Maine DOE Update – November 21, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Reinstatement of Rule Chapter 115 (The Credentialing of Education Personnel Rules) Part II Requirements for Specific Certificates and Endorsements

Maine students from rural communities came to the Maine State Capitol last week as part of a unique learning opportunity offered by The Maine Forest Collaborative. The collaborative, created and administered by the Rural Aspirations Project, | More

Priority Notice: Proposed Revisions to Ch. 125, School Approval Standards

The State Board and the Department of Education are proposing the repeal and replacement of Chapter 125: Basic School Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units. | More

Green Ribbon Schools

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that Maine is joining the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools initiative to inspire and promote effective school sustainability and collaboration. The award highlights sustainability practices undertaken at the school, district, or post-secondary institution level that are cost-saving and health promoting. | More

Maine Educators Celebrated at Annual Teacher of the Year Gala

The Teacher of the Year Program hosted its annual Gala this past weekend on Saturday, November 16th at Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks. The event honors Maine educators that have been named County Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year with a banquet, reception, and awards ceremony. | More

 


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Educator Forum: Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Explore the impact of trauma on the social, emotional, and academic growth of students in this interactive workshop. Topics to be covered include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-sensitive schools, restorative practices, and the importance of establishing a culture of self-care. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 14, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

Open Comment Period for Required Civil Rights Data Collection Revisions: Closes November 18!

The Maine Department of Education has just learned that the United States Department of Education (USED) has released proposed revisions to the data required as part of the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), and that the comment period for the proposed revisions closes on Monday, November 18.  We wanted all school administrative unit (SAU) and school leaders, and any other interested parties, to be aware of this open comment period, and to have the opportunity to review the proposed revisions and provide feedback directly to the  USED.| More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Maine Forest Collaborative Brings Together Rural Students for Resource-Based Educational Opportunity

Maine students from rural communities came to the Maine State Capitol last week as part of a unique learning opportunity offered by The Maine Forest Collaborative. The collaborative, created and administered by the Rural Aspirations Project, | More

Students Learn What it is Like to be an Educator at Thomas College Teacher Academy

With a steep teacher shortage facing many communities in Maine, Thomas College and the Maine Department of Education teamed up to offer a daylong experimental teaching environment to further engage Maine students who are interested in teaching as a profession. | More

Nominate an Educator or School Employee for “Life Changer of the Year”

Life Changer of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. This includes teachers, para educators, custodians, secretaries, principals, lunch personnel, school nurses, guidance counselors, anyone who is employed by a K-12 school district. It is easy to nominate someone. Anyone can nominate up to 3 employees. Our program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019-2020 Program. | More

Hannaford Donates $1M to Support “Fuel Kids at School” Hunger Relief Efforts

Hannaford Supermarkets announced a $1 million donation as part of its new “Fuel Kids at School” initiative that is designed to directly address food insecurity and improve access to fresh and healthy food for children. | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Debbie Violette

Maine DOE team member Debbie Violette is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Debbie. | More

 


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Symposium: Unpacking the Maine-Wabanaki Studies Law (LD 291) Past, Present and Future

Sponsored by Native American Programs and The Wabanaki Center. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 7, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Call for Student and Educator Team Proposals: MLTI Student Conference

The MLTI Student Conference Planning Committee is issuing the call for student and educator team proposals for the 17th Annual MLTI Student Conference, to be held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the University of Maine in Orono. | More

MLTI T-shirt Design Competition Accepting Entries Until February 24th, 2020!

The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) is hosting a T-shirt Design Competition again this year. The theme for the T-shirt design is “Celebrating 200 Years in Maine” or “Maine’s Bicentennial”. | More

MLTI Student Conference 2020 Musical Performance Applications Due February 24th, 2020

The MLTI Student Conference has included live musical performances over the past several years, and this year, we would like to feature students from our PK-12 schools or local universities. There are several potential opportunities which could be filled by students from one school or from a two schools. A tentative schedule is below. More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

No Cost Mandated Reporter Training Available to School Personnel

In 2015, Maine revised its mandated reporting law, requiring state-approved training for certain professions every four years. Specifically, it includes school personnel described as the following: teachers, guidance counselors, school officials, school bus drivers and school bus attendants. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 1, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

