Program pairs math and trades

AUGUSTA — Nearly 20 teachers of precision machining, welding, building construction and other trades have spent 10 days over the past school year paired up with middle- and high-school math teachers.

They’ve spent their time together working to more closely integrate math concepts into lessons offered by instructors at Maine’s career and technical schools.

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DOE testimony supports charter schools

The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee held a public hearing May 12 on legislation that would establish a public charter school program in Maine.

Maine is one of 10 states that don’t allow charter schools.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen delivered the following testimony supporting L.D. 1553, An Act To Create a Public Charter School Program in Maine. Continue reading “DOE testimony supports charter schools” →

Local Entitlement application training

The Office of Special Services at the Maine Department of Education will provide training on the electronic application process for 2011-12 Local Entitlement funds.  There will be a choice of webinar sessions – May 26 at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m.  The webinar is anticipated to last approximately 1.5 hours.

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RSU 18 transitions to standards-based model

Article image: Shelly Moody leads her class in a discussion about ecosystems.
Shelly Moody gets her students started on a project about ecosystems.

OAKLAND – The students in Shelly Moody’s classroom at Williams Elementary School can explain everything about the lesson they’re working on, how it fits into the broader unit of study, and why it’s important.

The knowledge comes from the classroom’s transition in recent years to a standards-based model of education in which Moody lays out the expectations for her students, makes sure they understand them and allows them to choose how they’re going to meet them.

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Readfield tries reading differently

READFIELD – It’s time for reading class in the second grade at Readfield Elementary School.

Rather than remain in their assigned classrooms, students from the school’s two second-grade classes combine forces, and their teachers break them into reading groups based on ability level.

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Bills propose standards-based diploma

The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee held public hearings May 6 on bills that address standards-based high school diplomas, a strategic plan for education in Maine, a statewide model curriculum and innovative school zones.

Representatives from the Department of Education, including Commissioner Stephen Bowen, offered the following testimony to the legislative panel:
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