Like the last time, I’ll be taking to the road to see some of the best of what Maine schools have to offer – examples of learner-centered classrooms, inspired use of technology, and programs that engage students and meet them exactly where they are at.
Over the next three weeks I’ll be travelling the state visiting schools and programs to showcase the Maine DOE’s strategic plan which we developed last year with input from hundreds of teachers, parents, students, taxpayers, and others. Whereas last time I was listening for ideas, this time I’m sharing the product of those ideas so we can talk about how to make this vision happen.
In the interest of efficiency, productivity and service, the Maine Department of Education is working to computerize and automate school bus transportation documents, moving away from the traditional paper process. To do this, we need the help of school districts.
The Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine will deliver the 44th Annual Maintenance Conference this summer to provide free training to maintenance and custodial staff in all Maine school districts.
Continue reading “State offers facilities, maintenance staff training”
Will a second round of school bus purchase approvals be available for 2012-13?
Typically, each year, for a variety of reasons, a few districts decide not to purchase school buses which were approved for state subsidy. If the state receives school bus cancellations from schools then the Maine DOE can approve a second round of bus purchase approvals.
Continue reading “Please report school bus order cancellations”
2012 Chinese Bridge Delegation: November 7-15, 2012
The College Board and Hanban (Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters) are pleased to announce the 2012 Chinese Bridge Delegation, a one-week education trip hosted by Hanban and designed to help education leaders start and expand Chinese language and culture programs and to facilitate ongoing China-related research and exchanges. Continue reading “Interested in creating/expanding a Chinese language program?”
The Maine Board of Pesticides Control has recently developed best management practices for pesticide use on school grounds and published them on the Department of Agriculture’s integrated pest management website: thinkfirstspraylast.org/schoolipm.
Continue reading “Best practices for school pesticide use now available online”
The schools in Deer Isle and Stonington want input from the community so the school system can craft a long-term strategic plan. Turns out, a sandwich board is part of the solution.
During two recent basketball games, Deer Isle-Stonington High School students Chelsea Brown, Kasi Billings and Morgan Shepherd wore a sandwich board with four questions. Residents were encouraged to write their ideas on the board or submit them on paper.
Continue reading “Deer Isle, Stonington get creative in seeking plan ideas”
CORRECTION: A previous version of this release contained the wrong LD number and linked to the wrong bill for the second item below, LD 1779. It has been corrected.
Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen issued the following statement Thursday following legislative approval on Wednesday of several key education bills, including: LD 1422, which requires that the state’s public schools transition to a proficiency-based diploma; LD 1779, which moves Maine career and technical education programs toward the full adoption of national industry standards; and LD 1865, which makes it easier for students to access career and technical education courses.
The following is a news release from the Maine Charter School Commission.
AUGUSTA – Nine groups informed the Maine Charter School Commission by Wednesday’s deadline that they plan to submit applications to open public charter schools. Seven of the groups hope to open a school this fall, one in fall 2013, and one is considering both options.
Continue reading “Commission receives notice of 9 charter school proposals”
Maine DOE Newsroom 