Maine DOE Update – February 1, 2018

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices:

Reporting Items

2017-2018 ESEA Report Cards

The 2017-2018 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Report Cards are now publicly available in the Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS). The 2017-2018 ESEA Report Cards present results from the 2016-2017 school year. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE and First Lady, Ann LePage kick off February ‘Read to ME Challenge’

Maine’s First Lady, Ann LePage launched the Read to ME Challenge today at the Sylvio Gilbert Elementary School in Augusta. Reading to second grade students at the Gilbert School, the First Lady shared two books, Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs and Baxter in the Blaine House, with her captive audience. | More

Maine’s School Counselors being recognized during National School Counseling Week in the Hall of Flags

National School Counseling Week is February 5-9, 2018 and Maine’s School Counselors are invited to attend a recognition on February 8^thin the Hall of Flags from 1:00-4:00pm. | More

ESSA and Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) Data

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be opening up nominations nationwide for youth from grades 8 to 11 to join the National Youth Preparedness Council. Nominations will be opened for six week starting in late January, early February. | More

FEMA opens nominations to recognize youth for their work in Emergency Preparedness

The MIYHS provides valuable data to school administrators and communities in assessing the health of their youth. With this data, action can be taken to further address specific needs and/or problems that Maine students are facing. | More

Maine DOE provides supplemental funding for facilitation and legal costs for regional service centers

The Department is committed to supporting Regional Service Center (RSC) applicants who have chosen to pursue the development of a durable and flexible partnership and interlocal agreement. | More

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – January 25, 2018

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices:

Reporting Items

SAT 3rd year high school student enrollment confirmation

As previously announced, the 3^rd year high school student enrollment (bulk registration) file for spring 2018 SAT assessment will be sent to Measured Progress/College Board on Friday, February 2, 2018. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Free training, technical assistance, equipment and materials for public preschool programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has received a grant from the US Education Department to support public preschool teachers, special educators, principals and special education directors on providing high quality classroom environments and inclusion practices for 4 year-olds. | More

Organizations needed to feed hungry children this summer

With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of income eligible children in Maine during the school year. To extend this program, the Child Nutrition team at the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) is seeking organizations who would like to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides children healthy meals when school is not in session. | More

New protocol for requesting a change in English Learner identification

If a student has been identified by a school in Maine as an English learner (EL) but a teacher, school administrator, parent/guardian, or the student himself/herself (over the age of 18) believes this identification to be incorrect, a request for change in identification may be made. | More

February is African American History Month

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society as part of African American History Month. | More

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Annual English Teacher’s Conference at Point Lookout

The Maine Council of English Language Arts and Maine DOE announce the annual spring conference on Friday, March 23. | More

Maine Mathematics Coaching Project: Grant funded tuition support for cohort 4 applicants

The Maine Mathematics Coaching Project at the University of Maine at Farmington is offering a special opportunity to new math coaching candidates who apply and are accepted to Cohort 4 by March 15, 2018. | More

Professional learning program for teaching Code.org computer science courses

Educate Maine and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance have announced that applications are now open for Code.org’s computer science Professional Learning Program. | More

Reach Higher Maine webinar: The New CTE Pathway to Maine’s Proficiency Diploma

Reach Higher Maine has developed a series of free webinars designed to provide school counselors & those working with student’s tools to use in their college and career readiness programs. | More

Powered By Maine Teach to Lead Summit

Maine Teach to Lead is pleased to announce Powered By Maine Teach to Lead Summit, Monday, April 9th, 8:30-3:30pm at Husson University, in Bangor. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – January 18, 2018

From the Maine Department of Education

Administrative Letters:

Reporting Items

Changes to 2016/17 Graduation, Completers, and Dropouts reporting in NEO

The Maine Department of Education has extended the due date for the Graduation Attending Reports to end of day, February 2, 2018 to allow for extra time for districts to complete the report. This report includes the certification of Superintendents. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Certificates and Fingerprint Clearance Cards are now paperless

Certificates and Fingerprint Clearance Cards will now be available in a paperless form through the NEO Portal. As part of the streamline process for launching the new online certification system and to promote a more secure environment with less manual process and excess paper, certificates and fingerprint clearance cards will no longer be mailed to applicants. | More

Maine DOE Seeks Proposals for 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of a (RFP) seeking bids from interested parties to implement comprehensive 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs in 2018-2019. | More

Maine partners in national innovative cybersecurity opportunity for young women in high school

To help educate more young women about the opportunities in the field of cybersecurity, Governor Paul R. LePage, the Maine Office of Information Technology and the Maine Department of Education are promoting ‘GirlsGoCyberStart’, an exciting national program that uses online games of discovery to introduce high school girls to the field. | More

