Category: Newsroom Articles

Approval of Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY22 ESEA funds and FY23 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that we have been granted a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY22 ESEA funds and FY23 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds. Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) received approval for these waivers from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).  As a reminder, state FY21 ESEA funds, subject to last year’s Tydings Waiver, are expiring and should be obligated by September 30, 2023.

The requirements from which Maine will be waived include:

  • A Tydings amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Tydings amendment waiver extends the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2021/State Fiscal Year 2022 Elementary and Secondary Education funds. Programs affected by this waiver:
    • Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs), including the portions of the SEA’s Title I, Part A, award used to carry out section 1003 school improvement, section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
    • Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants)
    • Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children)
    • Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk)
    • Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction)
    • Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement)
    • Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
    • Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
    • Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program)
  • A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2022/State Fiscal Year 2023 Title I, Part A funds s (i.e., the Title I, Part A funds that will become carryover funds on October 1, 2023). The carryover limitation waiver waives the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its local educational agencies (LEAs) a waiver of the 15 percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.

We are pleased to share this news and deeply appreciate the work you and your staff are doing to help support students and schools in Maine. If you have any questions about this waiver, please contact your ESEA Regional Program Manager:  ESEA Federal Programs | Department of Education (maine.gov)

 

Final SAU ESEA Allocations Released and Now Available

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) ESEA Federal Programs team is pleased to share that all ESEA Federal Program final allocations are now available. Final allocations can be viewed on the ESEA allocations webpage and have been uploaded into the Grant Award Notification (GAN) within the School Administrative Unit (SAU) ESEA Consolidated Application. Applications can be accessed through the Grants4ME platform.  SAUs can complete and submit their ESEA consolidated application to assign Title I, II, III, IV-A and V funding, if applicable, to SAU and school projects.

It should be noted that due to a letter received from the US Department of Education (USDOE) on February 24, 2023, indicating the USDOE’s intent to place DOE’s Title I, Part A grant on high-risk status and withhold 25 percent of DOE’s fiscal 2022 (school year 2022-23) administrative funds, the withheld funds per federal statute, were redistributed to SAU Title I allocations, providing an additional $117,422 to Maine schools. The Maine DOE has communicated our objections to the USDOE’s actions. In the meantime, the inclusion of the $117,422 in addition to funds received in Maine’s preliminary Title I award, for federal fiscal year 2023 (school year 2023-2024) has resulted in either slight increases or lesser loss to final SAU Title I allocations as compared to preliminary Title I allocations. This is primarily due to adjustments in the hold harmless provision of funding directly related to the concentration stream resulting in additional loss of funds for some SAUs being subsequently minimized by the addition of the reallocation of withheld state administrative funds.

In the preliminary FY24 Title I equitable services allocations, the figures were abnormally low. After a deeper review, a formula error was found and subsequently amended. Please note the substantial increases for final FY24 Title I equitable services allocations.

Interested in understanding how Title I allocations are derived? A Title I allocation webinar is available for viewing.

Questions related to Title I allocations should be directed to Jessica Caron, Title I Specialist. Specific SAU-related ESEA allocation questions can be directed to the ESEA Regional Program Managers.

We’re Hiring! AmeriCorps Program Manager with the Maine Department of Education – Application period extended!

AmeriCorps Program Manager with the Maine Department of Education

$24.77-$36.89 hourly range

Are you seeking an opportunity to utilize your education and leadership experience to support future educators and students simultaneously?  This opportunity to join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will allow you to expand your impact in education through management with two different cohorts of AmeriCorps members focused on supporting Child Development Services (CDS) preschool classrooms (CDS AmeriCorps) and incoming high school students in two rural schools (Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success).

Child Development Services, a quasi-state agency providing special education services to eligible children from birth to 5 years old, has partnered with First4 AmeriCorps to make this opportunity possible through a program that includes receiving valuable early education training and supports, gaining vital hours of experience and mentoring in CDS preschool programs available throughout the state, and working with students with disabilities.  In another program focusing on older students, the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports has partnered with two rural high schools in York County to provide AmeriCorps members to support incoming high school students.

Your management and leadership of Maine DOE and CDS AmeriCorps programming will ensure students statewide experience improved outcomes in the areas of school readiness and success and provide a cohort of future Maine educators with the training and experiences needed to successfully launch their careers in education.

