Category: Standards

Maine Learning Results standards, implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the development of the Next Generation Science Standards

Maine DOE seeking online panel members to set achievement levels

As a governing state in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, Maine continues to support the efforts to develop a rigorous assessment system that will become operational in the 2014-15 school year. As part of those efforts, the Maine DOE is seeking qualified educators, administrators, parents and business/community leaders to participate in an online process to recommend cut scores for achievement levels on Smarter Balanced developed assessments.

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Governing board for high school equivalency test selected

Educational Testing Service, the provider of the new ETS high school equivalency test program known as HiSET, has partnered with the Maine DOE and other states who administer HiSET to appoint a governing board to help set overall direction for the program.

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Maine DOE releases results from proficiency-based Readiness Inventory

The Maine DOE has released results from the proficiency-based diploma Readiness Inventory, a tool designed to help school districts better understand their progress toward proficiency and to help determine which of the six extension options is best for them to pursue.

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New resource for performance evaluation and professional growth systems

Following enactment of the Maine Educator Effectiveness law in 2012, the Maine DOE worked for over a year to finalize the rules that govern the development and implementation of performance evaluation and professional growth (PEPG) systems for teachers and principals.

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SAUs invited to apply for “Supporting ALL Teachers for ALL Students” leader team training

The Maine DOE invites district-wide teams of educators from both general and special education to become leader teams for Supporting ALL Teachers for ALL Students. This professional development training includes a two-day eventin Brewer, Oct. 15-16 and ongoing coaching, consultation and technical assistance with a focus on preparing all students for college and career readiness and the post-secondary transition.

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Maine DOE to distribute funds to support proficiency-based diploma transition

Maine school administrative units (SAUs) will receive targeted funds to support the transition to a proficiency-based diploma again this year. Beginning in the fall, the Maine DOE will distribute to each SAU a grant in the amount of 1/10th of 1 percent of that SAU’s total cost of education, as calculated under the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) school funding formula. Under Maine law, the funds are to be spent “in the manner determined by the school administrative unit to fund the costs of the transition (to proficiency-based graduation) not otherwise subsidized by the State.”

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Department honors top math, science teachers

The Maine DOE recently honored the four state finalists for the 2013 Presidential Award in Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST) with a dinner held at the Maple Hill Farm  Inn located in Hallowell. Maine DOE Science and Technology Specialist Shari Templeton and Mathematics Specialist Michele Mailhot planned the evening event honoring Robin Kennedy (Sebasticook Valley Middle School), Lisa McLellan (Windham High School) and Amy Toiano (Westbrook High School) for high school science and William O’Brien (Camden Hills Regional High School) for high school  mathematics.

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Maine higher ed institutions endorse proficiency

It’s high school graduation season and while the commitment of Maine K-12 public education system to proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018 is clear, one of the questions I’m most frequently asked is whether colleges share that belief in the great value of this approach.

Actions like the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s transition to proficiency-based learning and college acceptances of graduates from Maine schools that have already gone to proficiency-based education reflect higher education’s support, which is not surprising given this shift ensures greater college and career readiness.

But Maine students and their families rightfully want more guarantees that post-secondary institutions will understand and embrace their proficiency-based diplomas.  

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Maine DOE announces preview period for Smarter Balanced digital resources

The Smarter Balanced Digital Library preview launched on June 3.These on-demand materials are aligned to the Smarter Balanced assessment targets and will be an important resource for Maine teachers to understand progress in student learning. Continue reading “Maine DOE announces preview period for Smarter Balanced digital resources” →