Category: Professional Development

Inclusive Education Webinar Series: The What, Why & How of Inclusive Schools on May 8th

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education invites you to attend the first two webinars in our “Inclusive Education Webinar Series,” presented by Dr. Kate Macleod, an innovative, inclusive educator, researcher, author, and assistant professor of special education at the University of Maine Farmington.

May 8th: The What, Why & How of Inclusive Schools

In this engaging webinar, Dr. Kate MacLeod will share “what” inclusion is, the many reasons “why” inclusion is critical to the success of our students and communities here in Maine (e.g., research, law, advocacy, social justice, and belonging), and will take participants through research-based key practices for “how” schools can achieve greater inclusion for all students.  Participants will leave with access to resources and practical strategies to implement greater inclusion in their schools.

Register here.

Stay tuned…our next webinar in the series, The Way to Inclusion: How We Create Schools Where Every Student Belongs, featuring Kate Macleod, will be broadcast on May 22nd!

For more information, please contact anne-marie.adamson@maine.gov

REMINDER: Register Now for Early Childhood Summer Regional Summit Events With Mini Grant Opportunity

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE), was awarded a Preschool Development Renewal Grant (PDG) from the US Department of Health and Human Services in December of 2022. With this three-year grant, the state is implementing initiatives to build greater infrastructure and capacity to create a more coordinated, efficient, and high-quality mixed delivery system for children ages birth to eight and their families. The plan builds upon successful cross-agency work to ensure that all children enter Kindergarten prepared to succeed and are well supported during the early elementary years.

Included in this grant is 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.

The goals of the Early Childhood Summit include:

  • Fostering community level coordination and collaboration across the mixed-delivery early care and education system, which includes child care programs, head start and elementary schools, to improve alignment and transitions for children and families.
  • Strengthening understanding of evidence-based practices that are critical to leverage across the birth-grade 3 span in order to promote whole child development.
  • Supporting community-based planning and implementation efforts through mini-grants and ongoing technical assistance support.

What will the summit structure be like? 

The content of the summit will include a variety of keynote addresses and workshop sessions connected to the goals outlined previously.  Topics will include promoting inclusionary practices and addressing challenging behaviors, promoting play as a foundational learning strategy,  and promoting smooth transitions from early childhood education programs into public schools for children and families.  Time will also be provided for teams to work collaboratively on action planning.

When will the summits be held? 

The 1-day summits will be held in two regions (see dates/locations below).  Teams will apply to attend in one of the two locations.  The summits will run from 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

  • Thursday, July 11, 2024, Keeley’s Banquet Center, 178 Warren Avenue, Portland, Maine
  • Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Jeff’s Catering & Event Center, 15 Event Center Way, Brewer, Maine

What are the requirements of participation for all team members?

All team members will be expected to participate in the professional development and technical assistance components outlined below.

The components include: Projected timeline:
One check in meeting prior to the July 2024 Summit   June 2024
Attendance and participation at Summer Summit July 2024   July 11 or 16, 2024
Bi-annual consult with the Departments (1/2)   Fall 2024
Bi-annual consult with the Departments (2/2)   Winter 2025
Attendance and participation at Summer Summit in July 2025   July 2025

 

What is the composition of teams?

Teams may have up to five members.  There must be at least:

  • one public early elementary school educator and
  • one child care provider/educator represented (family child care and/or child care center) on the team.

The additional three members may include but are not limited to:

  • Representative of the local business community
  • Parent of a child using early childhood services
  • School Administrator
  • Home Visitor
  • Mental health care provider
  • Head Start Representative
  • Health care provider
  • Community librarian
  • Representative of an organization that supports workforce development
  • Provider of services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B or Part C
  • Provider of professional development to early care and education professionals
  • A faculty member of a career and technical center or higher education institution specializing in early childhood, if available

How will the mini grants work?

Each team will receive an eight-hundred-dollar ($800) grant to support their action planning and implementation work over the first year. Another min-grant will be available following successful completion of the first year and participation in 2025 summit.

To apply: 

Complete the application found here (Word Doc) and return all documents electronically by April 30, 2024 to Andrea Faurot at Andrea.Faurot@maine.gov.

All team members must sign an agreement ensuring team participation.

