Category: News & Views

State Farm now accepting grant applications from schools

Maine schools are invited to apply for State Farm’s 2014 Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants program, which offers programmatic support to U.S. schools in two focus areas: education and safety. The application for 2014 funding is open from Sept. 3 through Oct. 31.

State Farm believes creating better educated communities includes providing access to personal financial education and job training. Funding for education grants is directed toward: Continue reading “State Farm now accepting grant applications from schools” →

Math, science research awards open to Maine students

Young scientists ages 13 to 18 with promising research ideas are invited to enter a new annual competition sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). The CTY Cogito Research Awards, which provide recipients up to $600 in funding, aim to offset the costs associated with conducting research in math and science for selected middle and high school students.   Continue reading “Math, science research awards open to Maine students” →

Information for Maine school bus operators traveling in New Hampshire

The State of New Hampshire requires non-New Hampshire government entities operating qualified motor vehicles in New Hampshire, including school buses, to license under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). Maine government entities operating qualified motor vehicles in Maine who also operate in New Hampshire, even if only occasionally, are subject to the licensing, fuel decal and quarterly fuel tax reporting requirements under IFTA. Continue reading “Information for Maine school bus operators traveling in New Hampshire” →

Governor LePage signs Executive Order protecting local control, student privacy

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage signed an executive order today affirming Maine’s commitment to protecting local education control and student privacy rights.

The Governor’s action prohibiting the influence of the federal government into Maine’s education policy comes after parents and educators have raised concerns about the Obama Administration’s attempts to hijack successful state-led education reforms, including more rigorous, relevant standards in mathematics and English language arts Maine voluntarily adopted in common with other states in 2011.

Continue reading “Governor LePage signs Executive Order protecting local control, student privacy” →

2014 Maine Teacher of the Year finalists named

The annual educator recognition program is now administered by Educate Maine, a business-led organization whose mission is to champion college and career readiness

AUGUSTA – Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen has announced that two elementary school teachers and one middle school teacher have been selected as the state finalists for the prestigious title of 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year.

The 2014 finalists are Mary Graziano, a fourth grade teacher at Hartland Consolidated School in Hartland; Karen MacDonald, a sixth and seventh grade English language arts teacher at King Middle School in Portland; and Suzen Polk-Hoffses, a kindergarten teacher at Milbridge Elementary School in Milbridge.

Continue reading “2014 Maine Teacher of the Year finalists named” →

School lunch, milk eligibility criteria set

AUGUSTA – With the start of school fast approaching, the Maine Department of Education is releasing the criteria for students to qualify for free or reduced school meals and milk for the 2013-14 school year.  

Continue reading “School lunch, milk eligibility criteria set” →

Planning for a seamless transition

In the days since I announced I would be leaving Maine DOE to become the national Director of Innovation for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), I’ve received calls and notes of support from many in Maine’s learning community, for which I am very grateful. Thank you.

The decision to accept the opportunity offered by CCSSO was the most difficult of my career, and hearing from you was a reminder of why I’ve felt so honored this past two and a half years to be Maine’s Commissioner of Education. I can move on assured that the reforms that are underway to improve educational outcomes for all students will continue to move forward, because of your commitment – and that of the incredible team here at DOE – to our kids.

Continue reading “Planning for a seamless transition” →

Online training available for reporting abuse, neglect

Teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, bus drivers and others responsible for student welfare in schools are required by Maine law to report to their supervisors or to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services whenever they have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect has occurred.

Continue reading “Online training available for reporting abuse, neglect” →