Math4ME Accomplishments and Update

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services is pleased to report the accomplishments of the Math4Maine (Math4ME) project, and announce plans for scaling up. Currently, the initiative is concluding the second year of implementation and planning for year-3.

Maine’s State Systematic Improvement plan, a requirement of the federal Office of Special Programs, Math4ME is designed to implement evidence-based professional development to improve math proficiency of students with disabilities in grades 3-8 and to improve instructional practices of teachers of these students.

Math4ME training is grounded in hands-on activities and interactive professional learning experiences that allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of core concepts of mathematics and strategies. Program content includes operations with whole numbers, fractions and decimals, and algebraic and geometric reasoning; problem solving skills and processes; and assessment, diagnostic probes, and formative feedback.

The Maine DOE developed a 5-day training module that includes a 3-day summer training and 2 training days during the school year. Throughout the year, teachers receive support from the Department, differentiated according to teacher experience in the program. All teachers receive support cycles, which include classroom observation and written feedback. In addition, participants have access to many resources, including a Math4ME Informational Padlet Website and a monthly newsletter.

Over the last two years, the project has trained two cohorts that comprise 34 teachers, 1 teacher mentor, and 3 district math coaches. These participants represent 17 schools from 7 School Administrative Units (SAUs). To date, findings on the effectiveness of Math4ME on student and teacher performance has been positive. Year-1 student data shows that students taught by a Math4ME-trained teacher performed better on the Maine Education Assessment for math compared to students who were not taught by Math4ME trained teachers. In addition, teacher surveys and evaluation results indicate that the training has had a positive impact on teachers’ knowledge and equipped them with multiple ways to represent mathematical ideas.

Math4ME Feedback from Math4ME participants and an administrator include:

“The Math4ME work has allowed me to view math in a whole new way. I find that I am less focused on a student’s ability to solve a problem correctly and more focused on understanding and exploring that student’s decision making process in solving the problem. This allows students to understand and appreciate the work they do in class, as well as give them the real-world skills they will need in the future. It has also helped me to evolve as a teacher, to take a step back and ask myself what I want students to get out of a lesson. I would highly recommend the Math4ME program to all. – Shannon Wooten, Teacher, Greene Central School

“Math4ME has trained me how to strategically question students in order to get them thinking mathematically. Math4ME training and resources provide the insight teachers need to encourage mathematical behaviors such as logical thinking, testing conjectures, and meaningful reflection while problem solving.” – Bridgette Ortiz, Teacher, Bowdoinham Community School

“The feedback from my teachers has been extremely positive. They love having the coach come into their classroom to observe and offer feedback. The rich 1-on-1 discussions about their mathematical teaching practices that followed the lessons were some of the best professional development they have ever experienced.” – Danielle Harris, Principal, Leeds Central School

A Cohort 3 training is scheduled for August with teachers and coaches from returning schools as well as participants from three new schools from two SAUs. The Office of Special Services will continue to support scale up of Math4ME by building the infrastructure and capacity needed to improve math proficiency for Maine children with disabilities and improve the instructional practices of their teachers.

For more information, please contact Jayne Chase (jayne.chase@maine.gov) or Cheryl Tobey (cheryl.tobey@maine.gov).

Seeking comments for proposed Rule Chapter 13: Qualifying Examinations for Teachers, Educational Specialists and Administrators

Rulemaking for Chapter 13: Qualifying Examinations for Teacher, Educational Specialists and Administrators been filed as a proposed routine technical rule. A hearing date and comment period have been scheduled. The proposed rule has been posted on the Proposed Rule web page of the Maine DOE website. Proposed rules can be found in order of chapter number.

Purpose of the rule revision: This rule outlines passing scores on Education Testing Service (ETS) tests necessary for professional educator certification. Proposed changes include updated test numbers to align with ETS changes and revised language to align recently passed Chapter 115 changes that go into effect July 14, 2018.

Hearing Date: July 16, 2018 at 10:00 – 11:00 AM Room 500 of the Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, Maine.

Comment period: ends on July 30, 2018.

Comments may be submitted in person at the time of the scheduled hearing or in writing via email to Jaci Holmes at jaci.holmes@maine.gov.

RSU 2 Coordinator of Student Achievement Named Maine’s 2018 Curriculum Leader of the Year

RSU 2 Coordinator of Student Achievement, Matthew Shea has been named Maine’s 2018 Curriculum Leader of the Year. Shea was nominated by his Superintendent, Bill Zima and curriculum leaders outside his district. Zima calls him, “one of the best administrators I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”

Shea’s curriculum colleagues admire his passionate advocacy for personalized learning and his commitment to help other educators learn. He frequently leads learning opportunities across Maine and nationally.

