From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine Department of Education is preparing for the 2015-16 administration of the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy. On Monday, March 21, the test window will open for students in grades 3-8 for the new eMPower™ ME assessment developed by Measured Progress. Then on March 30, the test window opens for the MEA Alternate known as the Multi-State Alternative Assessment (MSAA) for students in grades 3-8 and those in the third year of high school.

Maine DOE, working with Measured Progress, eMetric, and College Board/SAT, has made available guidance and resources, plus our continued support to not only School Test Coordinators (STCs) and Test Administrators (TAs), District Assessment Coordinators (DAC), and Technology (IT) Coordinators, but to educators and parents.

The Department’s Maine Comprehensive Assessment System (MeCAS) website pages include the 2015-2016 testing schedule for all assessments. Manuals, training material, and other resources are provided for the eMPower™ ME assessment here and for the alternate MSAA here.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• Highly Qualified Teacher Data, due March 31
• EPS April 1 Enrollment Reporting, due April 15
• EPS High Cost Out-of-District Placement Cost Adjustment Report (EF-S 214), due April 15

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Graduation and drop out data tells a good story

The 2014-15 graduation and dropout rates show an increase and decline respectively. The data has been completed and certified by all public and 60 percent publicly funded private schools. | More

Students advocate for learning…the marine studies way

Advocating for changing the age limit from 18 to 23 for obtaining a fishing license was the topic of discussion last month. | More

Annual Local Entitlement application training webinar

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services will be hosting a training webinar to assist Local Education Agencies. | More

Fuel Up to Play 60 school nutrition equipment grants available

The Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council is offering Fuel Up to Play 60 School Nutrition Equipment Grants of up to $5,000 per school for the 2016-17 school year. | More

Grants for school kitchens are available

The 2016 USDA Equipment Assistance Grant process has begun. This year Maine has $89,380 in assistance funds to distribute. | More

School Nutrition Programs Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) tool now available

The school year 2017 Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) tool has been released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and can be downloaded. | More

Acting Commissioner among speakers at MELMAC conference

The MELMAC Education Foundation held its Maine Educational Loan Marketing Corporation (MELMAC) University conference in Rockland this month. | More

National FFA Vice President discovers Maine agriculture

February 22-26 was National FFA Week, which made for an impressive week for a national student leader visiting Maine. | More

Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Screensaver Challenge

Twenty student artists will have an audience of more than 70,000 students and educators for their artwork starting this fall. | More

SkillsUSA Maine showcases champions

“Each of you champions, each runner-up, and each participant in these championships has turned an individual skill into such an art.” | More

Some Maine schools get a boost from actress

Pine tree state native Anna Kendrick is making use of the internet to raise funds for 31 schools in Maine. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Education Specialist II – IDEA Grant Program – Fiscal Specialist for Special Education
• Management Analyst I – Fiscal Compliance Associate
• Regional Education Representative – Digital Learning Specialist
• Request for Proposals: Maine Learning Technology Initiative Summer Institute
• Request for Proposals: Summer Food Service Program Market Research
• Request for Proposals: 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Earlier this month, the Maine Department of Education recognized the RSU 21 Kennebunk School District as the first school administrative unit to be approved for its performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) system plan.

Many factors influence the ability of children to thrive in school. Every child deserves excellent teachers and building principals. The goal of the system is to grow better educators through professional development which results in improving student learning.

RSU 21 assembled an educator effectiveness stakeholders group consisting of a majority of teachers. This group considered several models of professional practice evaluation systems and decided Charlotte Danielson’s Enhancing Professional Practice provided the best approach for RSU 21’s system. This practice used by districts in Maine as well as nationwide is research based and extensively covers the educator’s many roles.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• Highly Qualified Teacher Data, due March 31
• Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), due May 26

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Important update from Measured Progress

President and CEO of Measured Progress Martin Borg has provided the following important update regarding preparations for the 2016 MEA assessment for grades three through eight. | More

