Maine DOE Update – August 28, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Recognize Your Outstanding School Staff: RISE Award Now Accepting Nominations

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) invites students, friends, families, community members, educational organizations or associations, co-workers, and supervisors to nominate school employees for the RISE Award. Anyone can nominate! | More

Maine Career Pathways Pilots to Support Maine Students in Pursuing Early Childhood Education, Healthcare Occupations

Students at three school-based organizations across Maine will have new opportunities to pursue credentials in early childhood education and healthcare beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, as a result of nearly $500,000 in Maine Career Pathways (MCP) funding. | More

New Cybersecurity Resources for Schools and Districts

The United States Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package, a comprehensive collection of guides, videos, and supplemental materials to help schools and districts prevent, mitigate, and respond to prevalent cyber threats. Based on current cybersecurity frameworks, these new resources outline cost-effective, actionable, and customizable steps that school and district leaders and staff can take to develop and maintain effective cybersecurity programs. | More

Maine Educators Explore Literacy and Numeracy at the Maine DOE Summer Learning Institute

Maine educators from schools serving students pK-12 and higher education institutions gathered at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor from June 29 through July 1 for the 2026 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Summer Learning Institute, The Science of Learning: Developing Literate and Numerate Minds. The three-day institute connected research with practical strategies that educators can use to strengthen learning across grade levels and disciplines. | More

Reminder: 026-2027 Maine DOE Back-to-School Backpack Resource Available Online

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) wishes all students, educators, administrators, and school staff a wonderful back-to-school season! As the 2026-2027 school year begins, please consider perusing the virtual Maine DOE Back-to-School Backpack, which contains information and resources that may be useful to school and district leaders. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

RSU 1 Completes Climate Action Sustainability Plan, Creating a Model for Other Districts

Regional School Unit (RSU) 1, serving the communities of Bath, Woolwich, Phippsburg and Arrowsic, has completed a comprehensive, district-wide, sustainability plan joining a small but growing number of school administrative units (SAUs) taking a significant step toward making sustainability and climate action part of their long-term planning and operations. | More

Camp Achieve: How Oxford Hills School District Is Making Summer Learning Engaging

When many people picture summer school, they imagine students sitting at desks, catching up on assignments while their classmates enjoy summer vacation. At Oxford Hills School District (MSAD 17), summer learning looks a lot different. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Educators Invited to Attend Fall Launch Events for Maine’s Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks

Maine administrators, educators, coaches, and community partners are invited to celebrate a major milestone in advancing teaching and learning statewide at the Maine Department of Education (DOE) fall launch events for the Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks, an initiative focused on turning vision into action for schools across the state. These interactive events will focus on turning Maine’s statewide vision into action in schools and communities. | More

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – August 21, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

2026-2027 Maine DOE Back-to-School Backpack Resource Available Online

Reminder: 2026-2027 Program Information and Application Procedures for National Board Certification Scholarship Fund and Salary Supplement

There are two National Board Certification programs governed by Maine State Statute (20-A MRSA Section 13013-A). For teachers who have not yet achieved National Board Certification, a scholarship program exists to provide funds to help defray certification costs. For teachers who have already achieved National Board Certification, there is a salary supplement program. In both cases, applications are submitted to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) by a teacher’s school administrative unit (SAU). Please see below for an overview of these two valuable programs and our streamlined application procedures. | More

A Refreshed EnGiNE: Maine’s Professional Learning Ecosystem Gets a New Look for the School Year

The Maine Department of Education has released a redesign of EnGiNE, the state’s professional learning ecosystem for school staff. The update reaches nearly every part of the platform: a new public homepage, a rebuilt course catalog, a redesigned dashboard, and a support center for anyone who needs help finding their way around. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Reminder: Registration is Open for the 2026-2027 Transformational Leaders’ Network for Principals; New This Year is An Opportunity for Assistant Building Leaders

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Transformational Leaders’ Network (TLN) is a practical, relationship-centered professional learning opportunity for principals to enhance their leadership practice and strengthen outcomes for schools and communities. The TLN is delivered through a series of in-person and remote/regional meetings offered across the state during the school year. All principals, from first-year principals to veterans and from large suburban schools to small rural schools, are invited to participate. | More

Maine Impact Education Fellowship Offers Leadership Development Opportunity for Maine Educators

The Great Schools Partnership (GSP), in partnership with Educate Maine, is offering the Maine Impact Education Fellowship, a leadership development opportunity designed to help Maine educators strengthen their leadership skills, build professional connections, and contribute to positive change in their schools and communities. | More

