Students sought for humanities ambassador program

Do you have students who might benefit from real-world learning experiences?

The Maine Humanities Council (MHC) wants creative and energetic rising 10th or 11th graders interested in community engagement through the humanities.

Through the Student Humanities Ambassador Program, they will work with MHC to identify a topic and, working with a budget of $1,000 given to them by MHC, create, plan, run and evaluate a humanities-based program or event within their community.

Visit http://humanitiesambassador.org for more information and to apply. The deadline is March 31.

Improving literacy skills with close reading

Whether we are writing full sentences or using text messaging shorthand including abbreviations and icons, our ability to make meaning of the language around us is a critical aspect of our society. Continue reading “Improving literacy skills with close reading” →

Dyslexia for a Day workshop on Feb. 1

Project D.E.B.U.N.K., a resource for youth with dyslexia and their families and educators, is sponsoring a Dyslexia for a Day workshop in Brewer on Feb. 1. Continue reading “Dyslexia for a Day workshop on Feb. 1” →

Guidance on special education students in crisis placements

School administrative units (SAUs) sometimes become aware that a special education student enrolled in one of their schools has been placed in a residential facility identified as a crisis stabilization unit. Continue reading “Guidance on special education students in crisis placements” →

Opportunity to participate in accessible assessment project

The Maine DOE has served as a critical partner to the Maryland State Department of Education and Measured Progress Innovation lab for the Guidelines for Accessible Assessment Project (GAAP). This is a federally-funded project that involves developing research-based guidelines for representing assessment content in audio and sign forms. Continue reading “Opportunity to participate in accessible assessment project” →

Two Maine schools nominated for National Blue Ribbon Schools distinction

The Maine DOE has nominated Turner Elementary School and Winthrop Grade School to be 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Continue reading “Two Maine schools nominated for National Blue Ribbon Schools distinction” →

Maine students selected for Senate Youth Program

Two Maine students will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week in March to serve as delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Zachary Duperry of Portland and Carolyn Liziewski of Gray were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week. Continue reading “Maine students selected for Senate Youth Program” →

Acting Commissioner Rier writes in support of uniformed access to Maine schools

The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee held a public hearing today on legislation that would require the boards of Maine secondary schools to adopt and implement policies ensuring that members of the United States Armed Forces or the Maine National Guard and public safety personnel may wear their uniforms when visiting schools in their official capacities.

Acting Education Commissioner Jim Rier submitted the following letter to the Committee in support: Continue reading “Acting Commissioner Rier writes in support of uniformed access to Maine schools” →

Updates on student, school health surveys

Principals whose school participated in the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) should have already received login information including passwords to the MIYHS website. If you are a principal of a participating school who did not receive a password, please contact Stephen Corral at stephen.corral@maine.gov or 287-2964. Please note passwords are required to access your school’s data. Continue reading “Updates on student, school health surveys” →

Educator shares experience transitioning to proficiency-based system

As Maine schools move to graduating students with a proficiency-based diploma by 2018, the Maine DOE is offering extensive resources to support those locally-led transitions, including through its Center for Best Practice.

New to the Center is an interview with Hall-Dale Middle School teacher-leader Dan Crocker. Continue reading “Educator shares experience transitioning to proficiency-based system” →