Maine DOE begins math achievement pilot program in 6 Maine elementary schools

The Maine Department of Education is embarking on a new initiative called the Numeracy4ME K-4 Mathematics Pilot program. The project is designed to improve the mathematics achievement of students in kindergarten through grade four in 6 pilot schools: Academy Hill, Cherryfield Elementary School, Cornville Charter School, G.D. Cushing School, Indian Township School, and Milbridge Elementary School.

Students in kindergarten through grade four in the pilot schools are the focus of the Numeracy4ME Project. These learners will be supported by their teachers, who will be engaging in high quality professional learning on numeracy related instructional practices delivered by trained mathematics specialists. In addition, each school will be supported by a Maine Department of Education mathematics specialist coach.

Schools were selected based on mathematics achievement, defined by Maine Education Assessment (MEA) proficiency rates in Grades 3 and 4, and economic need, defined by free and reduced lunch counts. The pilot includes schools in two Regions: Washington County and Franklin/Somerset County.

As a pilot project, the Numeracy4ME program is designed to study results of implementation to inform decisions about extending the opportunity to other Maine schools in the future. The resources available to support the project are limited to 25 teachers in each region.

The Numeracy4ME Pilot Project will run from January 2018 through June 2018 and, pending funding, will continue through July 2019.

For more information about the Numeracy4ME Pilot Project contact Cheryl Toby, Mathematics Specialist for the Maine Department of Education at Cheryl.Tobey@maine.gov.

Equitable Services Training for ESEA Coordinators and Private School Officials

The Maine Department of Education will host a workshop regarding Equitable Shares for Private Schools. This workshop is designed as guidance and technical support for all ESEA Coordinators and Private School Officials that receive funds for equitable services across the state.

Participants will gain a better understanding of providing Equitable Services under ESSA through the following:

ESEA Titles including Title I, Title II, Title III, and Title IV
A review of Statute, Regulatory, and Non-Regulatory resources in providing Equitable Services
A review of the Role of State Ombudsman
A clear understanding of the consultation requirements under the law
An understanding of the impact of transferability and equitable shares
The process for disputes between public and non-public schools
How allocations are derived for public and non-public schools
Type and Delivery of Equitable Services
Allowable costs for private schools in each title

When: Thursday, April 12, 2018

Time: 9:00 A.M.-12 Noon

Where: Capital Area Technical Center, 40 Pierce Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330

Who Should attend: Private Schools officials responsible for delivery of equitable services, ESEA Coordinators, Curriculum Coordinators, Principals, Assistant Superintendents, Superintendents.Why: Under ESSA the provision of equitable services has changed. It is critical that public and non-public schools work together to provide fair and equitable services to eligible students according to the law. This workshop will help guide your decision making as a school administrator and ensure responsible fiscal stewardship in federal funding for both public and non-public schools across the state.

Register by clicking on the link below:

http://events.egov.com/eventreg/ME/event.htm?name=equitableservicesunderessa

Please register by no later than April 1, 2018. Space is limited.

For questions regarding this workshop or equitable services please contact Charles.lomonte@maine.gov

Save the date: 2018 Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents

The 107th Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents will be held Wednesday, June 27th through Thursday, June 28th at the Augusta Civic Center.

Registration information and a detailed agenda will be available in the coming weeks.

For more information, please contact Georgette Valliere at 624-6605 or georgette.valliere@maine.gov.

3/9 CNA/SAU Consolidated Plan technical assistance session rescheduled (re-registration needed)

Due to the impending snow storm scheduled to arrive late Wednesday, March 7 and expected to continue through the early hours of Friday, March 9, the Department has made the decision to cancel the CNA/SAU Consolidated Plan technical assistance session scheduled for 9 am on Friday, March 9, 2018. The session has been rescheduled for Friday, March 30, 2018. Please re-register at the link provided below.

Those who registered for the March 9 session have been notified directly via email.

Rescheduled Session (please re-register below):

Friday, March 30, 2018
9:00 am
Camden National Bank Ice Vault
203 Whitten Road
Hallowell, Maine

To attended the rescheduled session, please complete the registration below by Monday March 19, 2018.

Re-register here: https://goo.gl/forms/6FVmFR2YmbnTriu43

For further questions contact Janette Kirk, Deputy Director of the Office of Learning Systems for the Maine Department of Education at Janette.Kirk@maine.gov.