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – August 14, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE School Nurse Summer Institute Brings Maine Nurses Together for Professional Learning and Collaboration

On July 28-29, school nurses from across all 16 counties in Maine gathered for a two-day School Nurse Summer Institute at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley. This biennial event is sponsored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and planned by the Coordinated School Health Team and volunteer school nurses who work in Maine schools. The theme of this year’s conference was Complex Care, Competent Leadership: School Nurses at the Heart of Student Health. | More

Through-Year Assessment Data Show Continued Growth Trend

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently received the verified aggregate data from Maine’s Through Year Summative Assessment, and Maine students’ average Rasch Unit (RIT) percentile scores are at and above the most recent MAP Growth National Achievement Norms. | More

Updates to Mandated Reporting Laws and a Reminder of the Maine DOE Model Policy for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response (Links Updated)

During the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature, LD 2105, An Act to Update Maine’s Mandated Reporting Laws, was passed. On April 13, 2026, it became Public Law Chapter 667. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is sharing this information to ensure school administrative units (SAUs) are aware of the law’s implications for schools, as it requires SAUs to adopt and implement policy and education regarding child sexual abuse prevention education and response. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

St. George MSU Recognized as Top 10 Finalist for National Education Innovation Showcase

St. George Municipal School Unit (MSU) has been recognized as a national leader in education innovation after being named a top 10 finalist in the annual global recognition program, ASU+GSV Summit Education Innovation Showcase. The award celebrates St. George MSU’s groundbreaking work to develop the nation’s first preK-12 career and technical education (CTE) program, in partnership with MidCoast School of Technology. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Free Emergency Preparedness Training for Maine Schools

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is offering a free, in-person workshop in South Portland, Maine, on August 19 from 8 a.m. to noon. The training will focus on active shooter preparedness, providing participants with practical strategies, planning considerations, and nationally recognized best practices to help enhance school safety and resilience in the event of an active shooter incident. This is not a tactical training course. | More

Registration is Open for the 2026-2027 Transformational Leaders’ Network for Principals; New This Year is An Opportunity for Assistant Building Leaders

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – August 7, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Updates to Mandated Reporting Laws and a Reminder of the Maine DOE Model Policy for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response

2026-2027 Program Information and Application Procedures for National Board Certification Scholarship Fund and Salary Supplement

A Refreshed EnGiNE: Maine’s Professional Learning Ecosystem Gets a New Look for the School Year

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Community Regional Charter School Blends Technology and Nature Through “Innovation Inside and Out”

Community Regional Charter School (CRCS) is redefining what modern learning can look like by intentionally blending advanced technology with outdoor, nature-based education. Through its “Innovation Inside and Out” approach, CRCS ensures learners develop technological fluency while building deep connections with the natural world. At CRCS, the philosophy is simple: It’s not technology or nature—it’s both. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – July 31, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Annual Summit Brings Maine Educators Together for a Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Inspiration

Educators, school leaders, and education partners from across Maine gathered at Thomas College in Waterville on July 29 for the 2026 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit, kicking off the three-day ElevatED professional learning experience with a day centered on collaboration, innovation, and practical strategies to support students across the state. The Summit was followed by the second annual Every Teacher a Leader Conference, held July 30-31 in partnership with Educate Maine and the Teach Maine Center. | More

Maine DOE, Educate Maine Announce Semifinalists for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year

Eight exceptional educators from across the state are semifinalists for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year. On Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine officially announced these semifinalists, who will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios, and participate in an expert panel discussion about educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy as part of the next phase of the Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process. | More

Lewiston High School Teacher Donna Olsen Named 2026 Maine History Teacher of the Year

Since 2004, the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History Teacher of the Year recognition program has recognized exceptional K-12 educators for their remarkable work in teaching American history. The program celebrates one outstanding teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories and recognizes educators for their dedication, creativity, and effective use of primary sources. Nominees are recommended by students, colleagues, or school leaders and selected by state committees of historians and educators. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Presque Isle High School Pathways Program Supports Student Success Through Alternative Education

Presque Isle High School’s Pathways Program, part of MSAD 1, is an alternative education program that serves students in grades 9-12 from Presque Isle, Mapleton, Chapman, Castle Hill, and Westfield. The program provides a safe, supportive environment where students reconnect with learning through flexible instruction, personalized schedules, academic support, and positive relationships with staff. Through these opportunities, students build the academic, social, and life skills needed for graduation and post-secondary success. | More

