Inquiry Based Learning applied to health and physical education

The Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) process provides a model for educators to help make deeper connections to health education or physical education curriculum in the classroom. It is a strategic instructional process meant to produce and ignite questioning. Through this process, students gain deeper knowledge about the topic at hand and become more proficient with the skills involved.

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Social Studies DBQs: Not just for AP students

One highly effective instructional strategy that leverages student inquiry is the Document-Based Question (DBQ). The 2007 Maine Learning Results standards for Social Studies call for instruction in social studies content as well as the application of critical thinking, research, and discipline-based processes and knowledge. The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies further emphasizes the importance of the acquisition of knowledge and skills through student inquiry.

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Students honored for their creative accomplishments by Maine’s First Lady

The Hall of Flags was filled with music and a lot of excited school students who were recognized at a celebration of Excellence in Maine Visual and Performing Arts Education. This first combined celebration by the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Arts Commission was recognized as an effective collaboration between state agencies by Maine’s First lady Ann LePage. “The collaboration is an excellence example of state agencies working together to provide more opportunities for Maine students.”

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Science professional development opportunity

The Maine DOE is offering science professional development for teachers of grades 6 -12 throughout the spring of the 2015-16 academic year.  This professional development is intended to build a science teacher leader community that has a solid understanding of effective teaching practices including three-dimensional instruction as discussed in A Framework for K-12 Science Education.  Two regional cohorts will be formed. Cohort members will be selected from across the state with a priority given to district teams which include one 9-12 science teacher and one 6-8 science teacher.

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ESEA/NCLB Title I Comparability Report FY16

Section 1120A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), requires that school administrative units (SAUs) with multiple attendance areas maintain comparability of local/state resources between the Title I schools and the non-Title I schools; or if all the schools at a grade span are Title I schools, then comparability of local resources must be maintained among the Title I schools.

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Timeline for review of out-of-unit placement

When a child with a disability is placed by his or her Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Team in an out-of-unit placement, the Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty (MUSER) Section IX.3.H requires the IEP Team to reconvene 30 days subsequent to the date the child begins to attend school, where he child has been placed, to review the IEP and make any revisions required.

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