October 31 DATA DEADLINES

We are thrilled to share that 74% of our SAUs made the October 31 deadline, and have their student data submitted! This helps all of us, as it impacts the accuracy and timeliness of the ED 279.We appreciate that SAUs have been working diligently to ensure the accuracy of their staff data prior to submitting; we are still waiting to receive about 50% of SAU staffing data currently.| More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Public Comment Period for Alternative Science Waiver Application Now Open

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking 30 days of public comment from October 31 – November 29, 2019, on a waiver application (waiver from §8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015) to the U.S. Department of Education (USED). The request seeks a waiver from publicly reporting student alternate science test data from the Spring 2020 assessment administration. | More

MAARS Workshop and Overview of Approved Changes to Maine’s Model of School Support

Online Registration Portal for 2019 MAARS Workshop, including an overview of key changes to Maine’s Model of School Support (Accountability) is now available. | More

School Bus Purchase Program Applications Open November 1

The Maine Department of Education is accepting applications to receive subsidy for new school buses purchased through the School Bus Purchase Program. The application period is November 1 through November 25, 2019.| More

Maine Teacher Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

“Let’s go to the video” isn’t just something they say on the nightly news in Gorham, Maine. It’s also the go-to skill for student storytellers at Gorham High School, thanks to the pervasive and forward-looking influence of technology teacher Adam Parvanta. A tech mentor for grade 9 through 12 students as well as staff, Parvanta puts technology in student hands and teaches them how to craft stories large and small. Whether it’s augmenting class projects, highlighting student activities or helping students create visual résumé boosters to supplement their college applications, Parvanta deploys technology in ways that spur students to become creators of content rather than just passive consumers. | More

Maine DOE Reviews Student Cabinet Applications

The Maine Department of Education would like to thank each and every one of the hundreds of students in grades 4-13 who applied to be on Maine Department of Education’s Student Cabinet. There has been an amazing outpouring of interest, and we are honored that so many students want to be engaged in education policy and reform at the state level. | More

Maine DOE Hosts First School Vegetable Prep-Culinary Training in Culinary Classroom

Last week, the Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Team hosted its very first hands-on training in the newly built Child Nutrition Culinary Classroom.| More

New FFA Chapter Officers Trained for School Year

State Officers of the Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) trained 35 leaders from 7 Aroostook County FFA Chapters on October 18, 2019 at the University of Maine, Presque Isle. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Megan Dichter

Maine DOE team member Megan Dichter is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Megan. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Count ME In Fall 2019 NEW Training: Transforming School Climate and Culture

Developing a positive school climate and culture leads to an increase in student attendance, engagement and achievement. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – October 24, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Revisions to Rule Ch. 132 (Career & Education Development, ELA, and Mathematics Standards); Public Hearing on Nov. 13, 2019

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding proposed revisions to the Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards found in Rule Chapter 132 Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction. Please note that the Department of Education is only seeking comments on the Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards sections of Rule Chapter 132 at this time. | More

Maine Schools Celebrate & Share Technology Integration at 32nd Annual ACTEM Conference

The 32-year tradition lives on as once again this year educators from around the State attended the much anticipated ACTEM (Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine) conference earlier this month. The two-day, action-packed conference is planned, coordinated, and administered solely by Maine educators, and features Maine educators and students as presenters. The conference represents and celebrates the robust technology innovation and integration happening in Maine schools, in addition to serving as a place for schools to share strategies and tools including computer science education, coding, 3D printing and design thinking, and to learn about various technology-based curriculum and classroom management tools that are being used in Maine schools, nationally, and globally.  | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Danielle Despins

Maine DOE Team member Danielle Despins is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Danielle | More  


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Social Studies New Standards- NEW Southern Maine Training Scheduled

On June 23, 2019 the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies went into effect. The first set of professional development workshops to support implementation of the standards have been set. | More  

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – October 17, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

Webinar to Assist with Annual Dropout Data Submission

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting annual dropout data to the Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Wednesday October 23rd from 10am to 11am. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Priority Notice: Live Stream Information for Public Hearing on Health Education and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding the current health education and physical education, visual and performing arts, and world languages standards. Find links to each of the current standards below along with details for submitting comments. | More

Four Maine Teachers Receive Presidential Excellence Awards in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering

Today, President Donald J. Trump announced the recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).  | More

School Construction List Receives Approval

Three schools in critical need of renovation or replacement got the go-ahead to build new facilities or renovate existing ones last week from the State Board of Education, which approved a proposal from Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. | More

