Maine submits Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge application

State seeks $32 million to ensure high-quality early learning and development experiences for children before kindergarten

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services submitted a joint application this week for $32.2 million in a federal grant competition. The proposal aims to strengthen the quality of Maine’s early childhood programs and make them available to more high-needs children.

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Input sought on early learning guidelines

A special state panel formed to review Maine’s Early Childhood Learning Guidelines is seeking input from kindergarten teachers. The input will inform the panel’s revisions to the 2005 document.

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Second Race to the Top webinar Sept. 29

The cross-agency team preparing Maine’s application for the federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge will host a second webinar on Sept. 29 to provide updates on the application process and solicit letters of support for the state’s proposal.

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Forums to address school readiness

Thirteen communities this fall will host forums to discuss school readiness among students entering kindergarten in Maine’s public schools.

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Revised: Training to address autism, transitions to adult life

Note: This dispatch was changed on Oct. 4, 2011, to reflect major agenda changes for this training event. Registration, scheduling and location information has not changed.

An October conference in Belfast will address the creation of safe school and home environments for students with autism, and support available to help people with disabilities to make the transition from school to adult life.

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Public feedback wanted in Race to the Top effort

AUGUSTA – Maine wants ideas from the public as it prepares to enter the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, a $500 million grant competition among the states sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

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Participation wanted in Race to the Top webinar

Maine wants your ideas as it prepares to enter the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, a $500 million grant competition among the states sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

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Maine invites Race to the Top input

Maine wants your ideas as it prepares to enter the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, a $500 million grant competition sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

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Online sessions focus on PreK, Title I

Two national organizations are collaborating to offer webinars in the coming months focused on the use of federal Title I funds in early childhood education.

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DOE issues preschool special ed awards

The Maine Department of Education is distributing $836,000 to the state’s school districts to fund special educational services for preschool-age children with disabilities for the 2011-12 school year.

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