In the past week the Maine Charter School Commission held hearings on three applications for public charter schools to open this fall. It’s a tight time schedule, but Commission members are putting in many hours to give each application a thorough review. They are striking a balance between the need to provide students and families with choices, and the imperative that they closely follow the criteria laid out for them.
Category: Maine DOE Update
Commissioner’s Update – June 14, 2012
Congratulations to Maine schools for completing another academic year, and thanks to all of you for the work you do year-round on behalf of students.
There’s a lot of end-of-the-year reporting due this month and over the summer. Completing these helps ensure that schools have accurate data for records such as graduation rates, which are much harder to correct after the fact. In fact, we had a significant delay in calculating last year’s grad rates (they’re coming in the next few days) in part because of delayed submission and the need for corrections. Data is also necessary to our work in calculating GPA for next year. It is important for the state and for districts that student reporting is completed before June 30 and other year-end financial reporting be completed by the specified deadlines.
Commissioner’s Update – June 7, 2012
As part of my tour of schools to see how students are taking charge of their learning – putting the Maine Department of Education’s strategic plan into action – I visited three places Friday where all the students I met were eager to take control of their learning. Below you can read more about each.
In Auburn, I found kindergarteners learning letters and reading with iPads, enabling teachers to give more personal attention to students. At Gray-New Gloucester Middle School, I spoke with a panel of students who like the freedom they have to move at their own pace.
Commissioner’s Update – May 31, 2012
The September 2012 deadline to request flexibility from the federal government in Maine’s implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (or Elementary and Secondary Education Act) is growing nearer, and we at the Department need your feedback to develop our proposal.
Commissioner’s Update – May 24, 2012
Like the last time, I’ll be taking to the road to see some of the best of what Maine schools have to offer – examples of learner-centered classrooms, inspired use of technology, and programs that engage students and meet them exactly where they are at.
Commissioner’s Update – May 17, 2012
The steering committee in charge of crafting our request for flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act held its first meeting last week. Three separate working groups will also start meeting in the near future.
Commissioner’s Update – May 10, 2012
Teachers deserve our thanks all year long, but this week is a special opportunity to recognize their invaluable contributions.
We have lots of hard work ahead of us in Maine as we build a public education system based on the needs of each learner – a system that recognizes that our students all learn best in different ways and at different speeds.
As we take on this important work, the plain truth is, we can’t get the job done without great teachers.
Commissioner’s Update – May 3, 2012
As Alana writes in this week’s Commissioner’s Update, she and her fellow Teachers of the Year were “treated like rock stars,” and they spent much of their time discussing how they can elevate the teaching profession and become a strong voice in public policy at the local, state and national levels.
I hope you enjoy reading Alana’s reflections on her time in Washington, D.C.
Speaking of Washington, D.C., students from Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth high schools traveled there recently to compete in two prestigious science competitions: the National Science Bowl at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Real World Design Challenge, respectively. Thanks to our students for representing Maine so well.
Commissioner’s Update – April 26, 2012
That’s why plans are in the works for a number of summer professional development opportunities that will offer educators a chance to catch up with colleagues, do some planning for the coming year and learn about promising practices that could benefit their students.
To help you keep track, we’ve put together a list of professional development offerings this summer that have some level of sponsorship by the Department of Education and have been announced in the Maine DOE Newsroom. Be sure to bookmark the link below, because we’ll add to the list as more professional development opportunities are organized and announced.
Take a look at summer professional development from the Maine DOE.
Commissioner’s Update – April 12, 2012
Last week, both chambers of the Legislature enacted legislation that helps teachers grow professionally by requiring regular, fair and constructive performance evaluations based on consistent, statewide standards. The legislation also requires that teachers’ professional development and ongoing training be informed by the results of their evaluations.
And on Tuesday, we had a chance to celebrate eight outstanding teachers who have been nominated for the honor of 2013 Teacher of the Year in a State House ceremony. We can learn a lot about good teaching from these eight teachers, who are representative of the thousands of excellent educators in Maine.
This week’s update includes information about the Teacher of the Year nominees and details about last week’s legislation, An Act to Ensure Effective Teaching and School Leadership.
Maine DOE Newsroom 