Category: Priority Notices

PRIORITY NOTICE: Upcoming Opportunities to Strengthen Family Engagement Practices; Informational Session on June 3

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of School and Student Supports is pleased to announce two upcoming opportunities for schools, school administrative units, and/or individual educators to strengthen their family engagement practices.

Please share the following information with your appropriate networks to ensure all who are interested are able to participate! These opportunities are free, grounded in research, and designed to benefit entire learning communities.

2025-2026 Family, School, and Community Engagement Community of Practice

The first opportunity is a free community of practice for teams of Maine educators, designed to strengthen family, school, and community partnerships across Maine’s pre-K-12 education system. A virtual informational session will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. Please register for that session here. 

Research has shown that family and community engagement are associated with improved outcomes in student achievement, attendance, school climate, and staff retention. This learning series will be facilitated by the Consortium for Engaging Families Across Maine (CEFAM). Participants will learn how to implement research-based, developmentally appropriate family engagement strategies. By the end of the series, participating schools will have: 

  1. A foundational understanding of evidence-based family, school, and community engagement strategies;
  2. Improved skills to analyze and apply data for informed engagement efforts; and
  3. A concrete family engagement action plan tailored to their school community. 

At the June 3 informational session, participants will learn about the structure of this community of practice, as well as goals and expectations to earn a team stipend. There will also be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. Additional dates to add to the calendar include:

  • August 5 or 6, 2025 (time TBD) – Session at the Maine DOE Annual Summit
  • October 9 or 10, 2025 (time TBD) – Fall Virtual Check-In Meeting
  • January 15 or 16, 2026 (time TBD) – Winter Virtual Check-In Meeting
  • March 12 or 13, 2026 (time TBD) – Spring Final Celebration

This opportunity will ensure that schools are moving from planning to actions that foster meaningful, sustainable engagement to benefit all students. Here is a flyer about this opportunity (PDF). For more information, you may email info@maec.org.
 
Reframing Academy

The second opportunity is a free series of virtual modules, delivered by national experts at the National Association for Family and School Community Engagement (NAFSCE). NAFSCE’s Reframing Academy leads learners through ten virtual modules, which break down the problems that stand in the way of communicating effectively about family engagement and identify research-backed strategies to solve those problems and change the way in which people think about family engagement.
 
In the first session, slated for August 7, 2025, participants will gain access to the course materials and receive a copy of the course learning journal. The facilitator will also provide insights into the course development and structure. Between sessions, participants will complete designated Academy modules, and the three subsequent sessions will focus on thoughtful discussions of the Academy content in a structured and meaningful way. The schedule is as follows:

  • August 7, 2025 at 3 p.m. – Learning Block 1
  • August 21, 2025 at 3 p.m. – Learning Block 2
  • September 11, 2025 at 3 p.m. – Learning Block 3
  • September 25, 2025 at 3 p.m. – Learning Block 4

Participation is free, and participants from Maine who complete the course activities and attend all course sessions may be eligible for contact hours. All participants who complete the Academy modules may earn a certificate of completion. Please register for this opportunity here.

For more information, you may email Laurie Ascoli at ascolil@nafsce.org.

More About CEFAM

These opportunities are available in Maine thanks to a five-year Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFEC) program grant. CEFAM was established by the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC). The Maine DOE has been collaborating with MAEC since the start of this grant in late 2021.

SFEC grants provide financial support to organizations that offer technical assistance and training to state educational agencies in the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective family engagement policies, programs, and activities. To learn more about this work in Maine, please refer to a previous priority notice from December.

Maine DOE Seeking Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY24 ESEA Funds and FY25 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under Section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to apply for a Tydings Amendment waiver and a Title I Carryover of Excess waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USED). As required, the Maine DOE is seeking public comment from February 24 to March 14, 2025, on the request to waive the period of availability for ESEA funds and Title I, Part A carryover limitations. This public comment period has been extended for longer than 15 days, acknowledging the return from February break.

Maine will be seeking:

  • A Tydings Amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the USED. The Tydings Amendment waiver seeks an extension to the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2023/State Fiscal Year 2024 ESEA funds. Programs affected by this waiver include:
    • Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agencies [LEAs]), including the portions of the state education agency’s (SEA) Title I, Part A award used to carry out Section 1003 school improvement, Section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2.
    • Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants).
    • Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children).
    • Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk).
    • Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction).
    • Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement).
    • Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants).
    • Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers).
    • Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program).
    • McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program.
  • A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2024/State Fiscal Year 2025 Title I, Part A funds. The carryover limitation waiver seeks to waive the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its LEAs a waiver of the 15-percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.

