Category: News & Views

Maine Charter School Commission seeks new member

AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission is seeking candidates interested in replacing outgoing member Dr. Richard Barnes. Barnes is not seeking reappointment to the Commission, which consists of seven members appointed by the Maine State Board of Education.

The Maine State Charter School Commission mission is to provide thoughtful stewardship in authorizing and monitoring public charter schools consistent with State statutes to create unique, high-quality learning options for Maine students.

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MLTI next generation upgrade updates

Dear Schools,

The opt-in deadline for the next generation of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative is just two days away and we know many of you have already made your solution selections, or are finalizing that choice. That said, we’re committed to bringing you the latest updates related to MLTI and the various solutions as they happen to inform your decision-making.

To that end, yesterday at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (commonly known as WWDC), the company released its new MacBook Air. Continue reading “MLTI next generation upgrade updates” →

Commissioner Bowen recognizes those who support at-risk youth

AUGUSTA – Maine education chief Stephen Bowen has presented his annual Commissioner’s Recognition Awards to those who have helped at-risk youth find success in school and beyond.

Commissioner Bowen was joined by Emanuel Pariser and Leslie Morrill, co-chairs of the State Advisory Committee on Truancy, Dropout and Alternative Education, in presenting the awards at a Blaine House ceremony last week. 

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Governor, Commissioner congratulate nationally-recognized School Resource Officer at Massabesic High School

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today congratulated Deputy Jason Solomon of the York County Sheriff’s Office on being selected as the 2013 National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.

Solomon is a 12-year veteran of the York County Sheriff’s Office who has been the school resource officer for Massabesic High School in Waterboro since 2010.

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Commissioner Bowen to address Rockland Kiwanis Monday

ROCKPORT – Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will speak to the Rockland Kiwanis Club Monday about his department’s commitment to seeing all Maine students leave school college and career ready.

In his remarks as the guest speaker at the June 10 lunchtime Kiwanis meeting at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Commissioner Bowen will share how the Maine Department of Education is increasingly a resource to districts in developing and deploying the best practices that ensure educator effectiveness and high student achievement.

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Deadline extended: Seeking educators to contribute to SBAC digital library

Maine is extending the deadline for applications from educators who want to vet resources for the Smarter Balanced Digital Library – an online, interactive clearinghouse with resources, tools and professional learning opportunities to help educators use data from a comprehensive assessment system to tailor instruction to best meet student needs. The library is seen as an important tool in the growing body of resources for teachers and administrators in an integrated system of rigorous standards and high quality assessments that work together to prepare students to leave high school ready for college and career.

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Business leaders support Common Core standards

Recently, the Business Roundtable – a group of more than 200 chief executives from across the country – wrote in support of the continued implementation of Common Core State Standards. These leaders are the latest to come forward from the education and business communities to advocate for these higher standards that will position students to be successful after high school, and economies like Maine’s to benefit from that. Continue reading “Business leaders support Common Core standards” →

CTE instructors become authorized trainers for OSHA

The Maine Department of Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) team helped provide CTE instructors with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) professional development, which gives instructors the ability to issue OSHA cards to CTE students.

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Report annual use of restraint and seclusion

Schools and other educational entities covered by Department of Education Rule Chapter 33 are required to report annually on the use of restraint and seclusion of students. This reporting requirement took effect on July 1, 2012, as part of the comprehensive revision of Rule Chapter 33.

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