The Maine DOE has made an addition to the Maine Unified Special Education Regulations frequently asked questions concerning the placement into special education settings, as a general education intervention, of students not identified as eligible for special education.
Continue reading “Addition made to MUSER FAQs on diagnostic placements”
As of July, Maine DOE discontinued access to ACCUPLACER® for students as part of the State’s testing program. High schools who would like to continue to utilize the ACCUPLACER® as a diagnostic assessment and placement tool for college-bound students are encouraged to establish independent accounts and transfer units from the State account.
The Maine DOE is sponsoring a series of four workshops for the MEA Alternate Mathematics and ELA/Literacy (MSAA) and the MEA Alternate Science (PAAP) assessments.
Continue reading “Maine DOE announces alternate assessment workshops”
Maine DOE is reminding school administrative units to complete and submit the Certification on Constitutionally Protected Prayer statement to the Department by Oct. 1 as required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Continue reading “Reminder: Certification on Constitutionally Protected Prayer”
Augusta – Public schools across Maine are invited to participate in the new application cycle for major school construction projects that will begin in October. The announcement that a new application cycle will begin was made at the monthly meeting of the State Board of Education on September 14. A new application cycle enables Maine public schools to apply for state support in order to undertake a major renovation or addition project, or to build a new facility.
The application will be similar to those used in the past. Applications will be posted on the Maine Department of Education’s website by October 15, 2016. An announcement will be made to alert school officials when the applications are posted.
“In consultation with the State Board of Education, the Department has determined that for the first time in six years, the time is right to open a new application cycle. The application, review, and approval process will remain consistent with the past process,” said Deputy Commissioner Bill Beardsley in announcing the new application cycle.
The Department will review completed applications and create a “needs-based” initial priority list, to be followed by the creation of a final priority list and an approved projects list. The entire application and review process is expected to take about two years and is governed by Chapter 61 of Department of Education and State Board of Education joint rules.
School officials who have questions about the process may contact Scott Brown, Director of School Construction, at scott.brown@maine.gov or at 624-6883.
Media inquiries should be directed to Jamie Logan, Communications Director, at jamie.e.logan@maine.gov or at 624-6747.
The following Priority Notice was sent to district administrators.
Dear Superintendents,
The Maine Department of Education is ready to start sending out information about the Maine Educational Assessments, and the primary audiences include District Assessment Coordinators (DAC). They will receive information in preparation for the 2016-17 test administration, and they will receive information regarding the results from the 2015-16 test administration.
Continue reading “District Assessment Coordinators Confirmation”
Training for the Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS – replacing iServices) and redesigned SAT are now scheduled and will be held in various locations (Portland, Waterville, Bangor, Lewiston, Presque Isle) during the week of October 31.
The morning sessions will be hosted by Maine DOE and FocalPointK12, and focus on all of Maine’s State assessments in the new reporting portal. The afternoon sessions will be hosted by the College Board and provide an overview of the SAT suite of assessments.
MAARS morning session – Who should register?
SAT afternoon session – Who should register?
Please see attached flyer for registration information.
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
School Administrative Units (SAUs) are required to report individual student information for the purpose of State funding. | More
The Maine DOE is announcing the official release of the newly revised teacher mentoring materials for the 2016-17 school year. | More
Under Maine’s system of learning results, each student is required to study and achieve proficiency in the eight content areas including physical education. | More
On August 1, 2016, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) on the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities when needed. | More
Maine School IPM is dedicated to reducing risks of pests and pesticides in Maine schools. | More
School administrative units participating in federal child nutrition programs such as the USDA National School Lunch Program are required to have updated wellness policies. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices
The Maine DOE is announcing the official release of the newly revised teacher mentoring materials for the 2016-17 school year. The new materials have been reviewed and reworked, and replace older versions of print-based documents.
All mentoring materials are now available here on the Department’s Educator Effectiveness website including presentations, forms, training templates and video.
The new materials are comprehensive and make teacher mentoring a vital part of the overall effectiveness of a teacher. This support system is not only essential in growing and supporting our new teachers but affords highly effective teachers an opportunity to expand their leadership.
For more information contact the Department’s Educator Effectiveness Coordinator Charles Lomonte at charles.lomonte@maine.gov or 624-6748.
Under Maine’s system of learning results, each student is required to study and achieve proficiency in the eight content areas including physical education. In addition to State requirements, federal regulations for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) require that states follow the guidelines set forth in sections 34 CFR 300.39 and 300.108.
Continue reading “Physical education requirements for children with disabilities”
On August 1, 2016, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) on the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities when needed.
Maine DOE Newsroom 