Category: News & Views

New Webinar: The EF-S-05 Part II Special Education Staff Certification Report

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting Special Education Staff data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Thursday March 12th, from 10am to 11am.

The EF-S-05 Part II Special Education Staff Certification report must be verified and certified by the Special Education Director in the Maine DOE’s NEO System. The EF-S-05 Part II Special Education Staff Certification report is used to verify the full-time equivalency (FTE) and qualification status of special education teachers, paraprofessionals (educational technicians), and related services personnel who were employed or contracted to provide special education services to students with disabilities ages 3 through 20 as of December 1, 2019.

This webinar will be an open session for the DOE and the districts to discuss the EF-S-05 Part II Special Education Staff Certification report. We will review frequently asked questions and common data issues found during previous reporting periods.  This is also an opportunity for districts to ask any questions, provide comments, and voice concerns regarding the Special Education Staff Certification process.

The Special Education Staff Certification Report (EF-S-05 Part II) Opens on March 1st, 2020; Deadline is April 15th, 2020.

Access instructions for completing the EF-S-05 Part II report.

To register for the webinar, please click the following registration link and fill out the appropriate fields.

If you have trouble logging into NEO or have other technical issues, contact the help desk at 207-624-6896 or MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov .

For questions about the EF-S-05 Part II report, contact Brandi Giguere at 207-624-6648 or brandi.a.giguere@maine.gov. For assistance or more information, contact us at:  medms.helpdesk@maine.gov or (207)624-6896.

MaineCare Seed Adjustments to be Made, Review Q2 20 Reports by April 10, 2020

The recovery of Q2 20 MaineCare Seed will occur in the April 2020 subsidy payment and the Maine DOE is asking School Administrative Units (SAUs) to review their reports by April 10, 2020 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. SAU staff must review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q220 by April 10, 2020.

To access the MaineCare Seed reports, please follow the instructions below.

  1. Log into NEO using the link below

https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/neo/Dashboard

Anyone who currently has Special Education Director permissions to the Special Education module will automatically have permissions to access MaineCare reports.

As in the past, if a new staff member needs permission to access this module, a request from the Superintendent to the Maine DOE helpdesk will be necessary. The helpdesk contact information is medms.helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.

  1. Click on the Student Data tab
  2. Click on the Student Report tab
  3. Select MaineCare in the Reporting Area drop-down
  4. Choose the quarterly Seed report and the report type (private/public)
  5. Click view report button
  6. Once the report appears on the screen, choose the export button.

You may export the reports to Excel, but please be aware that there may be multiple worksheet tabs within the workbook. Save the file to your computer.

If you disagree that a particular student or time period should be on the report, please provide the reason that you disagree along with the following to Denise.towers@maine.gov.

  • Identify the type of report (public or private) and the quarter in which the claims are located.
  • State Student ID
  • Service provided dates (From and To)
  • Total amount of Seed being disputed

Summer services: Students must be enrolled for the time period they are receiving educational services. This means that students that are receiving extended school year services in district or extended school year services in an out of district placement must have a primary enrollment for that time period in order for the MDOE to have the most accurate enrollment data to determine SAU responsibility for MaineCare Seed.

For more information or technical assistance related to MaineCare Seed, please contact Denise.towers@maine.gov.

 Comments Sought on Maine’s IDEA Part B Application  

The Maine Department of Education is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which covers services to children with disabilities, ages 3-20.

The application, which covers Maine fiscal year 2021 (starting July 1, 2020) is posted on the Maine DOE’s webpage at https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed/director. The Part B budget is projected on the basis of Maine’s award for the current State fiscal year (2020), pending the State’s receipt of the finalized federal award for the coming year. Both documents will be posted from March 6, 2020 through May 10, 2020.

Written comments will be accepted from March 6, 2020 until 4 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2020. Please send comments to Erin Frazier at erin.frazier@maine.gov or 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME. 04333.

TechHire Maine Grant Underway! Training to Join Maine’s Information Technology Workforce!

In July 2016, Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. (CCWI) was awarded $4,000,000 through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to highlight Maine’s Information Technology (IT) industry and create a pipeline of skilled workers. TechHire Maine a five-year grant, recruits, assesses, trains and places individuals in occupations in Maine’s IT industry.

The State Office of Adult Education, through five local Adult Education providers covering five counties, will assist in the development of, recruitment for, and delivery of face to face CompTIA A+ Academies to serve the specific needs of TechHire eligible, out of school youth between the ages of 17-29 with an interest and aptitude for work in the IT sector. These CompTIA A+ Academies will provide foundational digital skills for those who need them and will include the IC3 Digital Literacy and CompTIA A+ training and certification exams, as well as contextualized work readiness for the IT pathway.

