Still, too many students do not graduate in four years
AUGUSTA – The statewide average graduation rate for publicly funded high schools rose by more than two percentage points from 2009 to 2010. The percentage of students graduating in four years for the 2009-2010 school year was 82.82 percent. Continue reading “Maine grad rate improves”
The schools are eligible for School Improvement Grants to improve student achievement.
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education named 10 schools to the School Improvement Grant eligibility list, making them eligible to apply for three-year federal grants to fund locally developed plans aimed at improving student achievement.
Maine is 42nd state to approve Common Core state standards, allowing schools and teachers to plan their curriculum.
AUGUSTA — Maine became the 42nd state to approve the Common Core state standards when Gov. Paul LePage signed L.D. 12 into law on Friday. The measure passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Adopting the standards means Maine teachers will have a clear set of standards to work with, and will be able to tailor their teaching to the new, rigorous expectations of what students should know and be able to do.
Continue reading “Governor signs rigorous education standards into law”
Bowen plans six more visits to cover Maine’s nine superintendent regions in first 100 days
AUGUSTA – Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced the dates for the remaining six stops of his statewide listening tour, which will take him to Maine’s nine superintendent regions in his first 100 days as education commissioner.
Continue reading “Education commissioner continues listening tour”
Six teachers move to second stage
AUGUSTA – Six of the 10 teachers nominated for 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year have been named semi-finalists in the statewide competition. A distinguished panel of teachers, principals and business community members made the selections last week.
Continue reading “2012 Teacher of the Year semi-finalists announced”
Jim Rier, director of finance and operations at the Department, will take on the number 2 role.
AUGUSTA – Jim Rier, head of finance and operations at the Maine Department of Education since 2003, has assumed the position of deputy commissioner. Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced the move on Wednesday.
“Jim has a depth of experience at the Department, is an expert in school finance, and understands policy and the legislative process like few others in state government,” Bowen said. “I have known Jim since my days in the Legislature. We are lucky to have his experience working for Maine schools.
Bowen seeking input from all nine superintendent regions in first 100 days
AUGUSTA – Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced he will visit schools, superintendents and parents in each of the state’s nine superintendent regions in the first 100 days he is on the job. He also announced the first three dates on this “Listening Tour.”
“I want to hear from educators in the field about the work they are doing, and about how the Department can best support them in that work, and from parents their thoughts about how we can make our schools better,” Bowen said. “People in the field know what they need. Most important, I want to hear about their ideas for making the Department better and making education in Maine better.
Continue reading “Ed commissioner embarks on “listening tour””
Ranks needs in 71 school projects
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education presented its ranking of the pre-K-12 school projects with the most significant needs to the State Board of Education on Wednesday. The proposed “priority list” is the first rating of school construction projects since the 2004-05 rating cycle, through which 22 schools were approved for renovation or construction.
Continue reading “Maine DOE releases school construction list”
Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen said Monday’s unanimous passage by the Education Committee of the Common Core State Standards means schools throughout the state can start focusing on adjusting their curriculum to the new, rigorous standards.
Continue reading “Bowen: Vote on rigorous standards creates certainty for Maine schools”
Press release from the Office of Governor Paul LePage
Augusta, Maine – Governor Paul LePage administered the oath to Stephen Bowen Friday afternoon. Bowen becomes Maine’s 27th Education Commissioner. Bowen was endorsed by the Maine Senate Thursday by a vote of 25-10.
Maine DOE Newsroom 