With the holidays approaching, now is the time to thank all of our teachers and school/district leaders for the work you do each day to meet the needs of all Maine students. It is also the time to share with all of you our vision for how the Maine DOE can better support your important work. Continue reading “DOE shares new system of supports”
Category: News & Views
Thankful for great teachers and leaders
Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the annual Teacher of the Year banquet, hosted at Unum’s Portland campus.
It was exciting to see the education and business communities come together to celebrate these champions for children. As Acting Education Commissioner, I hope to facilitate us working together more to ensure we are best serving our students and our great State. Continue reading “Thankful for great teachers and leaders”
Notice to MaineCare providers from DOE/DHHS Commissioners
Over the past several years, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Education (DOE) have been working together to identify possible improvements to the processes involved with billing for MaineCare reimbursable, medically necessary services provided in a school based setting. Continue reading “Notice to MaineCare providers from DOE/DHHS Commissioners”
Kennebec Valley public school successes showcased
The Kennebec Valley Superintendents Association (KVSA) celebrated the great things happening in the region’s public schools at a special showcase held earlier this month at Thomas College in Waterville. Instructional programming to help bolster Kindergarten students’ literacy skills as they enter school, opportunities for teachers to engage in ongoing professional learning related to mathematics instruction, student choral and instrumental musical performances , dual enrollment opportunities and robotics club offerings for high school students were just a few of the examples of innovative educational programming shared during the event. Continue reading “Kennebec Valley public school successes showcased”
Unum partners with Portland school on reading program
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”
Governor’s Academy advances STEM teacher leadership
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”
Districts share progress on educator evaluation implementation
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”
Notice of proposed rule changes to Chapter 115
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”
Revisions to federal grant reimbursement system
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”
Request purchase of new schools buses by Nov. 25
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”
Maine DOE Newsroom 