Dear Superintendents and Principals,
Next month, our Department will release the second round of school report cards, using existing data to provide the public a snapshot of how all Maine schools are doing.
Continue reading “Notice to superintendents, principals on school grades”
Dear Superintendents,
I wanted to personally invite you to save the date for our 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, scheduled to run from noon on Monday, June 23 through noon on Wednesday, June 25 at Point Lookout in Northport (please note the Monday start).
Continue reading “Notice to superintendents on 2014 Commissioner’s Conference”
Earlier this week, the Department released the state-level results for the 2013-14 New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). The test was administered back in October and districts have had (and hopefully been closely analyzing) their individual results since January.
From the state-level data, we can see that while the majority of Maine’s elementary school students are still proficient in math (60.2 percent) and reading (69.1 percent), there are concerning performance declines across the board. While proficiency went up in Grade 5 math and writing and was flat in Grade 3, 5 and 7 reading as well as Grade 7 math, it was down in both math and reading for Grades 3, 4, 6 and 8.
Just as we as a Department encourage you to dig into your data to inform your understanding of challenges and opportunities, we’ve been doing the same here.
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AUGUSTA – The majority of Maine’s elementary school students are still proficient in reading and math, but State Education Department officials say performance declines in all grade levels tested are a reminder of the importance of school-led improvement work continuing. | More
AUGUSTA – As part of its commitment to providing digital learning opportunities to all Maine students, the Maine Department of Education’s AP4ALL program allows all high school students who are educated at the public expense access to the year-long online Advanced Placement courses. The Department also covers the cost of books and materials. | More
A provision included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. 2014 sets forth the level of effort a local educational agency (LEA) must meet under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Part B in the year after it fails to maintain the level of local, or State and local, expenditures for the education of children with disabilities (known as LEA MOE). | More
Kevin Facer will support districts in their implementation of best practices in visual and performing arts education, participate in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative and serve as the regional representative for Washington and Hancock Counties. | More
The newest addition to our menu of approved professional practice models is the set of teacher evaluation rubrics developed by Kim Marshall, a former principal, current consultant and author of “Rethinking Teacher Supervision and Evaluation.” | More
Last fall, the Maine DOE distributed $2 million to school administrative units (SAUs) to support their transition to a proficiency-based diploma. In the months since, the Department has received inquiries related to the use of these targeted transition funds in K-8 schools. | More
Educators, administrators and counselors who are interested in improving the financial capability of Maine students and young adults are encouraged to attend the conference, which will provide financial education resources and offer a variety of workshops. | More
Earlier this week, the Department released the state-level results for the 2013-14 New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). The test was administered back in October and districts have had (and hopefully been closely analyzing) their individual results since January.
From the state-level data, we can see that while the majority of Maine’s elementary school students are still proficient in math (60.2 percent) and reading (69.1 percent), there are concerning performance declines across the board. While proficiency went up in Grade 5 math and writing and was flat in Grade 3, 5 and 7 reading as well as Grade 7 math, it was down in both math and reading for Grades 3, 4, 6 and 8.
Just as we as a Department encourage you to dig into your data to inform your understanding of challenges and opportunities, we’ve been doing the same here.
Continue reading “Learning from the latest NECAP results: Part I”
As part of its commitment to ensuring great teachers and leaders in all Maine schools, the Maine DOE endorsed, in 2012, professional practice standards that set the benchmarks for teacher and principal effectiveness and pre-approved certain professional practice models for use in Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PE/PG) systems.
Continue reading “Maine DOE approves Marshall Teacher Evaluation Rubrics”
Last fall, the Maine DOE distributed $2 million to school administrative units (SAUs) to support their transition to a proficiency-based diploma. In the months since, the Department has received inquiries related to the use of these targeted transition funds in K-8 schools.
Continue reading “Using targeted transition funds in K-8 schools”
Kevin Facer has joined the Maine DOE as its Visual and Performing Arts Specialist. In his new role, Facer will support districts in their implementation of best practices in visual and performing arts education, participate in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative and serve as the regional representative for Washington and Hancock Counties.
A provision included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. 2014 (signed by the President in January) sets forth the level of effort a local educational agency (LEA) must meet under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Part B in the year after it fails to maintain the level of local, or State and local, expenditures for the education of children with disabilities (known as LEA MOE). The provision is effective for the federal fiscal year 2014 Part B grants, which are awarded on July 1, 2014.
Continue reading “New federal provisions on maintenance of effort requirement under IDEA”
The Maine Jump$tart Coalition, the 2014 National Jump$tart Coalition State Coalition of the Year, will host its 5th Annual Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference on Thursday, May 8 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Continue reading “Financial education conference schedule for May 8”
The offering of free Advanced Placement courses through AP4ALL is another way the Maine Department of Education provides digital learning opportunities to all Maine students
AUGUSTA – Student registration is now open for free online Advanced Placement courses that will start next September.
As part of its commitment to providing digital learning opportunities to all Maine students, the Maine Department of Education’s AP4ALL program allows all high school students who are educated at the public expense access to the year-long online Advanced Placement courses. The Department also covers the cost of books and materials.
Continue reading “Maine DOE opens registration for free online AP classes”
