Department webinar to overview new assessment accommodations

The Maine DOE Office of Special Services will host a webinar on Jan. 23 from 9 to 10 a.m. to overview the features and accommodations that will be available with the new online Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy  developed by Smarter Balanced.

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Department reminds schools of pest control reporting requirements, upcoming training

The Maine DOE is reminding all schools serving K-12 students that they are required to appoint a staff member to be the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator responsible for oversight of pest prevention, management and monitoring activities. Schools must report the name and e-mail address of the IPM Coordinator in MEDMS or by email to the Maine Board of Pesticides Control at pesticides@maine.gov.

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Commissioner’s Update – January 8, 2015

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine DOE is continuing its work to ensure an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective leader in every school.

In the coming months, the Department will engage stakeholders in conversations to inform the development of a four to seven year state plan to provide all students with effective educators. The State will examine data and work with stakeholders to understand any identified differences in access to effective educators across high/low poverty and high/low minority schools and must submit its plan to the U.S. Department of Education by June 1.

Access to great teachers and leaders is a core priority of the Department’s Education Evolving strategic plan to put learners first, released in 2012.

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Department releases new online resources to support spring MEA administration

The Maine DOE continues to support schools as they prepare for a successful spring administration of the new online Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy and has recently added new resources to its website. | More

Maine DOE adopts rules to strengthen public preschool programs

Rule Chapter 124: Basic Approval Standards: Public Preschool Programs has been formally adopted by the Department of Education and took effect Dec. 28. | More

Alternate assessment for mathematics and ELA dates set, resources released

User and student registration will open next month for the National Center and State Collaborative Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Standards (NCSC AA-AAS). | More

Smarter Balanced practice, training tests now available

Smarter Balanced practice and training tests are now available to help schools better prepare students for the statewide spring assessment. | More

PAAP test bank live

The Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) task bank is up and running with 206 students registered so far. | More

Department seeks public preschool classrooms for observation pilot

The Maine DOE is seeking public preschool classrooms to pilot a research-based classroom observation tool called CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System). | More

Maine DOE announces social studies DBQ workshops

The Maine DOE is inviting teachers of grades 6-12 to participate in its 2015 Social Studies Document-Based Question (DBQ) Workshop series. | More

Department reminds district leaders EDFacts Staff Survey past due

The Dec. 19 deadline for completion of the 2013-14 EDFacts Annual Academic Staff Survey has passed. | More

School, technology leaders reminded to complete assessment readiness survey

The Department is reminding school and district leaders to complete the short technology readiness survey in advance of the spring administration of the new Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy. | More

Maine students invited to participate in 2015 Law Day Art Contest

The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division is inviting Maine students to submit work to its 2015 Law Day Art Contest. | More

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Department releases new online resources to support spring MEA administration

The Maine DOE continues to support schools as they prepare for a successful spring administration of the new online Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy and has recently added new resources to its website.

Continue reading “Department releases new online resources to support spring MEA administration”

Alternate assessment for mathematics and ELA dates set, resources released

User and student registration will open next month for the National Center and State Collaborative Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Standards (NCSC AA-AAS) that will be used to assess mathematics and English language arts.

Continue reading “Alternate assessment for mathematics and ELA dates set, resources released”

Maine DOE hires learning tech leader to assist with online assessment implementation

The Maine DOE has contracted one of the state’s foremost learning technology leaders to help schools as they prepare to administer Maine’s first-ever statewide online assessment this spring.

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Maine DOE releases scheduling guidance for new State assessment

To support district and school testing coordinators in their planning for the spring 2015 administration of the Maine Educational Assessment in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy, the Maine DOE has posted scheduling guidelines on the assessment section of its website.

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Maine DOE provides resources to help schools keep students safe

In light of several high profile incidents in Maine involving threats to schools, the Department is reminding districts of the many resources it has already available to support schools in their ongoing efforts to keep students safe. Continue reading “Maine DOE provides resources to help schools keep students safe”

Commissioner’s Update – December 11, 2014

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine Department of Education has been awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool opportunities in 10 counties.

Over the next four years, the Department will pass 95 percent of the funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to 13 school districts with high percentages of low-income students so they can establish or expand preschool programs in partnership with local early childhood program providers.

In total, 33 new classrooms will be created with the funding and most will open next September, adding to Maine’s existing 205 classrooms serving 4-year-old students. Another 23 classrooms already in operation will be expanded so students can attend five days a week for the full day. With up to 16 students per preschool classroom, the award can potentially allow access to early childhood education to more than 500 additional Maine children.

Participating districts include Lewiston, Millinocket, Sanford, Westbrook, SAD 58 (Phillips, Strong and Kingfield) and RSU 3 (Brooks, Liberty, Monroe and Unity), 12 (Chelsea and Somerville), 13 (Rockland), 37 (Addison, Harrington and Milbridge), 39 (Limestone), 49 (Albion and Clinton), 53 (Pittsfield) and 74 (Anson, North Anson and Solon).

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Notices and Reporting

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News & Views

Maine DOE launches web resources for assessment

The Maine DOE has launched a new section on its website with resources related to the new online Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy as well as a portal developed by its vendor for assessment administration. | More

Maine DOE offers regional assessment administration workshops

The Maine DOE is offering four regional workshops in January to support school districts as they prepare for the spring administration of the Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy. | More

Maine DOE releases resources to support new educator evaluation system development

The Maine DOE has released new online resources to support school administrative units (SAUs) in designing and implementing Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems. | More

Student art submissions sought for MLTI screensaver contest

The Maine DOE is seeking artwork created by students to feature next year on the screensavers of the thousands of devices it provides to Maine schools through the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). | More

Cooking with USDA Foods webinar on Dec. 18

School food service professionals are encouraged to register for the webinar K-12 Cooking with USDA Foods with White House Champions of Change chefs Garrett Berdan, Carlin Breinig and Cyndie Story on Dec. 18. | More

Maine schools receive funds to purchase local foods from local farmers

Projects in RSU 18 and Downeast Maine have been awarded funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to bring more food grown by local farmers to students. | More

Students invited to do service projects to benefit Toys for Tots

Maine schools are invited to engage students in service to others through the 2014 Joy Maker Challenge this holiday season. | More

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