The following Priority Notice was distributed to educators on Monday, July 7.
Dear Educators,
Earlier this year, the Department made clear our commitment to rigorous standards and aligned assessments. To that end, I wanted to let you know we have just selected the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to administer our Smarter Balanced aligned State assessments in grades 3-8 and grade 11 for the 2014-15 school year.
AUGUSTA – The Maine State Board of Education has new leadership, having elected Peter E. Geiger as chair and Martha J. Harris as vice-chair.
Geiger, of Lewiston, had previously served as vice-chair and replaces outgoing chair Nancy Perkins, who will remain on the board. He is the Executive Vice President of Geiger, the largest family-owned promotional products company in the country headquartered in Lewiston and is additionally editor and publisher of the Farmers’ Almanac.
Continue reading “State Education Board welcomes new leadership”
Noah Binette, a freshman at Noble High School in North Berwick, Maine, has won first place for his exhibit about Malaga Island at the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day competition recently held at the University of Maryland.
Continue reading “Maine high school student wins national contest”
Rule Chapter 38: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Maine Public Schools has been finally adopted by the Department of Education and took effect June 29, 2014.
Continue reading “Maine DOE adopts rules for suicide awareness and prevention”
In closing comments of the 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, Education Commissioner Jim Rier applauded attendees for their attention and participation in the general and break-out sessions during the 3-day event. The Department collaborated with Maine School Management Association in planning the conference, which was designed to provide superintendents and other district administrators with guidance, technical assistance and practical tools to use in implementing recently-passed legislation.
The Maine DOE has released results from the proficiency-based diploma Readiness Inventory, a tool designed to help school districts better understand their progress toward proficiency and to help determine which of the six extension options is best for them to pursue.
Continue reading “Maine DOE releases results from proficiency-based Readiness Inventory”
Following enactment of the Maine Educator Effectiveness law in 2012, the Maine DOE worked for over a year to finalize the rules that govern the development and implementation of performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) systems for teachers and principals.
Continue reading “New resource for performance evaluation and professional growth systems”
The Maine DOE invites district-wide teams of educators from both general and special education to become leader teams for Supporting ALL Teachers for ALL Students. This professional development training includes a two-day eventin Brewer, Oct. 15-16 and ongoing coaching, consultation and technical assistance with a focus on preparing all students for college and career readiness and the post-secondary transition.
The Maine DOE has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids to develop and implement programs providing educational and related services beyond those provided in the general education program to facilitate the enrollment, attendance and school success of homeless children and youth under the McKinney-Vento Act.
Continue reading “RFP issued for education-related services for homeless children and youth”
Registration is now open for an informational webinar introducing AmeriCorps program basics and the various types of grants available during the major triennial AmeriCorps State program grant competition that will take place this Fall and Winter.
Continue reading “Maine Commission for Community Service presents AmeriCorps webinar”
Maine DOE Newsroom 