From Ideas to Impact: Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP Expands Through 2026

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is continuing a monthly Early Learning Solutions Lab Community of Practice (CoP) as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Maine’s mixed delivery system for early childhood education.

The landscape of early childhood education in Maine is evolving. The expansion of public preschool programs and recent legislation transitioning special education services for children ages three to five from Child Development Services (CDS) to public schools underscore the growing need for a strong, coordinated mixed delivery system. Such a system—one that intentionally integrates public schools and community-based early care and education (ECE) providers—is essential to ensuring all children have equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities from birth through the early elementary years.

Building and sustaining a robust mixed delivery system requires communities and educational institutions to move beyond siloed approaches and embrace collaborative, inclusive strategies that respond to the diverse needs of children, families, and educators in their communities. As such, early childhood administrators and educators from both public schools and community-based programs are invited to join the Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP, which focuses on strengthening mixed delivery from a community-centered approach. By creating consistent opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and shared learning, this work helps ensure that all children and families have access to coordinated, high-quality early childhood experiences.

Building on the strong engagement and success from earlier sessions, the Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP will meet monthly from May through December 2026. The CoP will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Those interested in participating may register here.

Each month will focus on a key topic, with opportunities for participants to learn from subject matter experts, explore practical tools, and engage in meaningful discussion. Participation in all CoP sessions is not required but is highly encouraged.

A tentative schedule is as follows:

Month	Topic	Resources
May 26	The Basics	Infant-Toddler and Preschool Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS)
June 23	Sustainability Planning	Help Me Grow
July 28	Nature-Based Approaches	Maine Prevention Councils
August 25	K Transition as a Whole-Year Approach	Early Childhood Education Consultation for ME
September 22	Community Partner Panel Discussion	Early Childhood Special Education website
October 27	Whole Family Partnership/Engagement	Ages and Stages Questionnaire
*November 17	Data Sharing and Partnership	Early Intervention health resource
*December 15	Early Learning Solutions Lab Celebrations and Highlights	Maine Roads To Quality/Maine DOE supports

*scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month, due to a holiday

With questions, please contact Maine DOE Early Learning Team members Michelle Belanger at Michelle.Belanger@maine.gov or Sue Gallant at Sue.Gallant@maine.gov.

Maine DOE to Offer School Finance Regional Trainings in the Summer of 2026

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) School Finance Team is pleased to announce a series of in-person regional training sessions to be offered throughout the summer of 2026. School and school administrative unit (SAU) staff engaged in financial operations, compliance, and program administration are encouraged to attend. This includes, but is not limited to, superintendents, business managers, finance staff, and special education administrators.

The topics to be covered in all training sessions include:

The Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula, including changes from LD 2226
Account coding
MaineCare
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) funding
Education Service Centers (ESC)
School closure cost analysis

Each training session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until about 3 p.m. Plans for specific venues are still being finalized, but the general locations and training dates are as follows:

Portland area—Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Farmington area—Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Augusta area—Thursday, July 23, 2026
Aroostook area—Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Bangor area—Wednesday, August 5, 2026

To register for a training session, please complete this form. Further information about training sessions will be available via the Maine DOE Event Calendar as the training dates approach. Please note that individual registrations are required for each person planning to attend a training session.

With questions, please contact Charlotte Ellis at charlotte.ellis@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Announces New Interactive Tool for School Staff Use in Health Emergencies

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Coordinated School Health Team is pleased to share a new interactive tool designed to assist all school and school administrative unit (SAU) staff in responding quickly, safely, and effectively to emergent injury and illness situations. It contains interactive flowcharts that guide real-time decision-making, helping users to determine the correct course of action when students are injured or become ill at school or during school-sponsored activities—especially when licensed medical personnel are not immediately available.

This interactive tool is based on the larger, downloadable School Health Emergency Quick Guide: How to Respond to Injury and Illness at School PDF, developed in partnership with Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) program for Maine schools and adapted, with permission, from the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Both the PDF and corresponding interactive tool contain detailed steps for responding to various health emergencies, such as allergic reactions, mental health crises, suspected overdoses, and more. The material follows current emergency response best practices and includes a CPR/AED quick reference, standard precautions guidance, emergency contact numbers for Poison Control and the Maine Crisis Line, and a full references section.

