describes curiosity as being aware and open, checking things out, experimenting and interacting within one’s surroundings. Come explore with us ways to create the conditions for curiosity in the PK-5 classrooms. Together, specialists in Career and Education Development, Early Childhood Learning, Physical Education, and World Languages have designed learning experiences to pique curiosity about inventors, inventions and innovations and how they change daily life.  Presented by Maine DOE Specialists Jean Zimmerman (Physical Education), Lavinia Rogers (World Languages), Nicole Madore (Early Childhood), and Diana Doiron (Career and Education Development).

Session 2: Mimicking Animals

Humans have imitated and mimicked animal characteristics for as long as man has walked the earth. In this strand we will explore how humans use strategies inspired by nature to solve health and safety problems, then to communicate those out while embracing strategies that are proven to advance student learning and develop assessment capable learners.  Presented by Maine DOE Specialists Danielle Saucier (English Language Arts), Susan Berry (Health Education), and Shari Templeton (Science).

Session 3: Putting the You in Comm_nity

It takes a community to raise a child and this includes making sure that students understand that they are part of a bigger world. Take a look at what it means to be part of a community through the eyes of early childhood, visual and performing arts, and social studies as we explore an integrated approach to instruction that focuses on helping students take ownership in their own learning. Presented by Maine DOE Specialists Joe Schmidt (Social Studies), Nate Menifield (Visual and Performing Arts), and Sue Reed (Early Childhood).

6-12 Breakout Session Selections

Session 1:  To Tell the Truth: Using Decision-Making to Your Advantage

As the rate of change in the world increases faster than ever imagined, students need to be able to think on their feet, process new information, and make good decisions. Come explore with us ways to support students to think critically about the world around them by examining how Career and Education Development, Health Education, and Social Studies could use problem solving to develop decision-making skills that are necessary for success both in and out of the classroom.  Presented by Maine DOE Specialists Susan Berry (Health Education), Joe Schmidt (Social Studies), and Diana Doiron (Career and Education Development).

Session 2:  Graphical Literacy, S’il Vous Plait

World Languages, Mathematics and Science all build upon knowing how to read and interpret data found in a variety of graphical formats. We will utilize graphs to tell a story and to explore the intersections between content areas while practicing proven strategies that move the needle on student learning. Presented by Maine DOE Specialists Lavinia Rogers (World Languages), Michele Mailhot (Math), and Shari Templeton (Science). 

Session 3:  STRENGTH AND STAMINA: SUPPORTING ASSESSMENT CAPABLE LEARNERS

In Visual & Performing Arts, Health & Physical Education, and English Language Arts

Building learning strength requires a growth mindset to set goals that are challenging and reachable. Building leaning stamina involves persistence, problem solving, planning, and practice. VPA, HPE, and ELA specialists will provide support for evaluating learning to set growth goals and model strategies for building stamina while focusing on the student’s overall experience throughout the school day, the school year, or the education pathway. Presented by Maine DOE Specialists Jean Zimmerman (Physical Education), Morgan Dunton (English Language Arts), and Nate Menifield (Visual and Performing Arts).

 

 

New Visual Tool Available to Help Communicate Purpose of the MEAs

With the upcoming MEA testing window opening soon, the Maine Department of Education has created a visual tool to help schools and districts when communicating with families and communities about the Maine Educational Assessments (MEAs). The tool outlines why Maine administers a state assessment to students, what scores are used for, and why participation in the MEAs is important.

The tool is available as a graphic visual and as a text-only accessible version:

Why Participation Matters (Graphic Visual – PDF)

Why Participation Matters (Text Version – PDF)

For further questions, please visit Maine DOE Maine Comprehensive Assessment System Website.

 

Professional Learning Opportunity: Using Assessment to Strengthen Instruction

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the next installment of its Balanced Assessment series: Using Assessment to Strengthen Instruction for high school grades. Participants will explore SAT data and methods to compare local data to determine instructional priorities.  The workshops will be at USM, UMO, and UMPI. There is no cost for these events.

For more information and to register, go to: Assessment Literacy: Grades 9-12.

For further questions, contact Morgan Dunton, English Language Arts Specialist, grades 6-12 for the Maine DOe at (207) 624-6625 or morgan.dunton@maine.gov.

 

2019 eMPowerME Assessment Administration Training Workshops

In preparation for the Maine Educational Assessments (MEA) for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy for grades 3-8 eMPowerME assessment administration, the Maine DOE will be holding half-day regional workshop trainings February 12-14, 2019. The intended audiences for the sessions are District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), Technology Coordinators (ITCs), and/or School Test Coordinators (STCs). Morning and afternoon sessions both include topics such as: New Features for 2019; Portal Overview; User Management; Kiosk Overview; and Live Demonstrations. Registrations are limited to two (2) people per district. Should additional space become available, districts will be notified.