MACTE Conference Draws 400+ Educators Statewide, Honors CTE Teacher of the Year

Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education (MACTE) held its annual conference last week at Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC). The official organization for Maine’s network of 27 career and technical education (CTE) schools, MACTE plans the conference as a place for CTE educators to convene and share ideas, hear from industry professionals, and honor hard-working colleagues. | More

 


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – October 10, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Gorham Middle School Teacher Named 2020 Teacher of the Year

In an all-school assembly today at Gorham Middle School, the Maine Department of Education and Educate Maine named alternative education teacher Heather Whitaker Maine’s 2020 Teacher of the Year. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Seeking Public Comment on Health Education and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages Standards

The Maine Department of Education invites school districts to nominate graduating high school seniors for the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each district may nominate one senior who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident and has demonstrated excellence in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and one senior who had scored exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Revisions for Rule Chapter 40; Hearing on October 28, 2019

The Department is proposing revisions to Rule Chapter 40: Medication Administration in Schools to reflect recent statutory changes. | More

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Revisions for Rule Chapter 180 (Educator Effectiveness Rules); Hearing on October 28, 2019

The Department is proposing revisions to Rule Chapter 180: Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Systems to reflect recent statutory changes and feedback from conceptual conversations. | More

Resources for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Schools

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Maine Department of Education would like to share resources and information that educators and schools can use to teach about Native American history and culture, as part of their classroom and school activities that commemorate this important holiday. | More

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

We know that Maine schools are actively working to ensure they are providing a safe and inclusive community in which all educators and students feel supported and can thrive. Bullying prevention takes a team effort, adult modeling and a commitment from the whole community. Educators, families, students and community members can work together to build safe, supportive learning environments for all Maine students. | More

Maine Schools Join Others Around The Nation to Recognize National School Bus Safety Week October 21-25

National School Bus Safety Week, scheduled October 21-25 this year, is a public education program that promotes school bus safety. Nationally, each day about 480,000 school buses travel the nation’s roads transporting about 25,000,000 students to and from schools and school-related activities. This makes school buses the largest mass transportation program in the nation.  | More

Maine Officially Launches Harvest of the Month Program

The Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Program is excited to announce the official launch of Maine’s Harvest of the Month (HOM) Program. The program was piloted in schools in Spring 2019 with participation from over 165 schools state-wide. The full roll out of the program begins this fall for School Year 2020. | More

Opportunities to Lead and Participate In the 17th Annual MLTI Student Conference

Each year, the Department of Education’s Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) hosts the MLTI Student Conference. Over 1000 students and their teachers gather to engage in a day of learning and creating with technology. This year the event will be held at the University of Maine in Orono on Thursday, May 21st, 2020 from 8:30am – 3pm. Details about opportunities to lead and participate in the day are below. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Paula Gravelle

Maine DOE Team member Paula Gravelle is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Paula in the brief question and answer below. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – October 3, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

CORRECTION: Data Reporting Deadlines That Impact Subsidy Calculations (ED279)

The initial post on 9/26/2019 indicated that the Student Data and Staff Data Certifications would both be due by October 15, 2019; we apologize for this error and have corrected the due dates below to October 31st for both certified reports.  The Student Data certification period begins on October 15, 2019 and ends on October 31, 2019.  The Staff Data certification period begins after July 1, 2019 and also ends on October 31, 2019. | More

Reminder of Initial Audit Requirement Due November 1

We would like to remind business managers, and those with fiscal reporting responsibilities for SAUs, that the statements of assurance and the Maine Education Financial Systems (MEFS) Financial reconciliations are due by November 1st, as required by Title 20-A MRSA §6051 (4). | More

Important Reminder and Webinar Assistance: Due Date Approaches for Quarter 1 (Q1) Attendance, Behavior, Bullying, and Truancy Data Review

In order to assist SAUs with their legislatively mandated data reporting, the Maine Department of Education Data Team is offering a free webinar to review the requirements and new features. The webinar is strongly encouraged for those responsible for the compilation and entry of the required data.| More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Maine DOE Convenes Local Educators to Review Career and Educational Development Standards

The Maine Department of Education hosted a group of local educators for a series of work sessions that will take place last month to review the Career and Educational Development (CED) standards. | More

Guidance on Enrollment, Attendance and Education of Children Age Six and Younger

There have been questions about the laws and rules that govern the enrollment, attendance, and education of our youngest learners, as schools consider recent legislation, and the expanding number and size of public preschools programs. | More

Maine Adult Education System Receives Champion of Education and Workforce Development Award

At the 2019 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon hosted by the Maine Development Foundation (MDF), Maine’s Adult Education System, comprised of over 70 local Adult Education Programs, the Maine Department of Education’s Office of Adult Education, and the Maine Adult Education Association (MAEA), was one of six award recipients. | More

Seeking U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominations!

