Academic eligibility policy for athletic and co-curricular participation

The Maine DOE has posted an example policy on academic eligibility for athletic and co-curricular participation. This policy was developed collaboratively by representatives of the Maine Principals Association (MPA), the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA), Maine School Management Association (MSMA) and Great Schools Partnership (GSP). The policy is a welcome resource for school districts as they transition to proficiency-based learning and proficiency based diplomas and review, revise, and/or refine existing policies to better address the shifts in practice underway in their schools. Recently, the eligibility policies were vetted at two statewide MPA gatherings and the MIAAA state conference.

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Pathways to Proficiency summer literacy institute

During the month of August, over 400 PK-12 educators from across Maine attended two-day professional development institutes offered in Presque Isle, Brewer, Lewiston and Saco. The Pathways to Proficiency institute was designed to help teams of educators strengthen their understanding of Maine’s English language arts standards while also bolstering their knowledge of highly effective instructional strategies that support students in achieving proficiency.

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Maine is one of 16 states to gain federal approval on Educator Equity Plan

The U. S. Department of Education has approved Maine’s Educator Equity Plan aimed at increasing access to excellent educators. Maine is one of only 16 states to receive approval of the required state Educator Equity Plan, filed with USDOE last month. To summarize, Maine will take steps to decrease the gaps in student access to experienced qualified teachers regardless of where students live, their income or their race.

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Standardized Assessment Scores for 2014-15

AUGUSTA – As Maine shifts to a proficiency-based system by 2018, the 2014-15 Smarter Balanced Assessment scores in English language arts and mathematics for grades 3 through 8 and the third year of high school are the first statewide assessment of our students’ accomplishments in meeting Maine’s college and career readiness standards. These results are reflective of a more rigorous assessment as the world is changing rapidly, and Maine is poised to improve in this educational shift to better prepare our students for future success.

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Commissioner’s Update – September 10, 2015

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine DOE has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking bids to provide statewide assessments online for mathematics & English language arts/literacy in grades 3-8 and the third year of high school beginning in the spring of 2016.

The public notice can be viewed in the Kennebec Journal beginning Sept. 9. A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the Department’s RFP Coordinator, Acting Assessment Coordinator, Nancy Godfrey who can be reached at nancy.godfrey@maine.gov or 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

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Notices and Reporting

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Providing parents with procedural safeguards electronically

A new section of the MUSER permits school administrative units to send certain documents, including the procedural safeguards, to parents electronically with their written consent. | More

Math and ELA/literacy results reminder – ORS versus iServices

There are two locations where the results from the spring 2015 MEA for mathematics and English language arts (ELA)/literacy. | More

Contractual service providers’ information needed

Maine DOE is requiring staff that require certification, authorization or approval (criminal history background checks) and are paid by schools under contractual agreements to be reported to the State staff information system, NEO Staff. | More

Office of Special Services offers professional development opportunity

The Maine DOE Office of Special Services is offering a training opportunity for high school special education teachers. | More

Intent to pilot survey results indicate SAUs are moving forward with PEPG systems

Initial results provide promising indications that districts are moving forward in implementing a comprehensive PEPG system. | More

Maine DOE partners with the UMF for mathematics coaching

Title I schools identified as Priority who demonstrate challenges with mathematics performance have the opportunity to utilize program improvement funds to support participation in the Maine Mathematics Coaching Project (MMCP). | More

Cross Disciplinary Literacy Network registration now open

Maine educators are invited to register for the Cross Discipline Literacy Network (CDLN), a professional learning network for 2015-16 school year. | More

Principals encouraged to nominate one student for U.S. Senate Youth Program

The Maine DOE encourages all high school principals to nominate one candidate for consideration to represent Maine in Washington, D.C. during the 54th Annual United States Senate Youth Program. | More

Deadline ahead for indirect cost rate application

The Maine DOE is reminding districts of the deadline for filing a letter of interest to submit indirect costs plans is next Friday, Sept. 18. | More

Upcoming workshops focus on connecting math instruction to support student engagement

The Maine DOE is inviting math educators across the state to a series of three workshops to support instruction and make connections to student engagement and understanding. | More

Maine DOE continues efforts with Guiding Principles

In August, the Maine DOE convened 33 educators to collect input on draft progressions for each of the five Guiding Principles. | More

Summer interns at Maine DOE

The Department hosted four interns this summer. MLTI and the Migrant Education Program benefited from the talent, energy and time of these college students. | More

Attendance matters

September is attendance awareness month; a nationwide event recognizing the connection between school attendance and academic achievement. | More

From ACEs to resilience

The first annual Thriving Maine Communities Conference, focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and resilience is being held for K-12 and post-secondary educators. | More

Osher New Beginnings scholarship now open

The Osher Scholarship, offered through the University of Maine System, has a new name and is available now. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner

LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Summer interns at Maine DOE

The Department hosted four interns this summer. MLTI and the Migrant Education Program benefited from the talent, energy and time of these college students. Fiona Sterling of Richmond attends Hellenic College in Brookline, Massachusetts, where she is majoring in Management and Leadership. She was joined by Richmond native, Ashley Godbout of Hallowell who is an education major at the University of Maine Farmington.

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Maine DOE issues RFP for mathematics & English language arts/literacy assessment

The Maine DOE has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking bids to provide statewide assessments online for mathematics & English language arts/literacy in grades 3-8 and the third year of high school beginning in the spring of 2016.

Continue reading “Maine DOE issues RFP for mathematics & English language arts/literacy assessment” →

Osher New Beginnings scholarship now open

The Osher Scholarship, offered through the University of Maine System, has a new name and is available now. The scholarship is now called the Osher New Beginnings Scholarship. It is to encourage more Maine people of all ages to give college a try by allowing recipients to take one course, including books and required materials.  Eligibility still includes those who are a first time student and has been expanded to include individuals who have 30 or fewer credit hours and have not attended in at least five years.

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From ACEs to resilience

The first annual Thriving Maine Communities Conference, focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and resilience is being held for K-12 and post-secondary educators; medical and behavioral health care providers; law enforcement and juvenile justice workers; early care and education providers; child welfare agencies; clergy members; business leaders; policy-makers, legislators and community residents. Information on the two day conference can be found here www.mainequalitycounts.org/page/2-1309/thriving-maine-communities.

Attendance matters

September is attendance awareness month; a nationwide event recognizing the connection between school attendance and academic achievement. Count ME In, a Maine based non-profit organization, is promoting awareness that students who miss school frequently end up with gaps in their learning. Yet, chronic absence is a problem that can be solved when schools, families, and communities work together.

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