Media Release: Mills Administration Releases Plan to Transform CDS and Improve Special Education Services for Young Children

The Plan Presented to the Legislature by the Maine DOE Would Transition Oversight of Educational Services for Young Children With Disabilities From CDS to Local School Systems over a 3-Year Phase-In

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) delivered a report today to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine Legislature detailing recommendations to solve decades-long structural challenges that have limited Maine’s ability to successfully provide special education services to preschool-aged children. The recommendations include a proposal to transition oversight of educational plans for preschool-aged children with disabilities from the Child Developmental Services (CDS) agency to local public school systems.

Today’s recommendations were previewed by Governor Mills in part one of her State of the State Address earlier this week. She declared that Maine’s use of a quasi-governmental organization to provide special education services to preschool-aged children “just isn’t working for Maine kids,” and that “every other state in the nation educates pre-k children with disabilities through their public school systems. Maine should do the same.” Mills urged the Legislature to work with her Administration to fix Child Development Services.

“The Department of Education is proud to offer a plan that, if implemented by the Legislature, will dramatically improve the services and education that Maine provides to our youngest learners with disabilities. This plan reflects best practices and the priorities expressed by educators and school leaders, parents, CDS staff, experts, private providers, and advocates, and it’s the right thing to do. We look forward to working with the Legislature to transform the structures that have held a failed system in place for decades and do right by some of the most vulnerable children in our state,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

Since CDS was established more than 30 years ago, there have been dozens of statutory revisions and proposed bills to transition oversight of services to public schools, but the laws driving insufficient services have remained in place. Maine is the only state that requires an independent organization, separate and apart from public schools, to oversee the state’s obligation to ensure special educational services for preschool children who require these supports and services. Most other states designate local public schools as responsible for overseeing the provision of educational services for young students with disabilities, either directly or through contracts with local private providers and regional sites.

The Maine DOE’s report recommends a three-year phase-in of the responsibility of educational services for preschool-age children with disabilities from the CDS agency to local school administrative units (SAUs). A pilot year would begin July 1, with several willing SAUs receiving both the funding and the responsibility for the provision of services to preschoolers with disabilities. All SAUs would assume these responsibilities by the fall of 2026. Under this plan, students may be served directly in local public pre-K classrooms or may continue in current placements, with the goal always leading toward full inclusion in the general education setting.

The proposal does not require the establishment or expansion of pre-K programs in local schools, nor does it displace CDS workers or private providers, as all service providers are important partners in ensuring services are available to every child who is eligible. CDS regional service hubs and private community providers who are willing to work with the public schools to ensure services in accordance with federal laws will be critically needed partners to support a successful education system for pre-K students with disabilities.

The State is committed to providing funding to support the transition and to sustain special education services for young children. The Department’s recommended funding model is informed by the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) formula, with allocations for student subsidy counts flowing through the formula, but with the special education and related services funding remaining outside of the formula, paid upfront in quarterly payments requiring no local share. During the pilot for fiscal year 2025, the funding generated by the formula would be provided outside of the formula at 100 percent state share, since the mill rate and total cost of education have already been established and local budgets are in process. $10 million will be included in the supplemental budget request to cover the costs for special education and related services for these children. The State’s budget will also include $4 million for renovation projects for schools looking to start up or expand pre-k programs.

The Maine DOE developed the proposal after engaging in multiple meetings, focus groups, and individual interviews with stakeholder representatives, including parent advocacy groups, superintendents, school board members, educators, public school service providers, private schools and community-based providers, special education directors, and other state experts. It was also developed based on the recommendations from a Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG) report commissioned by the Legislature, findings and priorities from the legislated LD 255 and LD 386 advisory groups that met in 2022, U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) guidance, existing data, national experts, and a thorough examination of the current needs and capacities in our state.

Intensive training and technical support will be provided for schools in developmentally appropriate practices for working with young children and their families and in inclusive educational practices that allow all children to learn together and to receive necessary supports.

The proposal would ensure that Maine is in line with recent guidance from the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs which reiterates and clarifies the expectation that children with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment, alongside their typically developing peers. Under current Maine statutes, public schools are responsible for children with and without disabilities in grades K-12 and for nondisabled pre-K students. Pre-K students with disabilities, however, must enter special education through a separate system for evaluations, individualized educational program (IEP) development, and educational programming – 80 percent of which is currently provided outside of the public school setting.

