Student videographers show impact of the arts

AUGUSTA — A team of four students at Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast set out to prove in a three-minute video that the impact of the performing arts stretches well beyond the theater. And a four-student team at Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft set out to demonstrate how the arts and a little more color in life can lift a person’s spirit and boost productivity.

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Alfond Foundation announces gift to Maine community colleges, Good Will-Hinckley

The following is a press release from the office of Gov. Paul LePage.

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul LePage joined the Harold Alfond Foundation today to announce a $10.85 million gift to the Maine Community College System (MCCS) and to the Good Will-Hinckley (GWH) school in Hinckley, Maine.

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Commissioner unveils education plan

Update, Jan. 17, 3:06 p.m.: View photos from the release event at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjy81DhZ.

“Education Evolving” lays out plan to engage students, give them more say in how they learn

AUGUSTA – Students will play a more active role in organizing their own learning and have more choice – such as internships, inter-disciplinary classes, independent study, and vocational education – in how they learn and achieve standards, according to a strategic plan for education unveiled by Maine ‘s education commissioner on Tuesday.

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Not chosen for award, Maine pledges to move ahead on early learning program

Focus on high-quality early learning and development experiences for children before kindergarten

AUGUSTA – While Maine was not one of the nine states chosen for a major federal grant for early learning programs, state education and health officials pledged Friday to move forward anyway with their plan to bolster high quality early learning and development experiences for children before kindergarten.

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Ed Commissioner in Portland tonight; seeks ideas on school accountability, recognition

Last of three public forums part of effort to gather feedback for federal flexibility request

PORTLAND — Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will visit Portland tonight to ask the public for ideas on measuring school and teacher effectiveness, and crafting a system that holds schools accountable and rewards success.

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Maine students chosen to participate in U.S. Senate Youth Program

The following is a press release from the office of Maine Sen. Susan Collins. The Maine DOE coordinates the selection of the Maine delegates for this program.

Two outstanding high school students to spend a week in Washington

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Ed Commissioner asks public for ideas on school accountability and recognition

Public forums, online feedback will be used in request for federal flexibility

AUGUSTA — The federal government is offering Maine, like all other states, a chance to develop its own system of accountability and recognition of schools — allowing the state to jettison what many now consider unrealistic and unfair requirements and negative labels in the current No Child Left Behind Act.

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