Bruce Whittier Middle School Students Put Fire Science Skills to the Test in 15th Season of ‘MidKnight FireSlayers’

This spring, the Bruce M. Whittier Middle School “MidKnight FireSlayers” celebrated the completion of their 15th season in partnership with Poland Fire Rescue. The MidKnight FireSlayers program provides middle school students with hands-on learning experiences in fire safety and fire science, guided by a dedicated team of firefighters and educators. | More

Calais Elementary Summer Program Demonstrates the Power of High-Quality Summer Learning

This summer, Calais Elementary School demonstrated what is possible when evidence-based instruction, strong community partnerships, and engaging learning experiences come together to support student success. | More

New Regional ELO Program Is Growing Tomorrow’s Real Estate Professionals

A new regional Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) pilot has given students in southern Maine a firsthand look at careers in real estate, demonstrating how strategic partnerships between schools and local businesses can expand career-connected learning opportunities across several school districts while helping students build valuable professional networks. | More

Space Week Maine 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers

At its best, education does more than transfer knowledge; it sparks wonder. That spirit was alive across the state throughout Space Week Maine 2026 this spring, as classrooms, auditoriums, and learning spaces were transformed into launchpads for discovery—not by rockets alone but by curiosity. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – July 17, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Cultivating Belonging: 2026 Maine DOE Annual Summit to Highlight a New Chapter for Maine’s BIPOC Educator Network

When educators experience belonging, they are better equipped to create learning environments where students also experience belonging. That simple but powerful idea is guiding the next chapter of Maine’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Educator Network—an independent, educator-led community that creates opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and other educators of color to connect, grow, and thrive together. | More

Register Now for the Maine DOE Annual Summit on July 29 at Thomas College

Ready to kick off the new school year with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and meaningful connections? Join us for the 2026 Maine DOE Annual Summit on July 29 at Thomas College in Waterville. Designed for Maine’s education workforce, the Summit features inspiring keynote speaker Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, engaging breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and resources to support your work throughout the year. The Annual Summit is part of ElevatED, a three-day professional learning experience that also includes the Every Teacher a Leader Conference on July 30–31. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

PBIS in Action: Bangor’s Downeast School Showcases Successful PBIS Implementation and Inclusive Pilot Program

This spring, two educators from Tasmania, Australia, traveled across the globe to Maine through the Hardie Fellowship Program, an experience that allows Tasmanian educators to study educational systems and evidence-based practices in the United States. One of their stops was the Bangor School Department’s Downeast School, which has become a powerful example of how Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and inclusive education practices can work together to improve outcomes for students. | More

Seventeen Students from Five Maine Schools Compete in Maine State Finals for the National Civics Bee

For more than three decades, the Belfast Community Outreach Program in Education (BCOPE), part of RSU 71, serving Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont, and Swanville, has helped students reconnect with learning through strong relationships, flexibility, and community-based support. | More

BCOPE: Building Community and Supporting Students Through Alternative Education

Located within Windham High School, RSU 14’s Katahdin Program provides students from Windham and Raymond with an alternative learning environment centered on hands-on instruction, outdoor learning, community partnerships, and strong relationships with staff. Through individualized support and experiential learning opportunities, the program helps students reconnect with school, complete graduation requirements, and build pathways toward future success. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – July 10, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

SUN Meals Site Finder is Now Live: Find Free Meals for Youth at Locations Across Maine This Summer

In the summer months, children lose access to the school meal services they may rely on during the academic year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) SUN Meals program provides children ages 18 and younger with access to healthy, nutritious food at neighborhood locations across the United States (including in Maine) throughout the summer months when school meals and snacks are unavailable. | More

Request for Applications for the Maine Healthcare Careers Exploration Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) from eligible organizations for the Maine Healthcare Careers Exploration Program. This program seeks to build sustainable career pipeline programming to support rural Maine youth in grades 9-12 in exploring healthcare occupation opportunities, acquiring foundational skills, and creating meaningful connections with healthcare professionals and employers through relevant high school instruction, postsecondary enrollment, and workforce development opportunities in Maine. | More

Maine Celebrates First Recipients of the Seal of Climate Literacy

A new generation of Maine students is demonstrating a commitment to understanding and addressing environmental challenges through the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) newest diploma endorsement, the Maine Seal of Climate Literacy. | More

Back-to-School Grants Available for School Employees Through LifeChanger of the Year

LifeChanger of the Year, an annual national recognition program for educators and school employees, is excited to announce a back-to-school grant opportunity for teachers as they prepare for the 2026-2027 school year. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