Maine students selected for United States Senate Youth Program

Preschool Application for the 2018-2019 School Year

The deadline for completion is April 30, 2018. To view the application in its entirety before filling it out can be done by accessing the PDF copy, also available on the website. Please note, this version appears much longer as it shows every question offered to applicants. Depending on your individual answers, you may or may not be redirected. | More

MEA Science and eMPowerME – Large Print and Paper Order Requests Due 1/26/18

If a student cannot take the MEA Mathematics and ELA/Literacy (grades 3-8) assessment online and needs a paper-version (regular size print or large print) due to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or special accommodations such as a 504 plan or other specific reasons, requests must be made individually using the following forms: | More

School Health Profile Survey

The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), conducts the School Health Profile (SHP) Survey for principals and lead health education teachers every two years. | More

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Training schedule for Comprehensive Needs Assessment and SAU Consolidated Plan

Free Training, Technical Assistance, Equipment and Materials for Public Preschool Programs

Spring math conference: Bringing Students into the Formative Assessment Equation

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education are happy to announce that registration is open for the spring conference, Partners in Progress: Bringing Students into the Formative Assessment Equation. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – January 11, 2018

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

MaineCare Seed adjustments to be made, review Q417 and Q118 reports by February 9, 2018

Due to time constraints, the recovery of Q417 and Q118 MaineCare Seed will occur in the February 2018 subsidy payment. | More

Quarter 2 reporting requirements for attendance, truancy and behavior delayed until further notice

Due to issues related to the attendance, truancy and behavior reporting functions of the Synergy Student Information System and the NEO system, Quarter 2 reporting requirements for these areas will be delayed until further notice. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Nominations sought for 2019 Teacher of the Year

Nominations are now open for the 2018 County Teachers of the Year and 2019 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and nurturing the achievement of all students at http://www.mainetoy.org through Feb. 5. | More

Read to ME Challenge Set to Kick-off February 1st

Year 3 of the Read to ME Challenge is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2018. First Lady Ann LePage will launch the campaign by reading to children at a local school. She will follow up her reading by issuing a challenge to participate in the 2018 campaign | More

CDS Committee Recommendations

On December 11, 2017, the Part B 619 Advisory Committee, which discussed the proposed transition of special education and related services for children ages 3 to 5 from Child Development Services to the public schools, held its final meeting. | More

Maine FFA Student Officers Review Maine Agriculture

Student State Officers of the Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) enjoyed in depth discussions with representatives of Maine’s agriculture and natural resources community on January 9, 2018 at the Agricultural Trades Show in the Augusta Civic Center.| More

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Professional Development Opportunities

Training schedule for Comprehensive Needs Assessment and SAU Consolidated Plan

The Maine Department of Education continues to provide support regarding the development and completion of a Comprehensive Needs Assessment and SAU Consolidated Plan as required under the recently reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Completed SAU Consolidated Plans must be submitted to the Maine Department of Education on or before July 1, 2018. The utilization of the CNA and SAU Consolidated Plan template will ensure all required elements are included. | More

Reminder of Restraint and Seclusion Overview and Awareness Information Course

As mid-school year approaches, this is a reminder of The Restraint and Seclusion Overview and Awareness Information Course that is provided by the Maine DOE to districts at no cost. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – January 4, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices

PRIORITY NOTICE: Educational Technician certification renewal date extended to July 1, 2018

Reporting Items

Student Enrollment Files and Assessment Preparation Dates

Please be aware of the following important dates regarding student enrollment when preparing for the 2018 spring Maine Educational Assessments (MEA). The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is continuing the transition from the data management software platform Infinite Campus to Synergy State Edition. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Join us for the 2018 Read to ME Campaign

Following two years of strong statewide participation, the Maine Department of Education’s Literacy for ME initiative will once again be promoting the Read to ME Challenge. This simple but powerful campaign challenges adults to read to children for 15 minutes, to capture that reading episode via a photo and then post it on social media to challenge others to do the same. | More

Maine DOE Office of Special Services receives approval of revised policies and procedures

In 2015, the federal Office of Special Education (OSEP) required the Maine Department of Education-Office of Special Services to revise its policies and procedures for excess cost determinations and for allocating federal funds consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).| More

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Professional Development Opportunities

New Teachers and Mentors – Dine and Discuss Event (Three sessions)

The Dine and Discuss series for new teachers and their mentors is designed to provide professional learning that builds fundamental instructional skills of new teachers. | More

2018 Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy Assessment Administration Training

Statewide workshop training will be provided on the administration of the 2018 Mathematics & ELA/Literacy assessments. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 21, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Administrative Notices

Administrative Letter: Guidance for residency determination for split residence students

