Maine DOE to release “Content Corner” resources

Student proficiency is enhanced by educator use of high impact instruction strategies. To support educator understanding of effective practices in the content areas, the Maine DOE is pleased to announce the upcoming release of its inaugural collection of articles focused on instructional strategies.

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Rulemaking underway on new CPR/AED law

In June 2015, LD 556 was passed which amended Maine DOE statute Sec. 20-A MRSA § 6304, An Act To Require Public Schools To Offer Instruction Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Use of an Automated External Defibrillator. The new law states, “In accordance with rules adopted by the department, public schools shall offer training to students on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use automated external defibrillators.”

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U.S. Education Department announces new guidance to help students with disabilities as part of 40th anniversary of IDEA law

The following press release from United States Department of Education reflects Maine policy and continued mission in many aspects as the Department continues to review policy and guides school districts on the IDEA Law.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the U.S. Education Department is releasing guidance aimed at ensuring that America’s 6 million children and youth with disabilities have the same opportunity for a quality education as their nondisabled peers.

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Health, physical education, recreation and dance annual conference a success

Over 500 physical education and health education teachers, as well as dance educators and recreation personnel participated in over 80 conference sessions and workshops earlier this month at the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) Seventieth Annual Conference in Rockport. Sessions focused on best practices and innovative ideas, proficiency-based education, assessment and more. Click here to access session materials available on the Maine AHPERD website.

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PK-12 and higher education summit

Maine DOE staff joined approximately 100 faculty, admissions staff and leadership from the University of Maine System and the Community College System for the Summit on Informing and Aligning ME Public Higher Institutions with ME Public K-12: Proficiency & Assessment Activities on Nov. 6

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Districts receive PEPG system development grants

The Maine DOE is proud to report the distribution of 139 grants to school administrative units (SAUs) across the state of $4,600 each to support the development of performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) systems. The grant money was available to any school district that submitted their Intent to Pilot survey and submitted the PEPG Grant Application.

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A new way to teach

Maine’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Dorman, offered reflection on her teaching from attending the Maine DOE 2014 Summer Literacy Institute. I wasn’t satisfied with my students’ writing. So I learned a new way to teach it. The article appeared in the October 24-25 edition of the Bangor Daily News.

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Maine leads the country (again!) in classroom technology and it’s a promise for educators

A first-of-its-kind partnership to help educators earn micro-credentials

BANGOR – The Maine Department of Education’s Learning Through Technology Team and the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) announces a new partnership with national education non-profit Digital Promise to bring micro-credentials to Maine’s educators.

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Pilot training of a kindergarten entry assessment

Fifteen Maine kindergarten teachers spent three days last week learning how to pilot a Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA) with support from a grant to the Maine DOE. The KEA has been created with input from kindergarten teachers from the start and Maine teachers’ feedback on the benefits of KEA will guide its development.

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