Proposed Rules for Chapters 115 and 180 (Credentialing and PEPG)

Revised Rule Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel and Rule Chapter 180: Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Systems have been provisionally adopted and will go to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

Proposed rules are posted on the Proposed Rule web page of the Maine DOE website – rules can be found in order of chapter number.

Purpose of the rulemaking:

Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel

Major Substantive

The changes made the language clear, more concise, logical, and sequential and reduced the number of pages in Part 1 from over 40 to under 30. Some of the specific changes include:

Consolidation of the number of credentials available to three: (1) a clearance (formerly known as an approval), (2) a certificate, and (3) a conditional certificate;
Changes to the credentialing of educational technicians Is and IIs to provide greater flexibility and discretion to school administrative units;
Establishes an educational technician state certificate (for the former educational technician IIIs);
Requires superintendents to certify credentials of employees every six months against the chart provided in the rule by Department of Education of the corresponding NEO position codes with the valid endorsements;
Updated definitions, including the definition of “teaching experience” so it can now be accrued during long-term substitute teaching;
Revised to fine-tune some of the endorsements; and
Added a new pathway to bring people into the classroom based on work experience and other qualifications.

Chapter 180: Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Systems

Major Substantive

Changes are contained in a new Section (11): Peer Support and Feedback, and accomplish the following:

Retain a peer level of peer support and feedback for all teachers and principals.
Establish a mentor/coach component for all newly hired and conditionally certified teachers.
Differentiate peer support requirements to provide greater support for new and conditionally certified teachers.
Provide greater, more structured support for conditionally certified special education teachers.
Provide the school administrative unit with flexibility in establishing mentor and coach qualifications as well as assigning mentors and coaches to better target educator needs.
Sharpen the line between peer support components and evaluation components

The proposed rules will be presented to The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs in the current legislative session. Committee schedules for Public Hearings and Work Sessions can be found on the Maine State Legislature’s website.

Seeking comments for proposed repeal of Rule Chapter 250: School Approval for Non-Traditional Limited Purpose Schools

Rule Chapter 250: School Approval for Non-Traditional Limited Purpose Schools has been filed to be repealed as the underlying statutory authority has been repealed.

The original statutory language can be found on the Proposed Rule web page of the Maine DOE website.

Comments can be submitted in writing via email to Jaci Holmes at jaci.holmes@maine.gov by March 30, 2018.

Seeking comments for proposed repeal of Rule Chapter 129: Rights and Responsibilities of Educators and Pupils

Rule Chapter 129: Rights and Responsibilities of Educators and Pupils has been filed to be repealed as the underlying statutory authority has been repealed.

The original statutory language can be found on the Proposed Rule web page of the Maine DOE website.

Comments can be submitted in writing via email to Jaci Holmes at jaci.holmes@maine.gov by March 30, 2018.

Seeking comments for proposed repeal of Rule Chapter 51: Child Nutrition Programs in Public Schools and Institutions – regulations already outlined in federal law

Rule Chapter 51: Child Nutrition Programs in Public Schools and Institutions has been filed to be repealed. The routine technical rule is not needed as the federal regulations articulate the responsibilities for the school administrative units to follow.

The original statutory language can be found on the Proposed Rule web page of the Maine DOE website.

Comments can be submitted in writing via email to Jaci Holmes at jaci.holmes@maine.gov by March 30, 2018.

Seeking comments for proposed Rule Chapter 45: Rule for Vision and Hearing Screening in Maine Schools

Rulemaking for Chapter 45: Rule for Vision and Hearing Screening in Maine Schools been filed as a proposed routine technical rule. A hearing date and comment periods has 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 the standards and processes for periodic vision and hearing screenings. The purpose of a screening is to identify potential hearing or vision deficits among school age children and refer for further care. Updates to the rule reflect current national recommendations for hearing and vision screenings. The rule clarifies techniques and acceptable research-based tools for schools to use.

Hearing Date:
March 20, 2018 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Room 541 of the Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, Maine

Comment period: ends on March 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.

Seeking comments for proposed Rule Chapter 14: Education of Homeless Students

Rulemaking for Chapter 14: Education of the Homeless Students been filed as a proposed routine technical rule. A hearing date and comment period has 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 is a revision of the existing rule which defines a homeless student, outlines procedures for identifying and enrolling homeless students and for resolving disputes over their identification and educational placement, and assures access to appropriate educational services for homeless students consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Hearing Date:
March 20, 2018 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Room 541 of the Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, Maine

Comment period: ends on March 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.