Category: Maine DOE

Maine DOE Update – January 31, 2025

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Announces Exciting Opportunity for Participants of 10th Annual Read to ME Challenge

In February, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will launch its 10th annual Read to ME Challenge, a month-long public awareness campaign to support children’s literacy growth. To celebrate a decade of success, the Maine DOE is offering an exciting new opportunity this year for participating schools and organizations to enter into a drawing to win a visit from a Maine author. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Solutionary Learning Transforms Classrooms at Oxford Hills Middle School

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is proud to highlight a transformative shift taking place at Oxford Hills Middle School. Through inquiry- and project-based learning, the school is fundamentally changing how students engage with their education. |  More

Portland High School Hosts After-School CNA Class for Students, Thanks to Community Partnerships

A new after-school program has given Portland-area students the opportunity to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), thanks to a partnership between Portland High School Extended Learning Opportunities, Fallbrook Commons (formerly Saint Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residence), and the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine. |  More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Maine DOE Launches New Pre-K Professional Learning Series for Dual Language Learners

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is proud to introduce an exciting new professional learning series, designed to support educators working with Dual Language Learners (DLLs) in pre-K settings. This five-part interactive series will provide educators with tools and strategies to create inclusive, language-rich classrooms that celebrate student voice, engage families meaningfully, and embrace culturally-responsive practices. |  More

Continuing Webinar Series on Expanding Multilingual and Multicultural Opportunities in School

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to continue the Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series with its second session, Incorporating Indigenous and Critical Needs Languages into the Curriculum, on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom. |  More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE’s Annual Back to School Backpack of Resources 

Happy back to school! The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has put together a virtual Back to School Backpack of resources and information to assist school and School Administrative Unit (SAU) leaders as a new school year begins. The Backpack contains resources related to school and student supports, health and safety, school nutrition, school administration and operations, teaching and learning supports, and strengthening the education workforce. You can access the DOE’s Back to School Backpack here.  

You’ll find links to forms and information schools often need at the start of a new school year, resources that educators can use in the classroom, instructional supports and programs, and much more.  

We wish you a wonderful back to school and a new school year filled with excitement, powerful learning, connection, and joy. Thank you for everything that you do for Maine schools and students.  

Maine DOE Update – August 23, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Upcoming Data Webinars August 2024

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team has many data management and reporting webinars scheduled in preparation for fall data collection. The Maine DOE Events Calendar lists all Data Team webinars for Synergy and NEO. Filter to the area of focus, “Data.” |  More

News & Updates

Maine Department of Education Seeks Feedback on the Essential Programs and Services Funding Formula

Resolve 2024, Chapter 164 directs the Maine Policy Research Institute and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) to conduct a targeted review of general-purpose aid for local schools. This review will focus on recruitment, retention, salaries and benefits; property valuation as a determinant of municipal ability to pay; regional cost differences; and a comparison of other states’ mechanisms. Within these focused themes, the Maine DOE will be considering expenditure-driven components, municipal ability to pay, regional adjustments, and adjustments to the state share of the total allocation. This report is due to the Maine Legislature on March 15, 2025. |  More

Chapter 115 Public Comment: The Credentialing of Education Personnel

The Maine State Board of Education is beginning conversations with the public about Rule Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Educational Personnel. Resolve 2024, Chapter 137 directed the State Board of Education to amend Rule Chapter 115, with special attention to sections related to the State Board of Education’s report submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs in 2023. |  More

Maine DOE Honors 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science State Finalists & Maine History Teacher of the Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) was pleased to host a special ceremony at the recent 2024 Maine DOE Annual Summit to honor educators from two prestigious national awards, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History Teacher of the Year program. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Getting to Know Community Schools in Maine: Old Town Elementary School

As the longest-standing community school in Maine, Old Town has had time to build community partnerships and strategies that truly support its student population. One of those strategies is their amazing outdoor learning program which is complimented by a robust set of garden beds and greenhouses located right on school grounds. | More

Fifth Graders from Cascade Brook Elementary School Participate in ExploraVision STEM Competition

The fifth-grade students at Cascade Brook School had some very exciting projects this past school year. Two teams entered the 2023/24 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision National Science competition. | More

2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Reflects on Enjoyable and Empowering Experience at Space Camp

Each year, the Maine Teacher of the Year attends Space Camp for Educators at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. They are joined by their National Teacher of the Year cohort, comprised of teachers from across the nation. Space Camp is a program for educators that includes simulations of astronaut training and various activities designed to deepen educators’ understanding of what it’s like to go to space. Beyond the fun and interesting activities, Space Camp allows the National Teacher of the Year cohort to connect, network, and learn from one another.Maine DOE Honors 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science State Finalists & Maine History Teacher of the Year | More