Priority Notices

Reporting Items

Due date for school facilities inventory reporting extended to 01/12/18

The Maine Department of Education has extended the due date for the FY17 School Facilities Inventory Report to January 12, 2018. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE receives 19 FEDES grant proposals as part of EMBRACE regionalization initiative

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce the receipt of 19 regional grant proposals in response to RFP# 201708145 – Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES) grant by the December 19, 2017 deadline. | More

New State expectations for SAT essays set to help improve student writing

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) will start using a “cut score” that includes State expectations for the essay portion of the SAT for the first time. A cut score is the minimum score required for performance at each State expectation level. The essay cut scores are expected to help educators further enhance student writing. | More

Join us for the 2018 Read to ME Campaign

Maine DOE office closed December 22 – 26

The office of the Maine Department of Education will be closed the following days as part of the State of Maine’s administrative holiday closure. | More

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Professional Development Opportunities

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 14, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

ESEA/ESSA Title I Comparability Report FY18

Section 1118(c) of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires that school administrative units (SAUs) with multiple attendance areas maintain comparability of local/state resources between the Title I schools and the non-Title I schools; or if all the schools at a grade span are Title I schools, comparability of local resources must be maintained among the Title I schools. The list of SAUs required to submit a Comparability Report is noted at the end of this announcement. If your SAU is not listed below, you can disregard this notice. | More

Alternate student data needed by Dec. 15th, 2017

Finalization of the 1% identification of students to participate in alternate assessments must be complete December 15^th. The Department will apply to the US Department of Education for a waiver on December 19^th. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

School Based Health Center Survey

In an effort to learn more about what health services are available in School Based Health Centers (SBHC) around the State of Maine, the Department of Education requests any school unit that has one to complete a short survey. | More

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Professional Development Opportunities

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 7, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices

Reporting Items

Urgent Title V eligibility verification

To align the Title V (Rural Education Achievement Program -REAP) Grant timeline to other Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Federal Programs, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has revised data collection and submission dates with a more aggressive timeline. This revision will allow Title V (REAP) Federal funds to be awarded to states on July 1 of each program year. | More

Graduation and Dropout Reporting dates further delayed

On November 20^th the Department issued a notice announcing that the due date for Graduation and Dropout Reporting was extended to December 21^st. The Department has just learned that the data needed prior to launching the updated Graduation and Dropout reporting module in NEO is not yet available. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Department receives 23 Part I applications for Regional Service Centers

The Department received Part I Applications from 23 proposed regional service centers by the November 30 deadline. The proposals include 102 discrete school administrative units from across the state, with all but one with an operational date of July 1, 2018. | More

Maine DOE partnering in national study to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-bullying law in Maine

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Center for Disease Control are taking part in a study to evaluate the efficacy and implementation of anti-bullying laws in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and with Columbia University, the University of Iowa and Temple University. | More

Nominations Now Open for Maine History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the Maine History Teacher of the Year. State History Teachers of the Year receive $1,000, an archive of materials for their school’s library, and an invitation to attend a 2019 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar. | More

Winter holidays in the classroom

The following information has been put together with the support of the Council of State Social Studies Specialists (CS4) to help educators who are planning to include seasonal holiday activities in their classrooms and at their schools. | More

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Professional Development Opportunities

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 30, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices

Reporting Items

Regional school calendars due by May 4

School administrative units and private schools approved for tuition purposes are expected to establish regional school calendars, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education school, by May 4, 2018. | More

News & Updates

School Meal Benefits

The School Lunch Program can help families that are struggling financially with their food costs. Households can apply anytime throughout the school year for meal benefits that are offered by school districts. | More

Family Code Night Comes to Maine

Next week, children and their parents will come together to learn how to code. It’s Computer Science Education Week (December 4-8), and 75 sites across Maine will host Family Code Nights. Specially designed for elementary-aged students, these events use Hour of Code puzzles that introduce programming principles through fun games. | More

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Professional Development Opportunities

Free Professional Development Webinar: Overview & Preparation Tips for the NextGen Accuplacer

Reach Higher Maine has developed this series of free webinars designed to help support school counselors in their work exposing students to career and college opportunities. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 16, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine MIC3 Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children will be held on Thursday November 30 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 228 of the State House in Augusta. | More

Tutoring for students who receive special education

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Education would like to remind special educators about the provision of specially designed instruction on IEPs. | More

2017 Maine Integrated Youth health Survey Data

The 2017 MIYHS data has just been released. State and public health district data is available to the public for the 5^th and 6^th grade survey, as well as the middle and high school surveys. Kindergarten and third grade parent survey data is available at the State level. | More

Maine DOE joins the nation in celebration of “American Education Week”

In a Presidential Memoranda from The White House on Friday, November 10th President Donald Trump proclaimed November 12 – November 18, 2017 as American Education week. | More

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