Category: Professional Development

Navigating the Data Warehouse

Screen shot of Data Warehouse home page
The Maine Department of Education’s Data Warehouse puts data about Maine’s schools in one place where it’s easy to find and easy to understand.

When the Maine DOE released the state’s School Performance Grading System last month, the agency also unveiled the Data Warehouse, a powerful tool that can help educators improve student achievement and the public learn more about Maine’s schools. In addition to hosting the state’s school report cards, the warehouse offers accessible, understandable data on test scores, school spending, student and staff populations, and much more. The Department wants to make using the Data Warehouse as easy as possible for educators, administrators, students, parents and the public.

When you enter the warehouse, you will be prompted to choose one of the following pathways: Snapshots, Data Tables or Growth Model. Continue reading “Navigating the Data Warehouse” →

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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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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Building leadership capacity to transform our schools

Today marks the launch of Maine DOE’s new School Improvement Webinar Series. It’s one of the many resources we’re making available to support the school improvement work initiated by our Maine School Performance Grading System.

Continue reading “Building leadership capacity to transform our schools” →

Education Department supports schools with new improvement webinar series

AUGUSTA – As educators look to better support student success following the release of the state’s new letter grades, the Maine Department of Education is offering a series of school improvement webinars.

The one-hour webinars begin this Thursday and are free for educators.

Continue reading “Education Department supports schools with new improvement webinar series” →

Free hazardous chemical management training June 3

The federal law on hazardous chemicals and training has changed. Please be aware that all workers must be trained in the new Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Global Harmonization System (GHS) by Dec. 1, 2013.  Continue reading “Free hazardous chemical management training June 3” →

End-of-year data training available

The Maine Department of Education will host webinar training opportunities to coincide with the required end-of-year reporting actions. Below are two opportunities to attend training designed to help schools/districts finalize their end-of-year actions, with an additional emphasis on the graduation rate tables in Infinite Campus–State Edition.

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New Center for Best Practice case study features RSU 20

The Center for Best Practice has released its fifth case study showcasing districts successfully implementing proficiency-based practices. The schools of RSU 20 (Belfast/Searsport area) figure prominently in the history of the state’s move toward learner-centered education. Both Troy Howard Middle School and Searsport District High School were enthusiastic early adopters and promoters of reforms around standards-based reporting, interventions and formative assessment. Simultaneously, many of the elementary schools of the district moved in that direction as well.

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MLTI conference celebrates evolution of learning

As you receive this, 1,000 students and 200 educators along with their Apple MacBooks are at the University of Maine showcasing how State-supplied technology is transforming learning and better preparing them for success in their classroom, career and civic life as part of the 10th Annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative Student Conference.

Continue reading “MLTI conference celebrates evolution of learning” →