Category: Newsroom Articles

Applications Open for Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth cohort of the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, which will launch during the 2025-2026 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 14, 2025.

As more Maine elementary schools expand their preschool offerings and implement whole student approaches across the pre-K through grade 3 span, elementary administrators have expressed a need for professional learning tailored to early learning leadership. In response, the Maine DOE, in collaboration with two statewide early childhood organizations—the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network and the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children—created the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, a dynamic professional learning series designed to meet these needs and support leadership development. Since its launch in 2021, the Fellowship has served four cohorts of elementary school leaders.

“Participating in the series has helped me to look at the decisions we make about our instructional programming and school community through the lens of early learning and what is developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners,” a participant from Cohort One said.

The Fellowship offers rich opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of early learning pedagogy and best practices for supporting students and educators across pre-K through grade 3. The experience includes a blend of asynchronous learning modules, facilitated online professional learning communities, and in-person gatherings.

“I really enjoyed the variety of materials and activities in which we were engaged—videos, utilizing the observation and reflection tools, and the readings. Also, it was a great group of people to interact with, both online and in-person,” a participant from Cohort Three said.

To learn more, please review the informational guide, which includes full program details and the application link.  The 2025-2026 cohort will include up to 30 participants. Applications will be accepted through July 14, 2025. Once capacity is reached, a waiting list will be created.  

For additional information, please contact Maine DOE Director of Early Learning Lee Anne Larsen at leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

Language, Culture, and Connection: Maine Expands Global Reach with Portugal Agreement

Pictured left to right: Fred Ravan, President of Educators for a Multilingual Maine (EMME); Melissa O’Neal-Low, Maine DOE Director of Special Projects; Page Nichols, Maine DOE Chief Innovation Officer, Dan Chuhta, Maine DOE Deputy Commissioner; Pender Makin, Maine Education Commissioner; Tiago Araújo, Consulate of Portugal in Boston; João Caixinha, U.S. Coordinator for the Portuguese Language Programs and Education; and Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships.

On May 6, 2025, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) formalized a new partnership with the Portuguese Ministry of Education by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing deeper collaboration around language education, educator exchange, and international engagement.

Held at the Burton M. Cross Building in Augusta, the signing ceremony was both symbolic and strategic. It reflects the continued commitment of the Maine DOE to expanding access to meaningful global learning opportunities, especially those that promote multilingualism and cross-cultural understanding in Maine schools.

“This agreement is about more than language,” Ayesha Hall, Director of Strategic Partnerships, said. “It’s about connection—building a bridge between Maine educators and the Portuguese-speaking world and opening doors for students to see themselves as global citizens.”

The agreement outlines several key areas of collaboration:

  • Support for Portuguese language instruction in Maine schools
  • Opportunities for teacher and student exchange
  • Professional learning and resource-sharing between Portuguese and Maine educators

The MOU also enhances the portfolio of existing partnerships that the Maine DOE maintains with countries including Spain, France, Germany, Taiwan, and China. Each agreement contributes to the department’s broader vision for culturally-responsive and globally-informed education.

Following the signing, representatives from both governments gathered with invited guests for conversation and light refreshments—a moment to celebrate the relationship and set the tone for the work to come.

More information about the Portugal MOU and other international MOUs can be found on the recently updated Global Partners Network webpage, which serves as a central hub for international programs and educator resources and partnership opportunities.

Maine DOE Affirms Commitment to Language and Culture: Promoting Multilingual and Multicultural Learning Across Schools

(Pictured: Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, with Fred Ravan, President of Educators for a Multilingual Maine [EMME].)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to have successfully concluded its Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series, a five-part virtual professional learning experience designed to expand access to language learning, cultural inclusion, and international collaboration in Maine schools.

This work reflects an ongoing commitment by the Maine DOE to promote multilingual and multicultural learning as critical components of student success. Through this series, the Maine DOE provided a platform for educators, school leaders, and international partners to come together, share strategies, and build community around a shared vision for more inclusive, globally-connected classrooms.

