From the Maine Department of Education

Blue Ribbon Commission To Meet Monday, October 17

Augusta – The next meeting of the Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine will be held on Monday, Oct. 17 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center. The Lewiston Regional Technical Center is located at 156 East Avenue in Lewiston. A copy of the meeting agenda and documents relating to the Commission’s work will be posted here as they are made available.

Additionally, members of the public who wish to submit comments or ideas about public education issues for consideration by the Commission may do so here. Comments submitted through the website will be distributed to members of the Commission.

The Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine was created by LD 1641 which allocated an additional $15 million in education funding for local schools. Based on the Commission’s work, a report to the Governor and the Legislature will be submitted by Jan. 10, 2017 that includes findings and recommendations for action to reform public education funding and improve student performance in the state.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• Local Entitlement Report of Final Expenditures for FY15, due Oct. 30
• Local Entitlement Year End Report for FY16, due Oct. 30
• Private School Oct 1 Enrollment Reporting (EF-M-13), due Oct. 31
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part I (EF-S-05), due Oct. 31
• EPS October 1 Enrollment Reporting, due Oct. 31
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05), due Oct. 31
• Staff Data Reporting 2016-17, due Oct. 31
• Graduation Reporting, due Oct. 31

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Maine DOE opens window for SAUs to complete 2016 progress report on proficiency-based diploma implementation

Public school superintendents and public charter school directors received a live link this week to the 2016 Progress Report: Implementing Proficiency-Based Learning and Proficiency-based Diplomas. | More

Students, Parents, and Schools Celebrate School Bus Driver Appreciation Week Oct. 17-21

A school bus driver’s career is about safely delivering the world’s most precious cargo – our students. | More

Invitation to participate in NECAP science inquiry task field test

The Maine Department of Education has agreed to recruit schools to serve as field testing sites to administer Measured Progress’ NECAP Science Inquiry Tasks in grades 5, 8, and 11. | More

Water conservation resources

As many areas of Maine continue to experience drought conditions, teachers may find this resource from the Maine Emergency Management Agency helpful for discussing water conservation. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Education Specialist I – Child Nutrition
• Education Specialist III – Adult Education Coordinator – Special Projects – Part-Time Job Share (20 hours)
• Education Specialist III – Director, Special Education
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Three Maine schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools by United States Department of Education

Falmouth Middle School, Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden, and Sea Road School in Kennebunk were among the 329 public and private schools across the country this week named 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education Secretary John King.

All three Maine schools were honored as “Exemplary High Performing Schools.”

“To be named a National Blue Ribbon School, schools must meet strict criteria, and these three Maine schools deserve great credit for their dedication to the mission of educating our children. I commend the educators, parents, and students who all work to make these schools such proud examples of excellence in the state of Maine,” said Deputy Commissioner of Education William Beardsley.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• EFM-43 Report Transportation Data for Out-of-District Special Education Students, Homeless Students, and CTE Students, due Oct. 15 (Reminder)
• EF-M-240 Year End Report of Private Schools for Public Tuition Approval, due Oct. 15 (Reminder)
• Local Entitlement Report of Final Expenditures for FY15, due Oct. 30
• Local Entitlement Year End Report for FY16, due Oct. 30
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part I (EF-S-05), due Oct. 31
• EPS October 1 Enrollment Reporting, due Oct. 31
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05), due Oct. 31
• Staff Data Reporting 2016-17, due Oct. 31
• Graduation Reporting, due Oct. 31

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Maine Department of Education announces the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching State Finalists

Maine DOE is honored to announce the four state finalists for the 2016 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST). | More

Maine DOE accepting School Improvement Grant applications through December 14

The Maine Department of Education will once again be accepting applications for School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding during the 2016-17 school year. | More

Maine DOE offers 2017 performance evaluation and professional growth mini-booster grants to SAUs

In an effort to continue assisting school administrative units (SAUs) in their performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) development the Maine DOE is offering mini-booster grants of $1,500. | More

A message for superintendents in partnership with Head Start, child care and private preschool programs

To date, there has been some confusion around public preschool teachers with Conditional 081 Early Childhood Teacher Certification who have been hired and are employed by a partnering program. | More