Updates regarding 2016 MEA testing

The following updates are available regarding 2016 Maine Educational Assessments. | More

Adult education celebration at the Hall of Flags

Maine’s adult education students were honored at the State House last week. | More

Federal Tax Credit Bond applications due May 26

The Maine Department of Education will accept applications for the Federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) Program through May 26, 2016. | More

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title IA funds available for reallocation

The Maine Department of Education’s Title IA office is announcing the availability of approximately $350,000 of FY15 Title IA Disadvantaged and Program Improvement funds for Title IA reallocation purposes. | More

EPA rebates will help Fairfield and Gray purchase clean diesel school buses

Two school districts in Maine will receive a total of $40,000 to help pay for new school buses that emit less pollution than the older buses the districts now use. | More

Count ME In spring regional meetings

Attendance Matters! This is why you are encouraged to check out Count ME In’s regional spring meeting. | More

Maine high school students compete in national poetry contest

The 2016 Maine State Finals for Poetry Out Loud, a National Poetry Recitation Contest, will be held on March 15 at 3 p.m. at the Waterville Opera House. | More

Celebrate Maine’s 196th Birthday

Schools are encouraged to observe Statehood Day on March 15 to commemorate the admission of Maine as a state into the United States of America. | More

Maine Constitution Essay deadline Friday

The Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest deadline is Friday, March 11. | More

Nominations open for Maine’s 2015 Curriculum Leader of the Year

The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association (MCLA) is seeking nominations for the 2016 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year through April 15. | More

Thank you for taking the Read to ME Challenge

On behalf of the Maine Department of Education, I want to extend sincere thanks to all who participated in the Read to ME Challenge. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Regional Education Representative – Digital Learning Specialist
• Request for Proposals: Summer Food Service Program Market Research
• Request for Proposals: 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to release the second collections of 2015-2016 articles in the “Content Corner.” These resources are designed to support teaching and learning in Maine classrooms and make connections to classroom applications and research.

The articles prepared for 2015-16 focus on instructional strategies to support educator understanding of effective practices in the content areas. The second collection includes:

• English Languages Arts/Literacy: Annotating a text: close reading with a pen
• Health Education and Physical Education: Feedback: A valuable teaching strategy for health education and physical education, Part 1
• Mathematics: Mathematically speaking, what is fluency?
• Science: Academically productive talk in science
• Social Studies: Social Studies: questions are as important as answers
• Visual and Performing Arts: Assessment strategies for the theatre classroom
• World Language: The why and how of thematic units in the world language classroom
• Early Childhood: Instruction in preschool programs

The first collection of articles was released in December 2015 and the third collection will be released in April.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• School Bus Purchase Program Approval – Cancellation Report (EF-T-20A), due March 15 (Reminder)
• School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 3), due March 31 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

MEA for math and English language arts/literacy grades 3-8 portal opens

The eMPowerME Portal https://maine.measuredprogress.org/ is open. | More

ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0 testing window closes March 7

The ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0 testing window for both the computer-based and paper-based versions closes March 7. | More

AP4ALL registration is next week

Student registration begins March 7 for AP4ALL, which provides online Advanced Placement courses free of charge. | More

A snapshot of statewide implementation of proficiency-based education

Across the five Guiding Principles Maine school administrative units are making progress in providing students opportunity to demonstrate proficiency. | More

Net Off Invoice (NOI) products available to schools

The Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition program announces School Year (SY) 2017 Net Off Invoice (NOI) products available for processing. | More

State agency clients returning to their parental home, part II

This notice is to refine the information provided in the previous notice on State agency clients. | More

Read to ME Challenge engaged all ages and more

Teachers have challenged students, boys’ sports teams have challenged girls’ sports teams, town managers have challenged police chiefs, grandmothers have challenged grandchildren, librarians have challenged Rotarians, and the list goes on. | More

Student learning objectives regional trainings proved to be valuable to SAUs

Last month, the Maine Department of Education held regional trainings for over 350 educators from school administrative units (SAUs) around the state. | More

