The Maine DOE is offering important guidance regarding parental consent for evaluation. Before a school administrative unit (SAU) may conduct an evaluation (e.g., intellectual testing, psychological evaluation, or speech/language testing) of a student, it must first obtain the signed, written consent of the student’s parent. In making an informed decision whether to provide consent, the parent is entitled to know the areas to be evaluated and the purpose of the evaluation (how the evaluation results will be used).
Category: News & Views
Statewide Arts Education Census
The Maine DOE is collaborating with the Maine Arts Commission to establish a statewide inventory of all arts education programs and resources in the state’s 754 prekindergarten through 12th grade schools. Data collection has just begun and will continue through May 2016.
ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 online testing window opens
Maine’s testing window for the computer-based English language proficiency assessment ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 is now open with WIDA’s recently added support for iPads. This year’s new and improved online assessment replaces the previous paper-based version for students in grades 1-12. Kindergarten students will continue to take the paper exam.
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Franklin County Teacher of the Year’s hope for a student living in poverty
Story by Brenda LaVerdiere, 2015 Franklin County Teacher of the Year and finalist for the Maine Teacher of the Year. Read original article on the Bangor Daily News website here.
Imagine that you are a fourth grade teacher working in an economically deprived school in the foothills of western Maine. You teach in a small town where the factory and farming jobs that used to be the economic engine of your community no longer exist. In this once thriving community, many parents now struggle to find jobs that pay a living wage. Many parents struggle to buy school supplies and clothes for their children.
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Notice of proposed rule changes to Chapter 126 / 261 Immunization Requirements for School Children
The Maine Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention are proposing refinements to joint rule Chapters 126/261.
Certification of superintendent election or reelection
Maine DOE is reminding administrators and school board members of the approaching deadline for Annual Certification of Employment of Superintendent of Schools and related forms to be completed and submitted to the Department.
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Acting Commissioner Beardsley visits public preschool classroom
Last month, Acting Commissioner Bill Beardsley visited Brittany Kamenos’ four-year old classroom at the Chelsea Elementary School. RSU 12 Superintendent Howard Tuttle, Principal Andrew Doiron, Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation’s Executive Director Cristina Salois, Program Manager Penny Poolman, and Child Development Services Director Larry Schooley briefed the acting commissioner on the collaboration.
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Maine DOE employees honored
Earlier this month Maine Department of Education’s Roberta Lucas and Pam Partridge were invited to the Blaine House to be formally honored through the Governor’s Employee and Manager of the Year recognition program.
USDOE seeking input regarding Elementary and Secondary Education Act-Title I
The United States Department of Education (USDOE) is asking for suggestions regarding the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, (ESEA) Title I. The Secretary is soliciting advice and recommendations from interested parties prior to publishing proposed regulations to implement programs under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title I). Continue reading “USDOE seeking input regarding Elementary and Secondary Education Act-Title I”
Commissioner visits Houlton Elementary School
Story courtesy of Karen Donato, former elementary teacher and current ed. tech III at Houlton Elementary School.
Acting Commissioner of Education Bill Beardsley was a guest at Houlton Elementary School this past month learning more about the successful K-to-3 literacy program in RSU 29. Beardsley participated in a round table discussion with a kindergarten teacher; first grade teachers; a literacy specialist; a literacy coach; University of Maine’s literacy coach; the principal, and RSU 29’s superintendent.
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