Important information about ESEA Title V- REAP Master Eligibility List

On January 4, 2018, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) posted the Fiscal Year 2018 Rural Education Achievement Program Master Eligibility List on their website. The purpose of ESEA Title V- REAP is to provide rural districts with financial assistance for initiatives aimed at improving student achievement. The grant is non-competitive, and eligibility is determined by statute.

Maine DOE has reviewed Maine’s eligibility spreadsheet and has identified several errors within the FY 2018 eligibility spreadsheet. Maine DOE recognizes that many RLIS and Dual eligible districts (Columns M and N) are missing from the spreadsheet. Additionally, there are errors with the alternative poverty data (Column Y). This spreadsheet was reviewed by Maine DOE and Maine school districts leaders in early December. All requested corrections were made to the spreadsheet and submitted to USDOE on December 8, 2017.

Maine DOE has contacted the USDOE to inform them of the identified errors. The Department will continue to work with USDOE to ensure that the corrections are made. When the corrections are finalized and posted on USDOE’s website, Maine DOE will send you a follow-up memo requesting all Maine rural school district leaders review the finalized list.

For more information, please contact the Title V Coordinator, Daniel Weeks at daniel.r.weeks@maine.gov or call 624-6749.

 

Maine DOE Update – January 4, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices

Reporting Items

Student Enrollment Files and Assessment Preparation Dates

Please be aware of the following important dates regarding student enrollment when preparing for the 2018 spring Maine Educational Assessments (MEA). The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is continuing the transition from the data management software platform Infinite Campus to Synergy State Edition. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Join us for the 2018 Read to ME Campaign

Following two years of strong statewide participation, the Maine Department of Education’s Literacy for ME  initiative will once again be promoting the Read to ME Challenge.  This simple but powerful campaign challenges adults to read to children for 15 minutes, to capture that reading episode via a photo and then post it on social media to challenge others to do the same. | More

Maine DOE Office of Special Services receives approval of revised policies and procedures

In 2015, the federal Office of Special Education (OSEP) required the Maine Department of Education-Office of Special Services to revise its policies and procedures for excess cost determinations and for allocating federal funds consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).| More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Professional Development Opportunities

New Teachers and Mentors – Dine and Discuss Event (Three sessions)

The Dine and Discuss series for new teachers and their mentors is designed to provide professional learning that builds fundamental instructional skills of new teachers. | More

2018 Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy Assessment Administration Training

Statewide workshop training will be provided on the administration of the 2018 Mathematics & ELA/Literacy assessments. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

PRIORITY NOTICE: Educational Technician certification renewal date extended to July 1, 2018

As many of you are aware, Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr. approved a one-year extension for all certificates with an expiration date of July 1, 2017.  Those impacted teachers, educational specialists, and administrators with certificates that would have expired on July 1, 2017, now have an expiration date of July 1, 2018.

The 2018 extension will also be applied to Educational Technicians whose expiration date is February 1, 2018.  Those impacted Educational Technicians will now have an expiration date of July 1, 2018.

The purpose for this extension is to allow the Department of Education time to implement the new online certification system.  The new online system is currently in the security testing phase and is being used by Department staff before launching to select pilot schools. Staff have already created great efficiencies; however extra time is needed to ensure all security requirements have been met.

To track further progress of the online certification system, please visit the Maine DOE Certification webpage.

To check your certification and/or administrative credentialing status please visit the NEO Portal.

For further questions, contact the Certification office at (207) 624-6603 or cert.doe@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Office of Special Services receives approval of revised policies and procedures

In 2015, the federal Office of Special Education (OSEP) required the Maine Department of Education-Office of Special Services to revise its policies and procedures for excess cost determinations and for allocating federal funds consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

OSEP also required that the Maine Department of Education notify grant sub-recipients of the revisions under Criteria 1.1 and 2.2 of OSEP’s fiscal monitoring letter dated, October 27, 2015. The Maine Department of Education is hereby notifying all grant sub-recipients of the revisions as follows:

Criterion 1.1

  1. Child Development Services (CDS) received the correct sub-grant a local educational agency (LEA) in Federal fiscal years (FFYs) 2014 and 2015 under section 611 and section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and
  2. Allocations under IDEA 611 to eligible LEAs, including CDS, are consistent with 34 CFR
  3. §300.705(a).

Criterion 2.2

LEAs comply with the excess cost requirements in 34 CFR §300.16, 300.202(a)(2) and (b), and Appendix A to 34 CFR Part 300.

  • Procedures to allocate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-Part B, sections 611-619 sub grants to eligible LEAs based upon the corrected formula;
  • Procedures to ensure that LEAs use IDEA funds only to pay the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.

The Maine Department of Education is hereby notifying all LEAs that the Office of Special Services’ policies and procedures in these two areas are in compliance with federal requirements. No further action by the Maine Department of Education or Local Education Agencies is required. The link to OSEP’s letter of compliance can be found here:

http://www.maine.gov/doe/specialed/support/fiscal/documents/OSEPFindingsComplianceLetterDec2017.pdf

Questions may be directed to Janice E. Breton, State Director of Special Services, Birth – 20 at Janice.Breton@maine.gov.

 

Student Enrollment Files and Assessment Preparation Dates

Please be aware of the following important dates regarding student enrollment when preparing for the 2018 spring Maine Educational Assessments (MEA). The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is continuing the transition from the data management software platform Infinite Campus to Synergy State Edition. The following table outlines the dates in which student enrollment files are captured in Synergy State Edition by the DOE, and sent to Measured Progress, the contractor for state required assessments:

  • Science
    • MEA General (Grades 5, 8, 3rd year high school)
    • Alternate/PAAP (Grades 5, 8, 3rd year high school)
  • Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy
    • General Grades 3-8 & – eMPowerME
    • General 3rd year high school – SAT
    • Alternate/MSAA (Grades 3-8, 3rd year high school)
Data File Completion Date
PAAP Science Enrollment Data File completed
MSAA Enrollment Data File 1/8/18
eMPowerME Enrollment Data File 1/19/18
SAT Enrollment Data File 2/2/18
MEA Science Enrollment Data File 2/26/18
NEW: Date enrollment is captured for assessment reporting 5/4/18

Enrollment in Synergy includes:

  1. Identification of student participating in alternate assessments, which cannot be changed after March 1, 2018.
  2. Attending district/school

The following bullets explain the process for updating changes to student enrollment from the data file upload date to the testing window for each assessment in chronological order:

  1. PAAP Alternate Science
    1. This data file was sent to Measured Progress in November 2017, as the PAAP Task Bank opened 12/1/17. The testing window is 3/1/18-4/30/18. If student enrollment changes between 12/1/17 and 4/30/18, please contact Sue Nay at 624-6774 or sue.nay@maine.gov.
  2. MSAA Alternate Math & ELA/Literacy
    1. The enrollment data file will be sent to Measured Progress on 1/8/18. If student enrollment at your school changes between 1/9/18 and 5/4/18, please contact Sue Nay at 624-6774 or sue.nay@maine.gov.
  3. eMPowerME General Math & ELA/Literacy
    1. The enrollment data file will be sent on 1/19/18. Beginning on 2/19/18, nightly enrollment changes will be captured in Synergy and sent to Measured Progress/eMetric to facilitate the changes between 1/20/18 and 4/13/18 in the eMPowerME Portal.
    2. If nightly enrollment uploads from the DOE to Measured Progress/eMetric are not immediately captured in the eMPowerME Portal, please call the DOE Data Help Desk at 624-6896 or MEDMS.helpdesk@maine.gov.
  4. SAT General Math & ELA/Literacy
    1. The enrollment (bulk registration) data file will be sent on 2/2/18. If student enrollment changes between 2/3/18 and 4/10/18, students will not have a Pre-ID label for their test booklet and must paper-register on the SAT school day or make-up day.
  5. SAT General Science
    1. The enrollment data file will be sent on 2/26/18. If student enrollment changes between 2/27/18 and 4/13/18 for high school students, or between 2/27/18 and 5/4/18 for grades 5 & 8), students will not have a Pre-ID label for their test booklet. Student will continue to test as scheduled but will enter demographic information through paper-register/bubble-in fields on extra/blank Science test booklet(s) the day(s) of testing.

Questions can be addressed to: Varun Motay 624-6657 or varun.motay@maine.gov

2018 Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy Assessment Administration Training

Statewide workshop training will be provided on the administration of the 2018 Mathematics & ELA/Literacy assessments.

When/Where:
Tuesday 2/6/18 in Portland
Wednesday 2/7/18 in Augusta
Thursday 2/8/18 in Bangor
Friday 2/9/18 in Caribou

Description of Training Sessions: There will be two separate training sessions each day, see details below.

Morning training sessions will focus on the Grades 3-8 Mathematics & ELA/Literacy (eMPowerME) online assessment.

  1. Who should attend: The morning sessions are intended for Maine District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) and one other designated participant (such as Technology Coordinators or School Test Coordinators) with a limit of TWO (2) registrants total per district. There will be subsequent webinar trainings for Test Administrators.
  2. Morning eMPowerME Session: This training will be about the eMPowerME online platform in preparation for the spring 2018 MEA Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy test administration to include: eMPowerME Portal test administration system overview and demonstrations; student test delivery system (eMPowerME Kiosk); technology requirements and specifications; online student tutorial (via Kiosk only this year); Portal & Kiosk updates for 2018; paper-based sample items; accessibility and accommodations.

Afternoon training sessions will focus on the High School Mathematics & ELA/Literacy (SAT) paper assessment.

  1. Who should attend: The afternoon training sessions are intended for Maine District Assessment Coordinators (DACs), high school SAT Test Center Supervisors and/or SAT SSD with a limit of THREE (3) registrants total per district.
  2. Afternoon SAT description: This training session will provide a detailed overview of the SAT administration as educators prepare for the April 10, 2018 administration of SAT School Day in Maine. Enhancements regarding College Board updates for 2017-18 include: students not required to supply a photo ID; discontinued use of SAT admission tickets; and changes to the student questionnaire (SDQ) process. In addition to reviewing key dates and deadlines, this session will provide a general overview of the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) process.

Registrations open Monday January 8, 2018 on the DOE Assessment Website or DOE Professional Development Calendar. Questions can be addressed to:

Nancy Godfrey 624-6775 or nancy.godfrey@maine.gov

New Teachers and Mentors – Dine and Discuss Event (Three sessions)

Due to extenuating circumstances this series has been cancelled.

The Dine and Discuss series for new teachers and their mentors is designed to provide professional learning that builds fundamental instructional skills of new teachers. Note:  New teachers are defined as teachers in their first two years of teaching who have assigned mentors.  Each session in the 3-part series will have a specific focus.

January Focus:  Formative Assessment

Sessions goals are as follows:

  • Increase the integration of foundational strategies into ongoing daily classroom instructional practices
  • Build peer networking communities throughout the State
  • Introduce a statewide, online support platform to facilitate ongoing dialogue between new and more experienced teachers
  • Highlight teacher leaders and build a resource bank statewide to deliver professional learning
  • Develop a video resource bank of topics with supporting materials from each of the regional sessions

Registration fee: $25 per person per session and includes dinner.  Registration is now open for the January session. New teachers are invited to come with or without their mentors.  If your mentor cannot be there, we will group you together with other participating mentors.  Please register to secure your spot (below) as we have limited space.

Payment:  Credit card only, use the individual event registration links below.

Topics for future sessions may include: backward design, goal focused planning, classroom management strategies, time management in the classroom, family engagement, and instructional strategies. Additional topics will be determined by follow up feedback surveys and input from the field.

If a larger location is necessary to accommodate more participants in subsequent sessions, locations may be changed.

Location / Registration Links January Session
The Green Ladle, Lewiston January 16, 2018
Bangor High School, Bangor January 17, 2018
University of Maine – Presque Isle January 23, 2018
University of Maine – Machias January 24, 2018
University of Southern Maine, Portland January 31, 2018

Workshop Contact: Peggy Pisini, Acting Educator Effectiveness Coordinator at peggy.pisini@maine.gov or call 624-6748.

 

 

 

 

Maine DOE Update – December 21, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Administrative Notices

Priority Notices

Reporting Items

Due date for school facilities inventory reporting extended to 01/12/18

The Maine Department of Education has extended the due date for the FY17 School Facilities Inventory Report to January 12, 2018. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE receives 19 FEDES grant proposals as part of EMBRACE regionalization initiative

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce the receipt of 19 regional grant proposals in response to RFP# 201708145 – Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES) grant by the December 19, 2017 deadline. | More

New State expectations for SAT essays set to help improve student writing

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) will start using a “cut score” that includes State expectations for the essay portion of the SAT for the first time. A cut score is the minimum score required for performance at each State expectation level. The essay cut scores are expected to help educators further enhance student writing. | More

Join us for the 2018 Read to ME Campaign

Following two years of strong statewide participation, the Maine Department of Education’s Literacy for ME  initiative will once again be promoting the Read to ME Challenge.  This simple but powerful campaign challenges adults to read to children for 15 minutes, to capture that reading episode via a photo and then post it on social media to challenge others to do the same. | More

Maine DOE office closed December 22 – 26

The office of the Maine Department of Education will be closed the following days as part of the State of Maine’s administrative holiday closure. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Professional Development Opportunities

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE receives 19 FEDES grant proposals as part of EMBRACE regionalization initiative

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce the receipt of 19 regional grant proposals in response to RFP# 201708145 – Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES) grant by the December 19, 2017 deadline.

The FEDES grant is part of the Department’s ongoing EMBRACE regionalization initiative. There is $5 million in FEDES grant funding available in 2017, and an additional $5 million will be available in 2018 to assist in financing the cost of local and regional initiatives to improve educational opportunity and student achievement through more efficient delivery of education programs and services.

For more information about FEDES or the Department’s other regionalization efforts, visit the EMBRACE Regionalization Information Center.

For further questions contact Maine DOE Regionalization Project Manager, Jennifer Pooler Jennifer.G.Pooler@maine.gov.

New State expectations for SAT essays set to help improve student writing

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) will start using a “cut score” that includes State expectations for the essay portion of the SAT for the first time. A cut score is the minimum score required for performance at each State expectation level. The essay cut scores are expected to help educators further enhance student writing.

The essay cut score was researched and determined as a collaborative effort among the Maine DOE, Maine educators, technical support from assessment experts, the Delaware Department of Education and approval by Maine’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

While essay scores have previously been reported to the State, no expectation has been provided for satisfactory performance until now. Starting in 2018, the SAT essay score will have a designation of “Meets Expectations” or “Does Not Meet Expectations.” There are no changes to the State expectations for student performance in the SAT mathematics and reading score metrics.

In order to meet expectations for the essay cut score, students must score at least 3 out of 8 points on each of the three sub scores, and they must achieve an overall essay score of at least 13. Schools and districts will be provided with data that includes the percentage of students that meet the SAT expectation.

In addition to providing school officials with a measurement of the over-all student achievement level in writing, the new essay cut scores will also provide educators with an opportunity to seek improvement in teaching students analytical writing techniques.

While the goal may be a challenge for some Maine students, the Maine DOE is eager to assist educators in helping students achieve these expectations through professional development opportunities. A set of workshops took place in the fall of 2017 and materials are available on the Maine DOE Website. For questions or to discuss future professional development opportunities contact Morgan Dunton, English Language Arts Specialist at morgan.dunton@maine.gov or (207) 624-6625.

The SAT essay cut scores will also be one of the factors that contribute to performance in the federal Every Students Succeeds Act Accountability System. For more information about ESSA contact Chelsea Fortin-Trimble, ESEA Federal Programs & Title I Director at Chelsey.A.Fortin@maine.gov or (207)-624-6815.

For more information about Maine Education Assessments including the SATs contact Andrew Hudacs, Director of Assessment at Andrew.Hudacs@maine.gov or (207) 624-6636.