BARR Spotlight: How Indian Township School is Honoring Culture, Building Relationships, and Driving Student Success

On the Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation in Princeton, Indian Township School is embracing a powerful model for student success that honors culture, strengthens relationships, and supports the whole child. | More

Finding Growth Through Flexibility: Inside the Zenith Alternative Education Program

At Camden Hills Regional High School, part of Five Town Community School District (CSD), an off-site alternative education learning community is redefining what high school can look like for students seeking a more personalized, project-based path. | More

RSU 14’s Katahdin Program Supports Student Success Through Experiential and Relationship-Based Learning

Back-to-Back Kennebec County Teachers of the Year Highlight the Power of Multilingual Learning Through the Maine Seal of Biliteracy

Nineteen members of Cony High School’s Class of 2026 were recently recognized for earning the State of Maine Seal of Biliteracy, a distinction that honors students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This year’s recipients earned the Seal in four languages: Spanish (11 students), German (4 students), Arabic (3 students), and French (1 student), reflecting both the diversity of Cony’s student body and the strength of its World Languages program. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Registration Open for the Maine DOE Annual Summit on July 29 at Thomas College

Registration Open for 2026 School Nurse Summer Institute

The Maine DOE Coordinated School Health Team is hosting its biennial School Nurse Summer Institute (SNSI) on July 28 and 29, 2026, at Sugarloaf Resort in Carrabassett Valley. This immersive, multi-day, in-person event brings school nurses from across Maine together for new learning and to increase knowledge and understanding of current research and evidence-based practices in school nursing. This year’s theme is Complex Care, Confident Leadership: School Nurses at the Heart of Student Health. | More

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – June 26, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Three Maine Educators Honored as 2026 Alternative Education Educator of the Year Awardees

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to join the Alternative Education Association of Maine (AEA) in celebrating three outstanding educators as the recipients of the 2026 Alternative Education Educator of the Year Award. This annual award honors alternative educators who make a meaningful and lasting impact on students, create innovative learning opportunities, and demonstrate a strong commitment to advocating for students and the field of alternative education. | More

Maine Middle and High School Students Invited to Join the 2026-2027 NASA TechRise Student Challenge

The national education platform Future Engineers has invited Maine middle and high school students to join the 2026-2027 NASA TechRise Student Challenge. This nationwide contest invites students in grades 6 through 12 to team up with their classmates to design an experiment under the guidance of an educator. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

How Mountain Valley Middle School Built an Alternative Education Program from the Ground Up

At Mountain Valley Middle School, students in the alternative education program begin each day with breakfast before heading to the gym to reset, move, and prepare for learning. They then gather in a morning circle to review schedules, discuss upcoming activities, reflect on current events, and practice strategies for managing stress and conflict. Co-alternative education teachers Shane Smith and Anthony Mazza use these routines to create consistency, strengthen relationships, and set a positive tone for the day. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Schedule for the 2026-2027 Transformational Leaders’ Network Opportunity for Principals

The Transformational Leaders’ Network (TLN) is a practical, relationship-centered professional learning opportunity for principals to enhance their leadership practice and strengthen outcomes for schools and communities. The TLN occurs through a series of in-person and remote/regional meetings offered across the state during the school year. All principals, from the novice to the veteran, from large suburban schools to small rural schools, are invited to participate. | More

Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

As more Maine elementary schools expand their preschool offerings and implement whole-student approaches across the pre-K through grade 3 span, elementary administrators have expressed a need for professional learning tailored to early learning leadership. In response, the Maine DOE created the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, a dynamic professional learning series designed to meet these needs and support leadership development. Since its launch in 2021, the Fellowship has served five cohorts of elementary school leaders. The next Leading Early Learning Fellowship cohort will launch during the 2026-2027 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026. | More

REMINDER: Registration Open for ElevatED 2026: Maine DOE Annual Summit and Every Teacher a Leader Conference

Registration is now open for ElevatED 2026, a dynamic summer professional learning experience designed to inspire, connect, and support Maine’s education workforce through meaningful collaboration and practical learning opportunities. | More

Teach Maine Center to Host Maine Educators Summer Camp for Integrating the Arts

The Teach Maine Center is hosting the first annual Maine Educators Summer Camp for Integrating the Arts on Tuesday, August 18, through Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Camp Encore/Coda in the town of Sweden. This two-day visual and performance arts summer conference will bring educators together to explore the power of arts integration and its impact on teaching and learning. | More

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – June 18, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine Students Explore Innovation and Creativity at the 2026 MLTI Student Conference