Each session explored timely and essential topics—including how to integrate Indigenous and critical languages, how to make the most of international Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and how to use tools like the Seal of Biliteracy and the Multilingual Learner Dashboard to expand language learning pathways.

“This wasn’t just a webinar series—it was an invitation to join an important conversation about inclusion in Maine schools,” Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, said. “Educators are already doing the work. Our job is to make sure they’re supported with access to partnerships, resources, and opportunities that reflect the needs of learners in our state today.”

As the series wrapped up on May 5, 2025, educators heard directly from district teams that have already begun integrating global partnerships and multilingual learning into their school communities—affirming all that is possible when language and culture are viewed as assets.

To continue supporting this work, the Maine DOE has updated its Global Partners Network webpage, where educators, district leaders, and partners can:

  • Revisit the webinar series and explore featured programs.
  • Connect with Maine DOE-supported international partnerships.

You may explore the Global Partners Network here. For more information or for inquiries regarding partnerships with the Maine DOE, please contact
Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Ayesha.Hall@maine.gov.

Deepen Your MTSS Expertise This Summer with New Asynchronous Mini-Course Series

Are you ready to grow your Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) knowledge and practice? This summer, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to offer a three-part, fully asynchronous MTSS Mini-Course Series. Each 28-day course builds on the last—complete Course 1 to unlock Course 2, and finish Course 2 to gain access to Course 3.

MTSS Mini-Course Series Overview

CourseRelease DateClose DatePrerequisiteFocus
Course 1: MTSS FoundationsJune 15July 13NoneCore MTSS principles and Maine policy context
Course 2: MTSS Leadership Practices and Teaming StructuresJuly 15August 12Course 1Leadership roles and teaming practices
Course 3: MTSS and Special Education – A Crosswalk CourseAugust 15September 12Course 2Connections between MTSS and special education

How It Works

  • Register for Course 1 by June 12 at midnight using this link.
  • Course 1 opens on June 15. Complete all modules and the final activity by July 13.
  • Course 2 unlocks for those who completed Course 1 on July 15. Complete by August 12.
  • Course 3 unlocks for those who completed Course 2 on August 15. Complete by September 12.
  • All courses close exactly 28 days after opening. No late enrollments or extensions will be available.

Why Participate?

  • Stackable Learning: Master each MTSS component before moving to the next.
  • Flexible and Asynchronous: Engage with readings, videos, and discussions at your own pace.
  • Maine-Focused: Learn practical strategies aligned with Maine DOE guidance and equity goals.
  • Professional Recognition: Earn a digital badge for each course. Complete all three to receive a Summer MTSS Series certificate.

Earn Contact Hours

  • Receive one contact hour per module (up to four per course; 12 total).
  • Earn up to 10 additional hours for attending the optional weekly course office hours.

Stay Connected

  • Join Office Hours: Drop in every Thursday at 9 a.m. for collaborative MTSS discussion and support.
  • Plan Ahead: Block out 30 minutes twice a week to stay on track.

Let’s make this summer the season that you transform your MTSS knowledge and practice. For questions, please contact Andrea Logan, Maine DOE MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov.

Procedures for End-of-Year Exiting of Students from State Synergy

All student enrollments must be exited from the Maine Department of Education State Synergy system on or before June 30, 2024. This includes students who are attending year-round programs.

Exiting students, either manually or via upload, with the most up-to-date code, will help to ensure that fall reports are accurate. This can specifically impact graduation and dropout reporting for fall collections.

Information about exit codes for specific situations can be found on the Synergy Instructions webpage under the Data Dictionaries for Student Exit.

Resources:

Questions about exiting student enrollments from State Synergy can be submitted by emailing MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or by calling 207-624-6896.

Special Education Exit Report Opens on June 1

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Special Education Exit Report opens on June 1, 2025, and is due on July 30, 2025.

Students who have exited special education services during the reporting period (2024-2025 school year, July 1-June 30) must have special education exit dates and an exit reason added to their enrollments in Synergy State Edition. Student information must be entered or uploaded into Synergy State Edition by the school the student attends. If a student will still receive special education services the next year, their special education status in Synergy remains the same.

