Pairs of Unum employees visited every class at Presumpscot Elementary School in Portland this week to read a children’s book, discuss it and participate in a related activity as part of the Scholastic R.E.A.L. program.
The program aims to get students excited about reading and to build their literacy skills. Continue reading “Unum partners with Portland school on reading program”
Earlier this month, the Maine DOE in collaboration with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) convened the fourth meeting of the Maine Governor’s Academy for STEM Education Leadership. This is the second and final year of the cohort, which includes 24 teacher leaders from across the state. Continue reading “Governor’s Academy advances STEM teacher leadership”
In October, the Maine DOE’s Educator Effectiveness Coordinator sent out a survey to assess the status of performance evaluation and professional growth (PE/PG) system implementation across the state. The Department was encouraged to receive responses from about half of the school administrative units (SAUs) in the state, representing all superintendent regions. Continue reading “Districts share progress on educator evaluation implementation”
On Sept. 15, 2012, Rule Chapter 114 (“Purpose, Standards and Procedures for the Review and Approval of Educational Personnel Preparation Programs”) underwent changes. Among the approved amendments included the addition of a course in special education law to administrative certificates already requiring federal and Maine civil rights and education law. Accordingly, Chapter 115, Part II, must now be opened to revise the corresponding certification rules. Continue reading “Notice of proposed rule changes to Chapter 115”
Subrecipients were notified that starting Sept. 1, 2013 reimbursements will be subject to during-the-award monitoring through the federal grant reimbursement system. This monitoring consists of uploading supporting documentation with invoices to provide evidence that the request for reimbursement is a reimbursement and is allocable, allowable, and reasonable and necessary under the federal grant award. Continue reading “Revisions to federal grant reimbursement system”
Each year, new school bus purchase applications open on Nov. 1 and close on Nov. 25. The due date and instructions are found here on the Maine DOE Reporting Calendar.
On Nov. 1, the Department in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology launched the first design phase of a new school transportation data system called NEO Transportation. During this first design phase public school districts submit their requests for approval to purchase new school buses. Continue reading “Request purchase of new schools buses by Nov. 25”
There has recently been widespread national media coverage about the rush for test-takers to complete their GED before a new version of the high school equivalency exam is released in January and their previous scores are deleted.
That news has made some Mainers nervous, but they shouldn’t be.
Continue reading “GED completion by year’s end encouraged, but not necessary”
As Maine moves to a new high school equivalency exam, thousands looking to advance their career and post-secondary aspirations are completing the current GED® this year though doing so before 2014 is not required
AUGUSTA – A record high number of Mainers have earned their high school equivalency credential this year in advance of the State moving to a new exam provider starting in 2014.
Already in the first 10 months of 2013, 2,699 Mainers have successful completed their GED®, a significant increase over the 1,878 who did so in 2012 and the 2,258 who did so in 2011.
Continue reading “Record number of Mainers earning high school credential”
Jeff Mao, the Maine DOE’s learning technology policy director, was recently named leader of the year at the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Leadership Summit banquet.
Continue reading “Maine DOE’s Jeff Mao honored for technology leadership”
The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) was recently asked to review one of Maine’s school administrative unit’s (SAU’s) policies that required parents to submit parent-obtained evaluations and written statements of parent concerns at least three days prior to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting in order for them to be considered at the meeting.
Continue reading “Clarification on advance submission of parent concerns for IEP team meetings”
Maine DOE Newsroom 