For additional information, please reach out to Renee Reilly, Maine DOE PDG Manager at Renee.A.Reilly@maine.gov or Andrea Faurot, OCFS PDG Manager at Andrea.Faurot@maine.gov.

Inclusive Classroom Book Study for Maine Early Care and Education Professionals (serving Birth-Grade 3)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has partnered with Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services to offer a no-cost book study for Maine early care and education professionals (serving children birth-Grade 3) interested in creating more inclusive classrooms.

In the early childhood classroom, inclusion means that all children, regardless of their individual characteristics, have equitable access to educational opportunities and environments where they are equally safe, valued, and respected.  Early care and education programs that prioritize inclusion benefit everyone, including children, teachers, parents, and communities.

This book study is one of the professional growth opportunities available at no cost to Maine early care and education professionals as part of the Maine Inclusion Initiative funded through Maine’s Preschool Development Renewal Grant. Participants in the book study will read and reflect on Inclusion Includes Us: Building Bridges and Removing Barriers in Early Childhood Classrooms (Huber, 2023). The book study will occur over a 6-week span, meeting weekly for 75 minutes. Three 6-week sessions are being offered as options (see schedule below).

This professional learning opportunity is open to all early care and education professionals from public and private preschool schools, early elementary schools, childcare centers, and family childcare providers.

Session Options

Session 1:
May 13 – June 24 (no session May 27th)
Mondays 5:45 – 7:00

Session 2:
Aug 13 – Sept 17
Tuesdays   3:45-5:00

Session 3:
October 16-Nov 20
Wednesdays 12-1

To apply to be part of one of the above book study sessions, please fill out the following form found at this link: Inclusion Book Club. Space is limited, so please complete the application by April 30, 2024.   Applications will be processed, and participants will be notified by May 3rd. Books will be shipped to participants and contact hours will be provided for the time in the book study.

If you have questions or need additional information, please reach out to Nicole Madore, Maine DOE Early Childhood Specialist at Nicole.Madore@maine.gov or Renee Reilly, Maine DOE PDG Manager at Renee.A.Reilly@maine.gov.

Upcoming Data Reporting Webinars

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team has scheduled  the following data reporting webinars for this spring.

Maine Schools Webinar – April 30th at 10:00 am – Register Here

Maine School Approval provides Maine DOE the attestation from districts that all Maine statutory requirements are being met by each LEA. This report offers an opportunity to update the LEA & school contact information to ensure that MDOE has the most current information. Student enrollments cannot be uploaded/entered into Synergy until Maine Schools is complete. This webinar will review the requirements for the Maine Schools process.

ESEA Demographics Report Webinar – May 14th at 10:00 am – Register Here

The ESEA Demographics Report is an aggregation of students enrolled on 05/27 for participation in state assessments during the current assessment administration. This report includes student demographic categories for assessment and accountability purposes. This webinar will review reporting requirements and navigation of the ESEA Demographics Report in NEO.

EOY Reporting Webinar – May 21st at 10:00 am – Register Here

Daily Attendance, Truancy, Behavior, and Bullying reports are due for final certification at the end of the school year. This data is aggregated for public reporting after certification and reported in multiple locations including the Maine Department of Education Data Warehouse, ESSA Dashboard, and federal reporting. This report will review requirements for each of these four (4) reports and navigation of the reports in NEO.

EOY Enrollment Exits Webinar – May 28th at 10:00 am – Register Here

All students, even those intending to return next year, must be exited from Synergy at the conclusion of the school year. This webinar will review recommendations for properly exiting students at the conclusion of the school year and the process for exiting students from State Synergy.

Special Education Exit Report Webinar – June 4th 10:00 am – Register Here

Students who have exited special education services during the reporting period (July 1, through June 30) must have special education exit information (a special ed exit date and exit reason) added to their Special Education enrollments in Synergy State Edition. School Administrative Units (SAUs) are required to certify the exit data using the Special Education Exit Report found in NEO. This webinar will review the requirements and process for Special Education Exit Reporting.

Questions about data reporting webinars can be sent to Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov

Earn Contact Hours from Internationally Recognized, Innovative Educators

The Maine Department of Education is thrilled to offer a limited-time, self-directed course that includes three keynotes and three workshops from John Spencer, Katie Novak, and Lynn Cuccaro, world-class leaders in innovative education!  