Over 100 Maine Students and Teacher Spend a Weekend Camping with Teens to Trails

This past spring, 100+ students and teachers joined Teens to Trails for their annual Adventure Bound weekend, a free camping and white-water rafting experience at Adventure Bound, a youth and family group whitewater rafting and outdoor recreation center in Caratunk, Maine on the Kennebec River. Participants could enjoy this trip at no cost because of the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative, a program designed to engage more Maine students with outdoor learning and make outdoor experiences more accessible. This initiative was inspired by a promise in Governor Mills’ 2022 State of the State Address to provide students with more opportunities like the Whitewater Kayaking Camp, where kids can go outside and engage with Maine’s natural beauty. | More

Maine’s Outdoor Learning Initiative Inspires a Newfound Love of Nature for 90 Lisbon Students

Ninety 7th-grade Lisbon Middle School students recently took a trip to Hurricane Island. This trip was free for all students, thanks to the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative, a Maine Department of Education (DOE) grant that provides funding for middle and high school students in Maine to have outdoor learning opportunities in areas such as marine biology, ecology, and exploration. The initiative also allows Maine students to explore outdoor career fields with trained professionals. | More

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

What Makes a Great School in Maine? Join a Measure What Matters Community Conversation

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to host community meetings across Maine to bring educators, parents, students, and business leaders together to discuss a shared vision for our schools. These in-person conversations will take place in August and September across the state. This week we had great conversations in Augusta, Westbrook, Topsham, and York.

We need your voice! 

We’re interested in developing relevant ways to recognize and acknowledge what schools are doing to prepare students for success in their lives, a rapidly changing global economy, their careers, and as engaged and productive citizens of Maine. It’s time to measure what matters.  

Join us at a community conversation near you to share your thoughts about what makes a great school in Maine, how we can best prepare all of our students to thrive, and how we measure the great things happening in Maine schools. Your thoughts and ideas will be used to develop a portrait of a great school in Maine based on what the people of Maine value for our schools.

Sign up here to join a community conversation near you. See the full list of remaining Measure What Matters Community Conversations below.

  • Monday, August 19, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Penquis Valley High School
  • Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Maranacook High School 
  • Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Central Maine Community College
  • Thursday, August 22, 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Skowhegan High School
  • Monday, August 26, 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Lamoine Consolidated School
  • Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Miller School, RSU 40
  • Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Camden Hills Regional High School
  • Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    UMaine Machias
  • Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Bangor High School
  • Thursday, September 12, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Caribou Community School

We look forward to seeing you at a Measure What Matters conversation soon!

What Makes a Great School in Maine? Join a Measure What Matters Community Conversation 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to host community meetings across Maine to bring educators, parents, students, and business leaders together to discuss a shared vision for our schools. These in-person conversations will take place in August and September across the state.  

We need your voice!  

We’re interested in developing relevant ways to recognize and acknowledge what schools are doing to prepare students for success in their lives, a rapidly changing global economy, their careers, and as engaged and productive citizens of Maine. It’s time to measure what matters.   

Join us at a community conversation near you to share your thoughts about what makes a great school in Maine, how we can best prepare all of our students to thrive, and how we measure the great things happening in Maine schools. Your thoughts and ideas will be used to develop a portrait of a great school in Maine based on what the people of Maine value for our schools. 

Sign up here to join a community conversation near you. See the full list of Measure What Matters Community Conversations below.  

  • Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Westbrook High School  
  • Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Mt. Ararat High School  
  • Thursday, August 15, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    York County Community College 
  • Monday, August 19, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Penquis Valley High School 
  • Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Maranacook High School  
  • Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Central Maine Community College 
  • Thursday, August 22, 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Skowhegan High School 
  • Monday, August 26, 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Lamoine Consolidated School 
  • Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Camden Hills Regional High School 
  • Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    UMaine Machias 
  • Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Bangor High School 
  • Thursday, September 12, 2024, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Caribou Community School 

We look forward to seeing you at a Measure What Matters conversation soon! 