National Principals Leadership Institute, SICA Awards deadline

To celebrate the accomplishments of schools across the United States and Canada, the National Principals Leadership Institute this year has launched the School Innovation and Change Awards (SICA). | More

Four high school finalists chosen to compete in LifeSmarts State Championship

Teams of students from high schools in Bangor, Portland, Topsham, and Baileyville will vie to represent Maine in the National LifeSmarts Competition to be held next month. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Education Specialist – IDEA Grant Program – Fiscal Specialist for Special Education
• Regional Education Representative – Digital Learning Specialist
• Request for Proposals: 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine DOE is replacing its current student information system (SIS), Infinite Campus State Edition (ICSE), with Edupoint Synergy. The change will take place over the next two years, and the new Synergy computer system will have little or no impact on the student data system currently in use in Maine’s school administrative units (SAUs).

Maine has been doing business with the same vendor since 2007, and last year the Department identified needed improvements and what is available in the market place for the handling of student information from SAUs.

The requirements for a replacement system were assembled into a Request for Proposal (RFP) that was publicly released in November. The requirements call for improvements in the flexibility of the system along with quality, availability and security improvements. All of this was to be accomplished with little or no impact on the student data system currently in use in the SAUs.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05), due Feb. 29 (Reminder)
• School Bus Purchase Program Approval – Cancellation Report (EF-T-20A), due March 15 (Reminder)
• School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20: Quarter 3), due March 31 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

MEA Alternate Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy

The MEA Alternate Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy assessment known as the Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) is moving forward. | More

Maine DOE seeks reviewers for 21st CCLC grant competition

The Maine DOE is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read, assess and score competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program. | More

Maine DOE’s expertise grows with new specialists

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce new specialists who will be working in Augusta and in the field assisting you on a variety of fronts. | More

Maine DOE and NESSC webinar supports proficiency diplomas

The Maine Department of Education and the New England Secondary School Consortium (NESSC) hosted a webinar early this month featuring RSU 2’s collaborative efforts. | More

Schoolwide Annual Review submission no longer required

The recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by ESSA places the schoolwide annual review in transition during 2016-2017 school year. | More

State agency clients returning to their parental home

Beginning April 11 a state agency client who is returned to the family home will lose state agency client status on the date that the child resumes residence. | More

Comments sought on Maine’s IDEA Part B application

The Maine DOE is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). | More

Maine seeks feedback on IDEA Part C application

Maine is seeking input on its application for the Part C (birth to age three) early intervention program. | More

MaineCare Seed payment adjustments made; report review by March 25

The 2015-16 subsidy checks for General Purpose Aid for local schools will reflect adjustments for MaineCare Seed payments. | More

Proficiency Council Preliminary Report presented to Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs

The Maine DOE and the Proficiency Council recently presented the Proficiency Council Preliminary Report to members of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. | More

A challenge to participate in National School Breakfast Week next month

Full Plates Full Potential and the Maine DOE’s Child Nutrition program are challenging schools to increase school breakfast participation during this year’s National School Breakfast Week. | More

Nature based education summer institute

The University of Maine at Farmington is excited to announce registration is open for a first-of-a-kind Nature Based Education Summer Institute June 24 and 25. | More

Maine’s Read to ME Challenge has become a ritual

Maine’s Read to ME Challenge became a household activity for the Veneziano family in Hermon this past month. | More

Tyler Technologies’ Maine App Challenge 2016

It is called, “an awesome opportunity for a student;” the Tyler Technologies’ 2016 Maine App Challenge.  This is a contest for Maine high school students to design, develop and demonstrate Android mobile apps. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Education Specialist – IDEA Grant Program – Fiscal Specialist for Special Education
• Regional Education Representative – Digital Learning Specialist
• Senior Planner – Program Development and Training Officer
• Request for Proposals: 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Twenty seven high school career and technical education regions and centers across Maine and the entire field of secondary school applied technology and workforce educators are being recognized during the month of February.