To access the School Health Emergency Quick Guide interactive tool, please click here. Information about how to save this interactive tool directly to the home screen of a smartphone and/or tablet for instant access is included at that link. (Please note that a connection to the Internet is required for use.)

Please share this new resource widely with your school/SAU networks. Those with questions should contact the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports at DOESchoolandStudentSupports@maine.gov.

As always, staff should inform the school nurse, administration, and the student’s parent/legal guardian as soon as possible in a health emergency situation. When in doubt, call 911.

Maine DOE Update – May 1, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Request for Applications Now Open for Maine Career Pathways Pilot Opportunity

Community Schools Updates: Maine DOE Announces 2026-2027 Grantees and Request for Information from SAU Leaders

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the completion of the Community Schools Request for Application (RFA) process for the 2026-2027 school year. This funding is provided pursuant to M.R.S. Title 20-A, §15689-A, under which the Maine Education Commissioner may provide funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to support the establishment of a community school(s). | More

Recognizing the Importance of Financial Literacy and Personal Finance Education

This article was written by Maine Department of Education (DOE) Financial Literacy Teacher Leader Fellow Mark Ashe, who currently teaches at Cape Elizabeth High School. It highlights information and resources for National Financial Literacy Month. | More

Grant Opportunity Announcement: Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program, a competitive funding opportunity designed to expand and strengthen postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. | More

Nearly 500 Individuals Gather for Maine’s Second Annual Inclusive Education Conference

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, in partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), proudly hosted the second annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference on April 8, 2026, at the Augusta Civic Center, welcoming nearly 500 educators, administrators, families, and community partners from across the state. | More

Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network Seeking Feedback on Needs Assessment Survey

The Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN), in partnership with the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, and the Maine Afterschool Network, is conducting a needs assessment survey to better understand practitioner interests related to professional development in early childhood and out-of-school-time programs. | More

Alternative Education Association of Maine Hosts Spring Conference in Waterville

The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine successfully hosted its 2026 Spring Conference on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Colby College in Waterville. The conference theme, “Building Resilience for All,”brought together alternative education teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school staff from across the state for a day of learning, collaboration, and renewed energy. | More

Maine Middle Schools Invited to Join the 2026 Life Happens Outside® Challenge

Teens to Trails has brought back its annual statewide challenge for a week of outdoor time in May, with cash prizes for top-participating schools. Last spring, 6,454 Maine middle school students logged nearly 5 million minutes outdoors in a single week. The idea is simple: Time outside is good for kids. | More

Alternative Education Association of Maine Seeking Nominations for Alternative Educator of the Year, Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship, and Retiree Recognition Program

The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine is currently accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 Alternative Educator of the Year award and the 2025-2026 Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors. AEA of Maine is also seeking submissions for a program honoring alternative education teachers and support staff who are retiring at the end of this school year. Submissions for all three opportunities are due by May 15, 2026. | More

Nominations Open for 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Teacher of the Year Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) Teacher of the Year awards. Nominations are due by Saturday, May 30, 2026. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Mount Abram High School Students Experience the Arts in New York City

Thanks to a generous grant from the Carrabassett Valley School Committee, Mount Abram High School students (MSAD 58) have had the opportunity over the past two years to experience immersive, real-world learning through arts-focused trips to New York City. These experiences have brought classroom lessons to life in one of the world’s most vibrant cultural hubs. | More

ExCEL: A Relationship-Centered Alternative Education Program at MSAD 15

As students at MSAD 15’s Gray-New Gloucester High School settle into their seats for English class, a calm, authentic energy fills the room. Laura Fralich, Expanding Choices for Each Learner (ExCEL) Alternative Education teacher, prepares to begin, having arranged her classroom so that the desks form a circle, and everyone can see one another. She starts each class by asking students a reflective question, intending to build relationships and community, which is the foundation of ExCEL. | More

Student Leadership on Display During Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s ‘Respect Day’

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School recently hosted its annual “Respect Day,” a student-led event intended to support global citizenship and cultural understanding among youth by allowing students to engage in workshops offered by community partners and educators. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth cohort of the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, which will launch during the 2026-2027 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026. | More

