Maine’s top Career & Technical Education students were honored as students of the year recently at a ceremony at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center.
Continue reading “Maine’s CTE Centers name students of the year”
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.
Continue reading “Department honors top math, science teachers”
Maine Department of Labor offers students summer employment tips
AUGUSTA – As school gets out for the summer, the Maine Department of Labor is reminding students looking for summer jobs that the work-permit application is available online. All minors under the age of 16 must have a work permit before they start a job, whether or not they attend school. Continue reading “Maine Department of Labor offers students summer employment tips”
State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement
The funding from the Maine Department of Education will help transform the struggling school and increase student achievement, teacher effectiveness and community engagement
SOUTH PORTLAND – A South Portland elementary school will use $1.6 million awarded today by the Maine Department of Education to raise student proficiency in math and reading by 10 percent annually over the next three years. Continue reading “State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement”
Commissioner’s Update – June 5, 2014
From the Maine DOE
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.
That’s why I am pleased to share that earlier this week, the New England Secondary School Consortium (NESSC) announced that all of the public institutions of higher education in five New England states including Maine have endorsed proficiency-based education and graduation.
Notices and Reporting
- School Facilities Inventory FY 13-14 (Reminder), due June 30
- School Bus Purchase Report (EF-T-20:Quarter 4) (Reminder), due June 30
- FY 14 Perkins Performance Report (Annual Progress) (Reminder), due June 30
- NCLB Extension Carryover Report (Reminder), due June 30
- 2013-14 Special Education Exit Certification (Reminder), due June 30
- End of Year Student and Staff 2013-14 (Reminder), due June 30
More Notices Administrative Letters Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Maine DOE announces preview period for Smarter Balanced digital educator 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. | More
Downeast students earn passing grade from Marine Resources Commissioner for Winter flounder project
More than 50 students from coastal high schools presented their preliminary findings on their winter flounder project to Maine Commissioner of Marine Resources Patrick Keliher last week. | More
Nominations open for Maine technology educator awards
The Association for Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) is accepting nominations for the Maine Educator of the Year and the Maine Leader of the Year awards to be announced at their 2014 Conference held in Augusta in October. | More
New toll-free fax number for MEDMS helpdesk
The Maine DOE is pleased to share that the Maine Education Data Management System (MEDMS) Helpdesk has a new toll-free fax number: 866-219-8344. | More
Maine DOE to implement new school staff survey
Maine school administrative units (SAUs) have been completing the Educator Quality and Effectiveness Survey initiated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) annually since 2010. The survey data has been collected through the Maine Education Data Management System (MEDMS). | More
Maine mathematics educators honored
The Portland Sea Dogs recently recognized the current and several past recipients of the Jacqueline Mitchell Mathematics Educator Award. | More
Maine music teachers hold conference
Maine music teachers and students gathered at the University of Maine in Orono for the Maine Music Educators Association’s (MMEA) In-Service Conference last month. The conference offered performances from chorus, band, strings and jazz, and also provided professional development opportunities on proficiency and student assessment methods specific to each area of instruction. | More
Youth health survey to be administered next February
The Maine DOE, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is pleased to announce the fourth administration of the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) will be next February. | More
Maine FFA student officers receive leadership training
Trainers from the National FFA Organization (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) traveled to Aroostook County last week to prepare the new team of Maine FFA State Officers for their responsibilities in overseeing the duties of the student-run leadership organization for secondary and middle school students enrolled in agriculture and natural resource classes. | More
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
- Fiscal Review & Compliance Consultant
- Special Projects Manager
- ConnectME Broadband Technical Assistance Initiative Adult Education Technology Grant
- ConnectME Broadband Technical Assistance Initiative Volunteer Literacy Service Technology Grant
More
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.
Continue reading “Maine higher ed institutions endorse proficiency”
Downeast students earn passing grade from Marine Resources Commissioner for winter flounder project
More than 50 students from coastal high schools presented their preliminary findings on their winter flounder project to Maine Commissioner of Marine Resources Patrick Keliher last week. Continue reading “Downeast students earn passing grade from Marine Resources Commissioner for winter flounder project”
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”
Nominations open for Maine technology awards
The Association for Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) is accepting nominations for the Maine Educator of the Year and the Maine Leader of the Year awards to be announced at their 2014 Conference held in Augusta in October. Continue reading “Nominations open for Maine technology awards”
Maine mathematics educators honored
The Portland Sea Dogs recently recognized the current and several past recipients of the Jacqueline Mitchell Mathematics Educator Award. The award is given to an outstanding mathematics educator who demonstrates a commitment to Maine’s mathematical community through dedicated service.
Since its inception in 1999, 15 Maine educators have received the award given annually by the Association of the Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM). Eight honorees were in attendance at the game along with Jackie Mitchell, the former Maine Mathematics Specialist for whom the award was named. The honorees were celebrated on the field and Marilyn Curtis, a retired mathematics educator and the 2013 recipient of the award, tossed out the first pitch.
