Category: Newsroom Articles

Certification System Educator Portal to be Released Statewide

The Maine Department of Education is completing final testing on the educator portal of the new online certification system and will release the portal as soon as testing is completed. The educator portal will be utilized for processing only renewal applications for the first few weeks.  The certification department is still accepting paper applications for initial credentials and fingerprints, but all renewal applications MUST be processed through the new online system.

Key Items to Know

  • If your certificate/authorization expires on 7/1/2018, please know that just your application through the online system must be received by that date. Your effective date for your new certificate/authorization will be the date your completed application was received.
  • If you are employed in a school district in Maine, please contact your certification chairperson to ensure you have been recommended for renewal.
  • No additional documentation will be needed if you are renewing a provisional or professional certificate and have been recommended by your district chairperson.  However, if you are renewing any other certificate or do not work in a Maine school district please ensure you have your documents ready to upload in PDF format.
  • Give yourself enough time to complete the process in one sitting.  The application process will not save and you will need to start over if you exit the application.
  • Instructions on how to create your account as well as other support documents will be posted on all channels listed below so please keep lookout for these communications.

Further communications and updates will be available on the Maine Department of Education Certification Webpage, Maine DOE’s official Facebook and Twitter pages, and the DOE newsroom.

Guidance on District Technology Plan Development for 2017 – 2018 and 2018 – 2019

Over the past few months, there have been a number of questions about expectations for completing and submitting to the Department district technology plans. This correspondence is designed to answer those questions for district and school administrators, in particular, those who are responsible for developing technology plans.

Has the Technology Plan Requirement Changed?

Yes, there are three main points here:

  1. The federal technology plan requirement for E-rate eligibility no longer exists.
    • Districts still need to maintain copies of approved plans and approval letters for the time specified to your district under federal requirements at the time you last submitted a plan.
  2. Districts should include their technology plan in their Comprehensive Education Plan.
    • This is not submitted to the Department, however, superintendents certify this is complete on their School Approval Application, which is submitted to the DOE.
  3. The MLTI Participation Agreement includes additional guidance.
    • Superintendents signed participation agreements when their schools opted into an MLTI solution.
    • A sample participation packet can be found at the link below: http://www.maine.gov/doe/mlti/policy/responsibility_sau/index.html
    • Two parts are relevant to the new technology plan expectations:
      • “#3. SAU agrees to address how MLTI will support its school and district goals in its Board-approved technology plan.”
        • This does not mean that the DOE needs to review or approve your plan.
      • “#11. SAU agrees to take part in studies, surveys, etc. related to the MLTI (e.g. Bright Bytes).”
        • This part enables us to have state-wide insight on the impact of MLTI and the use of the technology for better teaching and learning outcomes.

What Does This Change Mean for My District?

  • In 2017 – 2018, we’ve asked districts that receive state support for participation in MLTI and whose current approval expires in June 2018, to share their technology plan with us. This can be accomplished using the short form provided to districts earlier this year (see below).
  • In 2018 – 2019, only the schools that are participating in the MLTI Apple and HP opt-ins (have those solutions or packages) will be asked to provide information to the Department. Districts will be asked to have students and staff complete the BrightBytes survey in the fall of 2018, no later than November 30, 2018, and may be asked a few additional questions by the Department.
  • For those districts that want technical support as they review their data or create action plans related to technology use, the Department will still provide support and will be continuing to work with BrightBytes to offer online and in-person learning opportunities.

Form for 2017 – 2018:

  • The form to be submited to the DOE is substantially shorter. A number of districts have gathered a small group of stakeholders and completed this task in a matter of hours.
  • The form can be found here: http://www.maine.gov/doe/mlti/techplan/2018DistrictTechPlanForm.docx
  • The goal of the new form is to encourage:
    • Purposeful and intentional use of technology for teaching and learning
    • Planning for technology use with multiple stakeholders
    • Alignment of technology use to your schools/districts’ mission or priorities
  • The form requires you to pick five data points from BrightBytes and create an action plan to improve each.
    • This means that you need to administer the BrightBytes survey to your students and staff.
    • Advice: Pick a unifying theme or overarching goal, and then think of the data points as five indicators of progress toward that goal.
    • Rationale: Doing so allows you to align your technology plan to existing school and district priorities and allows you to talk with teachers and students about using technology in a way that already supports the teaching and learning that is happening (instead of thinking of it as one more thing to do).
  • For districts that want feedback on this form, please submit it to Amanda.Nguyen@maine.gov by June 30th. You will receive feedback over the summer.

If you have any questions about this, you can reach out to Amanda Nguyen Digital Learning Specialist for the Maine Department of Education at  Amanda.Nguyen@maine.gov or 207-624-6656.

