Title I schoolwide program eligibility waiver request now available

Section 1114(a)(1)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires a Title I school to have at least 40% poverty to be eligible to operate a schoolwide program. Schoolwide flexibility allows a school to upgrade the entire educational program of a school. ESEA section 1114 (a)(1)(B) permits a State Education Agency (SEA) to waive the 40% poverty threshold requirement, after taking into account how a schoolwide program will best serve the needs of the students in the school while improving academic achievement and other factors.

If a Title I participating school does not meet the 40% poverty threshold and wishes to obtain a waiver to operate a schoolwide program, the School Administrative Unit (SAU) must complete the attached waiver request form on the school’s behalf. If multiple Title I schools wish to receive a waiver, the SAU must complete a waiver request form for each individual school.

The SAU and school remain responsible for meeting all other ESEA section 1114 requirements for operating a Title I schoolwide program. This includes the development of a CNA/SAU Consolidated Plan that addresses the needs of all students, but particularly the needs of students experiencing challenges to meet State academic standards.

Waiver request forms must be signed by the Superintendent to be accepted by the Maine Department of Education. To ensure timely waiver approval, it is recommended that waiver requests are submitted prior to the submission of a CNA/SAU Consolidated Plan for the school.

Download Waiver

Please submit completed waiver requests to:

Chelsey Fortin-Trimble
ESEA Federal Programs & Title I Director
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04330
Chelsey.A.Fortin@maine.gov

Cybersecurity opportunity for young women in high school

There is still time to encourage young women in high school to participate in GirlsGoCyberStart’, national program created by CyberStart that uses online games of discovery to introduce high school students to the field of cybersecurity.

In a collaboration between the Maine DOE, the Maine Office of Information Technology and the Governor, the State of Maine helping promote this program in order to provide Maine students with an opportunity to learn more about the field of cybersecurity and to discover their ability for a careers in cybersecurity.

Participating students do not need prior cybersecurity knowledge or programming experience. All that is required is a computer and an internet connection. Young women in high school who excel in the GirlsGoCyberStart game will have the opportunity to win computers and other prizes as well as a trip, with a parent, to the 2018 Women in CyberSecurity Conference.

The website explaining the program is available at GirlsGoCyberStart.com. Registration will begin on January 29 and end on February 16, 2018. The first 10,000 young women in high school who have registered by then, can play the game online from February 20 through February 25.

For more information about eligibility visit GirlsGoCyberStart.com and for more information about Maine’s participation in the program contact Dr. Kelly Rickert, Director of Workforce Development for the Maine Office of Information Services.

Opportunity to develop, pilot and implement an evidence-based preschool curriculum for Maine

The Maine Department of Education has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to adapt and develop an evidence-based preschool curriculum in collaboration with Boston Public Schools (BPS). Participating districts will work with the Maine DOE and a curriculum consultant from BPS to make this highly successful curriculum relevant to Maine’s students.

Selecting and purchasing a curriculum, as well as providing the training and coaching needed for implementation fidelity, has been a challenge for many school districts with prek programs. This funding will allow 10 districts (or fewer depending on the number of prek classrooms/district) to participate in adapting a highly successful, evidence-based curriculum that aligns with Maine’s Early Learning & Development Standards and is designed for Maine’s prek programs.

In addition to participating in writing, the curriculum teachers and coaches, and/or curriculum coordinators will receive materials, supplies, training and coaching to pilot and implement the curriculum during the 18-19 school year.

For further information and to apply, download the Q&A and Application or contact Sue Reed at Susan.D.Reed@maine.gov.

Cancellation: 2/7 SAT Workshop cancelled due to weather

The following professional development workshop scheduled for tomorrow, February 7, 2018 (tomorrow) has been cancelled due to the anticipated snow storm. Registrants are being notified directly by email. The morning eMPowerME session will continue as originally scheduled.

2018 SAT Assessment Workshop – Augusta

Date: February 7, 2018 –
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Event Type: Conference or Workshop
Content Area: Maine’s Comprehensive Assessment System
Grade Level(s):
Presenter: Maine DOE/Measured Progress/eMetric

Description of Training:

Workshop designed to provide a detailed overview of the SAT administration as educators prepare for the April 10, 2018 administration of SAT School Day in Maine. Enhancements regarding College Board updates for 2017-18 include: students not required to supply a photo ID; discontinued use of SAT admission tickets; and changes to the student questionnaire (SDQ) process. In addition to reviewing key dates and deadlines, this session will provide a general overview of the College Board’s SSD process.

URL/Website for Additional Information:
http://events.egov.com/eventreg/ME/event.htm?name=2018satassessmentworkshopaugustapm

Event Location:
Augusta Civic Center
76 Community Drive
Augusta, ME 04330

Contact Information:
Eric Buckhalter
eric.buckhalter@maine.gov

Program Producer/Provider Information:
Department of Education

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response Model Policy

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), as directed by Maine law Public Law 2015, Ch. 292 (LD 1180), An Act To Require Education in Public Preschool Programs and Elementary Schools Regarding Child Sexual Abuse, has developed a model policy for schools on child sexual abuse prevention education and response. The law (20-A MRSA §254, sub-§18) states that all school administrative units (SAUs) that operate schools with grades public preschool program through grade 5 shall adopt a written local policy for child sexual abuse prevention education and response that is consistent with the Maine DOE model policy located at www.maine.gov/doe/healthed/laws/ under Safety & Accident Prevention. The policy must include the following:

Child sexual abuse response and reporting procedures;
Child sexual abuse awareness training and prevention education for school personnel;
Age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education for students;
School response and reporting procedures for child sexual abuse; and
Resources a victim of child sexual abuse or nonoffending caregivers of a victim of child sexual abuse may access for services and support.

