Category: News & Views

Deepen Your MTSS Expertise This Summer with New Asynchronous Mini-Course Series

Are you ready to grow your Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) knowledge and practice? This summer, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to offer a three-part, fully asynchronous MTSS Mini-Course Series. Each 28-day course builds on the last—complete Course 1 to unlock Course 2, and finish Course 2 to gain access to Course 3.

MTSS Mini-Course Series Overview

CourseRelease DateClose DatePrerequisiteFocus
Course 1: MTSS FoundationsJune 15July 13NoneCore MTSS principles and Maine policy context
Course 2: MTSS Leadership Practices and Teaming StructuresJuly 15August 12Course 1Leadership roles and teaming practices
Course 3: MTSS and Special Education – A Crosswalk CourseAugust 15September 12Course 2Connections between MTSS and special education

How It Works

  • Register for Course 1 by June 12 at midnight using this link.
  • Course 1 opens on June 15. Complete all modules and the final activity by July 13.
  • Course 2 unlocks for those who completed Course 1 on July 15. Complete by August 12.
  • Course 3 unlocks for those who completed Course 2 on August 15. Complete by September 12.
  • All courses close exactly 28 days after opening. No late enrollments or extensions will be available.

Why Participate?

  • Stackable Learning: Master each MTSS component before moving to the next.
  • Flexible and Asynchronous: Engage with readings, videos, and discussions at your own pace.
  • Maine-Focused: Learn practical strategies aligned with Maine DOE guidance and equity goals.
  • Professional Recognition: Earn a digital badge for each course. Complete all three to receive a Summer MTSS Series certificate.

Earn Contact Hours

  • Receive one contact hour per module (up to four per course; 12 total).
  • Earn up to 10 additional hours for attending the optional weekly course office hours.

Stay Connected

  • Join Office Hours: Drop in every Thursday at 9 a.m. for collaborative MTSS discussion and support.
  • Plan Ahead: Block out 30 minutes twice a week to stay on track.

Let’s make this summer the season that you transform your MTSS knowledge and practice. For questions, please contact Andrea Logan, Maine DOE MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov.

Procedures for End-of-Year Exiting of Students from State Synergy

All student enrollments must be exited from the Maine Department of Education State Synergy system on or before June 30, 2024. This includes students who are attending year-round programs.

Exiting students, either manually or via upload, with the most up-to-date code, will help to ensure that fall reports are accurate. This can specifically impact graduation and dropout reporting for fall collections.

Information about exit codes for specific situations can be found on the Synergy Instructions webpage under the Data Dictionaries for Student Exit.

Resources:

Questions about exiting student enrollments from State Synergy can be submitted by emailing MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or by calling 207-624-6896.

Special Education Exit Report Opens on June 1

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Special Education Exit Report opens on June 1, 2025, and is due on July 30, 2025.

Students who have exited special education services during the reporting period (2024-2025 school year, July 1-June 30) must have special education exit dates and an exit reason added to their enrollments in Synergy State Edition. Student information must be entered or uploaded into Synergy State Edition by the school the student attends. If a student will still receive special education services the next year, their special education status in Synergy remains the same.

School administrative units (SAUs) are required to certify the exit data using the Special Education Exit Report found in NEO on the Student Data/Student Reports module.

Details

  • Open Date: June 1
  • Due Date: July 30

Resources:

  • Webinar on Thursday, May 29 at noon — Register here. This webinar will also include information about Perkins 3S1 CTE Post Secondary Reporting.

For questions about end-of-year reports, please contact MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896.

Due Dates and Procedures for Quarter 4 End-of-Year Reports

Four end-of-year reports require certification in June and July. These reports aggregate data from the entire school year’s reporting timeframe. The data are used to aggregate dashboards and reports for public availability on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Warehouse and ESSA Dashboard and for federal reporting.

Behavior and Bullying Certification Reports

Daily Attendance and Truancy Certification Reports

Questions about end-of-year quarterly reports may be directed to MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Honored with National “Difference Makers Award” for Green Schools Leadership

From left to right: Glenn Cummings, Director of Green Schools, Maine DOE; Abigail Hayne, Maine Youth Climate Engagement Coordinator, GOPIF; Robin Sidman, Executive Director, Project Green Schools; Dan Chuhta, Deputy Commissioner, Maine DOE; Michael Isenberg, Board Co-Chair, Project Green Schools

This award from Project Green Schools recognizes the collaboration between the Maine DOE and GOPIF on the Green Schools Initiative. 

Washington, D.C. – The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) were recognized nationally today with the 2025 Difference Makers Award for their groundbreaking collaboration on the Green Schools Initiative, an ambitious statewide effort to support Maine schools in improving energy efficiency, saving public funds, and reducing pollution in the state’s pre-K through grade 12 schools.  

Presented in Washington, D.C. by Project Green Schools, a nonprofit developing the next generation of environmental leaders, this award celebrates Maine’s visionary leadership in aligning education and environmental policy to improve math, science, and social studies results, reduce pollution emissions, and build climate-resilient school communities. 