 

Maine DOE Update – May 17, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

DOE’s What Holds Us Together Podcast Highlights Adult Education

Adult education programs offer opportunity, connection, and empowerment to students from all ages and backgrounds. Commissioner Makin recently met with students and instructors from Franklin County Adult Education. This month’s episode of the What Holds Us Together podcast highlights a panel discussion with students from that visit, ranging from those looking to adult education for high school completion programs to those learning the skills they need to open businesses or switch careers. They share life-changing experiences and showcase the ways that adult education is another powerful example of how public education holds us together. |  More

Applications Open for ‘First 10 Community Schools’ Pilot Project

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from school administrative units (SAUs) and Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) to be part of a 3-year First 10 Community School pilot project funded through Maine’s Preschool Development Grant. Developed by Education Develop Center (EDC), First 10 Community Schools bring together school systems, early childhood programs, and community partners/agencies to improve care and education for young children and their families throughout the first 10 years of children’s lives. |  More

Home Instruction Portal Now Open for 2024-2025

The Home Instruction Portal is now open for filing the 2024-2025 Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction. Important information and a link to the portal are now available here. |  More

Maine DOE Health Education and Health Promotion Specialist Receives National Honor

Susan Berry, Health Education and Health Promotion Specialist for the Maine Department of Education (DOE), was recently honored at the All-Member (virtual) Annual Meeting of the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education (the Society) on March 26, 2024, when she was presented the Simon McNeely Award. Individuals named for this award are those who embody the character and work ethic of Simon (Si) August McNeely, who served as the Society’s executive director, secretary and treasurer for 51 years (1947-1998). |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

FFA Members Celebrate 94th Annual State Convention

On Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, FFA chapters from around the state all came together for the 94th annual Maine FFA State Convention. Caribou, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, Easton, Ashland, Fryeburg Academy, and Bangor United Technologies Center were all in attendance. |  More

KVCC College and Career Success Coordinator Eases the Transition from Adult Education to College

What do you get when you combine adult education students, a tour of Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), and a variety of delicious pies? The answer is Brighter Futures! A successful, immersive event occurred earlier this spring when 18 students from four local adult education programs spent two hours on the KVCC campus. |  More

RSU 18 Assistant Superintendent Improves, Expands District Safety Procedures with Help from School Safety Specialist Course

Keith Morin loves watching students grow academically and socially; it’s one of the perks of his very busy job as RSU 18 Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. He also loves watching the impact that RSU 18 staff make on students beyond academics, serving as mentors, role models, and sources of guidance and support. |  More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Media Release: Maine DOE and Live and Work in Maine Launch New Phase of Nationwide “Live and Teach in Maine” Campaign

Second Year of Multifaceted Campaign Utilizes the Voices of Maine Teachers and Includes Targeted Advertising and Events to Recruit and Support a Vibrant Educator Workforce in Maine

To kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Live and Work in Maine joined teachers and education supporters to launch the second year of their Live and Teach in Maine campaign. At an event at Portland International Jetport, Live and Work and the Maine DOE unveiled new Jetport ads that highlight the unique benefits of teaching and schools in Maine.

The Jetport ads are part of a multifaceted campaign to attract educators and strengthen the education profession. The Live and Teach in Maine campaign includes a highly targeted advertising effort, videos highlighting Maine teachers, access to the Live and Work job board for all schools, and events across Maine to highlight education as a rewarding profession and connect and celebrate educators. The partnership between Live and Work in Maine and Maine DOE seeks to attract new educators to Maine’s public education system and elevate and celebrate the many outstanding teachers in our classrooms right now.

“Maine is an amazing place to live and an extraordinary place to teach, and we’re proud to partner with Live and Work in Maine to reach new audiences, highlight Maine educators talking about why they love teaching in Maine, and connect people with opportunities to join the teaching profession,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “If you’ve ever thought of teaching in Maine schools, now is the time. We’re a state that deeply values and respects the creativity, autonomy, and professional judgment of our educators and school leaders.”

“Maine has long been celebrated for the quality of our public schools. This campaign aims to amplify the incredible work of educators who are already making a difference here and to use their success to encourage others to bring their careers and passion to Maine,” said Live and Work in Maine Executive Director Nate Wildes. “We are particularly excited about this project because of the wealth of positive marketing material at our disposal—from the exceptional quality of our public schools to the relatively low cost of living compared to regional urban centers, there are abundant reasons for skilled educators to consider upgrading to Maine.”

“Maine isn’t just a place to work—it’s a place to live, thrive, and make a difference. With its outstanding education system, breathtaking natural beauty, tight-knit communities, and high quality of life, Maine offers educators the perfect blend of professional fulfillment and recreational fulfillment,” said Maine 2024 Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard. “So why wait? There are amazing teaching positions waiting for you. Join us in Maine, where every day is an opportunity to inspire, educate, and explore.”

