Collaborations begun last year to develop sample policies that can be used by districts to support their local implementation of systems that support the awarding of proficiency-based diplomas are continuing across Maine. Continue reading “Collaboration continues to develop policies to support implementation of proficiency-based diplomas”
Category: News & Views
Resources from principals as instructional leaders workshops available, Aroostook County session to be held Dec. 17
The resources provided by the Maine DOE during its November regional workshops focused on principals as instructional leaders are now available on the Department’s website. Continue reading “Resources from principals as instructional leaders workshops available, Aroostook County session to be held Dec. 17”
Maine DOE offers clarification on scope of practice for Certificate 079: Special Education Consultant
In response to questions regarding the scope of practice for Certificate 079: Special Education Consultant, the Department is providing the following guidance:
The Code of Maine Regulations (05-071 CMR Chapter 115 Parts I and II) contains the requirements for certification, authorization and approval of educational personnel who serve in public and certain approved private schools. Continue reading “Maine DOE offers clarification on scope of practice for Certificate 079: Special Education Consultant”
CTE educators benefit from professional development opportunities
Career and technical educators and administrators from around Maine recently gathered at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center to receive training on Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards, assessment and industry recognized credentials.
The Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education facilitated and organized the conference for the 400 participants and the Maine DOE CTE staff led many of the professional development workshops offered. Continue reading “CTE educators benefit from professional development opportunities”
Maine Semester of Youth Service registration open
Registration for Maine Semester of Youth Service is open now through Dec. 12.
The eight-week program begins on the Martin Luther King Day of Service and ends in late March and brings students together to plan and implement either a service-learning project or community youth service project. Continue reading “Maine Semester of Youth Service registration open”
Consortium sets new assessment achievement levels
Members of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium including Maine have voted to approve initial achievement levels for the mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA) assessment that will soon be administered. Continue reading “Consortium sets new assessment achievement levels”
Department assesses readiness of schools to administer computer-based MEA
The following Priority Notice was distributed on Tuesday, Nov. 25 announcing a technology readiness survey to assess the preparedness of Maine schools for successfully administering the 2014-15 State assessment. Please note the survey has not been linked to this Newsroom posting but was provided directly to superintendents, principals and technology directors.
Dear Superintendents, Principals and Technology Directors,
The online administration of the new Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium will better allow students to demonstrate critical and higher-order thinking skills; provide more timely information to inform instruction; and improve teaching, learning, and the college and career readiness of our students. Continue reading “Department assesses readiness of schools to administer computer-based MEA”
Maine DOE Monthly – November 25, 2014
Welcome to the November issue of the Maine DOE Monthly.
Though the March 16 through May 29, 2015 window schools have for administering the new Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is months away, the Department recently overviewed the significant work already underway across the state to ensure schools and students are prepared for success.
This month, the Maine DOE also continued delivering on its commitment to supporting schools by announcing professional development for administrators to learn more about the educator effectiveness law, arts teachers to integrate arts across the curriculum and alternative educators to improve HIV prevention efforts. Additionally, we announced that 99 high schools have requested extensions to ensure the thoughtful implementation of systems that support proficiency-based diplomas or said they will be ready in all eight content areas by 2018.
Read on for a roundup of other recent updates from the Department and stay tuned to our Newsroom and weekly Commissioner’s Updates for the latest news you can use from the Maine DOE.
Please note because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Commissioner’s Update this Thursday and the Department will be closed both Thursday and Friday.
Dispatches & Press Releases
Commissioner Rier on Leave, CAO Tome serving as Acting Commissioner
Commissioner Jim Rier is out indefinitely on leave, though he remains in close communication with Department leadership. In his absence, Governor LePage has appointed Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome to serve as Acting Commissioner.| More
Planning for success: 2014-15 State assessment
While transitioning to an entirely new assessment requires hard work at schools across the state and at the Maine DOE, education leaders are excited about the opportunities the computer-adaptive MEA for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy offers in providing timely, accurate information on achievement and growth that will improve teaching and learning. | More
Commissioner Rier: Extension applications show Maine’s commitment to proficiency-based diplomas
To date, 95 applications/confirmations representing 99 high schools have been submitted and the Department has been contacted by superintendents representing seven other high schools that their applications are forthcoming following local school board approval. | More
Department recognizes Maine’s career and technical educators
Career and technical education (CTE) plays a critical role in strengthening the college and career readiness of our students and the economic future of our state. At 27 centers across Maine, CTE educators are engaging and exciting our students with relevant, hands-on learning experiences. | More
Commission approves second virtual public charter school
The Maine Charter School Commission has voted to enter into contract negotiations with the backers of what will be the state’s second virtual public charter school. | More
Maine DOE hosts educator effectiveness workshop on Dec. 12
The Maine DOE is offering a free half-day workshop for new superintendents and building administrators who need general information on the educator effectiveness law, which requires all school administrative units to develop and implement performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) systems by the 2015 school year. | More
MEA science testing window extended, will better accommodate AP students
The science portion of the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) will be administered to all students in grades five and eight and to those in their third year of high school during a three-week window from May 4 to May 22. | More
Maine DOE provides PD program for arts educators
The Maine DOE is inviting arts educators to participate in a professional development program that will deepen student learning and appreciation for the arts while energizing engagement and motivation. | More
Maine DOE offers HIV prevention educator trainings
Two HIV prevention educator trainings are scheduled in December as a result of funding provided by the passage of LD1699. | More
Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey registration open
The Maine DOE, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is encouraging public schools to register for the 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). | More
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Maine DOE hosts educator effectiveness workshop on Dec. 12
The Maine DOE is offering a free half-day workshop for new superintendents and building administrators who need general information on the educator effectiveness law, which requires all school administrative units to develop and implement performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) systems by the 2015 school year.
Continue reading “Maine DOE hosts educator effectiveness workshop on Dec. 12”
SAUs encouraged to update data prior to Dec. 1 freeze
As a reminder, the Department will be freezing the school administrative unit data on Dec. 1 for 2015-16 State subsidy calculations. This includes data from MEDMS Financial, student data in Infinite Campus (State Edition) and FTE counts for staff.
Continue reading “SAUs encouraged to update data prior to Dec. 1 freeze”
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