“Maine educators, students, and school leaders are already making climate-smart choices every day,” Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. “This award belongs to them. They are not only embracing clean energy and sustainability; they are preparing for the future by leading with purpose and urgency.” 

“This honor is a credit to the students and educators leading the charge on climate action in Maine, helping their schools and communities to build a healthier environment and economy for the future,” GOPIF Director Hannah Pingree said. “I thank the Maine Department of Education for their partnership in this important initiative, which is fostering the next generation of climate leaders to meet our ambitious climate goals.”

“We applaud the State of Maine for setting high standards when it comes to engaging students, schools, citizens, and industry leaders in environmental solutions for a healthier future,” Robin Sidman, Founder and Executive Director of Project Green Schools, said. “Maine is among our nation’s most innovative and impactful Green Schools Leaders honored today at the 2025 Green Difference Awards Ceremony.” 

Launched in 2022, the Green Schools Initiative is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Maine DOE and GOPIF. It focuses on practical and strategic investments—such as energy technical assistance, curriculum development, and student-engaged sustainability planning—that support Maine schools and communities across the state. 

Key accomplishments of the initiative include Maine’s first statewide Climate & Me Youth Leadership statewide convening, new tools for tracking school-level environmental data, and ongoing planning for a Green Schools gathering to be held in November of 2025. Bipartisan legislative support has also played a crucial role though supporting energy efficiency, community resilience, outdoor learning for all Maine students, and air quality improvements throughout the state’s public schools.  

The Maine DOE and GOPIF also acknowledge national and state partners, including the Maine Environmental Educator Association, Maine Outdoor School for All, Slipstream, Ten Strands, and the U.S. Green Building Council, whose research and policy guidance have helped to accelerate Maine’s climate education efforts. 

Maine DOE Update – May 16, 2025

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Registration Open for In-Person Summer Data Training at Locations Statewide

Mark your calendars! Registration for the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Summer Data Training is now open. Trainings are scheduled at various locations throughout the state in July and August. This year’s training will focus on reporting system updates. |  More

News & Updates

Maine Honored with National “Difference Makers Award” for Green Schools Leadership

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) were recognized nationally today with the 2025 Difference Makers Award for their groundbreaking collaboration on the Green Schools Initiative, an ambitious statewide effort to support Maine schools in improving energy efficiency, saving public funds, and reducing pollution in the state’s pre-K through grade 12 schools. |  More

Maine DOE, Educate Maine Announce 2025 County Teachers of the Year

The State of Maine is celebrating its newest cohort of County Teachers of the Year. On Wednesday, May 14, at the Hall of Flags in the State Capitol, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with Educate Maine, announced the 16 teachers, representing every county in the state, who were selected for this honor in 2025. |  More

New Early Learning and Development Standards Resources Now Available in Five Languages

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are pleased to announce the release of updated resources designed to support the effective use of the Infant/Toddler and Preschool Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS). These tools offer practical, accessible guidance for families, caregivers, and educators, helping to bring the MELDS into everyday early childhood settings. |  More

Reminder: School Registration Open for Second Annual ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit

Are you ready to open doors to boundless possibilities for your students? Consider registering for the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education’s (OSSIE) second annual ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit, scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Maine Community College. |  More

Hundreds of Students, Guests Attend 95th Annual Maine FFA State Convention

The Maine FFA Association proudly concluded its 95th annual State Convention on May 9, 2025, following two vibrant days of student-led events, competitions, and career development activities held in the Greater Bangor/Orono region. Hosted primarily at the University of Maine campus in Orono, the convention welcomed more than 300 FFA members, advisors, guests, and supporters from across the state. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Kennebec Valley Superintendents’ Association Hosts Successful Biannual Student Showcase Event

On March 27, 2025, more than a dozen school administrative units (SAUs) gathered at Cony High School in Augusta for the biannual Kennebec Valley Superintendents’ Association (KVSA) Showcase. This interactive event, which takes place every two years, serves as a platform for students and teachers from central Maine to share more about the great work happening in their schools with a wider audience. |  More

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Students Get a Sweet Lesson in Science, Math, and New England Tradition

Students at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School in Springvale have had a sweet lesson in science, math, and New England tradition, thanks to a school-wide maple sugaring project. This initiative transformed playground maple trees into educational tools, as children collected sap, tracked data, and ultimately created their own maple syrup in a unique cross-curricular learning experience. |  More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Maine DOE Launches Statewide Professional Learning Days to Expand Equity and Support Capacity

In an effort to better support Maine educators, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning and Office of Innovation are launching a new statewide professional learning structure for the 2025-2026 school year. |  More

Register Now for the First Annual ‘Every Teacher a Leader’ Summit, Presented by the Teach Maine Center

The first annual ‘Every Teacher a Leader’ Summit will be held on July 30, 31, and August 1, 2025, at Colby College in Waterville. Modeled after past Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2) gatherings, the Summit will focus on teacher-led sessions, featuring outstanding Maine teachers |  More

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

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

New Early Learning and Development Standards Resources Now Available in Five Languages

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are pleased to announce the release of updated resources designed to support the effective use of the Infant/Toddler and Preschool Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS). These tools offer practical, accessible guidance for families, caregivers, and educators, helping to bring the MELDS into everyday early childhood settings.

