Category: Standards

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

Health and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Language Standards Updated

The revised Chapter 132: Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction was signed into law March 31, 2022. This revision cycle updated the Health and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Language standards.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) will be providing guidance and resources to School Administrative Units (SAUs) in making the transition to the revised standards throughout the 2022-2023 school year. There is no pre-determined date when SAUs must make the transition to the revised standards. It is the Maine DOE’s belief that SAUs will use their own professional judgment and phase in the revised standards at a pace that makes sense for their students and for their educational practice.

The proposed health and physical education standards have been revised to identify health education as a strand and physical education as a strand to better delineate the unique standards and performance expectations in each. For the health education strand, the proposed draft is closely aligned to the National Health Education Standards and includes minor adjustments to wording for clarification and the combining or elimination of some language in order to be more clear, concise, and appropriate (for the age level or age span). In addition, content topics and examples were removed from the performance expectations as the committee felt they were limiting the content by implying those were the only topics to be addressed. For the physical education strand, several standards were renamed and/or restructured and the performance expectations reworded to better meet the needs of Maine educators.

The proposed visual and performing arts standards have been adapted from the National Core Arts Standards while still including those items that Maine arts educators felt are specific to their work with Maine students.

The two biggest changes to the document include the addition of media arts standards, a rapidly developing field of the creative economy that includes audio, video, digital design, and mixed media creations, and the realignment of strands that separate each arts discipline into its own collection of unique standards and performance expectations (previously, three of the five arts standards were universal across all arts disciplines; now, they are individualized for each discipline.)  Although some disciplines share the same standards, their performance expectations are unique.

The proposed world languages standards are in alignment to national standards (ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages), which were published in 2012, and are designed to meet the needs of Maine educators. Whereas the current standards include four strands, in the proposed draft, they have been reorganized into five strands, consistent with the five goal areas represented in the national standards. To make this shift, concepts included in the four original strands were retained but categorized differently in order to align with the five goal areas. For example, language comparisons appears in the communication strand in the current standards, while in the proposed draft it appears in the comparisons strand.

Another substantial shift is the inclusion of proficiency levels in addition to grade spans. The current standards represent a full pre-K to grade 12 progression of language learning. The proposed draft also offers this full progression, while at the same time providing multiple entry points by directing educators to begin at the current level of proficiency of their students. For example, if a program begins in kindergarten, the educator will start by addressing the kindergarten/novice low performance expectations. If the program begins in 7th grade, the educator will start with the performance expectations in the same kindergarten/novice low level, in order to appropriately target instruction to students’ current proficiency level.

Finally, a third shift is within the performance expectations themselves. In the current standards, performance expectations direct educators to focus on specific topics and skills within the standard. However, the proposed draft mirrors the national standards in its intention to provide general, universally applicable performance expectations that can be tailored to all languages, whether modern, classical, or signed. Supplemental resources will provide greater guidance on how to tailor them to specific languages, particularly classical and signed languages, which differ from modern languages in terms of uses, communities of speakers/users, and cultures.

It is also important to note that the NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements, which include general communication and intercultural communication, provided the basis for the performance expectations in the proposed standards. The performance expectations in the communication strand are based on the can-do statements for interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. For the four remaining strands, performance expectations were established based primarily on the intercultural communication can-co statements.

This revised document is the result of a thorough review process that began in the fall 2019 with multiple opportunities for stakeholder voice, and is the result of expertise from Department staff, representatives from higher education, district and building administration, as well as dozens of Maine educators.

For more information, please visit our standards review process website, or contact Beth Lambert, Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

English Language Arts, Life and Career Ready, and Mathematics Standards Updated

Final adoption of Chapter 132 is effective July 18, 2020, following the submission of all required Administrative Procedures Act (APA) documentation with the Secretary of State’s Office. Chapter 132: Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction revised the English Language Arts, Life and Career Ready (formerly Career and Education Development), and Mathematics standards.

