Maine’s 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool programs support tobacco prevention

March 19 marked the 19th annual Kick Butts Day, a nationwide celebration of youth leadership and activism combating tobacco use.

Over 1,400 events took place across the country in cooperation with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, including in Maine where 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool programs stepped-up to help youth educate their peers and communities about the harmfulness of tobacco and the industry’s marketing practices.

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Providing physical education for children with disabilities

Under Maine’s system of learning results, each student is required to study and achieve proficiency in the eight content areas, including health, physical education and wellness.  In addition to State requirements, federal regulation implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires that states  follow 34 CFR 300.108 Physical Education.

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Arts educators recognized at State House celebration

AUGUSTA – Arts educators were recognized at the Maine State House Wednesday as part of Maine’s annual celebration of Arts Education Day.

Each year the Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE), an affiliate of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, recognizes educational leaders who have made a significant difference in the lives of young people through arts education.

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Guidance on emailing IEPs, related documents to parents

The Maine DOE has received informal guidance from the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) regarding whether a school administrative unit (SAU) may use electronic mail to provide parents with their child’s individualized education programs (IEPs) and related documentation, such as progress reports. If the parent and the SAU agree to the use of email for this purpose and the SAU takes the steps necessary to protect the integrity of the process, emailing IEPs and related documents to parents is allowed.

The attached letter provides the complete text of OSEP’s guidance on this matter.

If you have any questions, please contact Maine DOE Office of Special Services Director Jan Breton at janice.breton@maine.gov.

Maine students participate in Technology and Engineering Literacy Assessment

A sample of Maine schools with eighth-grade students recently participated in the Technology and Engineering Literacy Assessment (TEL), as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

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Maine DOL, DHHS collaborate on welfare-to-work initiative

Joint effort provides ASPIRE program participants with training needed for successful employment

AUGUSTA— Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services have launched a program designed to successfully transition those on welfare to meaningful employment.

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Maine DOE prepares to release school report cards, outlines changes

In an effort to expand the snapshot of a school the report card provides, the Department will add information about student poverty, teacher tenure and education levels, and funding

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education has begun creating the 2014 school report cards that will be published in May.

For the second straight year, the Department will use existing school performance and progress data to provide the public a snapshot of how the state’s 600 schools are doing.

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Notice to superintendents, principals on school grades

Dear Superintendents and Principals,

Next month, our Department will release the second round of school report cards, using existing data to provide the public a snapshot of how all Maine schools are doing.

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Notice to superintendents on 2014 Commissioner’s Conference

Dear Superintendents,

I wanted to personally invite you to save the date for our 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, scheduled to run from noon on Monday, June 23 through noon on Wednesday, June 25 at Point Lookout in Northport (please note the Monday start).

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