Department releases 2015-16 NCLB Report Cards

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires all states to provide an annual report card to inform stakeholders about the progress of students and schools on indicators of student achievement, attendance and graduation rates, status of ESEA accountability and information on “highly qualified” teachers – information that is related to student success.

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More information regarding exit from current school identifications

On December 10, 2015 President Obama signed into law the Every Student Success Act (ESSA) which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Maine’s current flexibility waiver will expire on August 1, 2016. However, ESSA is clear that during the transition period priority and focus schools shall implement the interventions as described in State flexibility plans.

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Parental consent for evaluation, Part II

A recent dispatch from Maine DOE’s Office of Special Services on parental consent for evaluation informs school administrative units of the rules when a parent does not consent to an initial evaluation of a student. In these cases, the SAU may, but is not required to, request a due process hearing in an effort to obtain the authorization for the evaluation from a hearing officer, but otherwise may not proceed with the evaluation. (Note: an initial evaluation encompasses all types of evaluations that may be administered at the point where a student is being considered for eligibility).

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Programming for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia

Although dyslexia is not itself a category of disability under the federal IDEA or Maine’s special education regulations (MUSER), the definition of the disability category Specific Learning Disability (at both the federal and state level) expressly references dyslexia as one example of a disorder in psychological processing involved in understanding or using language which can be the basis for special education eligibility under that category.

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Maine students selected for United States Senate Youth Program

Maine DOE is pleased to announce the selection of students for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Maine’s delegates receive a $5,000 scholarship and will join other outstanding high school leaders in Washington, D.C. for an all-expenses paid week-long experience. Principals are encouraged each fall to nominate one student-leader for consideration.

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Meeting at the Crossroads: Identifying pathways to proficiency through technical programs, mathematics and English language arts

Teachers from culinary arts, health occupations, and early childhood education programs worked for two days with mathematics and English language arts (ELA) teachers to find points of intersections where students can demonstrate proficiency of Maine student learning standards. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have always been proficiency-based as students gain knowledge and skills that leads directly into post-secondary programs and professional licensing. Demonstrating proficiency in CTE programs often involves both an academic approach to gathering information and sharing knowledge, as well as performance assessment that reflects skill with various tools including a variety of technologies and human interaction.

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Move the Needle Learning and Technology Summit

Moving the needle is the objective of the Maine’s Learning Through Technology Team which is partnering with the Thomas College Center for Innovation in Education and Educate Maine for a summit on technology and learning in classrooms on Friday, Jan. 15.

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