To apply for this exciting opportunity to positively impact students and prepare future Maine educators, please send your cover letter and resume to Danielle McKay at danielle.mckay@maine.gov until a viable candidate is found.

Maine DOE AmeriCorps Program Manager Position

The primary focus of this position is assisting in planning, research, development, and coordination of a CDS AmeriCorps initiative for special education services provided in preschool settings and a Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success (MAMS) pilot in two rural high schools in York County.  The program manager supports the development of CDS AmeriCorps and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success through the coordination of community partnerships, providing targeted professional development and coaching for Americorps members, partnering with technical assistance providers, and supporting alternative pathways to becoming certified to teach or provide services in early childhood and secondary settings. More specifically, the program manager promotes the development and implementation of policies and procedures to improve outcomes for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to improve mental health for students with limited access to enrichment opportunities due to socioeconomics, geography, etc.

Types of decisions THE POSITION has authority to make:

Makes decisions in collaboration with the Maine DOE and CDS regarding how best to support the tasks associated with the detailed timeline for the coordination of CDS AmeriCorps volunteers and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success.

Makes decisions in collaboration with the Maine DOE and CDS regarding managing, training, and supporting personnel, timelines, professional development, and data to support two AmeriCorps grants.

Make decisions in collaboration with the Maine DOE and CDS including development and coordination of long-term initiatives and programs, including securing stakeholder involvement and training for the coordination of CDS AmeriCorps and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success programming.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Knowledge of management practices, organizational change technologies, and human resources management.
  • Knowledge of project management principles and applications.
  • Knowledge of staffing requirements and training development principles, practices, and techniques.
  • Ability to plan, assign, and collaborate on managing the work of professional and technical staff members.
  • Ability to plan, direct, and manage moderately complex tasks for the timeline and implementation plan proposed by CDS and Maine DOE.
  • Ability to understand complex issues and negotiate amicable resolutions within a group setting.
  • Ability to anticipate and analyze problems, reach logical conclusions, and make sound decisions.
  • Ability to understand current policies and evaluate changing environments in order to recommend or implement changes or additions to policies.
  • Ability to manage multiple complex, diverse, and concurrent activities.
  • Ability to coordinate community partnerships.
  • Ability to plan and assign the work of overseeing AmeriCorps volunteers.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and write clearly and effectively.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Ability to use information management tools, systems, and applications.

POSITION responsibilities:

  1. Assists the Maine DOE’s Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and Office of School and Student Supports teams by presenting work issues that impact program management in order to provide input for decision making.
  2. Plans, organizes, and directs a team of AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects in order to accomplish the purpose of the proposed CDS AmeriCorps and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success initiatives.
  3. Leads and oversees the program team through a process to include progress monitoring on the recruitment and retainment of the AmeriCorps volunteers.
  4. Analyzes, prioritizes, and identifies issues in order to support effective collaboration.
  5. Develops, coordinates, and implements high quality professional development to AmeriCorps volunteers.
  6. Maintains and collects data, accurate schedules, budget, and additional information in order to ensure timely access and reporting for the Department on the progress of the initiatives.
  7. Manage, supervise, evaluate, and support AmeriCorps members serving statewide to provide high quality programming in schools
  8. Facilitates communication with teams in order to discuss on-going project issues and facilitate collaboration.
  9. Conducts analyses and recommends alternative approaches to senior leadership in order to inform decision making.
  10. Support both initiatives to ensure proper execution of the initiatives and adherence to federal guidelines.
  11. Serve as a liaison between the Maine DOE certification team and AmeriCorps members to support AmeriCorps members in applying for Ed Tech I, II, and III endorsements.
  12. Manage workflow to ensure timely completion of tasks in order to meet required timelines as well as Departmental needs.
  13. Provide timely response to all constituent inquiries in area of responsibility in order to provide high level of customer service and transparency.
  14. Compile highlights and stories of the AmeriCorps programming to promote through DOE communications channels.
  15. Complete other duties/projects as assigned in order to meet Maine DOE’s OSSIE and OSSS.