The rich professional learning opportunities were recorded at the InnovatED: Igniting Innovation in Education Day held by the Maine DOE MOOSE and Interdisciplinary Instruction Teams. All sessions provided actionable elements that can be applied immediately in your classroom to boost innovative learning (and decrease stress in the process). Topics included Universal Design for Learning, Designing for Equity, Cultivating Curiosity, Pedagogical Documentation, Design Thinking, and Project-Based Learning.

Check out the InnovatED: Igniting Innovation in Education webpage on the Maine DOE website for more information on enrolling and receiving contact hours before the course expires on June 30th.  

Webinar: Great Books for Maine Classrooms

Teachers love books and this webinar is designed to highlight books found to have great value in Maine classrooms.

Hosted by Maine DOE Maine DOE Humanities Teacher Fellowship Team – James St. Pierre and Dorie Tripp, this webinar will offer book suggestions for a variety of content covering all grade levels. Topics will include elementary books and authors, middle-grade series, high-interest writers from Maine, books written by women with female protagonists, books by black and brown authors, graphic novels, nonfiction titles, and many more.

We encourage you to bring your own suggestions and hope you can join us!

For further information, reach our to Maine DOE Humanities Teacher Fellowship Team – James St. Pierre and Dorie Tripp at James.St.Pierre.@maine.gov and Dorie.Tripp@maine.gov

Math4ME Project Accepting Applications – Deadline Extended

The Math4ME Project is accepting applications for the newest cohort of schools.  Math4ME is a free, three-year project that supports and lifts mathematics education for all students and focuses on grades PK-8.

Math4ME is not a curriculum, but rather a support to lift your current mathematics curriculum and make mathematics accessible to all learners.  Math4ME supports the inclusion of all learners in the general education setting through the use of effective, engaging, high-leverage routines, supportive, positive mathematics culture and communities, and the support and use of family engagement strategies.  Math4ME is not a replacement curriculum but rather a philosophy and way of utilizing your current mathematics curriculum to lift all learners.

The Math4ME Project has a focus on the joy and shift in mathematics mindset and pedagogy.  A few quotes from our current Teachers of Influence (TOI).

“At our staff meetings I share new activities teachers can do with their students after I attend the TOI trainings.  It’s great to see these new math routines/concepts being done across the whole school. Math4ME has been a positive addition to our math program at Lyman Elementary School.  It’s great to see all students participating and enjoying math!” -Jon Marines (TOI)

“The Math4ME coaches came to model how to use the multiple cards with kindergarten and first grade. In one classroom a non-verbal first grader was able to interact with peers and a Math4ME coach to play the game. Inclusion at its best.” -TOI

For more information about the Math4ME Project, please view this informational session. For further questions, please contact Jen Robitaille, jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov or Sue Hogan, susan.hogan@maine.gov.

If Math4ME would be great fit for your school, please use the application here to apply.  Applications are open until April 12, 2024.

Register Now for Maine DOE School Safety Specialist Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) offers training in several service areas, all at NO COST to schools and school administrative units (SAUs). MSSC’s flagship training opportunity is the School Safety Specialist (SSS) program, provided through Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC), which helps fulfill the statute Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §1001, sub-§16 (LD892), which states you must have a “designated employee having oversight regarding school safety.”

School Safety Specialist Program

School Safety Specialists are prepared to:

  • Supports and assists administrators in coordinating the review, editing, and updating of Emergency Operations Plans for their district and/or school building each year as established under Maine Statute 20-A, 1001, chapter 101, sub-chapter 1, section 16 https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/20-A/title20- Asec1001.html
  • Involve appropriate stakeholders in the development of district/school level Emergency Operations Plans through the formation of a safety team to include the following: police and fire departments, emergency management agency, EMS, local medical facilities, community members, administrators, parents, and students.
  • Network with appropriate stakeholders to enhance school safety at the SAU and/or school level.
  • Act as a resource for other individuals in the SAU on issues related to school safety.
  • Work with the Maine School Safety Center to provide professional development for faculty and staff on school safety-related issues that encourage a safe school environment.