U.S. Senate Youth Program Application Deadline is Oct. 17

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. | More

Secretary of State hosting ‘Voter Reg Rumble’ competition to encourage youth registration

This general election season, Maine’s Secretary of State is hosting a voter registration competition encouraging students to get involved in the electoral process. | More

Election resources available on Maine Department of Education website

The Maine Department of Education has a webpage devoted to resources that may be helpful in teaching about the Presidential election and the election process. | More

Input sought for teacher shortage areas

The Maine DOE has been notified of the requirement to submit Maine teacher shortage areas by December 9 for designation by the U.S. Department of Education for the 2017-18 school year. | More

NEO Transportation Upgrade and EFT-24 Vehicle Mileage and Operations Report due date extension

The due date for the year-end EFT-24 Vehicle Mileage and Operations Report has been extended to December 31. | More

Statements of Assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial Reconciliations (formerly MEDMS) due Nov. 1

Statements of assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial reconciliations, as required by Title 20-A MRSA 6051 §4, are due by November 1. | More

State agency client students in crisis placements

The Maine DOE previously (1/22/14) issued guidance with respect to students in crisis placements. That guidance applies as well to students who are hospitalized as a result of a mental health crisis. | More

Reminder: National Board Certified Teacher Salary Supplement due Oct. 15

Superintendents of a school administrative unit or the director of a publicly-supported secondary school or CTE region must submit to the Maine DOE by Oct. 15. | More

Professional development opportunity for education technicians working with students with challenging behaviors

Please note the original location of the Oct. 25 training has changed and will now be held in Brewer. As of Oct. 5, the Oct. 24 session remains open; all slots have been filled for Oct. 25. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Education Specialist I – Child Nutrition
• Education Specialist III – Adult Education Coordinator – Special Projects – Part-Time Job Share (20 hours)
• Education Specialist III – Director, Special Education
• Request for Proposals: HIV Prevention Education
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Maine school districts begin school year with new teacher and principal evaluation systems

AUGUSTA – As the 2016-17 school year gets underway, Maine schools are undertaking newly revised teacher and principal evaluation systems. This year, for the first time, the majority of teachers and principals will be evaluated based on a professional practice model using a system that incorporates a student growth measure for educators.

This major shift is the result of legislative changes adopted in the 125th Legislature and reflected in the Maine Department of Education’s Rule Chapter 180. Districts across the state have been working for years with stakeholders through development and steering committees to determine the details of each district’s evaluation plan for teachers and principals.

The Maine Department of Education plans to share all teacher and principal evaluation plans from every district on a dashboard available to the public through the Educator Effectiveness webpage in order to give a detailed, comprehensive look at each district’s approach. In doing so, the goal is a continual learning, development, and adjustment process for districts to improve the quality of each plan.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• Vehicle Inventory Form – Student Transportation (EFT-24), due Oct. 15 (Reminder)
• EFM-43 Report Transportation Data for Out-of-District Special Education Students, Homeless Students, and CTE Students, due Oct. 15 (Reminder)
• EF-M-240 Year End Report of Private Schools for Public Tuition Approval, due Oct. 15 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Message from Adult Education Director on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

With the passage and implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), there has been some discussion about the act’s potential effect on the basic skills instruction provided by adult education. | More

Public invited to submit comment to Blue Ribbon Commission online

Members of the public who wish to submit comments or ideas about public education issues for consideration by the Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine may do so here. | More

Addition made to MUSER FAQs on diagnostic placements

The Maine DOE has made an addition to the Maine Unified Special Education Regulations frequently asked questions. | More

Information regarding homeschool program correspondence

If you have questions about Maine’s homeschool program that cannot be answered by the information on the Maine Department of Education’s website, please direct your query to the Commissioner’s office. | More

Seventh annual PBIS conference to be held November 4

This year’s topic for the seventh annual PBIS conference, hosted by USM, is “Building and Sustaining Multi-Tiered Systems of Behavioral Support.” | More

Reminder of deadline for gifted and talented program approval for FY 2017

The annual gifted and talented program and budget approval is due by September 30. | More

Professional development for public preschool and visual arts teachers

The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of a new professional development opportunity, “Fostering Artful Early Childhood Classrooms.” | More