Maine’s pre-K system is second only to Arkansas in the percentage of students with disabilities who are excluded from the general education settings in local public schools. 12.5 percent of pre-K students in Maine receive education in private, special purpose programs, the most restrictive environment, according to the federal government. The national average for these most restrictive placements is between 1 to 2 percent.

The proposal would also expand the availability of services to children. The current structure makes it difficult for CDS staff members to meet growing needs and find placements in pre-school education classrooms and related special education services due to the overreliance on private providers, pervasive shortages of childcare settings in Maine and nationwide, and the fact that providers are able to choose which students they serve, leaving some children without access to education.

The Maine DOE’s proposal to the Legislature today builds on unprecedented efforts by the Department to improve the services provided by CDS despite current legal constraints. Recent achievements include:

In just three years, the Department has supported public schools in serving preschoolers with disabilities so that now more than 20 percent of these children, who were previously excluded from the general education classrooms, are educated in their local schools, in the least restrictive environment, alongside their typically developing peers.
The Department has used grant funding to support community readiness assessments and to foster partnerships between local public schools and community-based service providers, childcare settings, and private schools.
Trainings and technical assistance in best practices for working with very young students and their families have been provided statewide, with ongoing opportunities for educators, school leaders, and CDS staff to build greater capacities.

Preschool startup and expansion grants have been provided to schools statewide, funding plans that implement inclusive practices and strong community partnerships.
The Department has supported CDS by increasing staffing, offering workers free college courses toward teacher certification, and increasing wages and benefits.
CDS leadership has been provided with a comprehensive organizational improvement plan to bring their student data, accounting systems, and other operations in line with state expectations.

The Maine DOE provided this report to the Legislature as a result of LD 1528 directing the Department to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs regarding services provided by the CDS System to include a plan for oversight of a free, appropriate public education for eligible children from 3 years of age to under 6 years of age in SAUs. Read the full report here.

Media Release: Organizations Needed to Provide Complementary Meals to Children This Summer

Augusta, ME — With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of income-eligible children in Maine during the school year. To extend this program, the Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition (Maine DOE) is seeking organizations to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides children healthy free meals when school is not in session.

“By participating in this program, community groups and organizations can have a tremendous impact on the health and wellbeing of children in their communities,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “The Maine Department of Education is thankful to those organizations that join this program to ensure our children get the meals they depend on this summer”

During summer 2023, 107 sponsors were approved to operate 415 summer meal sites across Maine. Although there are sponsors operating in every county in Maine, there is still a long way to go towards feeding all eligible children during the summer. Community partners are working to maximize the number of sponsors utilizing the availability of funds under the SFSP.

SFSP may be offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or census track data supports the need. Organizations that provide services in rural communities or near migrant farm workers and tribal populations are urged to participate, including those able to provide grab and go or home delivered meals in approved rural locations. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations. SFSP sponsors are also needed to provide grab and go or home delivered meals in eligible rural areas of Maine.

The Maine DOE encourages any eligible organization to consider providing this much-needed service to Maine children and will begin accepting applications to participate in February. Approved sponsors will be reimbursed for eligible meals served to children during summer break.

Interested organizations should begin planning now for a successful summer. Potential sponsors are required to receive training from Maine DOE. Training will occur in person in Augusta and DOE staff will assist in the onboarding process. The Maine DOE is available to consult by phone and email to answer questions regarding summer meals.

For more information about the Maine DOE’s Summer Food Service Program, contact adriane.ackroyd@maine.gov, call 592-1722 or visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/sfsp.

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Federal

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

 Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

 To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

 (1)     mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
          Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
          1400 Independence Avenue, SW
          Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

 (2)      fax: (202) 690-7442; or  

 (3)      email: program.intake@usda.gov.

 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

State

The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin.

Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions and complete an intake questionnaire. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Media Release: Maine DOE Awards $1.5 Million in Cyber Performance Grants to 61 School Administrative Units

Augusta, ME—The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) awarded a total of $1.5 million in Cyber Performance Grants to 61 Maine school administrative units (SAUs). These grants fund SAU projects to upgrade end-of-service infrastructure, strengthen managed detection and response for network security, firewalls, and cloud backup services, and to provide professional learning.