The Maine Department of Education invites school districts to nominate graduating high school seniors for the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each district may nominate one senior who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident and has demonstrated excellence in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and one senior who had scored exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program. | More

MLTI Bridge Year

The Maine Department of Education, through the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), has been providing 7th and 8th grade students and teachers access to, and support for, educational technology since 2002. While the goal has remained constant – provide State support for access to technology-enhanced education experiences for all students – the program has changed in many ways and will continue to grow and evolve in the future. The Department remains committed to this goal.   | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Nena Cunningham

Maine DOE team member Nena Cunningham is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Nena in the brief question and answer below. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

 Professional Learning Opportunity: Lenses on Learning- Leadership for Elementary Mathematics (3-Part Series)

This professional learning opportunity is specifically designed for a team from K-8 schools consisting of Principal, Math Coordinator and Classroom Teachers | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – September 26, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

Data Reporting Deadlines That Impact Subsidy Calculations (ED279)

The table below details data that has a direct impact on the calculation of an SAU’s subsidy. SAU’s can use the table to quickly assess what action they must take and by what deadline. The table also includes the follow up actions SAUs can expect from Maine Department of Education. The information in the table provides deadlines for reporting data errors, asking specific data questions, and when data revisions must be submitted to Maine DOE to be included in the SAU’s FY 21 EPS Funding Calculation. | More

Webinar to Assist with Staff Data Certification

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting, validating and/or certifying staff data to the Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Tuesday October 16th.| More

Important Notice: October 1st Student Enrollment Reporting Opens Soon

The October 1st Student Enrollment report will be opening on October 1, 2019 for review, and will be able to be certified by districts starting on October 15, 2019. The certification must be completed no later than October 31, 2019. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Future Teachers Academy: Free Event for High School Students Interested in Exploring the Field of Education

Future Teachers Academy, an event for students who are interested in exploring the field of education, is being hosted by Thomas College and will be held on November 8th from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on their campus at 180 West River Road in Waterville. | More

Maine Department of Education Provides Complimentary 2019-2020 Law Books to Superintendents

The Maine DOE acquired enough copies of the Maine Education and School Statutes 2019-2020 Edition law book from the publisher, Swan Island Press, to distribute one, at no charge, to each superintendent of schools in Maine. | More

Three Maine Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon School Honors

The U.S. Department of Education today announced three Maine schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Dan Chuhta

Maine DOE team member Dan Chuhta is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Dan | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Free Emergency Management Training Sessions Available This Week Only

With this K-12 101 training, an expert team will provide an overview of a recommended six-step planning process to create a high-quality school EOP | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – September 19, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education


Reporting Items

EF-M-13 Private School October Resident Enrollment Counts

This is a reminder that the EF-M-13 Private School October Resident Enrollment Count report is open October 1st.  Private schools that do not have any “publicly funded students” may complete only the EF-M-13 October 1st Resident Enrollment report, but have the option to also enroll their non-publicly funded students in the Synergy State Edition. | More

Important Reminder and Webinar Assistance: Due Date Approaches for Quarter 1 (Q1) Attendance, Behavior, Bullying, and Truancy Data Review

In order to assist SAUs with their legislatively mandated data reporting, the Maine Department of Education Data Team is offering a free webinar to review the requirements and new features. The webinar is strongly encouraged for those responsible for the compilation and entry of the required data. | More

MaineCare Seed adjustments to be made, review Q419 reports by October 11, 2019

The recovery of Q4′ 19 MaineCare Seed will occur in the October 2019 subsidy payment and the Maine DOE is asking Districts to review their reports by October 11, 2019 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. SAU staff must review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q4′ 19 by October 11, 2019. | More  

