Core Curriculum, Rigorous Course Work Lead to Stronger Scores among Maine Students

Maine students’ scores on the SAT and the Advanced Placement test remain stable

AUGUSTA – An annual national report released today by the College Board shows Maine students’ scores on the SAT and the Advanced Placement test remained stable, while participation diversified.

Continue reading “Core Curriculum, Rigorous Course Work Lead to Stronger Scores among Maine Students”

Oakland Teacher Named 2011 Teacher of the Year

Shelly Moody is chosen from among 13 nominees

Downloadable photos from this event

OAKLAND – Education Commissioner Angela Faherty named Shelly Moody, a third and fourth-grade looping teacher at Williams Elementary School in Oakland, the 2011 Maine Teacher of the Year in front of students, colleagues, family, and other distinguished guests Friday. In keeping with Maine tradition, Moody was not informed ahead of time that the “all-school assembly” was called to honor her.

Continue reading “Oakland Teacher Named 2011 Teacher of the Year”

Statement Regarding Approval of Edujobs Funds for Maine

AUGUSTA – Education Commissioner Angela Faherty issued the following statement Friday following the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that Maine’s application for $39 million in federal education jobs funds was approved:

Continue reading “Statement Regarding Approval of Edujobs Funds for Maine”

Governor Baldacci Submits Application for Additional Federal Education Funding

Release from Governor John Baldacci’s office

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today submitted Maine’s application for $39 million in federal funds from the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act approved by Congress and signed by President Obama last week.

Continue reading “Governor Baldacci Submits Application for Additional Federal Education Funding”

Governor Praises Students for Science, Math Achievements

Two head to nationally acclaimed science camp, six represent Maine at national design competition, and one represents the U.S. in an international water prize competition

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci recognized nine Maine students in his State House office for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Two of the students, from Bridgton and Wells, were Maine’s delegates to the nationally acclaimed and highly selective National Youth Science Camp. He recognized six others, who attend Falmouth High School, for their high level participation in a national engineering challenge. And he recognized Rebecca Ye of Bangor, the U.S. winner of the 2010 Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

Continue reading “Governor Praises Students for Science, Math Achievements”

State education board elects new chair, vice chair

James Banks, Sr., and Steven Pound, Ph.D., stepped up on July 1

AUGUSTA – A retired school board member and a former superintendent took on the number one and two spots on the State Board of Education July 1. Members of the board elected them at their meeting on June 9.

Continue reading “State education board elects new chair, vice chair”

Maine Releases 2008-09 Graduation Rates

New federally required method allows comparison among states and schools

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education on Monday released 2008-09 graduation rates for Maine’s high schools. It represents the first year of graduation data using a newly required federal method for calculating the graduation rate.

Continue reading “Maine Releases 2008-09 Graduation Rates”

Maine Application Receives Final Approval

Major infusion of funds for seven schools

AUGUSTA – The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that Maine will receive the $13.3 million it was pledged for School Improvement Grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds will go to seven schools that meet specific federal criteria and have low levels of proficiency in reading and math and a low level of improvement. Any unused funds will be carried over for more schools identified next year.

Continue reading “Maine Application Receives Final Approval”

Students Receive Maine HS Diplomas in Blaine House Ceremony

Despite “disrupted” education, students graduate from high school

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education awarded seven high school diplomas in a Blaine House ceremony on Thursday to students whose education was interrupted for various reasons. It was the largest group of students to receive state diplomas since the Legislature established it in 2007.

Continue reading “Students Receive Maine HS Diplomas in Blaine House Ceremony”

Student Artwork to Appear on Laptop Screen Savers

AUGUSTA – Digital artwork by 19 Maine middle and high school students was chosen as the screensavers for 70,000 laptops used in Maine schools. The students were recognized last month at the annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative student conference at UMaine in Orono.

Continue reading “Student Artwork to Appear on Laptop Screen Savers”