The Maine DOE will be providing guidance and resources to SAUs in making the transition to the revised standards throughout the school year. There is no pre-determined date when SAUs must make the transition to the revised standards. It is the Department’s expectation that SAUs will use their own professional judgment and phase in the revised standards at a pace that makes sense for their students and for their educational practice. While, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person events are not planned at this time, digital resources, virtual training, and “office hours” with content specialists are ongoing and will support professional learning about the updated standards.

The updated English Language Arts standards are streamlined, edited from the previous standards to clarify related or similar learning goals; the standards are slimmed to focus on the essential outcomes for literacy development; the updated standards are also reordered to emphasize that the language strand is central to the development of the other ELA strands. Visit English Language Arts/Literacy content standards here and contact Danielle “Dee” Saucier for K-5 and Morgan Dunton for 6-12 supports.

The Life and Career Ready content standards build from and update the 2007 Career and Education Development standards and include the braiding of social emotional learning with career development.  Visit the Life and Career Ready Standards here and contact Diana Doiron for K-12 supports.

The updated Mathematics standards are reformatted, edited and streamlined from the previous standards to better articulate the progression of learning within and across the grade spans. Visit Mathematics Standards here and contact Jennifer Robitaille for K-5 and Michele Mailhot for 6-12 supports.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Live Broadcast Link Available for Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to Rule Chapter 132 (Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards) on November 13, 2019

As a reminder, the Maine Department of Education has scheduled a public hearing on November 13th, 2019 as part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results. The Department is seeking public comments regarding the proposed revisions to Rule Chapter 132, revised career and education development, English language arts, and mathematics standards until 5 pm on November 27th, 2019.

The public hearing will take place in room 103A of the Burton Cross Building in Augusta from 1-4 pm. Anyone present may speak at the public hearing. People that wish to speak will be asked to sign in and, preferably, provide two written copies of comments, as well as an electronic copy. The live broadcast is for viewing the hearing only. You will not be able to provide public comment via the live broadcast.

Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments by 5 pm on November 27th, 2019. Written comments may be emailed to sis.doe@maine.gov with the subject “Career and Education Development Standards Review,” or “English Language Arts Standards Review,” or “Mathematics Standards Review” or mailed to Maine Department of Education, attn: Beth Lambert, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

Below is a list of relevant links, as well as the hearing information including a link for the live broadcast:

For further information about the standards review process contact Beth Lambert at Beth.Lambert@maine.gov.

Social Studies New Standards- NEW Southern Maine Training Scheduled

On June 23, 2019 the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies went into effect. The first set of professional development workshops to support implementation of the standards have been set.

Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Overview

This full day workshop will be led by Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) who will provide an overview of the revision process for the Maine Learning Results for Social Studies as well as share resources that support their implementation. Focus topics will include:

  • Changes to the overall framework for both elementary and secondary schools.
  • The embedding of the skills and processes of social studies throughout the document.
  • A greater emphasis on teaching about Maine Native Americans.
  • A greater emphasis on teaching about personal finance.

Districts are encouraged to send representative teams of social studies teachers as time will be provided for participants to explore the standards and resources in order to plan for classroom and district implementation.

NEW DATE AND LOCATION:  November 7 – RSU #57/Waterboro: Register online at – https://forms.gle/AryzcB8ednxyBuE17.

FMI, please contact Joe Schmidt at joe.schmidt@maine.gov.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Revisions to Rule Ch. 132 (Career & Education Development, ELA, and Mathematics Standards); Public Hearing on Nov. 13, 2019

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding proposed revisions to the Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards found in Rule Chapter 132 Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction. Please note that the Department of Education is only seeking comments on the Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards sections of Rule Chapter 132 at this time.

The standards review process for the Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards began in 2018 with a public comment period and a public hearing on the current Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, and Mathematics Standards. After the public comment period, steering committees were convened who were charged with reviewing all submitted comments and with developing blueprints for the revision of the state standards in their assigned content area. Once the blueprints were created, writing teams, consisting of pk-12 teachers who represent Maine’s cultural and geographical diversity, assembled to draft the standards revisions. Now, as part of this review process, the Maine Department of Education has submitted the revisions as part of a proposed rule change to Chapter 132.
Find the details for proposed changes for Rule Chapter 132 on the Maine DOE Proposed Rule & Rule Changes webpage (proposed rules are listed in order by rule number).

