Category: Higher Ed

K-12 should take note of higher ed’s voluntary move to proficiency-based system

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s (UMPI) exciting announcement they would be moving to a proficiency-based system beginning next fall.

Perhaps nothing puts students first more than proficiency-based education. As many of you know, this model is built around the reality that while students learn in different ways and speeds, proficiency is ultimately the most critical outcome of their schooling. Continue reading “K-12 should take note of higher ed’s voluntary move to proficiency-based system” →

UMPI launches proficiency-based education initiative

BANGOR—The University of Maine at Presque Isle was joined by several top Maine education officials during a Feb. 13 press conference in Bangor to announce its transition to proficiency-based education, a move that makes UMPI the first university in Maine and one of the first in the nation to deliver this type of interactive learning. Proficiency-based education encourages deeper learning and greater engagement by providing more hands-on activities, giving students choices in selecting assignments, and having them demonstrate proficiency in a subject area before moving along to the next concept. Continue reading “UMPI launches proficiency-based education initiative” →

Literacy for ME releases community literacy resources

The Maine DOE has developed new informational brochures and videos designed to help community literacy teams across the state educate parents and the public about literacy development and empower them with simple ways in which they can support literacy education. Continue reading “Literacy for ME releases community literacy resources” →

County students to benefit from Aroostook Aspirations Initiative

Thanks to the Fiddlehead Focus for sharing this information with the Maine DOE for publication.

AROOSTOOK COUNTY – A first-of-its-kind, County-wide project will provide significant opportunities for young people in the region to pursue their dreams, and, in turn, support higher education institutions and bolster economic development efforts in northern Maine.

Continue reading “County students to benefit from Aroostook Aspirations Initiative” →

State Education Board has new leadership

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Board of Education has new leadership, having elected Nancy S. Perkins as chair and Peter E. Geiger as vice-chair.  

Continue reading “State Education Board has new leadership” →

Expand Maine’s Chinese language and culture programs

UPDATE: The application deadline has been extended to Aug. 23.

K–12 and higher education administrators, school leaders and other education decision-makers actively seeking to develop new and expanded Chinese programs are invited to attend the 2013 Chinese Bridge Delegation — a one-week trip to China hosted by Hanban. The trip, scheduled for Nov. 6-14, will focus on school visits, cultural activities and educational workshops with the aim of helping attendees start and expand their at-home Chinese language and culture programs.

Continue reading “Expand Maine’s Chinese language and culture programs” →