Category: Professional Development

Dine and Discuss to focus on formative assessment, digital library

The Maine Council of English Language Arts (MCELA) with support from the Maine DOE is inviting educators to attend an evening of collegial discussion and a light dinner to learn about formative assessment with an introduction to the Smarter Balanced digital library. Aligned with comprehensive assessments that provide more information about student learning and achievement than previous tests, the library will give educators high-quality, vetted tools to tailor instruction to individual student and classroom needs. Educators will also be able to submit resources and engage in online discussions to share information and learn from colleagues in Maine and across the country.

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John T. Gorman Foundation leadership development program call for applicants

The Maine DOE is encouraging educators and other interested parties to apply for the John T. Gorman Foundation’s new leadership development program in Maine announced this past June.

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Maine DOE offers institute on early childhood learning standards

Thanks to a generous grant from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the Maine DOE is holding a one-day institute, “From Preschool to Kindergarten-Connecting the Language & Literacy Standards” at Thomas College on Friday, Oct. 3.

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Maine educators convene to learn effective writing practices

Effective writing requires not only knowledge of writing modes and mechanics, but also strong understanding of content. Last month, 175 educators from across the state assembled at Thomas College to learn about the Vermont Writing Collaborative’s method of building deep content understanding through effective writing practices.

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2014-15 school year: We’re in this together

Congratulations on the start of the 2014-15 school year!

This week, Maine students are fortunate to be heading back to schools where they will be welcomed by educators who encourage their love of learning and are deeply dedicated to ensuring every one of them is successful.

On behalf of Governor LePage and all of us at the Department, I want to thank those teachers, administrators and other school staff for their care for and commitment to our students. Maine kids are increasingly being inspired in their classrooms and achievement in their studies is rising as a result, putting them on a path for future college and career success.

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Cross Disciplinary Literacy Network registration now open

The Department is encouraging Maine educators to register for the Cross Discipline Literacy Network (CDLN) for the 2014-15 school year. The CDLN is a professional learning network focused on helping PK-12 educators learn and apply literacy strategies to improve content instruction that promotes student proficiency. The network operates regionally across the state, utilizing both face-to-face networking experiences and online webinar sessions.

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Smarter Balanced digital library of formative assessment tools passes 1K item mark

Members of Maine’s Digital Library State Network of Educators were among 80 educators from the Smarter Balanced participating states that convened July 14-17 for a marathon work session to review and evaluate resources submitted to the Digital Library. Marilyn Joyce of Brewer and  Sandra Cookson of RSU 87 along with Maine DOE specialist Morgan Dunton were on hand as the Digital Library count passed 1,000  items and kept climbing.

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Maine DOE hosts webinar on proficiency-based diplomas readiness

In response to requests, the Department is offering a webinar titled Proficiency-Based Diplomas: Extension or Confirmation on the morning of September 5 from 9-10:00.

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