Nominations sought for 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year

AUGUSTA — Nominations are now open for the 2017 Maine 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. 8. To be considered, a teacher must hold at least a four-year degree and be employed by a Maine public school – including a public charter school or publicly supported secondary school.

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Maine recognizes significance of education act signed yesterday

Augusta – President Barack Obama yesterday signed the Every Student Succeeds Act saying this is a rare bipartisan agreement, which replaces the more rigid top-down statutory and regulatory structure of the old “No Child Left Behind Act.” Continue reading “Maine recognizes significance of education act signed yesterday” →

Saco teacher surprised with Milken Educator Award and $25,000 in cash

Michaela Lamarre is the only teacher to win the prestigious prize in Maine

Watch a video from the notification assembly here.

SACO — Michaela Lamarre, an eighth-grade science teacher, was caught off-guard when, in front of an enthusiastic school-wide assembly at Saco Middle School, she was surprised with a Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 check this morning.

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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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Arts students honored

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education and the Maine Arts Commission are holding a celebration of Excellence in Maine Visual and Performing Arts Education hosted by First Lady Ann M. LePage, December 4, in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. Joining the First Lady are State Board of Education Chair Martha Harris, and Maine Arts Commission Executive Director Julie Richards, and Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley.

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Charter Commission approves Acadia Academy and Snow Pond Arts Academy

The Maine Charter School Commission voted to approve two additional charter schools, which could begin serving students in the fall of 2016.

AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission approved the applications of two additional public charter schools.

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Maine joins national initiative to broaden access to postsecondary learning

AUGUSTA – Maine is now the 36^th 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” →

Maine follows the national trend on the Nation’s Report Card: NAEP

AUGUSTA – Test scores from the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), in grades 4 and 8, released today show Maine remains above the national average even as mathematics scores slightly declined and reading scores saw no statistical change.

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Maine leads the country (again!) in classroom technology and it’s a promise for educators

A first-of-its-kind partnership to help educators earn micro-credentials

BANGOR – The Maine Department of Education’s Learning Through Technology Team and the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) announces a new partnership with national education non-profit Digital Promise to bring micro-credentials to Maine’s educators.

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