Reminder: 2026 For ME Instructional Programs Overview and Summer Training Opportunities

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has adapted and piloted the For ME Instructional Programs for early elementary grades (pre-K to grade 2), based on the Boston Public Schools’ evidence-based Focus Curricula. These open-source, developmentally appropriate instructional programs are interdisciplinary and align with Maine’s learning standards. | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Student Leadership on Display During Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s ‘Respect Day’

Pictured: Back row, left to right—Lilah (grade 10), Della (grade 10), Dayna (grade 12), Maisy (grade 9), Kali (grade 9), Emma (grade 12), Cedar (grade 12), Ronan (grade 12), Grady (grade 11), Asher (grade 11). Front row, left to right—Charlotte (grade 10), Elja (grade 10), Emma (grade 12), Rae (grade 12), Tristan (grade 11).

Designed and facilitated by students, Respect Day provides opportunities for youth to explore the concept of respect through a variety of lenses, such as healthcare, public safety, cultural experiences, arts, and identity. Students attended sessions and activities based on their own interests, creating a personalized learning experience that connected school, community, and future pathways.

“When students feel empowered, they become agents of change. We need to recognize that we’re not only in the business of preparing students to be leaders of the future but that they have a tremendous amount of power that can have a profound impact now,” Travis Palmer, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Social Studies Teacher and Civil Rights Team Co-Advisor, said.

Pictured (from left to right): Maisy (grade 9), Della (grade 10), and Cedar (grade 12)

A key element of the day’s success was the level of student ownership over the event. In addition to selecting what workshops would be available at Respect Day, students helped prepare the broader school community for what to expect. Through school announcements, digital platforms, and peer outreach, they communicated the purpose of Respect Day and helped build excitement around the learning opportunities it would offer. Families were also encouraged to speak with students about the day’s activities, helping to build a shared understanding of its purpose.

“Respect Day is such a nice way to see my peers interacting with people and cultures that they would not usually get the chance to. When picking workshops and guests to come in and share with us, we always try to keep in mind what students would enjoy doing while still learning something new,” Cedar Worster, a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, said. Worster is also a member of the Maine State Board of Education and is the 2025-2026 co-chair of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet.

Respet Day reflected a strong, collaborative school culture. Educators and staff supported students in ways that encouraged independence while reinforcing a sense of belonging. From facilitation of sessions such as Ukrainian egg-decorating to a community policing panel to culturally inclusive school meals, the day demonstrated a schoolwide commitment to respect in action.

When asked about the success of Respect Day, Principal Paul Bickford emphasized where the credit belongs: “The students pulled this off.”

Respect Day at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School serves as a meaningful example of how schools can foster student agency and leadership, elevate student voice, and create inclusive learning environments that extend beyond the classroom.

Nominations Open for 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Teacher of the Year Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) Teacher of the Year awards. Nominations are due by Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Maine AHPERD Teacher of the Year awards are presented to health education, physical education, and adapted physical education teachers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their students and profession. The following teacher categories are eligible for consideration:

Elementary Physical Education
Middle School Physical Education
High School Physical Education
Adapted Physical Education
Middle School Health Education
High School Health Education

Maine AHPERD would like to recognize teachers throughout the state in all of these categories. The criteria to nominate a teacher can be found in the nomination form. Again, nominations are due May 30, 2026.

With questions, please contact Rick Kramer, Executive Director of Maine AHPERD, at executivedirector.mahperd@gmail.com.

The Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AHPERD) is a nonprofit organization for professionals and students in related fields of health, physical education, recreation, and dance. Maine AHPERD is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Mainers by supporting and promoting effective educational practices, quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance, and related fields.

Recognizing the Importance of Financial Literacy and Personal Finance Education

This article was written by Maine Department of Education (DOE) Financial Literacy Teacher Leader Fellow Mark Ashe, who currently teaches at Cape Elizabeth High School.

If you weren’t aware, April was National Financial Literacy Month. The seeds of this concept began with the National Endowment for Financial Education and the Jump$tart Coalition in the early 2000s, with the emphasis being on the education of young people. The United States Senate later formalized April as National Financial Literacy Month.

