Category: News & Views

Preparing Test Administrators and Proctors for grades 3-8 eMPower™ ME testing

The following Priority Notice was sent on Monday, March 14

To best prepare Test Administrators and Proctors for a successful administration of this spring’s Maine Educational Assessment in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy for grades 3 through 8, the following resources are provided.

Prior to testing, Test Administrators and Proctors must be familiar with the Test Administration Manual found here.

Two required webinars include:

All Test Administrators and Proctors are required to sign the TA Test Security and Data Privacy Agreement which can be downloaded here.

In addition, Maine DOE recommends two segments of the eMPower™ ME Accessibility: Tools, Supports & Accommodations webinar (25 minutes). The first segment is at 4:40 minutes in to 8:05, and the second segment is 11:02 minutes in to 20 minutes. These segments will familiarize TAs with the embedded tools, testing taking aids, and basic navigation of the test environment. They are ideal for TAs who wish to work through the practice tests with their students but are short on time.

Questions may be addressed to Maine DOE’s Assessment Coordinator Nancy Godfrey at nancy.godfrey@maine.gov or call 624-6775.

More updates re: 2016 MEA

The following Priority Notice was sent on Saturday, March 12

The following updates are available regarding 2016 Maine Educational Assessment:

Student Data loaded into the iTester portal – This enables School Test Coordinators to begin the work of loading student accommodations and creating classes for testing sessions.

Test Security Webinar- This training is required for all School Test Coordinators, Test Administrators and Proctors who will be involved in the administration of the eMPowerME assessment of mathematics and English language arts/literacy at grades 3-8.

https://maine.onlinehelp.measuredprogress.org/training/

Test Security & Data Privacy Agreements- Agreements must be signed by each School Test Coordinators, Test Administrator and Proctor and maintained by the District Assessment Coordinator. http://www.maine.gov/doe/assessment/math-ela/administration/stc-testsecurityagreement-eMPowerME.docx http://www.maine.gov/doe/assessment/math-ela/administration/ta-testsecurityagreement-eMPowerME.docx

School Test Coordinator Manual- This manual provides guidance for the School Test Coordinator related to preparation for a secure administration of the 2016 eMPowerME assessment.  It is required reading for School Test Coordinators.

https://maine.onlinehelp.measuredprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2016/03/eMPower_ME_School_TCM_FINAL.pdf

Test Administration Manual- This manual provides instructions for Test Administrators and Proctors regarding preparation for and the actual administration of the 2016 eMPowerME assessment, including the script to be used during the test administration.  It is required reading for Test Administrators and Proctors.

https://maine.onlinehelp.measuredprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2016/03/eMPower_ME_TAM_FINAL.pdf

For more information, contact Assessment Coordinator, Nancy Godfrey at nancy.godfrey@maine.gov.

Commissioner’s Update – March 10, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Earlier this month, the Maine Department of Education recognized the RSU 21 Kennebunk School District as the first school administrative unit to be approved for its performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) system plan.

Many factors influence the ability of children to thrive in school. Every child deserves excellent teachers and building principals. The goal of the system is to grow better educators through professional development which results in improving student learning.

RSU 21 assembled an educator effectiveness stakeholders group consisting of a majority of teachers. This group considered several models of professional practice evaluation systems and decided Charlotte Danielson’s Enhancing Professional Practice provided the best approach for RSU 21’s system. This practice used by districts in Maine as well as nationwide is research based and extensively covers the educator’s many roles.

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Notices and Reporting Items

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News & Views

Important update from Measured Progress

President and CEO of Measured Progress Martin Borg has provided the following important update regarding preparations for the 2016 MEA assessment for grades three through eight. | More

Updates regarding 2016 MEA testing

The following updates are available regarding 2016 Maine Educational Assessments. | More

Adult education celebration at the Hall of Flags

Maine’s adult education students were honored at the State House last week. | More

Federal Tax Credit Bond applications due May 26

The Maine Department of Education will accept applications for the Federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) Program through May 26, 2016. | More

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title IA funds available for reallocation

The Maine Department of Education’s Title IA office is announcing the availability of approximately $350,000 of FY15 Title IA Disadvantaged and Program Improvement funds for Title IA reallocation purposes. | More

EPA rebates will help Fairfield and Gray purchase clean diesel school buses

Two school districts in Maine will receive a total of $40,000 to help pay for new school buses that emit less pollution than the older buses the districts now use. | More

Count ME In spring regional meetings

Attendance Matters! This is why you are encouraged to check out Count ME In’s regional spring meeting. | More

Maine high school students compete in national poetry contest

The 2016 Maine State Finals for Poetry Out Loud, a National Poetry Recitation Contest, will be held on March 15 at 3 p.m. at the Waterville Opera House. | More

Celebrate Maine’s 196th Birthday

Schools are encouraged to observe Statehood Day on March 15 to commemorate the admission of Maine as a state into the United States of America. | More

Maine Constitution Essay deadline Friday

The Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest deadline is Friday, March 11. | More

Nominations open for Maine’s 2015 Curriculum Leader of the Year

The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association (MCLA) is seeking nominations for the 2016 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year through April 15. | More

Thank you for taking the Read to ME Challenge

On behalf of the Maine Department of Education, I want to extend sincere thanks to all who participated in the Read to ME Challenge. | More

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Important update from Measured Progress

The following Priority Notice was sent on Wednesday, March 9.  

President and CEO of Measured Progress Martin Borg has provided the following important update regarding preparations for the 2016 MEA assessment for grades three through eight. This message is in keeping with Measured Progress’ agreement with Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley to maintain the current schedule for test administration.

Continue reading “Important update from Measured Progress” →

Updates regarding 2016 MEA testing

 The following priority notice was sent on Wednesday, March 9.

The following updates are available regarding 2016 Maine Educational Assessments:

2016 Operational Procedures for the Maine Educational Assessments – This document assists schools with participation, enrollment, and administration issues. The Operational Procedures should be used in conjunction with each MEA’s Test Coordinator/Administration Manual.

Sample Parent Letter template regarding 2016 MEA (eMPower™ME and SAT)

eMPower™ME 25 minute webinar webinar regarding Accessibility: Tools, Supports & Accommodations

With the availability of paper-based, browser-based, and kiosk-based practice tests/sample items, the following documents outline the Directions for Administration (DFA) of Paper-Pencil and Online Sample Items for eMPower™ME Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy.

For more information, contact Assessment Coordinator Nancy Godfrey at nancy.godfrey@maine.gov.

 

SkillsUSA Maine showcases champions

“Each of you champions, each runner-up, and each participant in these championships has turned an individual skill into such an art.” This is what Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley told the more than a thousand people last Friday evening at the 2016 SkillsUSA Maine Championship opening ceremony at Hampden Academy.

Continue reading “SkillsUSA Maine showcases champions” →

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title IA funds available for reallocation

The Maine Department of Education’s Title IA office is announcing the availability of approximately $350,000 of FY15 Title IA Disadvantaged and Program Improvement funds for Title IA reallocation purposes.

Continue reading “Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title IA funds available for reallocation” →

EPA rebates will help Fairfield and Gray purchase clean diesel school buses

The following news release was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England Regional Office on March 4.

Two school districts in Maine will receive a total of $40,000 to help pay for new school buses that emit less pollution than the older buses the districts now use.

Continue reading “EPA rebates will help Fairfield and Gray purchase clean diesel school buses” →