Nearly 1,000 students and educators from across Maine recently gathered at the University of Maine campus in Orono for the 2026 Maine Learning Through Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference, an annual event hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Learning Through Technology Team. | More

Maine DOE Shares Updated Early Childhood Health and Safety Resources

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has released an updated set of Early Childhood Health and Safety Resources for preschool and early childhood programs. These resources outline approval standards and other official guidance and up-to-date information for school administrative units (SAUs) and early childhood programs across Maine. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School Hosts Second Annual Maine Adaptive Music Summit

Carl J. Lamb Elementary School in Springvale opened its doors on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to host the second annual Maine Adaptive Music Summit. Organized by Carl J. Lamb music teacher Hattie Skvorak, the summit brought together music educators, special education teachers, and educational technicians for a full day of professional development focused on adaptive music education. | More

The REACH School Builds Community, Confidence, and Curiosity Through Alternative Education

The Rural Educational Alternative Community Middle/High (REACH) School in Bucksport is a private, nonprofit alternative middle and high school program designed to meet students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally. Serving students from RSU 25—which includes Bucksport, Orland, Prospect, and Verona Island—as well as surrounding communities, the REACH School provides an alternative learning environment centered on engagement, relationships, and individualized support for students who have struggled to find success in traditional school settings. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Free Emergent Literacy Facilitator Training for Early Childhood Educators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is offering a free professional learning opportunity for educators interested in becoming trained facilitators of professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on emergent literacy for children aged 3 to 6. | More

Registration Now Open for EngageMEnt 2026-2027: Cultivating Innovative Teaching and Learning

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Offices of Teaching and Learning and Innovation are pleased to announce that registration is now open for EngageMEnt 2026-2027, a statewide professional learning opportunity designed to support educators in exploring innovative, engaging, and impactful practices for teaching and learning. | More

REMINDER: Registration Open for ElevatED 2026: Maine DOE Annual Summit and Every Teacher a Leader Conference

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Update – June 12, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

SUN Bucks and SUN Meals Programs Return in the Summer of 2026 to Aid Food Access for Maine Children

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is pleased to announce the return of the SUN Bucks and SUN Meals programs in the summer of 2026. These programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), help to ensure that Maine children continue to have access to healthy, nutritious food during the summer months when school meals and snacks are not available. | More

Filing of Chapter 101 – Maine Unified Special Education Regulation (Emergency Rulemaking)

This morning, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) filed an emergency rule to protect the health, safety, and educational rights of students with disabilities and the dedicated professionals who serve them. This change allows private schools serving as educational placements for students in special education to be parties in mediations, due process hearings, and expedited due process hearings. The emergency rule takes effect immediately upon its filing on June 12, 2026. | More

Reflections from a Successful Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education hosted its third annual “I Belong” Youth Summit at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Every spring, this event provides an opportunity for students with disabilities from across Maine to explore post-secondary pathways as they approach “transition” age—the time for planning for adult life after high school. | More

Augusta Schools Receives Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce the award of a one-time, competitive Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant to Augusta Schools, in the amount of $75,000. | More

Maine Educators Honored as 2026 Curriculum Leader and Instructional Coach of the Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to join the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) in recognizing two outstanding educational leaders whose dedication to teaching, learning, and student success has made a lasting impact in their schools and communities. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

2026 Waldo County Teacher of the Year Brings Economics to Life for Monroe Elementary School Students

When students in Rachel Norgang’s second- and third-grade classes at Monroe Elementary School learn about economics, they don’t just read about businesses in a textbook. They visit gravel pits, tour working farms, explore event venues, and meet artists whose work is displayed around the world. | More

Athens Community School Brings Families Together Through “One School, One Book” Earth Day Project

From April 6-16, 2026, Athens Community School held its annual “One School, One Book” project, designed to use literature to connect classrooms, families, and communities and bring attention to important issues. | More

Mt. Blue’s Alternative Learning Program Expands Student Opportunity Through Relationship-Based and Experiential Learning

For some students, success in school begins when learning becomes more flexible, personalized, and connected to real life. At the Alternative Learning Program (ALP) located within Mt. Blue High School, alternative education teachers are working to create that environment through relationship-based instruction, project-based learning, and opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

REMINDER: Registration Open for ElevatED 2026: Maine DOE Annual Summit and Every Teacher a Leader Conference

Registration Open for July Holocaust Education Seminar for Maine Educators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is sharing a summer professional learning opportunity for educators interested in strengthening Holocaust and human rights education in the classroom. | More

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