FFA students hold leadership workshop in Presque Isle

On Nov. 20 student State Officers of the Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) conducted an all-day leadership workshop for over 100 enthusiastic middle and high school agriculture and natural resources students and teachers from six FFA chapters in Aroostook County. The workshop was held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and focused on defining leadership, understanding agricultural issues, teamwork, communication and goal setting. Presentations and fun, hands-on activities were successfully used to help students learn new concepts.

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Mid-Maine CTE promotes new student video production

Career and Technical Education media programs allow student to learn how to produce communication videos. The schools with these programs use their expertise and training to produce promotional videos that explain the benefits of CTE for all students. The following school is one example of this student work and showcases the value of CTE. The program offered to students in Mid-Maine Technical Center (MMTC) is a great example of what students can learn in a CTE program.

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School construction projects continue to progress

School construction projects in the state are continuing to progress as the Maine DOE School Facilities team works with the 12 highest-rated school systems based on need from the 2010-11 rating cycle.

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Arts students honored

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education and the Maine Arts Commission are holding a celebration of Excellence in Maine Visual and Performing Arts Education hosted by First Lady Ann M. LePage, December 4, in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. Joining the First Lady are State Board of Education Chair Martha Harris, and Maine Arts Commission Executive Director Julie Richards, and Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley.

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Maine DOE to release “Content Corner” resources

Student proficiency is enhanced by educator use of high impact instruction strategies. To support educator understanding of effective practices in the content areas, the Maine DOE is pleased to announce the upcoming release of its inaugural collection of articles focused on instructional strategies.

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League of Innovative Schools enters fifth year

The Maine DOE in collaboration with the New England Secondary Schools Consortium (NESSC), convened six districts in the League of Innovative Schools (LIS) on November 18. The inaugural meeting for 2015 was hosted by Mary Nadeau, principal of Nokomis High School.

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Clarification on certification approval and renewal

The following message offers clarification on the status of approvals (criminal history records check) regarding Maine Department of Education’s certification process.

Dear Superintendents,

For those positions that require “approval” only, if you have someone that you intend to hire immediately AND you, the superintendent, have verified that this person has already submitted an application to the Maine DOE, then email the person’s name to the Department’s Director of Certification Bob Hasson at robert.g.hasson@maine.gov.

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Maine DOE clarifies use of State assessment in PEPG systems

The Department is offering clarification regarding the use of the State assessment as a student growth measure as described in Maine DOE Regulation Chapter 180, section 7 part 6. This rule requires the use of the State assessment for mathematics and English language arts/literacy teachers in grades 4-8 as one measure of student learning and growth in teacher summative effectiveness rating.

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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) update

Maine’s ESEA Flexibility renewal waiver approved on Aug. 12, 2015 highlights Maine DOE’s continued efforts to provide additional supports to schools and the most at-risk students. As part of supports and accountability, the Department must also identify criteria to be used in order to determine when a school is making significant progress in improving student achievement.

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Maine DOE continues to provide support and announces 2015-16 Schoolwide Annual Review list

Following the continued success and additional support through scheduled fall schoolwide information sessions, the Maine DOE continues to provide guidance to Title I schools as they prepare for their Annual Schoolwide Plan Review or submit an initial Schoolwide Plan, due July 1, 2016.

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