Pursuant to this statute, school administrative units (SAUs) are required to develop a policy beginning in the 2017-18 school year. However, given the late release of the model policy, SAUs are expected to develop the policy on or before the beginning of the 2018-19 school year.

The Maine DOE and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) are available to provide technical assistance in the writing and implementation of this policy that is intended to educate preschool through grade 5 children, as well as school personnel, families and community members in the prevention of and response to child sexual abuse. A web-based resource and trainings to support the implementation of this law are being developed by the MECASA with support from the Maine DOE. The website is expected to be launched this spring.

For more information on the new requirements contact Susan Berry, Maine DOE’s Health Education and Health Promotion Coordinator, at susan.berry@maine.gov.

Celebrating the growth and success of Career & Technical Education

When the U.S. Smith-Hughes Act was signed in 1917, establishing technical (or “vocational”) education in agriculture, few would have suspected the evolution of a much broader based Career and Technical Education (CTE) system across the country, including 12.5 million high school and college students in such subjects as agriculture, automotive technology, biotechnology, culinary arts, health occupations, and many others. Today’s CTE programs reflect the increasingly complex technologies and advanced skills required of 21^st century workers.

February is “CTE Month” in the United States, with a 2018 theme “Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow.” During this time, CTE programs across the country celebrate the many talents and accomplishments of their students, teachers, administrators and schools. With rigorous technical program standards that also incorporate connections to required academics, CTE students are provided an education intended to prepare them for both entry-level positions toward high wage professions, as well as further post-secondary studies and training. Connections to American industry are included in CTE programs in order to ensure that students are proficient in the latest practices and technologies, as well as links to future employers. CTE not only provides students with the skills and understanding to be successful in their careers, but also establishes practical connections through which they may better understand and apply their academic education. Students in CTE programs tend to be excited by what they are learning and eager to apply their education to the real world. To learn more about this opportunity for all students see the links below:

In Maine the CTE system is a robust, relevant pathway for all students.

CTE education allows students to obtain industry credentials that are important to Maine businesses and companies. The required program advisory industry participation ensures this. http://www.maine.gov/doe/cte/schools/standards/assessments.html http://www.maine.gov/doe/cte/resources/cluster.html

Recent legislation allows CTE as a pathway for students to earn a proficiency based diploma – students can now use their participation in an approved CTE program to meet the requirements of graduation. This will allow more students access to the rigorous programming in our CTE schools and gain more formal recognition for their learning and achievement in CTE. https://mainedoenews.wordpress.com/?s=CTE+pathway

CTE uses research and labor statistics to approve their programs – this allows programs to remain relevant and incorporates labor needs into the programs offered to students. http://www.maine.gov/doe/cte/schools/documents/guide.pdf

CTE has revamped its programs in the last five years by hard work and commitment. We have:

implemented national industry standards,
developed an assessment system and the process to allow students to obtain an industry recognized credential
documented intersections between academic and CTE standards
developed secondary / post-secondary articulation systems including dual enrollments and state wide credits
Providing million-dollar equipment grants for CTE each year
developed and funded the bridge year program
increased trainings on safety and labor requirements

changed certification requirements to allow more industry experts to serve as CTE teachers who share their knowledge with our students

The CTE programs allow the students of Maine to prosper in their careers here in Maine and nationally.

For more information on Maine CTE, contact: Margaret.harvey@maine.gov

Upcoming Summit focused on local foods for schools, hospitals, colleges and more

Maine Farm to Institution and the Maine Farm to School Network will be hosting the 2018 Maine Farm to Institution Summit in Belfast’s UMaine Hutchinson Center on February 9, from 7:30 am to 5 pm. This all-day event for those interested in cultivating an equitable and resilient Maine food system is open to everyone.

MEFTI Steering Committee member and Summit lead organizer Riley Neugebauer said, “We’re excited about the range of presenters and the variety of topics that will be covered. Since there will be over 60 presenters at the event, we think that there will be something for everyone, from those who consider themselves beginners in the field, to those who understand or have participated in farm to institution efforts at an advanced level.”

Renee Page, involved in the leadership of both MEFTI and the Maine Farm to School Network (MFSN), and Assistant Director of Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, said that this is a new initiative for the organization; in previous years, the Maine Farm to School Network took the lead on facilitating similar conferences that focused solely on farm to school. In order to reflect a broader vision of farm to institution efforts across the state and to ease the financial/organizational burden on the volunteer-led farm to school network, MEFTI joined with MFSN to organize the upcoming Summit, and to expand the program and outreach into additional sectors such as healthcare, colleges & universities, and prisons.