Public Hearing Information for Rule Chapter 132:
November 13th from 1-4pm, room 103 at the Cross Building, 111 Sewell Street, Augusta.
Anyone may speak at the public hearing which will be live-streamed via Zoom. People wishing to speak will be the asked to sign in and, preferably, provide two written copies of comments, as well as an electronic copy. Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments.

Comment Period Deadline: 5 pm on November 27th, 2019
Written comments may be sent to Standards Review at sis.doe@maine.gov, or mailed to Beth Lambert, 23 SHS Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

Priority Notice: Live Stream Information for Public Hearing on Health Education and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding the current health education and physical education, visual and performing arts, and world languages standards. Find links to each of the current standards below along with details for submitting comments.

Current Standards:

The standards review process opens with a public comment period and a public hearing, prior to the convening of steering committees who are charged with reviewing all submitted comments and with developing blueprints for the revision of the state standards in their assigned content area. Once the blueprints are created, writing teams, consisting of pk-12 teachers who represent Maine’s cultural and geographical diversity, will assemble to draft the standards revisions.

Anyone may speak at the public hearings, which will be live-streamed. People wishing to speak will be asked to sign in, and it will be helpful, but not mandatory, to provide a written copy of comments. We invite you to share critical comments as well as elements you appreciate in the revisions.

Public hearings will occur on October 23rd in room 103 at the Cross Building, 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, from 1-4pm. The hearing will be live-streamed. Here is the link to view: https://zoom.us/j/805007386

Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments by 5 pm on November 8th, 2019. Written comments may be sent to Standards Review at sis.doe@maine.gov, or mailed to Beth Lambert, 23 SHS Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Seeking Public Comment on Health Education and Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education is seeking public comments regarding the current health education and physical education, visual and performing arts, and world languages standards. Find links to each of the current standards below along with details for submitting comments.

Current Standards:

The standards review process opens with a public comment period and a public hearing, prior to the convening of steering committees who are charged with reviewing all submitted comments and with developing blueprints for the revision of the state standards in their assigned content area. Once the blueprints are created, writing teams, consisting of pk-12 teachers who represent Maine’s cultural and geographical diversity, will assemble to draft the standards revisions.

Anyone may speak at the public hearings, which will be live-streamed. People wishing to speak will be asked to sign in, and it will be helpful, but not mandatory, to provide a written copy of comments.

Public hearings will occur on October 23rd in room 103 at the Cross Building, 111 Sewell Street, Augusta, from 1-4pm. A link to the live-streamed hearings will be available prior to the public hearing.

Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments by 5 pm on November 8th, 2019. Written comments may be sent to Standards Review at sis.doe@maine.gov, or mailed to Beth Lambert, 23 SHS Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

Seeking Public Comment on Career and Technical Education Performance Indicators

In an effort to increase high quality CTE programs, Maine needs your input. The Maine Department of Education-Career and Technical Education Team has posted the proposed performance indicators for public comment as part of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act(Perkins V). The performance indicators,  referenced as Perkins V Accountability Measures, can be found on the DOE-CTE web site as well as a survey to allow for feedback.  These will be posted for 60 days to allow for public comment, after which recommendations will be reviewed by the CTE Team. For more information, contact Dwight Littlefield at dwight.littlefield@maine.gov.  

Maine DOE Convenes Local Educators to Review Career and Educational Development Standards

The Maine Department of Education hosted a group of local educators for a series of work sessions that will take place last month to review the Career and Educational Development (CED) standards.

The review is part of an established fourteen step review that rotates through the eight content areas of Chapter 132 (doc) over a 5 year period, during which educators from across the state consider and revise standards to reflect the rigorous expectations and provide guidance to schools.

