Category: News & Views

Maine DOE Update – October 6, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Three Maine schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools by United States Department of Education

Falmouth Middle School, Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden, and Sea Road School in Kennebunk were among the 329 public and private schools across the country this week named 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education Secretary John King.

All three Maine schools were honored as “Exemplary High Performing Schools.”

“To be named a National Blue Ribbon School, schools must meet strict criteria, and these three Maine schools deserve great credit for their dedication to the mission of educating our children. I commend the educators, parents, and students who all work to make these schools such proud examples of excellence in the state of Maine,” said Deputy Commissioner of Education William Beardsley.

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Notices and Reporting Items

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News & Views

Maine Department of Education announces the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching State Finalists

Maine DOE is honored to announce the four state finalists for the 2016 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST). | More

Maine DOE accepting School Improvement Grant applications through December 14

The Maine Department of Education will once again be accepting applications for School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding during the 2016-17 school year. | More

Maine DOE offers 2017 performance evaluation and professional growth mini-booster grants to SAUs

In an effort to continue assisting school administrative units (SAUs) in their performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) development the Maine DOE is offering mini-booster grants of $1,500. | More

A message for superintendents in partnership with Head Start, child care and private preschool programs

To date, there has been some confusion around public preschool teachers with Conditional 081 Early Childhood Teacher Certification who have been hired and are employed by a partnering program. | More

U.S. Senate Youth Program Application Deadline is Oct. 17

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. | More

Secretary of State hosting ‘Voter Reg Rumble’ competition to encourage youth registration

This general election season, Maine’s Secretary of State is hosting a voter registration competition encouraging students to get involved in the electoral process. | More

Election resources available on Maine Department of Education website

The Maine Department of Education has a webpage devoted to resources that may be helpful in teaching about the Presidential election and the election process. | More

Input sought for teacher shortage areas

The Maine DOE has been notified of the requirement to submit Maine teacher shortage areas by December 9 for designation by the U.S. Department of Education for the 2017-18 school year. | More

NEO Transportation Upgrade and EFT-24 Vehicle Mileage and Operations Report due date extension

The due date for the year-end EFT-24 Vehicle Mileage and Operations Report has been extended to December 31. | More

Statements of Assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial Reconciliations (formerly MEDMS) due Nov. 1

Statements of assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial reconciliations, as required by Title 20-A MRSA 6051 §4, are due by November 1. | More

State agency client students in crisis placements

The Maine DOE previously (1/22/14) issued guidance with respect to students in crisis placements. That guidance applies as well to students who are hospitalized as a result of a mental health crisis. | More

Reminder: National Board Certified Teacher Salary Supplement due Oct. 15

Superintendents of a school administrative unit or the director of a publicly-supported secondary school or CTE region must submit to the Maine DOE by Oct. 15. | More

Professional development opportunity for education technicians working with students with challenging behaviors

Please note the original location of the Oct. 25 training has changed and will now be held in Brewer. As of Oct. 5, the Oct. 24 session remains open; all slots have been filled for Oct. 25. | More

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine Department of Education announces the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching State Finalists

Maine DOE is honored to announce the four state finalists for the 2016 Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST). The 2016 cycle recognizes elementary teachers.

Continue reading “Maine Department of Education announces the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching State Finalists” →

U.S. Senate Youth Program Application Deadline is Oct. 17

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), established in 1962, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students. Each year, two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity spend a week in Washington, D.C., experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. Delegates also participate in a meeting with a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses are provided by the Hearst Foundations.

Continue reading “U.S. Senate Youth Program Application Deadline is Oct. 17” →

Maine DOE accepting School Improvement Grant applications through December 14

The Maine Department of Education will once again be accepting applications for School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding during the 2016-17 school year. Grant awards made under this program could yield up to $1.5 million each to help close achievement gaps.

Continue reading “Maine DOE accepting School Improvement Grant applications through December 14” →

Statements of Assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial Reconciliations (formerly MEDMS) due Nov. 1

Statements of assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial reconciliations, as required by Title 20-A MRSA 6051 §4, are due by November 1, 2016. Any adjustments identified by these reconciliations should be submitted to MEDMS Financial by November 30, 2016.

Continue reading “Statements of Assurance and MEFS (Maine Educational Financial System) Financial Reconciliations (formerly MEDMS) due Nov. 1” →

State agency client students in crisis placements

The Maine DOE previously (1/22/14) issued guidance with respect to students in crisis placements. That guidance applies as well to students who are hospitalized as a result of a mental health crisis, i.e., those students remain enrolled in their home SAUs, which SAUs remain responsible for providing educational services to them. In the case of a state agency client student in crisis who is expected to return to the same placement after stabilization, the SAU where the placement is located will continue to have educational responsibility. Where, however, the state agency client student (who is not also a state ward) is not expected to return to the same placement, typically because that facility has discharged the student, then the educational responsibility reverts to the SAU of the student’s parents’ residence. The student will remain a state agency client providing that the intention is to place the student outside the home after stabilization; should the intention become to return the student to the parents’ home after stabilization, the student would lose state agency client status and should be enrolled in the home SAU. For state wards, the SAU where the student resided prior to going into crisis remains educationally responsible until such time as the student is placed in another SAU.

Continue reading “State agency client students in crisis placements” →

A message for superintendents in partnership with Head Start, child care and private preschool programs

To date, there has been some confusion around public preschool teachers with Conditional 081 Early Childhood Teacher Certification who have been hired and are employed by a partnering program-e.g. Head Start, child care and/or a private preschool. At this time, the Maine DOE Certification Office offers district leaders two choices:  1) The superintendent must sign the affidavit of Conditional Certification; OR 2) Only teachers with a professional 081 can be hired by the partnering agency.

Continue reading “A message for superintendents in partnership with Head Start, child care and private preschool programs” →