National Financial Literacy Month underscores the importance of basic financial knowledge, such as understanding the math behind APRs and compound interest or the factors that affect credit scores. There is a growing body of research that suggests that behavioral change is also critical to improving financial wellness. A study from the Journal of Family and Economic Issues found that increasing individuals’ “perceived financial knowledge” is positively associated with “positive financial behaviors.” This means that financial confidence itself may be a significant driver of financial well-being.

For instance, the stock market can seem incredibly complicated and intimidating to students as they begin to think about investing. Teaching students that they don’t need to know much about the economy to save successfully for the future can be empowering. Using a tool like Portfolio Visualizer can be useful to help young people see the historical importance of staying invested, even when bad things are happening in the world. Encouraging students to engage with a stock market simulation can help them learn how volatile individual stocks are and how chasing the latest “winners” can lead to poor investment results. Helping students understand behavioral strategies like “mental budgeting” (i.e., keeping multiple savings accounts for different financial goals) or writing down everything spent in one week or month can be just as important to financial wellness as understanding the power of compound interest and APRs.

Financial Literacy Resources from the Maine DOE

The Maine DOE provides educators and schools with curated resources to support financial literacy education. A growing, and frequently revised, list of relevant materials can be found on the Numeracy Hub in the “Numeracy in Action” section. Resources highlighted currently include those from Intuit for Education, EconEd, and Next Gen Personal Finance. These educator-tested materials are accessible and easy to use, whether you are an experienced financial literacy educator or new to the field. Teachers can also log in to bi-weekly Maine DOE Humanities and Civics Virtual Support sessions for help planning and using Financial Literacy resources.

Financial Literacy Resources from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

FAME supports financial literacy for both students and educators across the state. On May 8, 2026, FAME is hosting the 17th annual Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference, a free, statewide professional development opportunity for K-12 educators, school counselors, and others who support student financial wellness. This year’s theme, “Teach, Share, Empower: Educators Empowering Educators,” highlights the innovation and expertise found within Maine classrooms.

At the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to:

Participate in educator-led, classroom-ready sessions.
Connect and collaborate with peers from across the state.
Explore financial wellness resources from a variety of exhibitors.
Gain practical tools to support students’ financial well-being.

The conference also offers valuable support for educators, including substitute-teacher reimbursement and networking opportunities that extend beyond the event. Learn more and register here.

Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth cohort of the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, which will launch during the 2026-2027 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026.

As more Maine elementary schools expand their preschool offerings and implement whole-student approaches across the pre-K through grade 3 span, elementary administrators have expressed a need for professional learning tailored to early learning leadership. In response, the Maine DOE, in collaboration with two statewide early childhood organizations—the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network and the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children—created the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, a dynamic professional learning series designed to meet these needs and support leadership development. Since its launch in 2021, the Fellowship has served five cohorts of elementary school leaders.

“Participating in the series has helped me to look at the decisions we make about our instructional programming and school community through the lens of early learning and what is developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners,” a participant from the first cohort said.

The Fellowship offers rich opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of early learning pedagogy and best practices for supporting students and educators across pre-K through grade 3. The experience includes a blend of asynchronous learning modules, facilitated online professional learning communities, and in-person gatherings, which support participants in achieving the following outcomes:

Increasing their knowledge of early childhood development and pedagogy.
Strengthening early childhood leadership abilities within their school administrative units (SAUs) and communities.
Identifying resources and key components of high-quality early childhood programming.
Engaging with a network of colleagues to grow their understanding of early childhood.

“I really enjoyed the variety of materials and activities in which we were engaged—videos, utilizing the observation and reflection tools, and the readings. Also, it was a great group of people to interact with, both online and in-person,” a participant from the third cohort said.

To learn more, please review the informational guide, which includes full program details and the application link. The 2026-2027 cohort will include up to 30 participants. Again, applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026. Once capacity is reached, a waiting list will be created.

For additional information, please contact Maine DOE Director of Early Learning Lee Anne Larsen at leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Request for Applications Now Open for Maine Career Pathways Pilot Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Labor (DOL), has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for funding from eligible organizations for the Maine Career Pathways (MCP) pilot opportunity.