“As an educator, I feel blessed to be at a school that honors my autonomy and voice, and provides me with an opportunity to try new things and have fun with my students,” said 2023 York County Teacher of the Year Lisa Tripp. “As Maine educators, we also have the most incredible resource to share with our students—our beautiful nature.”

“The Maine Department of Education is proud to partner with Live and Work in Maine for a second year of our Live and Teach in Maine campaign,” said Maine Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta. “As we begin Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to all of the teachers in our state for the extraordinary work you do to help children thrive. And to anyone thinking about becoming a teacher, whether you are in college right now or considering a change in career, now is a great time to join our profession.”

Maine, like most of the nation, continues to experience an educator shortage that was exacerbated by the pandemic. This partnership builds on the Maine DOE’s wide-ranging efforts to recruit, retain, and support a vibrant educator workforce and leverages Live and Work in Maine’s knowledge and expertise as the state’s premier organization devoted to attracting and retaining Maine’s workforce.

During the first year of the Live and Teach in Maine campaign, there were more than 22 million impressions of the digital ads featuring teachers talking about how great it is to live and teach in Maine, nearly 2 million people engaged with the Live and Teach in Maine website, nearly 64,000 people viewed education jobs, and nearly 2,000 applied for teaching jobs. The campaign also featured physical advertising on subways in major cities, mobile billboards, and teacher-specific ads on college campuses. The Maine DOE also reported that more individuals sought teacher certifications last year than before the pandemic.

The campaign is funded through federal emergency relief funds to build and sustain Maine’s educator workforce following the pandemic.

Maine DOE Update – May 3, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Expands Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR) Model to 30 Additional Schools

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) announced grants for 30 additional Maine schools to implement the Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR) model to increase academic achievement, engagement, and student and staff wellbeing. These new grants build on the Maine DOE’s initial BARR investment last summer, with nearly 100 schools now implementing BARR across the state. |  More

FY25 Preliminary Allocations for all ESEA Title Programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) ESEA team is pleased to provide FY25 Preliminary Allocations for all Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) title programs. Preliminary allocations for each title are located on the ESEA Federal Programs webpage. |  More

Invitation to Opportunities Related to a Kindergarten Entry Inventory

In 2022, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), was awarded the Preschool Development Renewal Grant B-5. This three year, $8,000,000/year grant supports early care and educational programming for our youngest students. The Maine DOE, in collaboration with Maine DHHS, is exploring strategies to help support transitions from early childhood settings into kindergarten settings. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Getting to Know Community Schools in Maine: Gerald E. Talbot Community School

Maine’s biggest city is home to one of the largest school administrative units in the state, which offers seventeen different schools covering its large and diverse population, ten of which are elementary level. One of these elementary schools, Gerald E. Talbot Community School, sits in the northwest of the city and offers a unique model to serve its high-need population. |  More

A Day in the Life of a School Nutrition Worker

Jannet Harjula started her education journey as the owner of a local daycare more than 30 years ago. Like so many educators, Harjula found herself drawn back to education after selling her business. She started substitute teaching at St. George School. It wasn’t long before she transitioned to school nutrition, where she has been since 2014, first as a food service assistant and now as the food service director. |  More

How Karen Morin is Helping Career Navigation in Kennebec County

Karen Morin, a long-time resident of Kennebec County, has worked in crisis services, corrections, and risk reduction for the military. For a little over a year now, she’s been a Career Advancement and Navigation Specialist employed by the Adult Ed hub in Kennebec County. She is one of four “Career Navigators” funded by the Maine Jobs Recovery Plan (MJRP). |  More

RSU 71 IT Director Enhances School Safety with the Help of Maine DOE School Safety Specialist Course

As IT Director, Dr. David Fournier leads a team of seven people in Regional School Unit (RSU) 71 in Belfast. Together, they manage all aspects of technology in the district, including everything from building and maintaining networks to laptop fleets and much more! |  More

Bangor Educator Honored with State English Teacher Award

The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) awarded its 6th annual Claudette & John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award to Jennifer Babcock, a 25-year educator at John Bapst who currently teaches American Literature and Composition, British Literature and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and Creative Writing. |  More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Registration Open for Pre-K for ME, K for ME, and/or 1st Grade for ME Summer Training

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has adopted and piloted open-source instructional programs for early elementary grades based on the Boston Public School’s evidence-based Focus Curricula. Pre-K for ME was launched in 2019, K for ME was launched in 2021, and 1st Grade for ME was launched in 2023. |  More