The grants were in response to the federal Cybersecurity Act and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) report on K12 education Protecting Our Future, which provides schools with recommendations. These include implementing multifactor authentication, security awareness training, professional development, system backups, patch management, minimizing threat exposure, incident response plans, and investments in CISA’s Cyber Performance Goals. Maine Schools continue to learn and progress through the implementation of CISA’s recommendations.

“Getting a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) with our grant is helping us be a lot more proactive in monitoring our endpoints. It was like hiring a cybersecurity professional to watch over our staff devices and servers,” said Mike Arsenault, Yarmouth IT Director.

“The Cyber Performance Grant provided a firewall as an additional layer of defense against cyber threats, offering redundancy to enhance our overall security resilience, ensuring continuous protection, and minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or malicious activities on a network,” said Dr. Dave Fournier, RSU71 Belfast IT Director.

The cyber performance grant is a part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative’s comprehensive set of supports that include software, broadband and wireless network support, technical support, professional learning, and cyber safety, which together aid all local school units to effectively use technology for teaching and learning.

Have questions? Want to learn more? Reach out to MLTI’s Infrastructure Specialist, Jim Chasse at james.chasse@maine.gov.

Maine SAUs Receiving Cyber Performance Grants

1	Acton Public Schools	22	Nobleboro Public Schools	43	RSU 61
2	Auburn Public Schools	23	RSU 01	44	RSU 68
3	Bangor Public Schools	24	RSU 04	45	RSU 71
4	Bar Harbor Public Schools	25	RSU 06	46	RSU 75
5	Biddeford Public Schools	26	RSU 09	47	RSU 83/MSAD 13
6	Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD	27	RSU 11	48	Scarborough Public Schools
7	Bristol Public Schools	28	RSU 14	49	South Bristol Public Schools
8	Brunswick Public Schools	29	RSU 15	50	South Portland Public Schools
9	Cranberry Isles Public Schools	30	RSU 16	51	Southwest Harbor CSD
10	Ellsworth Public Schools	31	RSU 17	52	St. George Public Schools
11	Falmouth Public Schools	32	RSU 18	53	Tremont Public Schools
12	Glenburn Public Schools	33	RSU 20	54	Trenton Public Schools
13	Great Salt Bay CSD	34	RSU 25	55	Vassalboro Public Schools
14	Kittery Public Schools	35	RSU 29	56	Waterville Public Schools
15	Lisbon Public Schools	36	RSU 33	57	Wells-Ogunquit CSD
16	Madawaska Public Schools	37	RSU 35	58	Westbrook Public Schools
17	Millinocket Public Schools	38	RSU 40	59	Winslow Schools
18	Mount Desert Public Schools	39	RSU 52	60	Yarmouth Public Schools
19	MSAD 27	40	RSU 56	61	York Public Schools
20	MSAD 76	41	RSU 57
21	Mt. Desert CSD	42	RSU 60

Media Release: Nokomis Computer Science Teachers Featured on Maine DOE Podcast What Holds Us Together

Commissioner Makin Speaks With Kern and Keith Kelley About How They Integrate Hands-On Computer Science Education Across Grade Levels and Content Areas

In the latest episode of her What Holds Us Together podcast, Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin speaks with Keith and Kern Kelley, brothers and computer science teachers at Nokomis Regional Middle and High School, about Maine’s efforts to integrate computer science education at all grade levels and with all content areas. They talk about how hands-on, real-world computer science education teaches students about technology and computer science as well as strengthening their ability to work in teams, troubleshoot, communicate effectively, lead, and pursue creative passions. You can listen here.

“These are two brothers who are educators integrating really exciting hands-on, real-world computer science education, innovation, and technology with their students. I’ve been to visit their classrooms and have seen the work that they’ve been doing with their students and how much engagement there is. I was so impressed, I wanted to share some of what they’re doing with all of you,” said Makin in the podcast opening.

The three discussed how computer science education has real-world applications across all content areas and areas of life.