The MCP framework is designed to prepare Maine students and adult learners for postsecondary and employment success by providing advising and navigation supports, coursework for postsecondary credit, meaningful work-based learning experiences, and workforce credentials. The Maine DOE and Maine DOL anticipate making 2-4 awards from this RFA (up to $250,000) for the following pathways:

Early Childhood Education
Healthcare
Infrastructure/Trades

Eligible Applicants
Those eligible to apply for this RFA include Maine school administrative units (SAUs), high schools, career and technical education (CTE) schools, adult education programs, and community-based organizations that have a history of partnering with schools to deliver career/workforce development opportunities and plan to partner with a school-based organization for this RFA opportunity. Eligible occupations are noted in the RFA materials.

Performance Period
August 1, 2026-July 31, 2028

Application Process Details
Eligible organizations interested in this grant opportunity may access the RFA via the State of Maine’s Vendor Self Service System (VSS), where they should submit their applications along with any questions about the RFA. (Please see this priority notice issued on January 9, 2026, for more information and training materials related to VSS. The Maine DOE strongly recommends that organizations ensure they can access VSS ahead of the RFA due date.)

The timeline for this RFA is as follows:

April 24, 2026 – RFA opens via VSS.
May 6, 2026 – Virtual informational session at 2 p.m. (details below)
May 13, 2026 – RFA questions must be submitted via VSS by 4 p.m.
June 1, 2026 – RFA applications must be submitted via VSS by 4 p.m.
June 29, 2026 – Award notifications
August 1, 2026 – Anticipated contract start date
July 31, 2028 – Anticipated contract end date

To learn more about the MCP framework and this grant opportunity, potential applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual informational session on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 2 p.m.Please use this link to join. Registration is not required in advance.

Additional information about career pathways can be found on the Maine Career Pathways webpage. Applicants interested in developing new or expanding existing pre-apprenticeships or registered apprenticeships may consider reviewing the Maine DOL RFA #202603031 Expansion of the Maine Apprenticeship Program in VSS for additional funding opportunities.

Alternative Education Association of Maine Hosts Spring Conference in Waterville

*Nicole Davis, Maine DOE Emerging Technology Specialist, kicked off the AEA of Maine 2026 Spring Conference as keynote speaker and highlighted how alternative educators should navigate AI.*

Nicole Davis, the Emerging Technology Specialist from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), kicked off the conference as the keynote speaker. Davis spoke about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can spark powerful emotions—joy, fear, anxiety, excitement—and how alternative educators can navigate uncertainty, find confidence, and embrace AI as a meaningful tool to enhance teaching and learning.

Alternative educators at the AEA of Maine 2026 Spring Conference connected, engaged, and learned alongside one another, strengthening their work and advancing their impact.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in a variety of impactful sessions designed to support both student success and educator well-being through the alternative education lens. Presentation topics included:

AI and Alternative Education
Resonance Language (Empathy for Everyone)
Restorative Practices
From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Trauma-Informed Practice in Your Classroom
Substance Abuse (Peer Support) from SEED (Students Empowered to End Dependence)
Sustaining the Helpers: Practical Tools for Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Beyond the High School Model: Redefining Middle School Alternative Education

Participants also had opportunities to share strategies, reflect on their practices, and build meaningful connections with colleagues dedicated to alternative education pathways.

*From left to right: Jacqui Holmes, Tracey Menard, Tristen Hinkle, and Ryan Verill of AEA of Maine are leading the charge in alternative education in the state.*

AEA of Maine extends its sincere thanks to all presenters, participants, and organizers, as this continued commitment to innovation, equity, and resilience in education is what drives this work forward.

AEA of Maine hosts a Fall and Spring conference every year. to the AEA of Maine welcomes new and veteran alternative educators, administrators, superintendents, and school staff (e.g., education technicians, school counselors, school social workers, community partners, etc.) who support this work.

To learn about future AEA of Maine events or to get involved with AEA of Maine, please visit the AEA of Maine website or contact AEA of Maine President Tristen Hinkle at thinkle@msad54.org or AEA of Maine Vice President Tracey Menard at menart@portlandschools.org.

For additional information or resources on alternative education in Maine, please contact Aubrie Howard, Maine DOE Student Success and Wellbeing Specialist or visit the Maine DOE Alternative Education webpage.