At the Summit, the planning committee members will gather institutional food service staff, farmers, fishermen, distributors, government agency staff, nonprofits and others to inspire and energize the network through sharing best practices and innovative strategies; and to strengthen collective impact by engaging food producers, educators, decision makers, leaders, and policymakers in shared problem solving.

Page said, “We see the Summit as an opportunity to expand the ongoing conversation around the farm to institution vision and hope that it will forge stronger and more comprehensive relationships among stakeholders, as well as lead to statewide business partnerships and strategic policy change.”

Organizers anticipate that attendees will leave with new skills, new perspectives, new partnerships, the inspiration to set and achieve bolder goals for Maine’s food system, and a clear understanding of the need for and relevancy of farm to institution efforts in Maine.

The welcome and opening remarks for the event begin at 8:45 am, with the event closing at 5 pm. Registration is $40; to register, or for more information about the event, please visit www.mainefarmtoinstitution.org/registration. Organizers encourage attendees to register online before the event at this link, but will accept walk-in registrations as well. The UMaine Hutchinson Center is located at 80 Belmont Avenue (Route 3) in Belfast.

In case of inclement weather, a snow date is set for Monday, February 12th at the UMaine Hutchinson Center. To find out if the event has been postponed, information will be posted on the website www.mainefarmtoinstitution.org and on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/534118093604257/.

Planning committee members would like to thank the following major sponsors of the event: Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Sodexo, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, MaineHealth, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, Farm to Institution New England, and UMaine Cooperative Extension. Additional sponsors include: Maine Farmland Trust, Let’s Go!, HealthCare Without Harm, USM Food Studies Program, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, MOFGA, Lakeside Farms, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Fedco, Farm Fresh Connection, Heiwa Tofu, PFG Northcenter, Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative, Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, Native Maine Produce & Specialty Foods, Healthy Acadia, Maine General Medical Center, Oakhurst Dairy, PJ Merrill Seafood, Crave Food Services, Maine Grains, Grandy Oats, Bates College Dining, VitaminSea, and The Maine Meal. Event partners include FoodCorps Maine, Maine School Garden Network, Maine Department of Education, and the Maine Network of Community Food Councils.

For further information contact Renee Page, Maine Farm to Institution/Maine Farm to School Network/Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, r.page@hccame.org (207-588-5347)

Maine Farm to Institution is a multi-sector network of people from across the state interested in increasing institutional purchasing of local foods.

Maine’s School Counselors being recognized during National School Counseling Week in the Hall of Flags

National School Counseling Week is February 5-9, 2018 and Maine’s School Counselors are invited to attend a recognition on February 8^th in the Hall of Flags from 1:00-4:00pm. At 1:30, words of recognition will be shared by Sarah Ricker, Maine DOE’s Student Assistance Coordinator, and Cameron Reny, President of the Maine School Counseling Association. Then, Maine’s 2018 School Counselor of Year, Angela Avery from Biddeford Middle School, will speak to the gathering of school counselors and those who support the work of school counselors. Preceding these presentations, school counselors and guests are welcome to enjoy refreshments and to visit with organizations who work closely with school counselors to bring comprehensive school counseling programming to their schools.

To learn about National School Counseling Week and find ways to celebrate your school counselor, visit the American School Counselor Association website.

For further information about this recognition, please contact Sarah Ricker at sarah.ricker@maine.gov or 624-6685

ESSA and Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) Data

The MIYHS provides valuable data to school administrators and communities in assessing the health of their youth. With this data, action can be taken to further address specific needs and/or problems that Maine students are facing.

Middle and high schools who participated in the 2017 MIYHS have school level student data related to school climate, bullying, alcohol, marijuana and prescription pain medication. A one page snapshot of school level data is now available by contacting Reid.Plimpton@maine.gov

New Fact Sheets for 2017

Youth Safety on Maine’s Roads
Tobacco’s Use by Youth in Maine
Lifetime Substance Use Among High School Students in Maine
Connections at School and Home among Maine High School Students

These new fact sheets can be found on the MIYHS webpage, See here

Additionally, the Updated 2017 MIYHS Middle School and High School Data Dashboard is now live. The interactive data tool presents multiple years of MIYHS data on Maine middle school and high school students. Data is available by the State, County and Public Health District levels and includes maps, graphs and tables that are available for export.

Contact jean.zimmerman@maine.gov or reid.plimpton@maine.gov for more information

Maine DOE provides supplemental funding for facilitation and legal costs for regional service centers

This notification was shared Jan. 25, 2018 with regional service center Part II Applicants.

To: Regional Service Center Part II Applicants

From: Robert G. Hasson, Jr. Ed.D., Commissioner

Subject: Supplemental funding for facilitation and legal costs for Part II and interlocal agreement

The Department is committed to supporting Regional Service Center (RSC) applicants who have chosen to pursue the development of a durable and flexible partnership and interlocal agreement. Recognizing the investment of time and resources this undertaking requires, we are providing additional funding for facilitation and legal costs of up to $20,000 per RSC membership group. You may access this additional funding by contacting Jennifer Pooler, Regionalization Project Manager.