“I was a librarian and a language arts teacher, so I’ve come from a different way to get to this. It’s not separate, it’s part of. Language arts teachers are doing coding. When you’re teaching kids you have to use a period, you have to use a comma, you have to be grammatical, and there’s a reason and structure to it, then you get into building a game or a sequence of coding and there’s structure, it’s the same thing. If you’re doing computer science and learning coding, you’re learning a language,” said Keith Kelley, Innovative Technology Teacher at Nokomis Regional Middle School.

He continued, “We do asynchronous grouping, so one kid is building code and he or she has 2 other groupmates and they have to communicate digitally with each other through screen captures and stuff like that. That’s what you do in the real world, we’re virtually meeting all the time. When my kids are doing basic coding they’re learning pre-algebra, they’re learning sequencing, but also they’re learning troubleshooting which translates to everything. It’s not a separate thing, it’s part of what’s already out there. If you’re in math you’re doing numbers, but you are doing language. You’re in science and doing labs and troubleshooting, but you’re doing language.”

Kern Kelley, Director of Technology Integration for the district, described how he began integrating computer science education with different content areas across the high school.

“I’d ask the kids what they’re doing [for a specific teacher] and say ok, for me you’re going to do that same project but you’re going to do it this way—we’re going to do a virtual reality world for that book project you have to do. The kids would do it and bring it to the teachers and almost 100 percent of the time [the teachers] say that’s great, next time let’s make that as an offering,” said Kern Kelley.

Makin described how that approach is setting Maine apart as a computer science education leader.

“That really sets this apart from what I see across the nation in terms of really rote programmatic learning coding for the sake of learning coding. You both take it to that next level where it’s really learning coding to do an important thing that is relevant, whatever that might be,” said Makin.

“There’s elegant coding. Just like in writing you have basic writing then you get to the point where now I’m not writing for writing sake or to get information across I’m trying to make something prose or poetry. The same thing happens with technology and the coding. You go from writing basic coding to make it function to making it function efficiently or elegantly through elegant design,” said Keith Kelley.

They also discussed how this continuum of computer science education that students experience through their school careers develops the leadership and teaching skills of students. High school students can participate in SLAM, developing weekly live shows to teach other students how to create something using a free online tool. Once a month the students also go on the road for a SLAM Show and teach sessions to younger students to get them engaged and excited about computer science.

“As much as we can have students as part of the solution and include them in that process of learning and get opportunities to teach and learn from that experience…and then the idea is those kids get so excited about learning from high school kids about these cool tech topics, that’s usually enough impetus where we can now talk to the teachers afterward [about doing more]. Now we’ve broken the ice and they know how to use these things and have all these ideas,” said Kern Kelley.

Through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) provided every Maine public school with a free mobile computer science lab to ensure that every student, pre-K through grade 12, has access to interdisciplinary, project-based computer science education with real-world applications.

The DOE has a comprehensive computer science education plan guided by seven key principles: authentic and project-based instruction, computer science as a prek-12 learning continuum, equitable and inclusive access, educator-produced professional learning and statewide sharing, integrated applied learning, educator-informed policy and state planning, and computational thinking as a foundation. You can read more about Maine’s computer science education framework here.

What Holds Us Together is a monthly podcast produced by the Maine DOE and hosted by Makin to highlight the voices of educators, students, and school employees across Maine. Listen to this and all the episodes of What Holds Us Together on Apple and Spotify.

Media Release: One Week Left to Nominate a Teacher for Maine Teacher of the Year

Nominate Someone Today at mainetoy.org/nominate

Current County Teachers of the Year Release Video Encouraging Nominations

Maine communities have one week left to nominate a teacher for 2024 County Teacher of the Year and 2025 State Teacher of the Year. Maine’s County and State Teachers of the Year serve as advocates for teachers, students, and public education in Maine.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine announced that nominations were open at the start of the month and have already received hundreds of nominations from across the state. Maine’s current County Teachers of the Year released a new video on social media encouraging people to nominate an outstanding teacher today. You can view the video here.