The Maine DOE must solicit and respond to public comments on its waiver request, as well as provide evidence of the available comment period. As the Maine DOE moves forward to provide as much flexibility as possible, and continued support for expending ESEA federal funds, comments may be submitted to Shelly Chasse-Johndro at shelly.chassejohndro@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Seeking Applicants for Assessment RFP Evaluation Committee 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking proposals for a statewide reading and mathematics assessment, per State of Maine procurement regulations. A critical step in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process is the scoring of proposals. Maine DOE is seeking the involvement of Maine educators in this process through participation in the RFP Evaluation Committee.

The RFP Evaluation Committee will be responsible for reviewing submitted proposals, completing both individual notes, and in-person consensus scoring. Maine DOE is looking for representation from across geographical regions and areas of educational expertise. If selected, RFP Evaluation Committee members must be available for independent review of proposals between November 15-20, 2024. Additionally, in-person consensus scoring with the Committee will take place on November 21, 22, and 25 in Augusta at the Maine DOE offices.

Please do not complete this application if you do not have the authorization and capacity to participate on these dates.

To apply to be a member of the RFP Evaluation Committee, please complete the application here.

To read the full Request for Proposals, click here.

100 Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors and Providers Attend Maine DOE Annual Training

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Child and Adult Care Food Program team recently hosted 100 of Maine’s child and adult care sponsors and providers for the CACFP Annual Training. The Child and Adult Care Food Program, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture administered by participating states, provides reimbursements for meals and snacks to eligible children and adults enrolled in care at participating child care centers, in-home daycares, and adult daycare centers.

The focus for one day of training was geared towards food program staff to learn about food safety, efficiency in the kitchen, and standardized recipes, as well as how they can incorporate the Harvest of the Month and Maine Fish Programs into the meals they are feeding the children in their care.

The other training day focused on providers who handle the administration side of CACFP. The CACFP team reviewed the budget tool, agreement errors, and the integrity rule. Participants broke up into 16 groups to discuss topics that affected them. Several reported ideas to the entire group. The CACFP team collected all topics and ideas for further discussion on how to improve things for CACFP sponsors.

The Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition team hosts various in-person training opportunities, including culinary and food safety training for school nutrition professionals at its Augusta-based Culinary Classroom, along with other various training opportunities located in different regions throughout the state; the team also records training videos and provides recipes that are accessible as needed via their website. For more information, reach out to the Maine DOE Child Nutrition Team.

 

 

Eliot Elementary School Civil Rights Team Takes the Great Kindness Challenge

The Civil Rights Team at Eliot Elementary School has been working hard to make their school a better place to be. The Civil Rights Team is made up of 21 grade three students who engage their school community to think and talk about race and skin color, national origin and ancestry, religion, disabilities, gender, and orientation (in an age-appropriate manner).

“Our team works to make our school a safe and accepting place for all of our students,” said Civil Rights Team Advisor Marissa Armitage. The Civil Rights Team Project is a statewide initiative coordinated by the State of Maine Office of the Attorney General.

Grade 3 students have been spreading the message of acceptance and standing up for what’s right. They’ve been thinking about important issues, hosting important conversations, and changing the climate of the school to be more inclusive.

To combat bias-based harassment, the Civil Rights Team recently hosted an assembly for the Great Kindness Challenge, a weeklong national campaign in January where students in schools across the U.S. are challenged to complete as many acts of kindness as possible using a customizable checklist. Armitage says the Civil Rights Team was outstanding at modeling citizenship during their week of kindness this year.

“The Great Kindness Challenge is just one example of [the Civil Rights Team] initiative,” said Armitage. “I’m really proud of the way our students have shown up as leaders. They set the tone for the rest of the school,” she added.

Armitage tells us that the Civil Rights Team has many more plans for schoolwide initiatives throughout the year.

Find more information about The Great Kindness Challenge here.

This story was a collaboration with Eliot Elementary School. To submit a story from your school, fill out our good news submission form.

Listening Sessions for Educators: Understanding Current and Emerging Needs Following the Mass Violence Event in Lewiston

As part of its evolving role in responding to the instance of mass violence in late October, Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), along with other agency partners within State Government and the Lewiston community, are holding listening sessions to engage partners across a broad spectrum. Maine DHHS is partnering with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for sessions specific to schools and educators, respecting the intersection of health and education and the importance of a coordinated response. For these sessions in particular, feedback can help to tailor trainings and other supports that may be offered to schools and educators.

Maine DOE and Maine DHHS are scheduling two listening sessions for educators – one session for school and school administrative unit (SAU) administrators and another for teachers and other educational staff.

The listening session dates:

  • School and SAU Administrators: January 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. – Registration link
  • Teachers and Educational Staff: January 10, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. – Registration link

These sessions typically last 60 – 90 minutes.

We recognize that while Lewiston and surrounding communities were directly affected by the violence, the effects of the violence have been felt in school communities across the state. With that in mind, administrators, teachers, and educational staff from all parts of the state are invited to participate in these sessions.