Successful graduates will receive two industry recognized credentials; IC3 and CompTIA A+.  CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. This free training is an excellent opportunity for Maine residents between 17-29, including the approximately 30% of graduating seniors with no post-secondary plan.  For more information about trainings beginning soon, email techhire207@gmail.com or visit the TechHire Maine Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/techhiremaine/

This $4 million workforce development project is fully funded by a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant awarded to and managed by Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc., the Local Workforce Development Board for Maine’s six coastal counties. This is an equal opportunity employer / program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

2020 Beyond the Basics Conference focused on Inclusive Suicide Prevention Strategies – April 10  

The theme of this year’s conference is Building Hope Across Populations. It will feature national experts on inclusive suicide prevention strategies and breakout sessions that will explore how to serve Maine’s at-risk, diverse, and growing populations. The audience is professionals, educators, clinicians, first responders, and community members from across the state looking to enrich their skills with best practice information, guidance, and resources around suicide response and prevention. Click here for more information and to register.

Maine DOE Seeks Applicants for Paid Professional Learning Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in learning more about the competitive grant process.  Selected applicants will be trained to serve as peer reviewers who assist the Department in to reviewing, assessing, and scoring competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Leaning Centers (21st CCLC) Program.  The 21st CCLC program is a federally-funded education program that provides competitive funding for schools and communities to develop before-school, after-school, and summer educational programs that support students and their families.

This year’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 21st CCLC program was released to the public on January 2 and is available online at: https://www.4pcamaine.org/century21/FY2020/. The Department anticipates receiving proposals from local education agencies, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities seeking awards under this RFP.

Qualifications:

Applicants will be selected based on their experience in providing effective academic support, enrichment, youth development, and related support services for children and youth.  The most qualified candidates will be individuals who have experience in the administration of high-quality youth development programs within schools and communities.  Examples of the experienced individuals sought include, but are not limited to:

  • 21st CCLC program directors and site coordinators
  • Teachers and principals
  • College and university staff
  • Youth development workers
  • Community resource providers

Please note that an applicant or member of an applicant’s organization will not be selected to serve as a member of the Department’s peer review team.

Required Tasks:

Selected applicants will work individually to read each assigned application and create detailed, objective, constructive, and well-written comments on approximately 10-12 applications based on the criteria established in the RFP. These comments will be turned in to the Department prior to participating in on-site consensus scoring sessions.  Applicants must be able to participate in an online training webinar and review grant applications through a web-based system.  It is anticipated that selected candidates will have a three (3) week window in which to complete the individual review of assigned proposals.  Following the individual review of proposals, each successful applicant will be required to travel to the Maine Department of Education for two scheduled scoring days.  It is during these consensus scoring sessions that the peer review team to score each application.

Selected candidates must complete the following tasks during the following date(s):

Task Date(s) Time(s)
Participate in an online training webinar April 3, 2020 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Review grant applications through a web-based system and provide individual, written comments on each application (which MUST be turned in to the Department) April 6, 2020 –
April 28, 2020		 Any Time
Participate in on-site consensus scoring sessions which will be located at the Maine Department of Education in Augusta, ME April 30, 2020;
May 1, 2020		 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM;
9:00 AM – Finished

Compensation for Services:

Selected reviewers who complete the required tasks will be reimbursed for travel costs to and from the consensus scoring sessions as well as provided a $85 honorarium per assigned application.

Previous participants have also found that serving as a member of the peer review team is an excellent opportunity for professional development and growth. It is likely that, if selected, applicants will be exposed to new program models, strategies, and practices.  These new concepts may provide ideas and support for ongoing work as well as future grant writing efforts.  Most importantly, the time given to this effort will help ensure the funding of quality education programs for the children and families of Maine.

How to Apply:

Interested parties must contact Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov to obtain a copy of the 2020 peer reviewer application and then return the completed application along with a current resume or CV.

Pursuant to Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, peer reviewers may not include any applicant, or representative of an applicant, that has or will submit a proposal in response to the current competition.

Deadline:

The Maine Department of Education will continue accepting peer reviewer applications through March 12, 2020 or until the needed positions are filled.  Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Contact:

For more information, contact State Coordinator, Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov or 624-6709.

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Tammy Ranger

Maine DOE team member Tamara (Tammy) Ranger is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Tammy in this brief question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Educator Excellence Team Coordinator in the Office of Higher Education and Educator Support Services. My work, along with other members of our team and MDOE staff, includes elevating and celebrating the teaching profession through educator recognition programs, such as the Maine Teacher of the Year/County Teacher of the Year program, National Board Certification, the #LoveTeaching Campaign, Teacher Appreciation week, and much more! In order to highlight, support, and leverage the heroic work happening daily in Maine’s public schools, we are exploring additional educator recognition programs and new opportunities for teacher leadership. Closely connected to these efforts is another major aspect of our work: Educator Recruitment and Retention. Stay tuned for more information about the #TeachMaine campaign and the work of the Educator Talent Committee!

