Maine identifies the 1% alternate assessment population

Many districts have identified their students participating in alternate assessments in Infinite Campus State Edition, ahead of the October 6 deadline. The Department populated spreadsheets from each district report last year so an update is all that is needed. If the district’s identified population remains the same, there is no need to contact the Department.

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Professional development for public preschool and visual arts teachers

The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of a new professional development opportunity, “Fostering Artful Early Childhood Classrooms.” Early Childhood Specialist Sue Reed and Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Beth Lambert are looking for teachers who want to energize their teaching and learning through focusing on art in the public preschool classroom. Applicants must apply in teams of two: one public preschool teacher and one visual art teacher from the same district. The visual arts teacher must currently teach at the elementary level.

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Reminder of deadline for gifted and talented program approval for FY 2017

The annual gifted and talented program and budget approval is due by September 30.  All school administrative units (SAU) with an approved 2015-16 application must complete the Renewal Application for the 2016-17 school year. If an SAU does not have an approved Initial Application for 2015-16 and wants to receive program approval, please contact the Department for the Initial Application.

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Public invited to submit comment to Blue Ribbon Commission online

Members of the public who wish to submit comments or ideas about public education issues for consideration by the Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine may do so here. Comments submitted through the website will be distributed to members of the Commission.

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Message from Adult Education Director on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

With the passage and implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), there has been some discussion about the act’s potential effect on the basic skills instruction provided by adult education.

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Blue Ribbon Commission To Meet Monday, September 26

Public Invited to Submit Comment To Commission Members Through Department of Education Website

Augusta – The next meeting of the Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine will be held on Monday, Sept. 26 at 9:00 a.m. at RSU #17 Central Office, located at 232 Main Street in South Paris.

A copy of the meeting agenda and documents relating to the Commission’s work will be posted here as they are made available.

Additionally, members of the public who wish to submit comments or ideas about public education issues for consideration by the Commission may do so here. Comments submitted through the website will be distributed to members of the Commission.

The Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine was created by LD 1641 which allocated an additional $15 million in education funding for local schools, bringing the State’s contribution to $1,000,961,515 for the 2016-17 school year. Based on the Commission’s work, a report to the Governor and the Legislature will be submitted by Jan. 10, 2017 that includes findings and recommendations for action to reform public education funding and improve student performance in the state.

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Contact:
Jamie Logan
Communications Director
624-6747
jamie.e.logan@maine.gov