The details of the program:

  • Cohorts start at the beginning of every month and have 6 weeks to complete.
  • All work is done asynchronously through EMCC and takes approximately 20-25 hours to complete.
  • Work is divided into badges. Badges are outlined above. Each badge consists of interactive modules, a quiz, and reflection questions, except ICS courses which are accessed through FEMA.

Your motivation for enrolling: 

  • Become a safety leader in your school.
  • Earn Digital Badges through EMCC and contact hours for recertification.
  • Be a school safety liaison with the Maine School Safety Center.
  • Create a network of safety specialists in the state.

School Safety Specialist Badges

Introduction to the Maine School Safety Initiative  Fundamentals Safety Through Climate & Culture Emergency Planning Incident Command System
  • Introduction to Maine School Safety Center
  • Why the SSS program is important
  • School Emergency Management
  • Behavioral Threat Assessment Management
  • Restorative Practices
  • Through Food Security
  • What Makes School Climate & Culture?
  • Emergency Operations Plans
  • Planning Process
  • Important Themes in Emergency Planning
  • ICS 100
  • ICS 200
  • ICS 700
  • ICS 800

(FEMA Training)

If you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity, fill out the School Safety Specialist interest form.

The Maine School Safety Center has a School Emergency Management Coordinator who can help with resources, training, and guidance on anything involving emergency management in schools.  The areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Emergency Operations Plans 
  • Emergency Exercises and Drills
  • Implementation of Multi-Disciplinary Teams
  • Implementation of Safety Teams

For further support or information regarding School Emergency Management, reach out to School Emergency Management Coordinator, Bridgette Gilbert Bridgette.Gilbert@maine.gov.

The Maine School Safety Center is not a regulatory agency. All of their services are 100% free to you and your school. MSSC does not enforce any rules or laws, they  provide assistance to SAU’s to help make schools a safer place for all students, staff, and visitors. For further information visit Maine School Safety Center website.

 

(Registration Deadline Extended) Maine DOE and DHHS to Offer Early Childhood Summer Regional Summit Events With Mini Grant Opportunity

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE), was awarded a Preschool Development Renewal Grant (PDG) from the US Department of Health and Human Services in December of 2022. With this three-year grant, the state is implementing initiatives to build greater infrastructure and capacity to create a more coordinated, efficient, and high-quality mixed delivery system for children ages birth to eight and their families. The plan builds upon successful cross-agency work to ensure that all children enter Kindergarten prepared to succeed and are well supported during the early elementary years.

Included in this grant is 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.

The goals of the Early Childhood Summit include:

  • Fostering community level coordination and collaboration across the mixed-delivery early care and education system, which includes child care programs, head start and elementary schools, to improve alignment and transitions for children and families.
  • Strengthening understanding of evidence-based practices that are critical to leverage across the birth-grade 3 span in order to promote whole child development.
  • Supporting community-based planning and implementation efforts through mini-grants and ongoing technical assistance support.

What will the summit structure be like? 

The content of the summit will include a variety of keynote addresses and workshop sessions connected to the goals outlined previously.  Topics will include promoting inclusionary practices and addressing challenging behaviors, promoting play as a foundational learning strategy,  and promoting smooth transitions from early childhood education programs into public schools for children and families.  Time will also be provided for teams to work collaboratively on action planning.

When will the summits be held? 

The 1-day summits will be held in two regions (see dates/locations below).  Teams will apply to attend in one of the two locations.  The summits will run from 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

  • Thursday, July 11, 2024, Keeley’s Banquet Center, 178 Warren Avenue, Portland, Maine
  • Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Jeff’s Catering & Event Center, 15 Event Center Way, Brewer, Maine

What are the requirements of participation for all team members?

All team members will be expected to participate in the professional development and technical assistance components outlined below.

The components include: Projected timeline:
One check in meeting prior to the July 2024 Summit   June 2024
Attendance and participation at Summer Summit July 2024   July 11 or 16, 2024
Bi-annual consult with the Departments (1/2)   Fall 2024
Bi-annual consult with the Departments (2/2)   Winter 2025
Attendance and participation at Summer Summit in July 2025   July 2025

 

What is the composition of teams?

Teams may have up to five members.  There must be at least:

  • one public early elementary school educator and
  • one child care provider/educator represented (family child care and/or child care center) on the team.

