Category: Maine DOE

Commissioner visits Houlton Elementary School

Story courtesy of Karen Donato, former elementary teacher and current ed. tech III at Houlton Elementary School.

Acting Commissioner of Education Bill Beardsley was a guest at Houlton Elementary School this past month learning more about the successful K-to-3 literacy program in RSU 29. Beardsley participated in a round table discussion with a kindergarten teacher; first grade teachers; a literacy specialist; a literacy coach; University of Maine’s literacy coach; the principal, and RSU 29’s superintendent.

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Maine signs assessment contract with valued, proven partner

Maine-specific test will take less time away from classroom teaching

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education is pleased to be signing a contract today with Measured Progress, a nonprofit organization from Dover, New Hampshire. This contract is for the development and administration of the 2016 online, state summative assessment in English language arts (ELA)/literacy and mathematics for grades 3-8 and the third-year of high school. Maine has a long-standing history with Measured Progress and the Department is confident this spring’s assessment will take less time away from classroom instruction while adequately measuring students’ knowledge.

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Maine Teacher of the Year Gala

“Everyone remembers at least one of their teachers.” That’s what Senator Susan Collins told those at the Maine Teacher of the Year Gala Saturday evening in Bangor. She recalled her second grade teacher Mrs. Winslow who inspired the Senator’s love for reading.

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Proficiency Education Council studies implementation of proficiency-based graduation requirements

The Maine Legislature tasked the Maine Proficiency Education Council to study and make recommendations regarding implementation of the proficiency-based graduation requirements to the Commissioner of Education and the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

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Rulemaking underway on new CPR/AED law

In June 2015, LD 556 was passed which amended Maine DOE statute Sec. 20-A MRSA § 6304, An Act To Require Public Schools To Offer Instruction Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Use of an Automated External Defibrillator. The new law states, “In accordance with rules adopted by the department, public schools shall offer training to students on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use automated external defibrillators.”

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Maine joins national initiative to broaden access to postsecondary learning

AUGUSTA – Maine is now the 36th state to join the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), an initiative that will make distance-education courses more accessible to students across state lines and make it easier for institutions to participate in interstate distance education. Continue reading “Maine joins national initiative to broaden access to postsecondary learning” →

Students recognize National School Bus Safety Week

Students and schools across the nation are recognizing 2015 National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 19-23. The theme for this year’s safety week is “Be Smart – Be Seen, I wait in a safe place!” In Maine, the safety week program culminates with a poster contest award ceremony and tea at the Blaine House for students and their families.

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