Under Public Law 2013, Chapter 552 (formerly LD 1769) An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Report Defining Cost Responsibility for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Students Receiving Services from the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, beginning July 1, 2015
Continue reading “Responsibility for FAPE for deaf or hard-of-hearing students”
Six groups informed the Maine Charter School Commission (MCSC) that they plan to submit applications to open public charter schools in Maine. All of the groups hope to open a school in the fall of 2015.
Continue reading “Notice of intent for 6 charter school proposals received”
The Governor announced the awards from the Maine Department of Education at the Reiche School in Portland alongside the CEO of LearningWorks, one of 15 grantees who will establish or continue 32 community learning centers that provide students extended learning services
PORTLAND – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that the Maine Department of Education is giving out $11.3 million over the next five years to support extended learning opportunities for at-risk students.
Continue reading “Governor LePage announces $11.3 million to support at-risk students”
The Maine DOE is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program. The federal IAL grant is aligned with Maine’s Comprehensive Literacy Plan, Literacy for ME, by supporting high-quality initiatives to develop and improve literacy skills of children and students from birth through grade 12 in high-need educational agencies and schools. The Maine DOE is encouraging those eligible to apply to submit an application directly to the USDE by July 17.
Continue reading “Maine DOE announces Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program funding opportunity”
Welcome to the June issue of the Maine DOE Monthly.
As you receive this, 125 district leaders from across the state are convening in Northport at our 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents. In developing the conference agenda, the Department wanted to provide superintendents with the information and practical tools they need to be effective leaders in addressing the important initiatives we know they will be most challenged by in the year ahead. Not surprisingly, much of our three days together is focused on the transition Maine districts are making to awarding proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018. That shift is perhaps the most significant one ever undertaken by Maine’s K-12 public education system, but if done right, there is no greater opportunity to ensure our students graduate college and career ready. That’s why this month, our Department released six options by which districts could apply for extensions that would give them more time to thoughtfully make this transition and announced we would again be distributing targeted funds to districts to support costs related to the shift not otherwise subsidized by the State.
The Maine DOE and our state’s K-12 schools aren’t the only ones committed to proficiency. This month, we also shared that all of the public institutions of higher education in five New England states including Maine have endorsed proficiency-based education and graduation.
As always, read on for a roundup of other recent updates from the Department, including about our $1.6 million School Improvement Grant recipient, and stay tuned to our Newsroom and weekly Commissioner’s Updates (publishing biweekly during the summer months) for the latest news you can use from the Maine DOE.
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education affirmed its commitment to the state’s students being awarded diplomas based on proficiency but announced today it would give school districts more flexibility in meeting a requirement to do so by 2018. | More
There is perhaps no greater opportunity to ensure Maine students graduate college and career ready than the transition to proficiency-based diplomas now underway in our state. That’s why earlier this month, the Department previewed the options it was offering Maine school administrative units (SAUs) who need more time in meeting this requirement. | More
SOUTH PORTLAND – A South Portland elementary school will use $1.6 million awarded today by the Maine Department of Education to raise student proficiency in math and reading by 10 percent annually over the next three years. | More
Though they don’t make the front pages like their traditional high school or collegiate counterparts, the stories of the graduates I have seen receive their high school diploma or its equivalent through adult education have been especially humbling and serve as a reminder of adult education’s critical role in our communities. | More
The New England Secondary School Consortium (NESSC) announced that all of the public institutions of higher education in five New England states including Maine have endorsed proficiency-based education and graduation. | More
Maine school administrative units (SAUs) will receive targeted funds to support the transition to a proficiency-based diploma again this year. Beginning in the fall, the Maine DOE will distribute to each SAU a grant in the amount of 1/10th of 1 percent of that SAU’s total cost of education. | More
The Maine Charter School Commission is currently soliciting proposals for new public charter schools that would begin serving students in the fall of 2015. | More
Maine DOE has prepared a summary of major laws related to education enacted by the Second Regular Session of the 126th Maine Legislature. This information may prove helpful to educators when planning for the 2014-15 school year. | More
The following Priority Notice was distributed to school superintendents today in advance of the 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents:
Dear Superintendents,
We look forward to working with you next week during the 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, scheduled to begin at noon on Monday, June 23 at Point Lookout in Northport.
Continue reading “Materials released in advance of Commissioner’s Conference”
Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at not one, but three, adult education graduations. Having a small part in the celebration of the huge accomplishments of these unique students has been one of the greatest honors I’ve had as your Commissioner of Education.
Earning a high school diploma requires incredible hard work and perseverance, even under the best of circumstances. But the best of circumstances isn’t something many adult education students have known when it comes to their schooling.
Though they don’t make the front pages like their traditional high school or collegiate counterparts, the stories of the graduates I have seen receive their high school diploma or its equivalent through adult education have been especially humbling and serve as a reminder of adult education’s critical role in our communities.
Continue reading “Adult education graduation truly a new beginning”
Robotics teams from eight schools represented Maine well at three recent world championships: FIRST Robotics, VEX Robotics and FIRST Lego League.
Continue reading “Maine robotics teams excel at world championships”
The Maine DOE’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers and the Maine After School Network invite educators, administrators, community members, juvenile justice workers, and after school and youth development program staff to attend the annual Positive Youth Development Institute (PYDI) at the University of New England in Biddeford on July 21-22.
Continue reading “Maine DOE announces Positive Youth Development Institute”
The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) has released the final version of its voluntary national standards in dance, media arts, music, theater and visual arts.
Continue reading “National Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) released”
Maine DOE Newsroom 