The additional three members may include but are not limited to:

  • Representative of the local business community
  • Parent of a child using early childhood services
  • School Administrator
  • Home Visitor
  • Mental health care provider
  • Head Start Representative
  • Health care provider
  • Community librarian
  • Representative of an organization that supports workforce development
  • Provider of services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B or Part C
  • Provider of professional development to early care and education professionals
  • A faculty member of a career and technical center or higher education institution specializing in early childhood, if available

How will the mini grants work?

Each team will receive an eight-hundred-dollar ($800) grant to support their action planning and implementation work over the first year. Another min-grant will be available following successful completion of the first year and participation in 2025 summit.

To apply: 

Complete the application found here (Word Doc) and return all documents electronically by May 20, 2024 to Andrea Faurot at Andrea.Faurot@maine.gov.

All team members must sign an agreement ensuring team participation.

For additional information, please reach out to Renee Reilly, Maine DOE PDG Manager at Renee.A.Reilly@maine.gov or Andrea Faurot, OCFS PDG Manager at Andrea.Faurot@maine.gov.

Extended Deadline: Paid Professional Learning Opportunity Provided by Maine DOE – Applications Close March 21, 2024

The Maine Department of Education is accepting applications from individuals interested in learning more about the competitive grant process. Selected applicants will be trained to serve as peer reviewers who assist the Department in reviewing, assessing, and scoring competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st  CCLC) Program. The 21st CCLC program is a federally funded education program that helps schools and communities develop before-school, after-school, and summer educational programs that support students and their families.

This year’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 21st CCLC program was released to the public on January 9, 2024, and is available online at: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/rfps. The Department anticipates receiving proposals from local education agencies, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities seeking awards under this RFP.

Qualifications:

Peer review applicants will be selected based on their experience in providing effective academic support, enrichment, youth development, and related support services for children and youth. The most qualified candidates will be individuals who have experience in the administration of high-quality youth development programs within schools and communities. Examples of the experienced individuals sought include, but are not limited to:

  • 21st CCLC program directors and site coordinators
  • Teachers and principals
  • College and university staff
  • Youth development workers
  • Community resource providers

Required Tasks:

Selected applicants must be able to participate in an online training and review grant proposals through a web-based system. Applicants will work individually to read each assigned proposal and create detailed, objective, constructive, and well-written comments on approximately 10 proposals based on the criteria established in the RFP. These comments will be submitted to the Department prior to participating in the scheduled consensus scoring sessions. It is anticipated that peer reviewers will have a three (3) week window in which to complete their individual review of assigned proposals.  Following the individual review of proposals, each successful applicant will be required to participate in a series of two (2) online/virtual consensus scoring sessions hosted by the Department. It is during these consensus scoring sessions that the peer review team will score each grant proposal.

Selected applicants must complete the following tasks during the following date(s):

Task Date(s) Time(s)
Participate in an online training webinar April 3, 2024 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Review grant applications through a web-based system and provide individual, written comments on each application (which must be submitted to the Department) April 12, 2024 – May 1, 2024 Any Time
Participate in online/virtual consensus scoring sessions with other members of the peer review team (applicants MUST be available on all four scoring days, but will only be selected to participate for two days) May 6, 2024 – May 7, 2024; or
May 8, 2024 – May 9, 2024		 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Compensation for Services:

Selected reviewers who complete the required tasks will be provided an honorarium of $100 per assigned application.

Previous participants have also found that serving as a member of the peer review team is an excellent opportunity for professional development and growth. It is likely that, if selected, applicants will be exposed to new program models, strategies, and practices. These new concepts may provide ideas and support for ongoing work as well as future grant writing efforts. Most importantly, the time given to this effort will help ensure the funding of quality education programs for the children and families of Maine.

How to Apply:

Interested parties must contact Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov to obtain a copy of the 2024 peer reviewer application and then return the completed application along with a current resume or CV.

Pursuant to Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, peer reviewers may not include any applicant, or representative of an applicant, who has or will submit a proposal in response to the current grant competition.

Deadline:

The Maine Department of Education will continue accepting peer reviewer applications through March 21, 2024, or until the needed positions are filled. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Contact:

For more information, contact Title IV State Coordinator, Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov or 624-6709.