National Board Certified Teacher Salary Supplement Request Due October 15, 2019

Do you have National Board Certified teachers on your staff? Awesome! We are sending along a reminder to those fortunate superintendents, or directors of a publicly-supported secondary school or CTE region, with eligible staff who have attained National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification prior to July 1, 2019. We need you to let us know, so we can provide you with their legislatively allocated salary supplement! | More  

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |


News & Updates

Reminder:  Think Tank being held in Winter Harbor on September 30th

In the ongoing effort to engage with all stakeholders, the Department of Education will hold its next Think Tank at the Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor on September 30.  Participants can choose  from four topics, and can attend morning or afternoon sessions only on one topic, or attend both sessions and discuss two topics! Topics include special education, defining school success, educator excellence (recruiting and retaining) and MLTI. | More

Reminder: Social Studies Standards Roll Out – Fall Professional Development Schedule

This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about Maine Native Americans, as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on Maine Native Americans. | More

Reminder: Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) K-12 101 Train-the-Trainer (TtT) Training

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, is pleased to offer the “Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) K-12 101 Train-the-Trainer (TtT) Training.” This on-site, 8-hour training presents important Federal guidance on school emergency management planning. | More

Reminder: K-12 101 Train-the-Educator & SITE ASSESS Trainings

The REMS TA Center, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, is pleased to offer this on-site, 4-hour training that presents important Federal guidance on school emergency management planning. | More

Maine Department of Education 2019 First Regular Session Legislative Summary Available

The Maine Department of Education has prepared a summary of major laws related to education that were enacted by the First Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature. This information may prove helpful to school and district administrators and educators when planning for the 2019-20 school year. | More

Maine DOE Seeks Students to Serve on First-ever Student Cabinet

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) today announced that it is launching its first-ever student cabinet, a group of students that will meet quarterly with Commissioner Pender Makin to discuss educational opportunities, improvements, and policy. The purpose of the Student Cabinet is to provide a forum for Maine students’ voices to be heard. | More

Seeking Additional Maine Schools for Social Emotional Learning Pilot Program

The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Maine hosted tours of a youth bedroom trailer in the parking lot at NAMI Maine (National Alliance on Metal Illness) today in Hallowell in an effort to raise awareness about the warning signs of opioid misuse in youths. | More

Maine Farm to School Network, in Conjunction with the Maine Department of Education, Child Nutrition, Offers Engaging Local Foods Trainings in October

We are excited to announce that the Maine Farm to School Network has received a $25,000 USDA Farm to School Training Grant to build local food procurement capacity in Maine schools. Designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools, USDA Farm to School grants can help farm to school programs get started or expand existing efforts. | More

LD 577- An Act To Increase Access to Nutritious Foods in Schools by Implementing an After-school Food Program for At-risk Students

LD 577, Public Law 2019, Chapter 428 – An Act To Increase Access to Nutritious Foods in Schools by Implementing an After-school Food Program for At-risk Students, will become law on September 19, 2019. We have received questions from district leaders, asking for clarification. | More

Maine Continues to Align Special Education Programming with Federal Standards; No Extra Technical Assistance Required

The results of an annual review by the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has yielded that Maine does not currently require any extra technical assistance from the federal government for its special education programming. | More

Maine Department Of Education Pauses Essay Component of State Assessment to Gain Educator Feedback 

The development of writing skills is essential for student learning, future employment, communication, and critical thinking, and it is a key area of focus for Maine educators and the Maine Department of Education. While writing standards are assessed in the State’s English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, Maine had opted to include an additional essay component at the grade 3-8 span, exceeding federal assessment requirements.  | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Brandi Cota

Maine DOE team member Brandi Cota is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Brandi in the brief question and answer below. | More


Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |


Professional Development & Training Opportunities

National Board Certified Teacher Scholarship Funds Available!

Are you a secondary school teacher who is interested in becoming National Board Certified? Are you a district who is eager to offer this rigorous professional learning opportunity to your teachers?  State law, 20-A MRSA Section 13013-A subsection 5 & 6; as amended by PL 2012 c. 702, established the National Board Certification Scholarship Fund to encourage teachers to apply to, and enroll in, the certification program offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or its successor organization. | More

Principals Roundtable Series: It Doesn’t Have to be Lonely at the Top

Middle Level building leaders often work alone with minimal peer support. We lack sources of informed objective feedback, brainstorming, problem solving and idea sharing. Join other dynamic New England middle level principals in October, January, and March for days dedicated to addressing current challenges facing you and your middle level peers. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |


Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities