Maine Learning Results standards, implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the development of the Next Generation Science Standards
In August, the Maine DOE convened 33 educators to collect input on draft progressions for each of the five Guiding Principles. The feedback from the two regional sessions will inform the refinement of the Guiding Principles progressions.
Continue reading “Maine DOE continues efforts with Guiding Principles”
As part of the implementation of Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems, Rule Chapter 180 and Maine Statute Title 20-A, Chapter 508 require that school administrative units (SAUs) begin piloting their PEPG systems during the 2015-16 school year.
Continue reading “Intent to pilot survey results indicate SAUs are moving forward with PEPG systems”
Work continues as the Standardized Assessment Task Force participates in an email exchange of questions and answers, a system which was designed to be less invasive on members’ summer vacation and repeated travel to Augusta (even from as far away as St Agatha) for structured meetings.
Continue reading “Standardized Assessment Task Force update”
Journal of Maine Education seeks manuscripts that discuss specific ways in which deeper learning is provided for students. Deeper learning is interacting with real world or simulated real world situations, often to solve relevant challenges. Students develop questions, connect with resources, research, challenge-solve, and communicate to an audience their findings and process.
The Maine DOE has revised its policy on writing standards-based IEP goals, available here. The revisions are intended to add clarity to the policy, as well as to make references to the IEP document in the policy consistent with the current IEP form.
If you have questions about the policy or about standards-based IEP goals generally, contact the Maine DOE’s Peg Armstrong at peg.armstrong@maine.gov or 624-6654.
While school children are off to summer camp, so are educators and because MooseCamp is so well attended, there is limited space. Act now to register by visiting moosecamppbe.weebly.com.
MooseCamp is a proficiency-themed conference on August 12 in Dexter, offering the opportunity to collaboratively problem-solve challenges faced when designing and implementing a proficiency-based system of learning. This EdCamp is open to everyone from administrators, teachers, ed techs, students, parents, school board members, and legislators. All participants who come to MooseCamp will receive a copy of the first book in the “Essentials for Rigor” series by the Marzano Center of Learning Sciences: “Creating and Using Learning Targets and Proficiency Scales.”
MooseCamp is sponsored by Great Schools Partnership, Nellie Mae Foundation, Project Foundry, Edutopia, The Marzano Center, Jump Rope, MEA, and more.
Funding granted from the Maine Department of Education will help transform the Auburn school by increasing student achievement, teacher effectiveness and engaging parent and community support.
AUBURN – Washburn Elementary School in Auburn will use just over $1.63 million in School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding awarded by the Maine Department of Education to focus on raising student proficiency in math by 30 percent and reading by 35 percent over the next five years.
Continue reading “State awards $1.63 million through a grant to help a struggling school”
Strengthening the connection between Career and Technical Education (CTE) and secondary academics was on the agenda recently when a group of Carpentry and Automotive instructors from around the state met with a group of high school English and mathematics teachers. The discussion was how CTE programs are in fact academically challenging and how the “hands-on” approach to instruction bridges the gap between theory and the real-world application of skills and knowledge.
With the legislative enactment of LD 1276 An Act to Improve Educational Assessments of Maine Students, approved by the governor on June 16, now Private and Special Law 2015, Chapter 10, “Directs the Department of Education to terminate the State’s membership in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.” The discontinuation of membership in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium means that we will not be able to use the Smarter Balanced Assessment in future years. It also terminates Maine’s access to the Smarter Balanced Digital Library.
The Department’s School Improvement Team is continuing to provide support and technical assistance to help raise student achievement at the state’s schools, including those recently identified as priority, focus and monitor under Maine’s federally required accountability system.
Continue reading “Maine DOE specialists support improvement initiatives at newly identified schools”
Maine DOE Newsroom 