Orono Middle School Students Embrace their Culture with Classmates and Community

(Pictured: Students and their families pose for a photo at the culture festival)

Highlighting the diversity of students is crucial to fostering a sense of belonging, both in schools and in the wider community. To accomplish this, and to enjoy delicious foods from across the world while doing it, students at Orono Middle School  held a cultural festival to celebrate their different backgrounds. The event was organized by middle school teacher, Jessica Archer, who recently was recognized as Penobscot County’s 2023 Teacher of the Year for her innovative teaching.

The origins of the cultural festival began with Archer’s desire to deepen her understanding of the culture and experiences of her students, especially those from outside of the country. Recognizing the need for a greater understanding of her students’ diverse backgrounds, she interviewed many of them, asking each student questions about their culture and background. At the end of each interview, she asked, “What do you want people to understand about your culture?” That question elicited several responses from students who felt that their classmates did not understand them because they did not know more about their culture. Archer then asked the students if they would like to participate in an event celebrating their unique cultures which, in her words, led many of her students’ faces to “light up” with joy.

Inspired by her students’ answers during their conversation, Archer decided to write a story about each student’s background from their point of view. After sharing the drafts with her students and their families to ensure accuracy, Archer published the stories, along with pictures, to display on a school bulletin board. The board displayed a map of the world, with strings connecting each of her students to their country of origin. Archer also recognized a greater need to spread awareness around her students’ cultural backgrounds beyond her classroom and with the rest of the school’s student body. After speaking with two of her students who celebrated Ramadan and wished their peers better understood the holiday and their culture, Archer helped them to create an informational bulletin board and place it in the school’s foyer.

The after-school culture festival Archer organized was a success and attended by nearly 40 participants who learned from the eight families from different parts of the world. Students and their families from or with ties to Ukraine, France, Jordan, South Africa, Guatemala, Israel, Turkey, and Myanmar gathered to celebrate their culture, experiences, and of course, delicious food.

Students’ dishes included Middle Eastern Za’atar bread and traditional Ukrainian Potato Varenyky, a dish like dumplings. But the event also represented much more than just a culinary adventure. In addition to food, families also shared visual and audio representations of their culture. Students and families who participated felt the event was valuable in helping foster a better understanding of different cultures represented within the school and community. Alex, one of the parents who participated in the event wrote that the culture festival “offers a unique opportunity to discover the variety and richness of the Orono immigrant families’ cultural and gastronomical backgrounds.” Khawla, another parent, wrote, “the cultural festival at schools is an excellent way to build a strong foundation for diversity in the community by bringing people together from different cultures, religions, regions, and backgrounds to get to know each other, share ideas, food, and mind in a spirit of peace, unity, and togetherness.”

Students and their families pose for a photo at the culture festival
The bulletin board Archer put together highlighting her students’ cultures
Two students enjoy the delicious food culture festival participants have to offer
Students and their families stand behind their table
A bulletin board in Orono Middle School arche route together with her students to help their peers better understand Ramadan

The event taught valuable lessons to students and families alike on the diversity of their community. Sophia, one of  Archer’s students who participated in the event said, “people make assumptions about people from other countries. It is important that we learn about each other and ask questions before making assumptions and judgments.” Archer hopes to expand the event to include families other schools throughout RSU #26 next year to continue sharing and celebrating the diverse backgrounds of her students.

This story was drafted by Maine DOE Intern Ryan Hafener in collaboration with Jessica Archer as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email Rachel Paling, Maine DOE Communications and Outreach Coordinator at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Webinar: Graduation Report – August 1, 2023

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team for a webinar about graduation reporting. No registration is required to join. The Join Live event link below will be active on the date and time of the webinar.

This webinar will be recorded and posted to the DOE Data YouTube Playlist within a few days after the webinar takes place. Additional information about this webinar can be found on the Webinars page of the Maine DOE Helpdesk Website. If this webinar is canceled, a notice will be posted on the Helpdesk Website at the top of the page.

Graduation Report Webinar:

For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov. For questions about data collected and reported to the Maine DOE, contact the Helpdesk at medms.helpdesk@maine.gov or (207) 624-6896.

School Renovation Funding Available

The Maine Department of Education is accepting applications to receive funding for school renovation projects through the School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF). The application deadline is October 31, 2023.

A portion of each SRRF loan will be considered a grant and will be forgiven. The remaining portion will be paid back over either five or ten years with no interest. The maximum loan amount is limited to $2 million per school building per priority in any five-year period.