“From industry recognized training and dual enrollments in colleges to professional licensures and industry recognized certificates, approximately 8,500 of Maine high school students enrolled in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program are demonstrating industry and college proficiencies, ranging from robotics to coding, from culinary arts to welding, building trades to health services, and marketing to auto technology. CTE programs adhere to rigorous industry recognized standards and offer students hand-on learning at its best,” says Acting Education Commissioner, Bill Beardsley.

In Maine, CTE is provided at 27 regional schools, in all counties across the state, each affiliated with a group of nearby sending high schools. There are 60 different programs; an ever increasing number leading to industry recognized credentials while credits are earned towards high school graduation and post-secondary attainment. Most programs have articulation agreements or lead to an industry pathway.

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Notices and Reporting Items

• School Bus Purchase Program Approval – Cancellation Report (EF-T-20A), due March 15
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05), due Feb. 29 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Department releases Standards Review Panel Report

The Maine DOE has finalized for release the report from the Maine Learning Standards Review Panel. | More

State agency clients returning to their parental home

A child who is placed by the Department of Health and Human Services outside the family home through the Intensive Temporary Residential Treatment process becomes a “state agency client.” | More

2016-17 public preschool application available

The Maine DOE is making an online application form available again this year that will make it easier for districts to apply for State approval of new or expanding public preschool programs. | More

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports webinar

In an effort to increase implementation of positive behavior supports in Maine schools, Maine DOE in collaboration with the University of Maine, will be offering a webinar. | More

Read to ME Challenge gone viral

It’s not an ice bucket challenge but some have taken it to that extreme as Maine takes on the challenge…the Read to ME Challenge. | More

Maine’s academic achievement noted by Education Week

Maine continues to have its strengths and challenges according to a recently published ‘Quality Counts’ report released by the Education Week Research Center. | More

Winter Wellness Workshop Day raises awareness

The Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program’s Winter Wellness Workshop Day last week drew school employees from across Maine. | More

Maine School Food Service Directors recognized

Two Maine School Food Service Directors were recognized for their outstanding work by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Northeast Regional office. | More

Nominations due March 4 for Young Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor

The Young Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor program is accepting nominations for students age 18 and under who have devoted at least 50 hours of community service for 2015. | More

Organizations needed to feed hungry children this summer

Maine DOE is now seeking out organizations who would like to participate in this federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Senior Planner – Program Development and Training Officer
• Request for Proposals: 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

Maine’s First Lady launched the Read to ME Challenge this week reflecting on how she and her kids would pack their bags to go to the local library for the afternoon. “It was a routine we all looked forward to. With demands of daily life, it was sometimes difficult to find time to sit and read, but we always made it a priority.”

In speaking with military families at the Blaine House, Mrs LePage said, “As a mother, I always believed in the importance of early childhood literacy as it pertained to my children’s success in life.”

Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley got a chuckle from the children when he said, “I remember my dad falling asleep reading to me in the evening.” He went on, “I grew to love reading, I love reading to my kids and grandkids, reading is a wonderful gift.”

In following the spirit of the Read to ME Challenge, The First Lady issued the challenge to the Barbara Bush Foundation and Maine’s Adjutant General, Colonel Douglas Farnum. Additionally, Governor Paul LePage extended challenges, via a letter, to Acting Education Commissioner Beardsley, Maine Public Broadcasting Network and the Maine State Library.

Continue reading →

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Notices and Reporting Items

• 2016 PEPG Submittal Form, due July 1
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05), due Feb. 29 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Registration open for postsecondary transition conference

Special education administrators, special education high school teachers, transition coordinators and specialists, vocational rehabilitation case managers, and parents of children/students with disabilities are invited to attend a daylong conference on postsecondary transition planning. | More

Celebrate school counselors Feb. 1–5

The first week of February is National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). | More

Student sought to serve on State Board of Education

The Maine State Board of Education is seeking a student from the second congressional district in Maine to serve as a participating, non-voting member. | More