Dates & Locations

Morning Sessions 9:00 – 12:00

This is a full, comprehensive overview of all aspects and details of the eMPowerME assessment administration for those who are new to this test, or a full review for those returning.

Afternoon Sessions 1:00 – 3:30

This is a condensed version of the morning session, intended as a refresher with a review of administration processes for eMPowerME, while highlighting new features for 2019.

NOTE: Training sessions will NOT be hands-on and thus do not require participants to bring a personal computing device. For those participants who wish to bring devices (e.g., to ask specific questions about individual school setup), you may consider bringing a personal “hot spot”, as WiFi in training venues can be unpredictable and may be affected by the size of each training group. Morning and afternoon light snacks/coffee/juice available –lunch is not provided.

To Register click here

For questions please contact Eric W. Buckhalter, Maine Department of Education at (207) 624-6770 or Eric.buckhalter@maine.gov

 

Enrollment Data Deadlines for Spring 2019 MEA Registration

The Maine Department of Education would like to remind district personnel that are tasked with maintaining enrollment data that eMPowerME, SAT, and MEA Science reports need to be reviewed for accuracy and completeness. These reports will be used to electronically complete student registration for the spring 2019 administration of the Maine Education Assessments. Accuracy in these reports will minimize the amount of manual registrations that need to be done by the district during test administration.

The reports can be found in NEO under Student Data/Student Reports. Please update your Student Information Systems and push to Synergy State Edition by or before the following deadlines.

Below are the dates that state-wide enrollment will be captured and uploaded into the respective assessments for spring 2019 administration. It is critical that your enrollments are current and complete in Synergy by these dates. Please note: it is extremely important to unenroll your students as soon as they transfer so that the receiving school can enroll them in a timely manner.

  • eMPowerME 1/18/19
    This is the first upload of student enrollment data into the portal via Synergy/NEO reports. This is the only assessment that has daily change file updates, which will occur daily after 12pm beginning on 2/11/19 and running through 4/12/19. Please have your grade 3-8 students updated in your SIS prior to 1/18/19, and pushed to Synergy State Edition. Daily school/district enrollment updates are highly recommended. Data must be uploaded or manually entered in to Synergy by 12pm in order to be loaded in to the assessment portal for that day.
  • MEA Science 1/28/19
    This is the upload of student enrollment data for test pre-ID labels via Synergy/NEO reports. Please have your students updated in your SIS prior to 1/28/19 and pushed to Synergy State Edition. Any students who move into your district/school after 1/28/19 will not receive pre-ID labels and will need to pencil/bubble in their information on the answer sheet cover pages.
  • SAT 1/31/19
    This is the bulk registration enrollment data for test pre-ID labels via Synergy/NEO reports. Please have your high school students updated in your SIS prior to 1/28/19 and pushed to Synergy State Edition. Any students who move into your district/school after 1/31/19 will not receive pre-ID labels and will need to complete a paper registration by penciling in their information on the answer sheet cover pages.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns in regards to accessing the NEO eMPowerME, SAT, and MEA Science reports please contact the Helpdesk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@Maine.gov or (207) 624-6896.

Server Outage Delays 1% Support Webinar

The 1% Support Webinar for Districts over the 1% identification of students participating in alternate assessments was canceled yesterday, January 9, 2019, due to a server outage in the video conferencing tool, Zoom, that is used by the Department.

This webinar has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 16th at 2:00pm.  All districts are welcome to join.  The “Join ZOOM” meeting information to participate in the meeting remains the same:

Jan 16, 2019 2:00 PM – Join Zoom Meeting

Further questions can be sent to Sue Nay, Alternate Assessment & WIDA ACCESS Coordinator for the Maine Department of Education at (207-624-6774)

 

Priority Notice: Report Card Release to be Delayed

The Maine Department of Education will be delaying the public release of the Report Cards. It was originally anticipated that the Report Cards would be released to the public on January 7, 2019. After receiving feedback following a soft release to superintendents on December 28, 2018, the Department has decided to delay the public release in order to continue working with school and district administrators to ensure the information in the Report Cards is both accurate and clear.

The Department would like to thank the field for their critical feedback during the Report Card preview. Your prompt and thorough responses have been extremely beneficial. We would like to assure you that the Department will continue working through your questions and inquires prior to the public release.

Thank you for your patience.