We are excited to share the Dirigo Schools of Distinction (DSD) framework as a resource for Maine schools.  DSD is intended to celebrate Maine schools that are making a meaningful difference for students, staff, and communities. DSD also offers a clear, supportive roadmap for schools and school administrative units (SAUs), as they consider where to focus time, energy, and resources to strengthen student outcomes.

Through extensive conversations and data collection across the state, the Measure What Matters initiative identified the conditions, practices, and outcomes that Mainers consistently value and have deemed the most important in their public schools. From this data, a report was published and used to create a framework called “Dirigo Schools of Distinction.” That framework is organized into seven pillars, each with a set of indicators that reflect the priorities voiced by Mainers. Across all pillars, DSD emphasizes a set of critical life skills identified through the Measure What Matters initiative and aligned closely with Maine’s Guiding Principles.

The framework will be a living document, informed by the DSD Advisory Committee (including DOE team members and experts from the field) who will make recommendations for updates and additions each spring. You can find more about this initiative along with a pdf version of the framework and a webform application here. 

The DSD framework features seven pillars of excellence:

• Excellence in Academics and Instructional Practices
• Excellence in Community and Family Engagement
• Excellence in Health and Wellness
• Excellence in Culture and Climate
• Excellence in Innovation and Innovative Practices
• Excellence in School Leadership, Educators, and Staff
• Excellence in Student Engagement

Each year, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, schools may apply to be recognized for excellence in one of these DSD pillars. Those who opt to participate will complete an online application that contains the rubric for the pillar for which they are applying. The DSD Advisory Committee will review application submissions and select awardees.

To be eligible to apply for a DSD pillar of excellence, a school must first complete the Outcomes and Continuous Growth section of the DSD rubric. Many of the listed Measures are data points that are already collected for state reporting each year and those can be pre-filled to support ease of application. A school may choose to mark Outcomes if it has achieved the indicated Measure. If a school has not achieved the indicated Measure but has seen significant improvement in that area, it may choose to mark Continuous Growth and provide a brief supporting narrative. Elementary schools must achieve three Outcomes/Continuous Growth Measures to be eligible for a DSD recognition. Middle/high schools must achieve five.

For those seeking a DSD recognition, scoring will work as follows:

1.  Each indicator within a pillar has an “evidence of practice” measure, based on the extent to which an indicator is in place. The applicant school self-assesses to determine this score, explaining the rationale in a brief narrative.

1. = emerging/partly in place/a practice or quality in some classrooms or teams
2. = mostly in place/a practice or quality across the school
3. = fully in place/a practice or quality that is generalized throughout the school

2. A “Priority Multiplier” is pre-filled in the rubric for each indicator to recognize that some indicators are more important or more complex, requiring more commitment and effort than others.
3. The evidence of practice measures are multiplied by their priority multipliers, generating a total for the pillar.

DSD Advisory Committee members will provide peer review of self-scoring through a collaborative process with applicant schools, and additional evidence may be included during this process.

To be recognized for a DSD pillar, a school must achieve at least 90% of the total possible score indicated on the rubric. (The total possible score for each pillar may vary slightly for elementary).      

If you are interested in participating in the inaugural year of the DSD initiative, please complete this online application by January 30, 2027. Schools that are ultimately recognized for a DSD pillar will earn a DSD Badge of Excellence for that school year and be celebrated during a statewide event in the spring.

With questions or for more information, please contact Page Nichols, Maine DOE Chief Innovation Officer, at page.nichols@maine.gov.

We look forward to celebrating excellence in your schools!