Transitions suicide prevention training Feb. 25

Maine DOE in collaboration with Suicide Prevention Training contractor NAMI Maine, will be offering the Transitions Lessons Teacher Training on February 25. | More

National School Choice Week brings charter school students to Augusta

Maine Charter Schools Day was recognized last month in the State House Hall of Flags. | More

Secretary of State Congressional Medal of Honor Project

Teachers, administrators and community leaders are encouraged to get involved in the Maine Secretary of State Congressional Medal of Honor (MOH) Project. | More

Maine DOE supports Family Violence Project through volunteer effort

The Family Violence Project is the recipient this year of the Maine DOE’s seasonal fundraiser. | More

Preliminary FY 2017 State subsidy printouts available

The following Priority Notice was sent to all Maine school districts on Friday, Jan. 29. | More

A grateful teacher tells her story

2015 Knox County Teacher of the Year was once a homeless child and she tells her story while expressing her gratitude. | More (links to Bangor Daily News)

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Substitute Janitor/Bus Driver
• Public Service Coordinator II – School Construction Coordinator
• Request for Proposals: 21st Century Community Learning Center Program
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine DOE is seeking recommendations through April 28 for the 2016 Maine Educator Talent Pool. These distinguished educators may be considered for membership on local and state advisory boards and task forces, as well as be candidates for special recognition through the Department.

Maine is fortunate to have a rich base of veteran educators represented in the current talent pool. They have been and continue to be a valuable resource in our state efforts. What is particularly lacking at this time is representation from educators relatively new to the profession who demonstrate unusual instructional and leadership ability. Such persons exhibit strong potential for professional leadership and inspiring presence that impacts students, colleagues and community.

As a result, the Department is currently seeking elementary educators (grades K-5) relatively new to the profession (five to 18 years of experience) who demonstrate a one-of-a-kind instructional ability; inspire their students, colleagues and community members; and have strong leadership potential. Candidates are building-level personnel and typically classroom teachers who are recognized by peers and supervisors as unique in their leadership and results with students. Occasionally a principal or specialist is considered. Of special interest are educators who are outstanding but have not received other recognition.

Continue reading →

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Notices and Reporting Items

• Annual Certification of Superintendent, due Jan. 31 (Reminder)
• Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05), due Feb. 29 (Reminder)
• Regional School Calendar, due May 6 (Reminder)

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

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News & Views

Recertification needed in NEO Graduation Module *ALL public school districts and 60% publicly funded*

ALL superintendents of public school districts and school administrators from 60% publicly funded private schools must recertify data in NEO. | More

RFP issued for 21st Century Community Learning Centers program

The Maine Department of Education has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from interested parties to execute comprehensive 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs. | More

PEPG Submittal Form available online Feb. 1

The Maine DOE is pleased to offer the 2016 PEPG Submittal Form to all school administrative districts. | More

Community Schools Pilots during the 2016-17 school year

Maine Legislative action proposed that the Maine DOE be authorized to designate three community schools. Applications are available. | More

Principals can expect School Health Profile (SHP) surveys soon

Every two years, the Maine DOE in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducts the School Health Profile (SHP) survey. | More

School Revolving Renovation Fund awards

Maine DOE has awarded $7.4 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 13 school districts. | More

February will be full of challenges to Read to ME

Tuesday, Feb. 2, Governor Paul LePage and Mrs. LePage will kickoff the Maine Department of Education’s Read to ME Challenge. | More

2016 MEA Mathematics and ELA/Literacy (3-8): Technology Requirements

Maine educators can feel confident that the 2016 assessment of mathematics and ELA/literacy will be compatible with the overwhelming majority of computers and tablets currently in our schools. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

• Substitute Janitor/Bus Driver
• Public Service Coordinator II – School Construction Coordinator
• Regional Education Representative – Proficiency-Based Education
• Education Specialist III – Title II Teacher Quality Specialist
• Education Specialist II – Career and Technical Education – Standards/Assessment
• Request for Proposals: Program Consultant
• View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here