Category: News & Views

Acting Commissioner Rier writes in support of uniformed access to Maine schools

The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee held a public hearing today on legislation that would require the boards of Maine secondary schools to adopt and implement policies ensuring that members of the United States Armed Forces or the Maine National Guard and public safety personnel may wear their uniforms when visiting schools in their official capacities.

Acting Education Commissioner Jim Rier submitted the following letter to the Committee in support: Continue reading “Acting Commissioner Rier writes in support of uniformed access to Maine schools” →

Updates on student, school health surveys

Principals whose school participated in the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) should have already received login information including passwords to the MIYHS website. If you are a principal of a participating school who did not receive a password, please contact Stephen Corral at stephen.corral@maine.gov or 287-2964. Please note passwords are required to access your school’s data. Continue reading “Updates on student, school health surveys” →

Educator shares experience transitioning to proficiency-based system

As Maine schools move to graduating students with a proficiency-based diploma by 2018, the Maine DOE is offering extensive resources to support those locally-led transitions, including through its Center for Best Practice.

New to the Center is an interview with Hall-Dale Middle School teacher-leader Dan Crocker.  Continue reading “Educator shares experience transitioning to proficiency-based system” →

Youth health survey reveals gender differences

Last week the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released the results of the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). The survey is administered by the two State agencies every other year at public schools to students in grades five through 12, with more than 63,000 respondents in 2013. Continue reading “Youth health survey reveals gender differences” →

Chinese guest teacher and trainee program applications due

The College Board Chinese Language and Culture Initiatives is sponsored through a collaboration with the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and offers programs to support the growth of Chinese language and culture education in U.S. schools. Schools can apply now to host a Chinese guest teacher or teacher-in-training for the 2014-15 school year. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 7.  Continue reading “Chinese guest teacher and trainee program applications due” →

Maine’s History Teacher of the Year nominations due Feb. 1

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Preserve America and the History Channel annually recognize outstanding American history teachers at the state and national levels. Nominees may be any full-time educators of grades K-12 who teach American history (as a separate subject or through social studies, reading, language arts and other subjects). State winners receive a $1,000 prize and an archive of classroom resources. One national winner receives a $10,000 prize.  Continue reading “Maine’s History Teacher of the Year nominations due Feb. 1” →

Moving forward to serve you

This week, Governor LePage notified the State Board of Education that he would like to nominate me as his permanent Education Commissioner.

While most gubernatorial Commissioner appointments go directly to the legislative committee of jurisdiction, State statute requires the Governor’s nomination for Education Commissioner be first reviewed by the State Board of Education. Continue reading “Moving forward to serve you” →

Maine youth report healthier habits, struggles with depression

The biannual survey of the state’s grade 5-12 students is an effort of the Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services and informs prevention and program planning

AUGUSTA – Maine youth are making healthier choices, including smoking and drinking less, but are increasingly struggling with their emotional wellbeing.

Those findings and other insights directly from tens of thousands of Maine students about their health and habits are detailed in the newly released results of the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS).

Continue reading “Maine youth report healthier habits, struggles with depression” →

Improving attendance summit scheduled for Jan. 14

Improving elementary school attendance will be the focus of a forum next Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Portland.

Attendance Matters: Moving From Awareness to Action is intended for educators, policy makers, administrators, nurses, counselors, social workers, school board members and other stakeholders interested and dedicated to supporting elementary school students be successful in school. Continue reading “Improving attendance summit scheduled for Jan. 14” →