Category: News & Views

Adult education offers something for everyone

Acting Commissioner Rier speaks at Adult Education Day at the Maine State House.
Acting Commissioner Rier speaks at Adult Education Day at the Maine State House.

Last week I had the honor to speak at the annual Adult Education State House Day on behalf of the Maine DOE and Governor Paul LePage.

I was fortunate to talk with several students who had powerful stories to share about how their commitment to bettering themselves through learning is not just improving their college and career prospects, but enriching their lives and that of their families.

Adult education offers something for everyone. Continue reading “Adult education offers something for everyone” →

Maine students selected for Senate Youth Program

Two Maine students will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week in March to serve as delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Zachary Duperry of Portland and Carolyn Liziewski of Gray were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week. Continue reading “Maine students selected for Senate Youth Program” →

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” →