 

Gifted & Talented Applications

The 2018-19 Gifted and Talented Program Application forms are now available on the web: http://www.maine.gov/doe/gifted/programcomponents/forms/index.html

All applications are due by September 30, 2018

At the web address you will find:

  • Renewal applications with instructions (for SAUs that have an already existing gifted and talented program);
  • Initial applications with instructions (for SAUs that do not have a gifted and talented program);
  • Waiver request form (for SAUs that would like a one year waiver from having a gifted and talented program); &
  • Extension request form (for SAUs that require more time to complete their renewal or initial application)

All applications must be submitted to GT.DOE@maine.gov by September 30, 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact Ida Batista at ida.batista@maine.gov or 624-6795.

Registration Now Open for 2018 State Custodial and Maintenance Conference

Registration is now open for the 50th Custodial and Maintenance Conference for Maine school custodians and facilities directors.

Location:  Waterville Senior High School, Waterville, Maine

Dates:  Wednesday, June 27, 2018 – Thursday June 28, 2017

2018 Highlights:

  • The Wednesday keynote and motivational speaker will be Lori Lachance, a frequent author and speaker on leadership, education, and the economy of Maine.  Laurie is Thomas College’s 5th President and the first female and alumna to lead the College in its 124-year history.  Laurie previously served as President and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation and served in state government as the Maine State Economist.
  • Thursday’s motivational speaker will be Travis Mills, retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne is a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor, author and advocate for veterans and amputees.  Travis is founder of the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed to benefit and assist combat-injured veterans.  Travis lives by his motto: “Never give up.  Never quit.”
  • Discussions and meeting topics include:  All-Hazards Emergency Preparedness, Hazardous Chemical Management, Controlling Infections, Viruses and Diseases, School Security, Leadership and How It Impacts Our Schools, Working Safely, Playground Safety and Maintenance, Hazardous Chemical Management Plans, Certification Roundtable, and much more.
  • This year’s conference will include Maine School Integrated Pest Management certification sessions where conference attendees can complete required IPM training delivered by Dr. Kathy Murray from Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  • The Annual A. Burliegh Oxton Award for Excellence

Download a draft agenda.

To register and find additional resources including pricing, lodging options, further details about registration, including guest registration by contacting Jim Reny of Educational Plant Maintenance Association (EPMA) by phone 861-2351 or email jreny8@roadrunner.com .

Resources to Support Student Attendance

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of School and Student Supports has compiled a resource guide to assist schools in their efforts to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.

Using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ASCD, the guide provides a comprehensive set of evidence-supported health, school climate, and community/family engagement strategies that address the most common causes of chronic absenteeism.  It also includes resources for the development of whole school monitoring and information gathering practices to help schools better understand their attendance challenges.

Download the Comprehensive Attendance Plan Report

The guide will be updated with additional  resources as they become available.  For further information about  attendance and truancy resources, contact Gayle Erdheim at gayle.erdheim@maine.gov or (207) 624-6637.

 

MaineCare Seed Adjustments to be Made; Review Q318 Reports by June 29, 2018

The recovery of Q318 MaineCare Seed will occur in the July 2018 subsidy payment and the Maine DOE is asking districts to review their reports by June 29, 2018 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. District staff must review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q318 by June 29, 2018.

To access the MaineCare Seed reports, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Log into NEO: https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/neo/Dashboard
    • Anyone who currently has Special Education Director permissions to the Special Education module, will automatically have permissions to access MaineCare reports.
    • As in the past, if a new staff member needs permission to access this module, a request from the Superintendent to the Maine DOE helpdesk will be necessary. The helpdesk contact information is medms.helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.
  2. Click on the Student Data tab
  3. Click on the Student Report tab
  4. Select MaineCare in the Reporting Area drop-down
  5. Choose the quarterly Seed report and the report type (private/public)
  6. Click view report button
  7. Once the report appears on the screen, choose the export button.  You may export the reports to Excel but, please be aware that there may be multiple worksheet tabs within the workbook. Save the file to your computer.

If you disagree that a particular student or time period should be on the report, please provide the reason that you disagree along with the following to Denise.towers@maine.gov.

  • Identify the type of report (public or private) and the quarter in which the claims are located.
  • State Student ID
  • Service provided dates (to and from)
  • Total amount of Seed being disputed

Summer services: Students must be enrolled for the time period they are receiving educational services. This means that students that are receiving extended school year services in district or extended school year services in an out of district placement must have a primary enrollment for that time period in order for the MDOE to have the most accurate enrollment data to determine SAU responsibility for MaineCare Seed.

For more information or technical assistance related to MaineCare Seed, please contact Denise.towers@maine.gov.

 

 

Seeking School Highlights for ESEA Report Cards

The Maine Department of Education is requesting the assistance of school principals in the development of the new 2017-2018 ESEA Report Cards. A “School Highlights” section will be included on the Report Cards to provide the opportunity for schools to emphasize elements of which they are especially proud. The highlights will appear as part of a two-page graphical snapshot which may be viewed online or printed as a PDF for distribution.