Developed by experienced professionals currently working in the early childhood field, these tools reflect real-world practice and are thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of those supporting young children’s growth and learning. This initiative was made possible through funding from the federal Preschool Development Grant, which supports Maine’s ongoing commitment to expanding access and quality in early childhood education.

Key resources include:

  • Clear, user-friendly guides to developmental milestones
  • Practical strategies for implementing learning standards
  • Straightforward explanations of age-appropriate expectations.

Together, these tools help to ensure that all children in Maine receive high-quality care and education aligned with the MELDS.

To support accessibility, all materials are now available in the five most commonly spoken languages in Maine—English, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Portuguese—ensuring families and early childhood professionals across the state can use these resources effectively, regardless of their primary language.

All translated resources are available to download for free on the Maine Department of Education Early Learning Standards website.

For more information, please contact:

Registration Open for In-Person Summer Data Training at Locations Statewide

Mark your calendars! Registration for the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Summer Data Training is now open.

Trainings are scheduled at various locations throughout the state in July and August. This year’s training will focus on reporting system updates. The workshop-style structure of this training will allow staff members from school administrative units (SAUs) the opportunity to work within the Connect system alongside the Maine DOE Data Team.

Dates and Locations:

  • July 29 – Caribou
  • July 30 – Orono
  • July 31 – Machias
  • August 12 – Augusta
  • August 13 – Biddeford

Please use this link to register, andbe sure to select a location to receive updates about your specific training. The Maine DOE is looking forward to this opportunity to meet with SAUs. If you have any questions about this year’s Summer Data Training, please contact Alexandra Cookson at Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov or call 207-446-3897.

Register Now for the First Annual ‘Every Teacher a Leader’ Summit, Presented by the Teach Maine Center

The first annual ‘Every Teacher a Leader’ Summit will be held on July 30, 31, and August 1, 2025, at Colby College in Waterville. Modeled after past Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2) gatherings, the Summit will focus on teacher-led sessions, featuring outstanding Maine teachers presenting on:

  • Leading for Equity
  • Leading for Relationships
  • Leading for Innovation
  • Leading for Best Practices

Attendees will also enjoy networking opportunities, engaging entertainment, contact hours, and delicious meals throughout the event. Evening accommodations will be available in one of Colby College’s finest dorms for a comfortable and convenient stay. Additionally, there will be a few special surprises along the way to make this gathering truly memorable.

The Summit will have two arrival days: Wednesday, July 30 at 4 p.m. for those traveling a distance and Thursday, July 31 at 8:30 a.m. for those who live closer to Waterville. The conference concludes at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 1. 

The cost of the Summit is $45.You may register here. For further information, please contact Teach Maine Center administrator Karen MacDonald at  macdok235@gmail.com.

The Teach Maine Center is a statewide partnership that supports and advances a vibrant educator workforce in Maine, which ensures student achievement and success. The Center and its opportunities are administered by Educate Maine in partnership with the Maine Department of Education. To learn more about the Teach Maine Center, please visit: educatemaine.org/teach-maine-center.

Maine DOE Launches Statewide Professional Learning Days to Expand Equity and Support Capacity

In an effort to better support Maine educators, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning and Office of Innovation are launching a new statewide professional learning structure for the 2025-2026 school year. By coordinating statewide learning days and offering support where it’s most needed, the Maine DOE hopes to empower school administrative units (SAUs), lighten local workloads, and help all Maine educators to feel more connected, supported, and equipped to meet the needs of their students.

As part of this offering, there will be three full days of free professional development workshops across the 2025-2026 school year. These sessions are intentionally aligned with the professional learning days already built into many school calendars, providing an easy way for SAUs and schools to incorporate these opportunities into their existing plans.

All workshops will be held in-person at three University of Maine System campuses—the University of Maine at Orono, the University of Maine at Farmington, and the University of Southern Maine—and will also be offered live online through a hybrid format. To ensure maximum flexibility, sessions will be recorded and available asynchronously. Contact hours will be awarded for participation in sessions.

Key benefits of this structure include:

  • Equity of Access: Educators across all regions and school types can access consistent, high-quality professional development, regardless of geography or resources.
  • Improved Efficiency: The Maine DOE-developed sessions reduce planning burdens on individual SAUs, while providing timely, relevant content aligned with statewide priorities.
  • Coherence and Quality: Topics are directly connected to Maine Learning Results and shaped by feedback from Maine educators.

Workshop offerings span a wide range of educator needs, including Wabanaki Studies, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), literacy, Universal Design for Learning, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), numeracy, inclusive family engagement, and more. All sessions are grounded in research and designed to deliver practical, classroom-ready tools for educators, from pre-K through grade 12.

The full schedule and session descriptions are now available here. Registration details will be released soon. For more information, please contact Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.