Maine identifies the 1% alternate assessment population

Many districts have identified their students participating in alternate assessments in Infinite Campus State Edition, ahead of the October 6 deadline. | More

Poetry Out Loud registration open

Maine high schools are invited to register for Poetry Out Loud, a nationwide program that encourages youth to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. | More

Over 900 Maine students complete Read to Ride Summer Reading Challenge

Preventing summer reading slide is a goal of many Maine educators, as students can lose months of learning gains if their brains do not remain active. | More

Maine schools join others around the nation to recognize National School Bus Safety Week October 17-21

National School Bus Safety Week, scheduled October 17-21 this year, is a public education program that promotes school bus safety. | More

National Attendance Awareness Month: start now and keep celebrating school attendance all year long

An overwhelmingly majority (86 percent) of parents want their kids to achieve in school, but almost half don’t realize the impact of too many absences on their child’s education. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Education Specialist III – Adult Education Coordinator – Special Projects – Part-Time Job Share (20 hours)
• Education Specialist III – Director, Special Education
• Management Analyst II – Specialist Services Division
• Request for Proposals: HIV Prevention Education
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

New Major Capital School Construction Application Cycle Announced

AUGUSTA – Public schools across Maine are invited to participate in the new application cycle for major school construction projects that will begin in October. The announcement that a new application cycle will begin was made at the monthly meeting of the State Board of Education on September 14. A new application cycle enables Maine public schools to apply for state support in order to undertake a major renovation or addition project, or to build a new facility.

The application will be similar to those used in the past. Applications will be posted on the Maine Department of Education’s website by October 15, 2016. An announcement will be made to alert school officials when the applications are posted.

“In consultation with the State Board of Education, the Department has determined that for the first time in six years, the time is right to open a new application cycle. The application, review, and approval process will remain consistent with the past process,” said Deputy Commissioner Bill Beardsley in announcing the new application cycle.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 1), due Sept. 30 (Reminder)
• School Revolving Renovation Fund Application, due Sept. 30 (Reminder)
• Gifted & Talented Annual Program Approval, due Sept. 30 (Reminder)
• Vehicle Inventory Form – Student Transportation (EFT-24), due Oct. 15
• EFM-43 Report Transportation Data for Out-of-District Special Education Students, Homeless Students, and CTE Students, due Oct. 15
• EF-M-240 Year End Report of Private Schools for Public Tuition Approval, due Oct. 15

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Reminder: Certification on Constitutionally Protected Prayer

Maine DOE is reminding school administrative units to complete and submit the Certification on Constitutionally Protected Prayer statement to the Department by Oct. 1. | More

Maine DOE announces alternate assessment workshops

The Maine DOE is sponsoring a series of four workshops for the MEA Alternate Mathematics and ELA/Literacy (MSAA) and the MEA Alternate Science (PAAP) assessments. | More

Maine DOE ACCUPLACER® units discontinued

As of July, Maine DOE discontinued access to ACCUPLACER® for students as part of the State’s testing program. | More

Professional development opportunity for education technicians working with students with challenging behaviors

The Maine DOE’s Special Services division will provide a free, professional development opportunity for education technicians working within special education. | More

Notice regarding upcoming special education reports EF-S-05 Part I and II

EF-S-05 Part I, Special Education Child Count: School administrative units are advised to verify the “Special Education Students for Federal Count” report in Infinite Campus State Edition (ICSE). | More

Addition made to MUSER FAQs on diagnostic placements

The Maine DOE has made an addition to the Maine Unified Special Education Regulationsfrequently asked questions. | More

UMaine 4-H offering new “ Follow a Researcher” opportunity for classrooms

The University of Maine is once again gearing up for a Follow a ResearcherTM expedition!  Follow a ResearcherTM is an innovative University of Maine 4-H program that connects youth with a graduate student. | More

FAFSA available October 1

Students and families can now apply for financial aid starting on October 1 as the college application process gets underway. | More

Updated College Scorecard available online for researching higher education institutions

The U.S. Department of Education recently released its first annual update of the redesigned College Scorecard available at CollegeScorecard.ed.gov. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Management Analyst II – Specialist Services Division
• Request for Proposals: HIV Prevention Education
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here