The listening sessions are aimed to identify which services or supports are best suited to address current and emerging need, and how access can be structured to ensure services support those in need.  Information gleaned during these listening sessions will augment existing insight and feedback that has been provided both formally and informally to date. To inform ongoing response to the mass shooting, it is critical to have a solid understanding of the landscape and environment within Lewiston and surrounding communities, and of needs directly informed by the community itself.

To support a productive discussion during the listening session, please consider the following questions:

  • What are some of the needed direct services that are either known now or anticipated? These can be at an organizational level or based on your what organization has seen/provided.
  • What are some of the needed supports (i.e., training, communications, coordination, etc.) that are either known now or anticipated? Again, these can be at an organizational level or based on what your organization has seen/provided.
  • How do you see needs and response evolving, both in the near-term (next one to two months), interim-term (three to six months) and long-term (one year out)?
  • How can emerging needs continue to be assessed as the response evolves?

Teacher Shortage Areas For 2023-2024 School Year 

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) annually designates teacher shortage areas for the purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting and would like to thank all those who submitted information during the comment period. The comments related to teacher shortage enabled the DOE to add additional teaching endorsements to the USDOE proposal. The following are PreK-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2023-2024 school year:

  • General Elementary
  • Early Childhood
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • English/Language Arts (Middle and Secondary Level)
  • Mathematics (Middle and Secondary Level)
  • Science-Physical (Secondary Level)
  • Science-Life (Secondary Level)
  • Science (Middle Level)
  • Physical Education
  • World Languages
  • Visual Arts
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities (See note below.)

In Maine, the annual teacher shortage list is utilized by the DOE to determine which endorsements are eligible for an emergency certificate.  It should be noted, however, that on October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released a memorandum to clarify the requirements of IDEA Part B, which outlines the expectations for the preparation and training of all special education teachers nationwide. Noted in the memo, special education certification or licensure requirements may not be waived.

For federal purposes, the benefits to student financial aid recipients, such as loan cancellations, are indicated in the following regulatory provisions:

  • 34 CFR 682.210(b)(5)(ii), (b)(7), (q), and (s) enable a borrower who had no outstanding Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan on July 1, 1987,  but who had an outstanding FFEL Program loan on July 1, 1993, to qualify for deferment of loan repayment under the Stafford Loan Program anytime within the life of the borrower’s loan(s) for up to three years of service as a full-time teacher in a private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area designated by the Department, and as certified by the chief administrative officer of the particular school in which the borrower is teaching;
  • 34 CFR 674.53(c) enables Federal Perkins Loan borrowers who are full-time teachers of mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or any other field of expertise where the State educational agency determined there is a shortage of qualified teachers to qualify for cancellation of up to 100 percent of the outstanding balance on the borrower’s Federal Perkins loans; and
  • 34 CFR 686.12(d) enables grant recipients to fulfill their teaching obligation under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (regarding the requirement to serve at least four academic years, within eight years of graduation) by teaching in a “high-need field,” which includes academic disciplines/subject areas identified as teacher shortage areas at the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field.

Stafford Loan and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) borrowers who have questions concerning their loans, including the teacher shortage area deferment, can contact the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FED-AID.

Federal Perkins Loan borrowers should contact the school where they received the loan.

For questions related to the 2023-2024 shortage areas, please contact Michael Perry, Acting Director, Office of Higher Education and Educator Support Services, at michael.t.perry@maine.gov.

Registration Details for the DOE’s 2023 Educator Summit 

The countdown is on for the start of the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) 2023 Educator Summit, which is being held August 7-10 at the Augusta Civic Center. Last year’s inaugural Summit attracted more than 600 educators from across the state. This year’s theme is Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion and participants will have access to more than 140 sessions and professional learning opportunities.

Registration is open through July 19 and can be accessed here.

Here’s a full rundown of the exciting opportunities happening during the Summit:

  • View the full Summit schedule and presentation descriptions here.  
  • School Safety Summit. The second annual School Safety Summit will be held in conjunction with the Educator Summit over all four days. All educators, administrators, school personnel, school transportation providers, school nurses and counselors, school social workers, school resource officers, local law enforcement working with schools, juvenile community corrections officers, local emergency management providers, first responders, and all stakeholders involved in school safety are welcome to participate. The safety presentations are listed within the larger Summit, but are also offered in a separate list identified by the own “button” on the Summit landing page.
  • Community Schools. Is a School-Based Health Center a Community School? What do First Ten Schools and Communities have in common with the community school model? Should Maine invest energy in the community school model for the whole student/whole educator to be realized? Whether you have never heard of community schools, are currently in a pilot plan, or are fully immersed in any form of community school, join us and have your voice become part of the vision of Maine’s community school approach. This professionally facilitated day will be interactive and highly engaging. Make sure your community is represented!
  • The Transformational Leadership Network (TLN) will be holding their 2023-2024 “kick-off” for building principals during the Summit and is an all-day event.  To have a better understanding of what the TLN is and how it can enhance your success as a building principal please click here.
  • EASE Maine Collaboration. RSU 12, RSU 24, RSU 54, RSU 73, RSU 79, AND RSU 85, Eastport School Department, Jefferson School Department, and Lewiston School Department are invited to attend this session. This session is for EASE Maine SAUs and building leadership, mental health providers, and teacher leaders who can take the knowledge gained and replicate it for your own district staff! EASE Maine SAU should have AT LEAST TWO PARTICIPANTS IN ATTENDANCE. Please select one of 2 three-hour sessions, either morning or afternoon, on Wednesday, August 9. Sessions will guide the best support possible for your mental health providers to begin the year supporting trauma-informed practices for students and school personnel. Further opportunities to connect with Advisory and Core Team EASE members will be provided.
  • Teach in Maine. The 2023 Educator Summit is also initiating an opportunity for those interested in entering the world of public education to come to the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, August 10th from noon to 4 p.m. to receive immediate help and information regarding the certification process.
  • Poster Contest. The DOE is excited to offer an opportunity for each school and/or SAU to showcase what they have to offer to a new teacher in terms of location, activities, professional development opportunities, etc.  The theme of the contest is “Why I love living and teaching in my community.”

    To participate in this friendly competition, you must: Submit on a laminated standard poster board with pictures/art that features the best of your community. The poster must be laminated and have the following information on the back of the poster: name, number, contact information, and location of your SAU. We will be hanging these posters on the hall walls of the Civic Center to add to the experience for attendees. An award will be given to the entry that receives the most votes from attendees. The award will be announced during lunch on August 10. You can bring the poster with you to the registration table upon arrival.  DO NOT MAIL TO THE DOE.

For more information contact teri.peaslee@maine.gov.

Comprehensive Electronic Health Record Pilot Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA #202305111)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from school administrative units (SAUs), publicly supported secondary schools, and Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) who meet eligibility requirements stated in RFA# 202305111. Using American Rescue Plan, state reservation funds, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will cover costs of implementing a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system of up to $6000, which includes a nominal stipend for a school-designated EHR champion. This widespread pilot aims to show that maintaining an electronic health record is beneficial to both local schools and the State of Maine as it will increase the efficiency of services provided, decrease the burden of reporting health data, allow for data-informed decisions and policy, and increase revenue possibilities with MaineCare.

Eligible schools that are interested in the Comprehensive Electronic Health Record Pilot Grant Program opportunity may access the application through the Grant RFPs and RFAs webpage.

A timeline for the application process is provided below.

  • May 24, 2023 – Request for Applications (RFA) Released
  • June 15, 2023 – RFA Question submission deadline
  • July 12, 2023 – RFA Submission deadline

All questions about the Comprehensive Electronic Health Record Pilot RFA should be submitted to the Grant Coordinator: Emily Poland, Office of School and Student Supports, at Emily.Poland@Maine.gov. 

Third Round of Grant Funds Available to Support the Expansion of Public Pre-Ks 

As part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, Governor Mills allocated $10 million of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds appropriated for Maine for public pre-k infrastructure to increase the number of 4-year-olds enrolled in public pre-k across the state. For 2022-24 school years, 28 School Administrative Units (SAUs) were awarded funding to expand or start new Pre-K programs.

The Maine DOE is excited to add an additional round of public pre-k expansion funding for school year 2023-24.

Currently, public Pre-K in Maine is not universally available for all 4-year-olds. While the cognitive and social-emotional benefits of high-quality pre-k are well documented, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the ability of SAUs to offer public pre-k and the extent to which they can enroll all eligible 4-year-olds from interested families. This funding will help expand pre-k opportunities across Maine.

Maine SAUs interested in starting or expanding public pre-k are encouraged to apply for funding through the Pre-K Expansion Request for Applications (RFA). SAUs will be able to use the funding, in combination with Essential Programs and Services allocations, to start new pre-k programs, add additional pre-k classrooms to already existing programming, and/or expand existing programs from part-day/part-week to full-day/full-week programs. Funding may also support public pre-k programming through partnerships between SAUs and community providers.

A timeline for the RFA process is provided below.

  • January 5, 2023–RFA released
  • January 20, 2023—RFA submission deadline

All questions about the Pre-K Expansion RFA should be submitted to the Pre-K Expansion Grant Coordinator identified on the Grant RFPs and RFAs webpage.

Additional questions regarding this announcement should be directed to:
Pre-K RFA Coordinator, jane.kirsling@maine.gov.