He and RSU 2 Instructional Coach Courtney Belolan host the nationally-recognized podcast, “Personalized Learning with Matt and Courtney,” described as “engaging, hilarious, and thought-provoking” by listeners.

For further questions contact The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association at director@mainecla.org.

Maine DOE Switching to a New Website

The Maine Department of Education will be switching to a new website over the course of the summer months. It is expected that the new website will be live and functioning in the month of August.

The new website will replace the current website found at maine.gov/doe and will have a similar look and feel. Changes include an improved menu structure, a better search function, a more user-friendly interface, and a content management system which will allow the Department to keep content updated in a timelier fashion.

Please note that in making this switch, some of the current links may change. Those who have bookmarked links to the Department’s website may need resave their bookmarks when the new website is released. During the transition, the Department will make every effort to maintain open lines of communication to ensure that the field can find information on the new website. In addition, the A to Z index will in remain in place as an added tool for finding information.

For further questions, please contact Maine DOE Communications Director Rachel Paling at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Initiates Electronic Registration System

In an effort to control cost and improve services, the Maine DOE is now using the standard electronic event registration system. Like many organizations that require electronic registration for professional development opportunities and meetings, the Maine DOE system requires payment at the time of registration. Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are all accepted forms of payment. Links to registration will now appear on invitations to participate.

The event registration system eliminates the time consuming paper registration system which includes collecting purchase orders, invoicing schools, and waiting for payment. The system simplifies the human hours and resources required to provide necessary and meaningful opportunities for Maine educators to access information and training with the Department.

This system update is a cost effective measure which enhances DOE specialists’ ability to provide continuing support and honors the intention of federal funding sources which are meant to be reimbursements. In practice, this change enhances accountability and fiscal responsibility.

Please note that purchase orders will no longer be accepted and all attendees will need to use a credit card.

Bureau of Justice Assistance Announces Two Grant Opportunities Under the STOP School Violence Act

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), alongside the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is inviting state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to apply for grant funding under the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) Violence Act Program. This act seeks to support and assist those jurisdictions in increasing the safety of their school personnel and students. To these ends, the BJA has announced two competitive grants: The Prevention and Mental Health Training Program and the Threat Assessment and Technology Reporting Program. Applications for both grants are due July 23, 2018.

The Threat Assessment and Technology Reporting Program would support and assist state, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions as they work to improve efforts to reduce violent crime, focusing on the creation of threat assessment teams for schools and the use of technology to create anonymous reporting systems for suspicious activity related to violence in schools. More information on the Threat Assessment and Technology Reporting Program grant competition can be found at: https://www.bja.gov/funding/SSVthreat18.pdf

The Prevention and Mental Health Training Program would support and assist state, local, and tribal jurisdictions as they work to improve efforts to reduce violent crime, focusing on the creation of school safety training and mental health programs related to violence in schools for school personnel and students. More information on the Prevention and Mental Health Training Program grant competition can be found at: https://www.bja.gov/funding/SSVtraining18.pdf

For more information, contact Pat.Hinckley@maine.gov or support@grants.gov.

Maine DOE Partners with National Retail Foundation and Retail Association of Maine to Provide RISE Up Retail Training

The National Retail Foundation, the Maine Department of Education’s Adult Education program, and the Retail Association of Maine are partnering in the creation of a RISE Up training program for Maine adults seeking retail training and certification.

The program will begin in Maine with a pilot group of young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 in Kittery, but the Maine DOE has plans to replicate this program across the state later this year, and the training is designed to be accessible to participants of all backgrounds, economic means, ages, and education.

The RISE Up program, which was launched nationwide by the NRF in January of 2017 and has since trained and certified over 26,000 participants, will provide training for three workforce skills credentials. This includes the Retail Industry Fundamentals credential, which prepares participants for a variety entry-level retail associate positions by training them in related skills, ranging from retail tools and technology to interview skills.

More information on the program and the credentials it offers can be found on the Maine Retail Foundation’s website.

FY19 ESEA Application and 2017-2018 Performance Report Now Open for Submission

The 2018-2019 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Consolidated Application for funds (FY19 ESEA Application) and 2017-2018 Performance Report are now open for completion and submission. ESEA Coordinators are encouraged to review each page of the application/performance report and contact the assigned Regional ESEA Team Member at the Maine DOE with any questions regarding the application.