Applications for Priority One projects will be accepted.  Priority One projects include indoor air quality improvement, structural roof repair, hazardous material abatement or removal, ADA compliance upgrades, and other health, safety and compliance renovations.

The SRRF application and additional information are available on the Maine DOE’s SRRF website. For more information or technical assistance, contact Ann Pinnette at 207-215-3809 or email ann.pinnette@maine.gov.

Staff Certification Report Opens on 8/1

All staff in the Maine Department of Education’s NEO Staff reporting module for all school administrative units (SAUs) have been rolled over to the new school year in Pending Status. All staff will need to be reviewed, updated, or deleted in NEO Staff for the current school year. Update email addresses and phone numbers for district personnel, this information is used by the DOE to contact proper individuals for various purposes. Years of experience increment automatically for individuals with previous experience in a position.

A webinar about this year’s report will be hosted on Tuesday, October 3rd at 10:00 am. Please join the webinar at the specified time using this link: EPS – Staff Certification Webinar.

Reporting Resources:

For training in the completion of these reports please contact Data Quality Trainer Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov or call 207-446-3897

For issues with reports in Synergy and/or NEO please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

Reminder: Special Education Exit Report Due 7/30

The Special Education Exit Report is in regard to students who have exited special education during the 2022-2023 school year and are no longer receiving services with a district. This includes students who are moving and known to be continuing services in a different school administrative unit (SAU).

Reporting Resources:

For training in the completion of these reports, please contact Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Quality Trainer at Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov or call 207-446-3897.

For issues with reports in Synergy and/or NEO please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

Maine DOE’s Emily Poland Honored with Outstanding School Nurse Consultant Achievement Award

Emily Poland from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) was recently awarded the Outstanding State School Nurse Consultant Achievement Award. This award is given by the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants (NASSNC) to recognize individuals making incredible contributions to the organization and to their profession.

The NASSNC presents this award to State School Nurse Consultants based on their involvement in research impacting the delivery of quality healthcare service in schools and their involvement in the development and passage of important legislation, policies, standards, or regulations relevant to school nursing. The awardee also serves as a resource expert and catalyst from the state level for the development and implementation of policies and school health programs that promote and maintain the well-being of students.

Emily has received this award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the NASSNC organization and her dedication to the school nursing practice and programs. She has proudly served as a member of the NASSNC including serving on the Advisory Board and as the current Past-President along with chairing the Bylaws Subcommittee. She consistently provides leadership and guidance at the state and national levels, elevating school nursing practice and positively impacting thousands of staff, students, and families every year. She serves with grace and dedication as an expert in school health and works to expand infrastructure that supports school administrative units’ health services programs.

One example of Emily’s work is her collaboration with the Governor’s Opioid Task Force to pass legislation for the supply and use of Naloxone in a school setting. She has also helped improve the quality of school health screening programs by securing funding to support national certification for vision screening. She worked on upscaling supports to meet the needs of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the expansion of access to school nursing services through telehealth in areas with limited school healthcare resources.

Emily continues to advocate for policies and programs to improve the delivery of health services in Maine schools while also providing individual support to school nurses throughout the state.

Emily was presented with her award on June 29th at the Summer NASSNC Membership meeting in Orlando, Florida. The Maine DOE is extremely proud of Emily and excited that her incredible work is being recognized and awarded.

Career Navigator, Strengthening Maine Workforce Program Help New Mainers get Jobs at Maine General

Kennebec County Career Navigator Karen Morin supports job seekers getting hired at Maine General Hospital in Augusta. Three people have had job offers thus far while the rest are in the process of getting hired.

Career Navigators are part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP) which has committed $6 million dollars to address the workforce development needs of those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Maine’s Department of Education, Adult Education team is using these funds to help eligible adults and employment sectors recover from the stresses of the pandemic through a variety of academic and job training supports including Career Advancement Navigators and College and Career Success Coordinators.

Augusta Adult and Community Education is partnering with Maine General Health to provide English as a Second Language classes to Maine General Health multilingual employees as well as the addition of a new pre-health class. The program will reduce barriers that may affect their employees from participating in programming by funding transportation, childcare, and technology costs for employees in environmental services and grounds keeping for career advancement and life skills.

To learn more about Career Navigators and Maine Strengthening workforce please click here.