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. |  More

Register for 2024 School Nurse Summer Institute

The School Nurse Summer Institute is an immersive multi-day in-person event that brings school nurses together biennially. The goal is to increase the knowledge and understanding of current research and evidence-based practices in school nursing, as well as increase awareness of resources available within the State of Maine. School nurses in attendance will leave feeling energized with the latest knowledge and renewed energy to support Maine students. |  More

Register Now for Maine Solutionaries Project, a No-cost, Micro-credential Program with Stipend

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is partnering with the Institute for Human Education to bring the Maine Solutionaries Project to educators interested in supporting students in applying their learning. |  More

Maine DOE to Offer Train-the-Trainer for Naloxone Education in Schools

In July of 2023, Governor Mills signed LD 1315, Public Law 2023, Chapter 460, into law, beginning the revision process for Rule Chapter 41. Updates to Chapter 41 have been completed, adding the requirement that all public schools now offer naloxone education to secondary students in addition to CPR and AED training. |  More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2024-2025 School Year 

The U.S. Department of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting and would like to thank all those who submitted information during the comment period. The comments related to teacher shortage enabled the Maine DOE to add additional teaching endorsements to the U.S. DOE proposal.  

In Maine, the annual teacher shortage list is utilized by the Maine DOE to determine which endorsements are eligible for emergency certification and for reciprocity from other states, per 20-A MRS §13012-B.   

The following are PreK-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2024-2025 school year: 

  • General Elementary   
  • Computer Technology 
  • Early Childhood   
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages  
  • English/Language Arts (Middle and Secondary Level)   
  • Gifted/Talented 
  • Health and Physical Education (Combined Endorsement) 
  • Mathematics (Middle and Secondary Level)  
  • Music 
  • Science-Physical (Secondary Level)  
  • Science-Life (Secondary Level)  
  • Science (Middle Level) 
  • Social Studies (Middle and Secondary Level) 
  • World Languages 
  • Visual Arts  
  • Deaf-Hearing Impaired* 
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities*  

* On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released a memorandum to clarify the requirements of IDEA Part B, which outlines the expectations for the preparation and training of all special education teachers nationwide and  that special education certification or licensure requirements may not be waived.  This includes the prohibition on issuance of emergency certificates. 

The benefits to student financial aid recipients, such as loan cancellations, are indicated in the following regulatory provisions: 

  • 34 CFR 682.210(b)(5)(ii), (b)(7), (q), and (s) enable a borrower who had no outstanding Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan on July 1, 1987,  but who had an outstanding FFEL Program loan on July 1, 1993, to qualify for deferment of loan repayment under the Stafford Loan Program anytime within the life of the borrower’s loan(s) for up to three years of service as a full-time teacher in a private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area designated by the Department, and as certified by the chief administrative officer of the particular school in which the borrower is teaching; 
  • 34 CFR 674.53(c) enables Federal Perkins Loan borrowers who are full-time teachers of mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or any other field of expertise where the State educational agency determined there is a shortage of qualified teachers to qualify for cancellation of up to 100 percent of the outstanding balance on the borrower’s Federal Perkins loans; and 
  • 34 CFR 686.12(d) enables grant recipients to fulfill their teaching obligation under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (regarding the requirement to serve at least four academic years, within eight years of graduation) by teaching in a “high-need field,” which includes academic disciplines/subject areas identified as teacher shortage areas at the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field. 

Stafford Loan and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) borrowers who have questions concerning their loans, including the teacher shortage area deferment, can contact the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FED-AID. 

Federal Perkins Loan borrowers should contact the school where they received the loan.  

Please contact Erin Reinhard at Cert.DOE@maine.gov with any questions or concerns.  

Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facilities Program Funding Opportunity 

Maine public schools invited to submit applications for the new 2024-2025 rating cycle 

Maine school administrative units (SAUs) may apply for the Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facilities Program through the application posted on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of School Facilities website. The application deadline is June 30, 2025.

This new rating cycle provides an opportunity for SAUs to apply for state support for the regionalization of two or more high schools in combination with a Career and Technical Education school, the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System, and industry partnerships.  The selected integrated model would be administered by a consolidated governance structure.

The Maine DOE will review completed applications and develop a priority list that will be used to designate a model project for funding. The process is governed by Chapter 61 State Board of Education Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects.

Questions regarding the application should be directed to Scott Brown, Maine DOE’s Director of School Construction, at scott.brown@maine.gov. Questions and answers will be posted here.