Topsham school recognized for high student performance

This week, the Department was proud to announce that one of the Maine schools we had nominated had been selected as a National Blue Ribbon School.

The Williams-Cone School in Topsham was one of 236 public schools nationwide named by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan into this prestigious program that recognizes schools where students perform at very high levels or show significant improvements in closing achievement gaps.

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Consortium that includes Maine receives grant for kindergarten entry assessment development

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded more than $15.1 million in Enhanced Assessment Grants (EAGs) to three state education agencies—North Carolina, Maryland and Texas—to develop or enhance their Kindergarten Entry Assessments (KEA).

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Bernhardt named coordinator for standards and instruction

Anita Bernhardt, the Maine DOE’s science and technology content specialist for the past six years, has been named the Department’s new coordinator for standards and instruction. The restructured position reflects the Department’s efforts to better support all Maine schools in their improvement efforts.

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Maine replaces GED with new equivalency exam

The State Education Department’s action came in response to concerns from the adult education community about readiness to move to a fully computer-based test by 2014 as would be required with the current exam provider

AUGUSTA – In an effort to better support the college and career readiness of all Mainers, the State has chosen a new high school equivalency assessment provider.

Beginning in 2014, Maine will offer the ETS high school equivalency test program, known as HiSET, which covers the same content areas as the current GED and allows test-takers to demonstrate proficiency of the academic skills expected by employers and post-secondary institutions.

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Updated: Schools, districts invited to participate in Smarter Balanced field test

Updated Oct. 8: The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium has noticed a weak trend in high school registration for the field test. To have a sound assessment, it is imperative that Smarter Balanced obtain a sufficient number of students in all tested grade levels. Please register your school by the Oct. 15 deadline.

Maine schools will have the opportunity to participate in the spring 2014 field test of the Smarter Balanced assessment in preparation for the full spring 2015 administration of the test. This is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience with the new test design and for teachers and administrators to gain exposure to the logistics and prepare for a smooth transition to the new assessment.

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Board that oversees NAEP seeking new members

The National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for the Nation’s Report Card, also known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), is seeking nominations for five four-year positions on the Governing Board. Maine educators are encouraged to nominate themselves or others.

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Prepare for 2013-14 state assessments

The following information summarizes the State assessments schools will administer during the 2013-14 school year and the associated testing dates. The list also includes additional assessment options that are not required but are provided to school administrative units as tools to support instruction.

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Reminder: Smarter Balanced practice test available

Teachers and administrators are reminded that Smarter Balanced practice tests are available all grade levels from 3 to 8 and at grade 11. These practice tests are an excellent way for teachers to preview what to expect in spring 2015, for students to get practice in online testing and for parents to begin to understand how the new tests will better assess student achievement and understanding of both content and concepts. Continue reading “Reminder: Smarter Balanced practice test available” →

State seeks new adult high school equivalency assessment provider

Maine has published a request for proposals (RFP) for a new adult high school equivalency assessment provider, citing concerns from testing sites they would not be able to completely transition to the GED® computer-based test by 2014.

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Maine assessments updates

The 26 states of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, of which Maine is one, are on target to administer the first Smarter Balanced assessment in spring 2015. That gives teachers and students the 2013-14 school year and most of the 2014-15 school year to prepare for the new assessments. You and your students (and their parents, too) can try out the practice tests online to experience what the new test will be like. Smarter Balanced will be administered via computer, a change that serves Maine well given the Maine Learning Technology Initiative has helped our students and educators become national leaders in computer readiness.

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