Here are a few reminders when preparing to submit your application:

Ensure the projects within the application are based on the needs reported in your Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA).
Each SAU must submit a CNA by July 1, 2018. Please email your submission to Janette.Kirk@maine.gov. ESEA funding is dependent upon the submission of a CNA to the Maine Department of Education in conjunction with the FY19 ESEA Application. ESEA funding applications will not be reviewed if a district level CNA has not been submitted to the Maine DOE. A delay in a CNA submission will delay ESEA funding.
All applications for ESEA funding are due on August 1, 2018.
Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received by your assigned Regional ESEA Team Member.
Districts with private schools should be completing their consultation during the month of June. This information needs to be submitted under the Non-Public Participation Form section of the FY19 ESEA Application.
Please direct all questions to your assigned Regional ESEA Team Member.
LEA’s Consolidated Applications are not complete without a Superintendent’s certification.

The Department appreciates the hard work and continual support in making this process effective for all schools in the State of Maine.

For further information and questions please contact Chelsey Fortin-Trimble at 624-6815 or Chelsey.A.Fortin@maine.gov or Janette Kirk at 624-6707 or Janette.Kirk@maine.gov

MEDIA RELEASE: Student Nutrition Continues Beyond School Year with Summer Food Service Program

AUGUSTA — With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of children in Maine during the school year. With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping children healthy while school is out. The Summer Food Service Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture program, operates at hundreds of sites across Maine to ensure children get the nutrition they need when school is out.

“The National School Lunch Program is an important element of the Maine public school system’s dedication to providing a healthy learning environment for students, and we are equally dedicated to ensuring that healthy environment can be extended to them even when school is not in session through the Summer Food Service Program,” said Maine Department of Education Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr.

“This program seeks to address a clear health need during the summer months wherever it may be evident in Maine, and while it has been successful in doing so in the past, the Department expects that increased participation this summer will further foster this success and, as a result, the continued health of Maine students.”

The Summer Food Service Program may be offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or census track data supports the need. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations.

In 2017, 120 sponsors participated in the program, serving meals at 438 sites throughout the state. In 2018, these numbers are expected to grow. The 2018 program begins statewide today, Monday, June 18. Sponsors operate open sites in all 16 counties in Maine; anyone 18 and under may come to eat at no cost. To find nearby Summer Meal sites, please visit USDA’s Summer Meal Site Finder website at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks, text “Summer Meals” to 97779 or call Maine 211. Information is available mid-June.

For more information about the Maine DOE’s Summer Food Service Program, contact adriane.ackroyd@maine.gov, call 624-6726 or visit http://www.maine.gov/doe/nutrition/programs/sfsp/index.html.

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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Agency ere they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, heard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. In accordance with State law this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Update on Educator Portal of New Online Certification System

The Maine Department of Education launched the educator portal of the new online certification system yesterday, June 14, 2018. Following the release of the educator portal, the Department is sharing the results of the release, including some helpful times for those who have yet to log-in and renew:

On the first day 2,564 educators created their accounts and 1,605 applications were submitted through the new online system. From those applications, 1,498 endorsements were auto issued immediately.
As of June 21, 2018, more than 7,300 educator accounts have been created, the Department has received more than 4,500 applications and 2,800 of those applicants have received one or more auto issued endorsements (more than 4,100 endorsements have been auto issued so far).

Items to know:

The renewal process is customized to each individual educator’s file and steps in the process will be skipped depending on what is needed from the educator.
If educators are renewing a professional or a provisional certificate and no fingerprint checks are required, the certificate will be auto renewed immediately.
- For all other certificates or if anything needs to be checked, the renewal will be placed in a queue for evaluators to analyze.
If educators have been recommended by their certification chair, there is no need to upload documentation and those steps will be skipped in the process.
If you are having issues using the internet browser Firefox, please try a different browser (for example, Chrome or Internet Explorer).
The system will not accept American Express as a payment.
During payment, when you are asked to input the address it is asking for your billing address, not the address of your credit card company.

Reminder from yesterday’s initial launch communication:

Download Instructions on How to Create an Account.
Once your account is created, you may log-in and complete the steps necessary to renew your credential. Please download the step by step instructions on How to Submit a Renewal Application.
If you are currently working in a Maine public school district and have not been recommended by your certification committee, please confer with your certification chair and/or superintendent.

The Certification Office is available to answer questions by phone at 207-624-6603, Monday through Friday from 9:00AM – 3:30PM.

Further communications and updates are available on the Maine Department of Education Certification Webpage, Maine DOE’s official Facebook and Twitter pages, and the DOE newsroom.