Maine DOE shares educator effectiveness approved models

As part of Education Evolving: Maine’s Plan for Putting Learners First, the Maine DOE has made it a priority to adopt State standards of professional practice for teachers and principals to be used in Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PE/PG) systems.  Continue reading “Maine DOE shares educator effectiveness approved models” →

Jay Ketner joins Maine DOE as World Languages Specialist

Dr. Jay Ketner has joined the Maine DOE as its World Languages Specialist. In his new role, Ketner will support districts in their implementation of best practices in world languages education and serve as the regional representative for Cumberland County. Continue reading “Jay Ketner joins Maine DOE as World Languages Specialist” →

Self-assessment for proficiency-based diploma transition online through June

As part of Maine DOE’s commitment to supporting districts in their transition to a proficiency-based diploma by 2018, last July we launched the online resource Getting to Proficiency: Helping Every Maine Student Graduate Prepared.

Included in the tools we provided on that site was a comprehensive online self-assessment developed in collaboration with Great Schools Partnership that was designed to support districts with their action planning for proficiency-based education. Continue reading “Self-assessment for proficiency-based diploma transition online through June” →

Governor LePage, Maine DOE and schools recognize Digital Learning Day

Maine is an international leader in advancing digital learning opportunities for its students, and schools across the state will celebrate that innovation Wednesday

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has proclaimed Wednesday as Digital Learning Day throughout Maine and his Administration will be joined by the state’s students and schools in recognizing the important opportunities digital learning provides.

Continue reading “Governor LePage, Maine DOE and schools recognize Digital Learning Day” →

Maine DOE seeks summer food site sponsors

In 2013, summer meals were served in all Maine counties for the first time, and the Maine DOE hopes to expand the program even further this year

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education is seeking organizations to help provide low-income children healthy meals when school is not in session this summer.

Continue reading “Maine DOE seeks summer food site sponsors” →

Charter Commission advances 3 applications, schedules public hearings

Following committee reviews, three proposed public charter schools including one in Lewiston and two virtuals have moved to the next stage in the State’s application process, which includes public hearings next week

AUGUSTA – The public will have the opportunity to weigh-in next week on three public charter schools proposed to open in Maine this fall.

Earlier today, Maine Charter School Commission (MCSC) members working in small review teams presented their recommendations on four applications, with the entire seven-member Commission then voting to advance applications from Lewiston-Auburn Academy Charter School, Lewiston; Maine Connections Academy; and Maine Virtual Academy. The application for Many Hands Montessori School in Windham did not move forward.

Continue reading “Charter Commission advances 3 applications, schedules public hearings” →

Commissioner’s Update – January 30, 2014

From the Maine DOE

Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome talks to staff at Montello Elementary School in Lewiston about the impact of math coaches in the classroom. She and I visited Lewiston schools last week to see and support their school improvement efforts, and to provide technical assistance.
Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome talks to staff at Montello Elementary School about the impact of math coaches in the classroom. She and I visited Lewiston schools last week to see their improvement efforts and provide technical assistance.

Last week, Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome and I had the honor of visiting two Lewiston elementary schools undergoing transformation thanks to support from our Department and the federally-funded Title I School Improvement Grant program (SIG). To say I was impressed by what I saw at Longley and Montello would be an understatement.

But what struck me more than the challenges these two schools face – nearly 100 percent of the students at Longley and 84 percent of those at Montello qualify for free or reduced lunch and 65 percent of the students at Longley and 38 percent at Montello are English language learners – was their “accept no excuses” attitude to overcoming them.

That’s because staff within these two schools are taking a team approach to serving students, and not just the ones within their own classrooms. Through collaboration, not only is each student better supported, but so is each educator.

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News & Views

Shari Templeton joins Maine DOE as Science Specialist

Shari Templeton has joined the Maine DOE as its Science and Technology Specialist. In her new role, Templeton will support districts in their implementation of best practices in science education, work on the development of the State science assessment and serve as the regional representative for York County. | More

Livermore educator named 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year

Janet Ventrella, a teacher at Livermore Elementary School in Livermore, has been named the 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year.  Ventrella is in her ninth year of teaching at Livermore Elementary School.  She is a graduate of the University of Maine Farmington and routinely designs lessons and projects which integrate social studies and language arts for her fifth grade students. | More

Governor LePage to deliver State of the State Tuesday

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage will deliver his State of the State Address in the House Chamber at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The much-anticipated speech will cover a variety of priorities that include growing Maine’s economy and encouraging families to stay in the state. | More

ACCESS for ELLs testing materials due to Metritech

The ACCESS for ELLs® testing window closes Jan. 31 and districts are required to pack and return all testing material to MetriTech by Feb. 7. | More

Gifted and talented program applications, budgets past due

In December, school administrative units (SAUs) should have completed applications for their gifted and talented programs and submitted them to the Maine DOE for annual program approval. The application represents the school unit’s status of implementation of the gifted and talented program. | More

School construction tax credit bond applications due

The Department will be accepting applications for the Federal Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) Program through March 14. QSCB funds can be used for construction, rehabilitation or repair of a public school facility, or the acquisition of land on which such a facility is to be constructed. | More

Free webinar on supporting students with ear infections

hear ME now, Maine’s leading auditory oral education enter, will host a free webinar entitled “Runny Noses in the Classroom” in February to help educators learn how to recognize children who may be struggling with middle ear fluid and what they can do to help them in the classroom. | More

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From the Commissioner

Through collaboration, teachers, students better supported

Last week, Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome and I had the honor of visiting two Lewiston elementary schools undergoing transformation thanks to support from our Department and the federally-funded Title I School Improvement Grant program (SIG). To say I was impressed by what I saw at Longley and Montello would be an understatement. Continue reading “Through collaboration, teachers, students better supported” →