How or why did you decide on this career?

Prior to coming to the MDOE last year, I taught middle school (literacy) in Skowhegan for nearly 20 years! I absolutely loved teaching—designing relevant and engaging lessons, building relationships with students (kids are the most amazing humans!), creating caring and respectful classrooms, learning and laughing alongside my students, challenging them, supporting them, and celebrating with them as they reached new goals, and yes, sometimes crying with them when life threw unexpected curveballs their way. A love for my kids, craft, and content fueled my passion for teaching and my desire to continue growing as an educator. I was fortunate to work in MSAD 54: a district that recognizes and supports teacher voice, autonomy, creativity, and leadership. During my time in MSAD 54, I earned my master’s degree, National Board Certification, was named the 2016 Somerset County Teacher of the Year, and the 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year. As the 2017 MTOY, my platform was “ensuring every student is taught by an accomplished educator.”  The work I’m doing here builds on that platform, which ultimately supports equitable, strong learning opportunities and outcomes for kids, and fosters continued growth, innovation, and excitement in Maine’s educator workforce!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I thrive on a healthy lifestyle! Favorite outdoor activities include hiking, kayaking, and snowshoeing (yay for living in a beautiful state like Maine!). When inside, I enjoy yoga, weight-lifting, and time on my elliptical trainer (especially if I have an awesome playlist going!)  Cooking is fun–I like experimenting with plant-based recipes, and a daily meditation practice keeps me centered. Reading remains a favorite, and best of all is time with friends and family!

RECOGNIZING GREAT EDUCATORS: Department of Education Talent Pool!

The Maine Department of Education believes that by promoting the excellence that exists in classrooms and schools across Maine, we will increase the trust and respect given to educators, and encourage and support others in an outstanding career working with Maine’s students.

We are seeking recommendations for our Maine Department of Education Talent Pool.  This opportunity is for the unsung heroes who are making a difference for students, and likely will continue to expand that impact far beyond their classrooms or schools. The Department of Education hopes to connect these current educational luminaries to one another, to decision making at the department, and to other practitioners in the field. By tapping into their professional expertise and insights, and encouraging educator to educator collaboration and sharing, Maine’s learners will continue to thrive!  Those who are recommended can determine their capacity and interest in engagement, there is no expectation beyond being an outstanding educator.

Please help us in the expansion of our Talent Pool, and with our continued efforts to support and celebrate the amazing work being done in classrooms across Maine every day! We encourage school and district leaders to submit recommendations by April 30, 2020.

For more information, please check out the webpage and recommendation form, or reach out to Emily Doughty at Emily.doughty@maine.gov or (207)624-6748.

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Names Sebago Elementary School Educator as 2020 Teacher of the Year

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) recently awarded Sebago Elementary School fourth and fifth grade teacher Ted Bridge-Koenigsberg as the 2020 MAITC Teacher of the Year. Pictured above is Ted receiving his award from Amanda Beal, the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Willie Grenier, Executive Director of Maine Agriculture in the Classroom.

In their Newsletter, MAITC talks about Ted and how he integrates agriculture in his classroom:

Ted currently teaches grades four and five at Sebago Elementary School and has been using agriculture in his classroom for years to help transform the educational experience of his students. The Sebago Elementary School Garden hosts a combination of flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, and the centerpiece: grapes. Ted has been using the grape vines, perhaps more than any other species in the garden, to get kids interested in plants, and the food they produce. Ted has coordinated with Sebago Elementary kitchen staff, providing hands-on lessons that have seen the students make grape jam, and even grape fruit leather, right in the classroom. His current project is “Fleece to Felted Footwear,” where students are learning about fiber processing by turning raw wool and natural dyes into warm felted woolen shoes they can wear, integrating art, science, and social studies! In June, Ted will be traveling with us to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah to attend sessions, and learn and connect with other educators from all over the country, and take that information and resources back to his school.

As part of the award, the MAITC teacher of the year gets to attend the MAITC annual Summer Teacher’s Institute free of cost and they also get to go to the National Ag in the Classroom conference.

The MAITC Teacher of the Year is a Maine elementary or secondary teacher who is using agricultural education materials/activities/resources in their classroom to teach core subjects. Teachers can apply for this award or be nominated. More information about the award and how to nominate or apply is available on the MAITC website.