State Ed Board members complete national policy training

Arlington, VA — The newest members of the Maine State Board of Education are back from two days of intensive training from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) to help board members become highly effective state education policymakers.

William H. Beardsley, of Ellsworth, Nichi Farnham, of Bangor, Peter Geiger, of Lewiston, and Ande A. Smith, of North Yarmouth, joined state board members from 17 states and territories in sessions that covered basic boardsmanship issues such as the responsibilities of boards and their members, the sequence of policy development and using Robert’s Rules of Order, as well as more advanced subjects such as how to provide effective state leadership through board actions.

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New best practice video features Belfast school

Maine DOE’s Center for Best Practice has released a new video, “Everything in the Building is Tied to a Learning Standard,” which focuses on Troy Howard Middle School’s transformation over the past seven years. Continue reading “New best practice video features Belfast school” →

Notice of change in law regarding Superintendent Agreements

The statute regulating Superintendent Agreements has been amended to include the following language: “A transfer approved under this subsection may be made only to a receiving school administrative unit that operates a public school that includes the grade level of the student whose parent requests the transfer.”

As a result of this new law, a transfer granted so the student can be tuitioned to a private school will no longer be allowed. Continue reading “Notice of change in law regarding Superintendent Agreements” →

Opportunities for sharing your school success story

Following the launch of the Maine School Performance Grading System, we’ve spent our time reaching out to underperforming and at-risk schools to learn more about their challenges and the supports they’d like Maine DOE to provide.

What we continue to hear is that schools want to learn from other Maine schools that are like them. In the words of one school leader, “Tell us what’s working in other places with similar populations and budget concerns.” That’s the thinking behind our Center for Best Practice, which provides success stories (and videos) from schools in our state implementing learner-centered instructional practices. Continue reading “Opportunities for sharing your school success story” →

U.S. DOE requests information on Native American English learners

The U.S. Department of Education has re-opened its Request for Information (RFI) on Native American English learners. The purpose of the RFI is to gather information pertaining to the identification and placement of Native American students who are English learners in language instruction educational programs. The U.S. DOE developed this RFI to help State and local educational agencies, schools, tribes and other interested entities identify, share and implement practices for accurately identifying Native American students who are English learners.

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Change for youth served by Child Development Services

As a recipient of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds, the State of Maine is required to identify in writing for local educational agencies any special education rule that is a State-imposed requirement and not mandated under federal IDEA requirements. Maine’s yearly application for IDEA, Part B, funding also requires this identification.

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State Education Board has new leadership

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Board of Education has new leadership, having elected Nancy S. Perkins as chair and Peter E. Geiger as vice-chair.

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Forums scheduled on EPS school funding system

The Maine Legislature has contracted with Lawrence O. Picus and Associates to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the EPS school funding system.

As part of that, Picus will be putting on four public stakeholder forums throughout the state on July 16, 17 and 18. All interested parties – educators, parents, taxpayers and interested citizens – are encouraged to attend one of the forums.

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Successful schools use data to focus improvement efforts

Last week I had the privilege of attending the 21^st Annual Model Schools Conference down in Washington, D.C. Put on by the International Center for Leadership in Education, this year’s conference provided teachers and educational leaders, including many from Maine, with practical ideas for increasing student achievement and ensuring college and career readiness in an age of declining resources and higher standards.

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New teacher leaders discuss proficiency in the arts

Visual art teachers Debi Lynne Baker (left) and Jane Snider discuss proficiency and standards at the MAAI summer institute at Maine College of Art.

The Maine DOE’s Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) welcomed 14 new teacher leaders during the summer institute held at the Maine College of Art in Portland. More than 50 visual and performing arts teachers have received professional development to become teacher leaders and continue to provide workshops on a variety of topics that include assessment. During the last two years, more than 800 teachers have attended sessions at the regional, mega-regional and statewide levels, and electronically. The teachers represent dance, music, theatre and visual arts from PK-12 grade levels and all regions of the state.

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