The Commission to Strengthen the Adequacy and Equity of Certain Cost Components of the School Funding Formula, often referred to as the EPS Commission, has released its final report.
Category: Funding
Bucksport High School recognized for academic excellence
Bucksport High School has been honored as a National BARR School of Academic Excellence. The school has been implementing BUILDING ASSETS, REDUCING RISKS (or “BARR”), a social emotional learning model that has been proven to decrease educational disparities while increasing achievement for all students.
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College For Every Student awards to help underserved students become college, career ready
College For Every Student (CFES) has received funding to provide five low-income middle or high schools with Closing the Gap awards that will help underserved students become college and career ready.
Commissioner’s Update – December 11, 2014
From the Maine Department of Education
The Maine Department of Education has been awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool opportunities in 10 counties.
Over the next four years, the Department will pass 95 percent of the funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to 13 school districts with high percentages of low-income students so they can establish or expand preschool programs in partnership with local early childhood program providers.
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. With up to 16 students per preschool classroom, the award can potentially allow access to early childhood education to more than 500 additional Maine children.
Participating districts include Lewiston, Millinocket, Sanford, Westbrook, SAD 58 (Phillips, Strong and Kingfield) and RSU 3 (Brooks, Liberty, Monroe and Unity), 12 (Chelsea and Somerville), 13 (Rockland), 37 (Addison, Harrington and Milbridge), 39 (Limestone), 49 (Albion and Clinton), 53 (Pittsfield) and 74 (Anson, North Anson and Solon).
Notices and Reporting
- School Facilities Inventory FY13-14, due March 31 (Updated)
- Regional School Calendar, due April 14 (Reminder)
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
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
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. | 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
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
Cooking with USDA Foods webinar on Dec. 18
School food service professionals are encouraged to register for the webinar K-12 Cooking with USDA Foods with White House Champions of Change chefs Garrett Berdan, Carlin Breinig and Cyndie Story on Dec. 18. | More
Maine schools receive funds to purchase local foods from local farmers
Projects in RSU 18 and Downeast Maine have been awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring more food grown by local farmers to students. | More
Students invited to do service projects to benefit Toys for Tots
Maine schools are invited to engage students in service to others through the 2014 Joy Maker Challenge this holiday season. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
Maine schools receive funds to purchase local foods from local farmers
Projects in RSU 18 and Downeast Maine have been awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring more food grown by local farmers to students.
RSU 18 will receive $44,213 through the USDA’s Farm to School grant program, and Healthy Acadia will receive $100,000.
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Maine DOE awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool access
The Department will pass a majority of the money to 13 school districts to create 33 new classrooms for 4-year-old students and expand 23 others
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education has been awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool opportunities in 10 counties.
Over the next four years, the Department will pass 95 percent of the funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to 13 school districts with high percentages of low-income students so they can establish or expand preschool programs in partnership with local early childhood program providers. Continue reading “Maine DOE awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool access”
Guidance provided for monthly food service reimbursement claims, training offered
The Maine DOE Child Nutrition team is reminding school districts to complete all steps below in NEO to file their food service monthly claim for reimbursement. Continue reading “Guidance provided for monthly food service reimbursement claims, training offered”
Commissioner’s Update – November 13, 2014
From the Maine Department of Education
We know many readers look forward to our weekly Commissioner’s Update, specifically for the column from Commissioner Jim Rier, whose insight on education has come from nearly two decades in Augusta, first as a member of the State Board of Education and since 2003 here at the Department.
That’s why we wanted to let you know that Commissioner Rier is out indefinitely on leave, though he remains in close communication with us. The Commissioner is proud of the progress the Department has made to better support schools in preparing all Maine students for college and career success.
In his absence, Governor LePage has appointed Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome to serve as Acting Commissioner. Acting Commissioner Tome has been at Maine DOE for a decade, first as a School Improvement Specialist and most recently as Chief Academic Officer.
Notices and Reporting
- School Food Authority (SFA) Verification Collection Report, due Nov. 20
- Gifted & Talented Annual Program Approval, due Dec. 5
- EDFacts School AcademicStaff Evaluation Survey, due Dec. 19
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Districts reminded of importance of maintaining accurate student enrollment data in DC system
The Maine DOE is reminding districts of the importance of maintaining accurate student enrollment data in the new Direct Cert (DC) system due to its integration with State Infinite Campus. | More
Nominees sought for educators effectively engaging families
Nominations are now open for the 2015 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year Award, which will honor an exemplary teacher engaging families in education. | More
Guidance provided on preventing school laboratory incidents
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently released a safety bulletin based on three recent serious incidents where children were burned while observing school laboratory demonstrations involving flammable liquid methanol. | More
High school students invited to apply for research fellowships at MDI Biological Laboratory
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. | More
Districts reminder of school food sale guidelines
As a reminder, all food sales to students in schools must meet the Smart Snacks Guidelines as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
Nominees sought for educators effectively engaging families
Nominations are now open for the 2015 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year Award, which will honor an exemplary teacher engaging families in education. Educators working with families through schools, libraries and many other community-based organizations will be considered and nominations are due Dec. 31.
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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).
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Maine DOE Newsroom 