“Maine is home to amazing teachers who educate, inspire, innovate, nurture, and go above and beyond each and every day for their students, schools, and communities. The Maine Teacher of the Year program recognizes the extraordinary contributions of educators across our state and gives them a megaphone to share the great things happening in Maine public schools. Please nominate an outstanding teacher in your life today,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

Nominations can be made through a form on the Maine Teacher of the Year Website through 5:00 pm on January 31, 2021. Nominations will be accepted from students, parents, caregivers, community members, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations/organizations (self-nominations, and nominations from family members are not accepted).

Requirements:

Hold the appropriate professional certification for their teaching position;
Be a certified, in good standing, PK-12 teacher in a state-accredited public school, including a career and technical education and adult education center, a public charter school, or a publicly supported secondary school (a private school that enrolls 60 percent or more publicly funded students, sometimes referred to as “town academies”);
Be actively teaching students at least fifty percent of the workday at the time of nomination and during their year of recognition.
Maintain their teaching position and remain in the county for which they are selected throughout the year of recognition.
Have a minimum of five years of teaching – three of which are in Maine.

“I can’t begin to tell you what an incredible journey this has been for me. More than once I’ve said, ‘Every educator should have this experience.’ Everyone knows an outstanding teacher. Nominate them and change their lives,” said Sharon Gallant, teacher at Gardiner Area High School and 2023 Kennebec County Teacher of the Year.

“Being nominated for Lincoln County Teacher of the Year began a journey that changed my life and celebrated my school and my district. There are so many astoundingly wonderful teachers in Maine. Nominate one and start the journey afresh,” said Edith Berger, a teacher at Miller School in RSU 40/MSAD 40 and 2023 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year.

“This process has been one of the most unimaginable ones I’ve ever had the opportunity to be a part of. I’m endlessly thankful to be a part of this outstanding family since May 10th, 2023. These people are extraordinary in every way possible. I’m sure you know a wonderful educator–nominate them today! Help recognize the stellar work happening in Maine classrooms,” said Miranda Engstrom, a teacher at Lamoine Consolidated School and 2023 Hancock County Teacher of the Year.

“This experience has completely changed the way I think about myself as a teacher. It forced me to step out of my comfort zone, helped me find my voice, and introduced me to some of the most amazing educators and friends that I have ever met. I’m so excited to meet, support, and learn from the 2024 cohort of Maine County Teachers of the Year,” said Lacey Todd, a teacher at Mountain Valley Middle School and 2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year.

“Life changing. Seriously life changing. Nominate an amazing teacher today,” said Joshua Chard, a teacher at East End Community School in Portland and Maine’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Beyond serving as advocates for education, Maine’s County and State Teachers serve as advisors to the Maine DOE and state-level education stakeholders across Maine. Additionally, County and State Teachers of the Year join a cohort of teacher leaders who actively work together for the betterment of education in Maine. They also receive ongoing professional learning and participate in many state and county leadership opportunities.

The 2024 County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May. The 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected from the 16 county honorees. Through a selection process designed by educators, the field will be narrowed to semi-finalists and then state finalists before the Maine Teacher of the Year is announced by Maine’s Education Commissioner at a school assembly in the fall. Each year, State and County Teachers of the Year are honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Gala also held in the fall.

On behalf of, and in partnership with Maine Department of Education, the Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led organization whose mission is to champion college, career readiness, and increased educational attainment. Funding is provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River Co., Geiger, Hannaford, the Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family, and Unum, with support from the State Board of Education and the Maine State and County Teacher of the Year Association.

“Educate Maine is proud to administer the Maine Teacher of the Year program in partnership with the Maine Department of Education,” said Dr. Jason Judd, Educate Maine Executive Director. “Our County and State Teachers of the Year represent the outstanding work taking place in classrooms across our state. This program is dedicated to celebrating educators, enhancing their recognition, cultivating a network of teacher leaders, and amplifying their voices to strengthen the teaching profession in Maine.”

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is committed to a nomination and selection process that ensures people of all backgrounds are represented. Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education champion that commitment by encouraging the nomination of educators from all culturally diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Through the generous support of Maine businesses, there is no cost to the local district when the Teacher of the Year is out of the classroom on their official duties, which includes representing educators state-wide and nationally through safely distanced in-person and virtual events that highlight the important work of Maine schools, communities, and educators.

For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit the Maine Teacher of the Year website. Help us promote the Teacher of the Year Program by using the promotional materials on our website!