The Office of Special Services is responsible for the state’s oversight and support for the delivery of all special education services provided in Maine under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A new rule adoption, Chapter 101: Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age 20, goes into effect on July 19. Continue reading “New rule adoption”
Category: News & Views
Updates on Smarter Balanced and results
With the legislative enactment of LD 1276 An Act to Improve Educational Assessments of Maine Students, approved by the governor on June 16, now Private and Special Law 2015, Chapter 10, “Directs the Department of Education to terminate the State’s membership in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.” The discontinuation of membership in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium means that we will not be able to use the Smarter Balanced Assessment in future years. It also terminates Maine’s access to the Smarter Balanced Digital Library.
Commissioner’s Conference
In case you missed the 104th Annual Commissioner’s Conference, here is a recap with valuable links.
Acting Commissioner of Education, Thomas Desjardin opened and closed the conference at Sunday River with timely updates on the ongoing FY16 budget discussions and voting at the State House at the time. He also acknowledged the ever changing educational climate and the hard work and successes of school leaders and Maine DOE’s support through its multi-faceted services.
Message to districts: Updated ED 279s posted for FY 2016
The following Priority Notice was distributed to school superintendents and business managers today regarding updated FY 2016 ED 279s:
Dear Superintendents and Business Managers,
The Department is pleased to let you know that we have just posted updated FY 2016 (2015-16 school year) State subsidy printouts, known as ED 279s, here on our website.
Continue reading “Message to districts: Updated ED 279s posted for FY 2016”
Maine DOE Biennial Budget Breakdown
AUGUSTA – Media is focusing narrowly on just one aspect of State funding to Good Will-Hinckley; specifically, the $530,000 allocated each year to an account for the “Center for Excellence for At-Risk Students,” an account established in 2009 to support Good Will-Hinckley (GWH), but not funded until 2011. However, this is not the only funding the school receives from the State of Maine.
Funding available for school renovations
The Maine DOE will accept applications for funding of school renovation projects through the School Revolving Renovation Fund. The Department will be able to approve approximately $10 million in SRRF loans. A portion of each loan will be considered a grant and will be forgiven, and the remaining portion will be paid back over five or 10 years at zero percent interest.
Summer nourishment
The Summer Food Services Program kicked off in Bangor and Portland on June 19 and is in full swing throughout the state this month. In Bangor, five sites are open keeping students nourished through a cooperative effort of the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Bangor School District, Bangor Housing Authority, USDA, and Maine DOE’s Child Nutrition Services.
On the road with a message about food
Child Nutrition Programs of the Maine DOE has a new ride and it’s the first in the Northeast.
There is a lot that is “New” in the Certification Office
Resources on Certification Office website
The Maine DOE now provides requirements checklists for each Certification & Subject Endorsements available for educator certification on the Department’s website here: www.maine.gov/doe/cert/initial/requirements.html.
Continue reading “There is a lot that is “New” in the Certification Office”
Totally Trades!
This year marked the 12th anniversary of Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community’s free day-long conference, Totally Trades, which encourages girls in grades 8-12 to consider careers in fields traditionally dominated by men.
Maine DOE Newsroom 