The Maine Department of Education will be reaching out to principals via email asking them to submit their school highlights in an online survey. The data collection survey tool provides a list of categories with examples of possible responses. Schools may choose to create their own categories in the provided “Other” selection. Up to four categories will be available for submission. School highlights will be due to the Department by June 30, 2018. Please share this information with the principals in your district.

As a reminder, superintendents who attend the 2018 Commissioner’s Conference will get a chance to view the ESRA Report Card dashboard and ask further questions about the process.

For further questions and information contact Maine DOE Assessment and Accountability Data Coordinator Penny Henry at Penny.L.Henry@maine.gov.

 

Maine DOE to Host June 12 Webinar to Discuss Chronic Absenteeism Data Collection

The Maine Department of Education is hosting a webinar for districts and schools to discuss the recently released 2016/17 chronic absenteeism data including collection process and resources available to help with 2017-2018 reporting.

During the webinar, district staff, including staff that manage data and reporting, will have the chance to ask questions and seek further guidance on the collection process.

Chronic Absenteeism Data webinar
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 1:00 PM
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4892409320166524419

After registering, a confirmation email will be sent containing further information about joining the webinar.

This webinar will be conducted using GoToWebinar® software and will be will be recorded to be viewed at a later date.

For further questions contact Charlotte Ellis, Data Manager at Charlotte.Ellis@maine.gov.

Updates to Rule Chapter 180: Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Systems (Effective June 3, 2018)

As part of the Maine Department of Education’s efforts to ensure that new and conditionally certified teachers have access to high quality peer support, some changes were made to Chapter 180: Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Systems.

These changes are contained in a new Section (11) of Chapter 180: Peer Support and Mentoring, and accomplish the following:

  1. Retain a level of peer support and feedback for all teachers and principals.
  2. Establish a mentor/coach component for all newly hired and conditionally certified teachers.
  3. Differentiate peer support requirements to provide greater support for new and conditionally certified teachers.
  4. Provide greater, more structured support for conditionally certified special education teachers.
  5. Provide the SAU with flexibility in establishing mentor and coach qualifications as well as assigning mentors and coaches to better target educator needs.
  6. Sharpen the line between peer support components and evaluation components

The revised Chapter 180, with an effective date of June 3, 2018 can be found here.

A resource outlining the parameters can be found by visiting the Educator Effectiveness website or by clicking here.

The Maine DOE guidance encourages districts to have documentation of a peer support and mentoring component by the PEPG Steering Committee.  Districts  should  have a plan for peer support and mentoring in place as close as possible to the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.  Either this sample document or a more detailed document created by the PEPG Steering Committee should stay on file with the district.  It does not need to be submitted to the DOE at this time.

For additional information please contact Emily Gribben at Emily.gribben@maine.gov, or call 624-6748.

 

Maine Department of Education Honors the 2017 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching State Finalists

On Friday evening, May 11th, Maine DOE honored the six state finalists for the 2017 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST) with a dinner held at the Maple Hill Farm Inn located in Hallowell.  Shari Templeton, Maine DOE Science and Technology Specialist, and Michele Mailhot, Maine DOE Mathematics Specialist, planned the evening event honoring Priya Natarajan (Casco Bay High School), secondary mathematics finalist, Ellen Payne (Nokomis Regional High School), secondary mathematics finalist, Sharon Gallant (Gardiner Area High School), secondary science finalist, Sara McQuarrie (Hodgdon Middle/High School), secondary science finalist, Bill McWeeny (Adams School), secondary science finalist, Alyson Saunders (Dexter Regional High School), secondary science finalist.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

The evening began with a social networking event where past awardees had an opportunity to meet the six state finalists. This was followed by dinner, official congratulations from Suzan Beaudoin, Deputy Commissioner, Maine Department of Education, and Martha Harris, Chair, Maine State Board of Education.  The keynote address was delivered by Sandra MacArthur, Director of Educational Outreach for the University of Maine Farmington, and Shannon Larsen, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at the University of Maine Farmington.

The main event of the evening was the introduction of the six state finalists.  Todd Nelson, retired principal and author, spoke on behalf of Bill McWeeny,  Mary Whitten, science teacher, Gardiner Area High School, spoke on behalf of Sharon Gallant, Mary Harbison, principal, Hodgdon Middle/High School, spoke on behalf of Sara McQuarrie, Steven Bell, principal, Dexter Regional High School, spoke on behalf of Alyson Saunders, Scott Shibles, Dean of Student Life at Casco Bay High School, spoke on behalf of Priya Natarajan, and Mary Nadeau, principal, Nokomis Regional High School, spoke on behalf of Ellen Payne. All six state finalists were presented with certificates from the PAEMST program by Shari Templeton (Maine DOE) and Michele Mailhot (Maine DOE).

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