School administrative units (SAUs) are required to certify the exit data using the Special Education Exit Report found in NEO on the Student Data/Student Reports module.

Details

  • Open Date: June 1
  • Due Date: July 30

Resources:

  • Webinar on Thursday, May 29 at noon — Register here. This webinar will also include information about Perkins 3S1 CTE Post Secondary Reporting.

For questions about end-of-year reports, please contact MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896.

Due Dates and Procedures for Quarter 4 End-of-Year Reports

Four end-of-year reports require certification in June and July. These reports aggregate data from the entire school year’s reporting timeframe. The data are used to aggregate dashboards and reports for public availability on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Warehouse and ESSA Dashboard and for federal reporting.

Behavior and Bullying Certification Reports

Daily Attendance and Truancy Certification Reports

Questions about end-of-year quarterly reports may be directed to MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.

New Early Learning and Development Standards Resources Now Available in Five Languages

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are pleased to announce the release of updated resources designed to support the effective use of the Infant/Toddler and Preschool Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS). These tools offer practical, accessible guidance for families, caregivers, and educators, helping to bring the MELDS into everyday early childhood settings.

Developed by experienced professionals currently working in the early childhood field, these tools reflect real-world practice and are thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of those supporting young children’s growth and learning. This initiative was made possible through funding from the federal Preschool Development Grant, which supports Maine’s ongoing commitment to expanding access and quality in early childhood education.

Key resources include:

  • Clear, user-friendly guides to developmental milestones
  • Practical strategies for implementing learning standards
  • Straightforward explanations of age-appropriate expectations.

Together, these tools help to ensure that all children in Maine receive high-quality care and education aligned with the MELDS.

To support accessibility, all materials are now available in the five most commonly spoken languages in Maine—English, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Portuguese—ensuring families and early childhood professionals across the state can use these resources effectively, regardless of their primary language.

All translated resources are available to download for free on the Maine Department of Education Early Learning Standards website.

For more information, please contact:

Registration Open for In-Person Summer Data Training at Locations Statewide

Mark your calendars! Registration for the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Summer Data Training is now open.

Trainings are scheduled at various locations throughout the state in July and August. This year’s training will focus on reporting system updates. The workshop-style structure of this training will allow staff members from school administrative units (SAUs) the opportunity to work within the Connect system alongside the Maine DOE Data Team.

Dates and Locations:

  • July 29 – Caribou
  • July 30 – Orono
  • July 31 – Machias
  • August 12 – Augusta
  • August 13 – Biddeford

Please use this link to register, andbe sure to select a location to receive updates about your specific training. The Maine DOE is looking forward to this opportunity to meet with SAUs. If you have any questions about this year’s Summer Data Training, please contact Alexandra Cookson at Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov or call 207-446-3897.

Register Now for the First Annual ‘Every Teacher a Leader’ Summit, Presented by the Teach Maine Center

The first annual ‘Every Teacher a Leader’ Summit will be held on July 30, 31, and August 1, 2025, at Colby College in Waterville. Modeled after past Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2) gatherings, the Summit will focus on teacher-led sessions, featuring outstanding Maine teachers presenting on:

  • Leading for Equity
  • Leading for Relationships
  • Leading for Innovation
  • Leading for Best Practices

Attendees will also enjoy networking opportunities, engaging entertainment, contact hours, and delicious meals throughout the event. Evening accommodations will be available in one of Colby College’s finest dorms for a comfortable and convenient stay. Additionally, there will be a few special surprises along the way to make this gathering truly memorable.

The Summit will have two arrival days: Wednesday, July 30 at 4 p.m. for those traveling a distance and Thursday, July 31 at 8:30 a.m. for those who live closer to Waterville. The conference concludes at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 1. 

The cost of the Summit is $45.You may register here. For further information, please contact Teach Maine Center administrator Karen MacDonald at  macdok235@gmail.com.

The Teach Maine Center is a statewide partnership that supports and advances a vibrant educator workforce in Maine, which ensures student achievement and success. The Center and its opportunities are administered by Educate Maine in partnership with the Maine Department of Education. To learn more about the Teach Maine Center, please visit: educatemaine.org/teach-maine-center.