The career and education development standards are divided into three subgroups of knowledge and skills (Learning About Self-Knowledge and Interpersonal Relationships; Learning About Exploring Education, Career, and Life Roles; and Learning to Make Decisions, Plan and Create Opportunities, and Make Meaningful Contributions). Within each of these subgroups are performance indicators and descriptors that describe what students should know and be able to do across four grade bands (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-Diploma). The career and education development standards also include an introduction and a note regarding embedding career and education development instruction.

As part of the ongoing review process for content standards, revised standards for social studies and science have been adopted.  In addition, writing teams for the career education and development, English, and math standards are drafting revisions that will be finalized by the end of September.

The Department of Education will then initiate the rulemaking process for Chapter 132 for final review and adoption of the revised career education and development, English, and math standards. This fall, the Maine DOE will begin a review of the health education and physical education, visual and performing arts, and world language standards. For more information about the standards or the standards review process, check out our web page.

Social Studies Standards Roll Out – Fall Professional Development Schedule

On June 23, 2019 the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies went into effect. As districts work to implement the revised standards, the Maine Department of Education will spend the 2019-2020 school year providing training and creating resources that support district adoption. The first set of professional development workshops to support implementation of the standards have been set. Three different trainings will occur at three different locations around the state during the 2019-2020 school year. Check out the descriptions of the trainings below, which also include more information about how to register. (Please note that there is a September 15 registration deadline for the first training, taking place in Farmington.)

Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Overview

This full day workshop will be led by Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist), who will provide an overview of the revision process for the Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, as well as share resources that support their implementation. Focus topics will include:

  • Changes to the overall framework for both elementary and secondary schools
  • The embedding of the skills and processes of social studies throughout the document
  • A greater emphasis on teaching about Maine Native Americans
  • A greater emphasis on teaching about personal finance

Districts are encouraged to send representative teams of social studies teachers, as time will be provided for participants to explore the standards and resources in order to plan for classroom and district implementation.

Training dates and locations:

Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Maine Native Americans

This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about Maine Native Americans, as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on Maine Native Americans. Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) will discuss the revised standards, and time will be provided for participants to work with presenters, explore resources, and plan for classroom and district implementation.

Training dates and locations:

  • September 25- University of New England- Biddeford: Registration can be found here-**Please note that registration will open September 6.
  • October 23 – Bangor Area: Registration Information: PREP members sign up through their curriculum representative. Non-PREP members should contact Elaine Bartley at elaine.bartley@maine.edu to register.

Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Personal Finance

This full day workshop will feature a variety of state leaders with expertise in teaching about personal finance as well as resources that support the implementation of the revised standards with a focus on personal finance. Joe Schmidt (DOE Social Studies Specialist) will discuss the revised standards and time will be provided for participants to work with presenters, explore resources, and plan for classroom and district implementation.

Training dates and locations:

Webinar about Newly Revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies

Joe Schmidt, Social Studies Specialist for the Maine Department of Education, recently hosted a webinar about the newly revised standards. The webinar can be found on the DOE Standards & Instruction – Social Studies webpage or directly through the webinar recording link. This webinar is the first in a monthly series of webinars that will feature teacher leaders from around the state throughout the 2019-20 school year.

Stay Tuned for More

  • Additional training locations and dates for Southern Maine are being confirmed, further information will be forthcoming.
  • After the initial roll out of the revised Maine Learning Results for Social Studies, look for information about additional trainings coming this school year related to best practices in Social Studies and how they relate to teachers and districts implementing the revised standards. These trainings will include discussion of the “Major Enduring Themes” of Social Studies, as found in the Maine Learning Results, which can be used to support instruction around topics such as: unity and diversity, African American studies, historical and recent immigrant experiences, and the teaching of various perspectives.

If you would like weekly updates about social studies professional development opportunities and related resources, you can sign up for the Maine DOE social studies listserv by clicking the Social Studies ListServ Signup page; for more information, please contact Joe Schmidt at Joe.Schmidt@maine.gov.