Commissioner’s Update – January 9, 2014

From the Maine DOE

This week, Governor LePage notified the State Board of Education that he would like to nominate me as his permanent Education Commissioner.

While most gubernatorial Commissioner appointments go directly to the legislative committee of jurisdiction, State statute requires the Governor’s nomination for Education Commissioner be first reviewed by the State Board of Education.

Continue reading →

Notices and Reporting

More Notices
Administrative Letters
Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Portrait of Jim Rier, ActingGovernor LePage asks State Education Board to consider Jim Rier as Education Commissioner

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that he hopes to make his Acting Education Commissioner permanent.

In a letter sent Monday morning to the State Board of Education, Governor LePage said he intends to nominate Jim Rier, of Topsham, to be Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, pending that 10-member board’s evaluation of the candidate. While most gubernatorial Commissioner appointments go directly to the legislative committee of jurisdiction, State statute requires the Governor’s nomination for Education Commissioner be interviewed by the State Board of Education, chaired by Nancy Perkins, of Cornish. | More

Maine DOE publishes policy on standards-based IEP goals

Maine’s transition to a proficiency-based diploma by 2018 is underway. Already, many school administrative units are planning spring outreach to the class entering high school next fall as those students will be the first to graduate having demonstrated mastery of all State standards in the eight content areas of the Maine Learning Results. | More

Maine youth report healthier habits, struggles with depression

AUGUSTA – Maine youth are making healthier choices, including smoking and drinking less, but are increasingly struggling with their emotional wellbeing. Those findings and other insights directly from tens of thousands of Maine students about their health and habits are detailed in the newly released results of the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). | More

Improving elementary attendance summit scheduled for Jan. 14

Improving elementary school attendance will be the focus of a forum next Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Portland. Attendance Matters: Moving From Awareness to Action is intended for educators, policy makers, administrators, nurses, counselors, social workers, school board members and other stakeholders interested and dedicated to supporting elementary school students be successful in school. | More

Maine DOE shares updates on 2013-14 MHSA/SAT

The Maine DOE has important updates on testing administration dates, an administration webinar, student registration and free readiness and preparation opportunities. | More

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

More

Dispatches
Press Releases
From the Commissioner

Moving forward to serve you

This week, Governor LePage notified the State Board of Education that he would like to nominate me as his permanent Education Commissioner.

While most gubernatorial Commissioner appointments go directly to the legislative committee of jurisdiction, State statute requires the Governor’s nomination for Education Commissioner be first reviewed by the State Board of Education. Continue reading “Moving forward to serve you” →

Maine youth report healthier habits, struggles with depression

The biannual survey of the state’s grade 5-12 students is an effort of the Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services and informs prevention and program planning

AUGUSTA – Maine youth are making healthier choices, including smoking and drinking less, but are increasingly struggling with their emotional wellbeing.

Those findings and other insights directly from tens of thousands of Maine students about their health and habits are detailed in the newly released results of the 2013 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS).

Continue reading “Maine youth report healthier habits, struggles with depression” →

Improving attendance summit scheduled for Jan. 14

Improving elementary school attendance will be the focus of a forum next Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Portland.

Attendance Matters: Moving From Awareness to Action is intended for educators, policy makers, administrators, nurses, counselors, social workers, school board members and other stakeholders interested and dedicated to supporting elementary school students be successful in school. Continue reading “Improving attendance summit scheduled for Jan. 14” →

2013-14 MHSA/SAT initiative guidelines and updates

This dispatch from the Maine DOE includes information about the following:

DOE publishes policy on standards-based IEP goals

Maine’s transition to a proficiency-based diploma by 2018 is underway. Already, many school administrative units are planning spring outreach to the class entering high school next fall as those students will be the first to graduate having demonstrated mastery of all State standards in the eight content areas of the Maine Learning Results. Continue reading “DOE publishes policy on standards-based IEP goals” →

Governor LePage asks State Education Board to review Commissioner candidate

Portrait of Jim Rier, ActingAUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that he hopes to make his Acting Education Commissioner permanent.

In a letter sent Monday morning to the State Board of Education, Governor LePage said he intends to nominate Jim Rier, of Topsham, to be Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, pending that 10-member board’s evaluation of the candidate.

While most gubernatorial Commissioner appointments go directly to the legislative committee of jurisdiction, State statute requires the Governor’s nomination for Education Commissioner be interviewed by the State Board of Education, which is currently chaired by Nancy Perkins, of Cornish.

The State Board is expected to interview Acting Commissioner Rier at its next regular meeting on Jan. 15, something traditionally done in executive session. The Chair will then deliver the Board’s written appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate within 10 days to the Governor, who will consider the feedback before formally posting the nomination for the Legislature’s consideration.

Continue reading “Governor LePage asks State Education Board to review Commissioner candidate” →

Commissioner’s Update – January 2, 2014

From the Maine DOE

We hope you enjoyed the holidays and some well-deserved down time to recharge for the New Year. As our Department looks forward to serving you in 2014, we also wanted to reflect back on our work from a very busy past 12 months.

Of the nearly 600 items posted in our Maine DOE Newsroom in 2013, not surprisingly our release about Maine’s first school report cards was the most viewed item, with related posts taking up several of the other top traffic spots. While Maine’s first true statewide accountability system caused controversy, it is doing exactly what we at the Department intended.

Continue reading →

Notices and Reporting

More Notices
Administrative Letters
Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Maine DOE introduces new Student Assistance Coordinator

Stephanie Galeucia has been named the Maine DOE’s new Student Assistance Coordinator. Among her primary responsibilities in this role are providing indirect support to students being bullied in Maine schools and helping parents and administrators better understand the Restraint and Seclusion of Students rule. | More

Two Maine educators Presidential Award winners

A kindergarten teacher from Cushing and fifth-grade math teacher from Yarmouth are Maine’s recipients of the prestigious 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). | More

Regional school calendars due May 1

School administrative units and private schools approved for tuition purposes are expected to establish regional school calendars, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education school, by May 1. | More

Final review of national arts standards scheduled

The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) has scheduled a final public review of the draft PreK-12 arts standards in dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. | More

Free training on Integrated Pest Management offered

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is offering six free Comprehensive School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Training workshops in early 2014. | More

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

More

Dispatches
Press Releases
From the Commissioner

Grading system top DOE news of 2013

We hope you enjoyed the holidays and some well-deserved down time to recharge for the New Year. As our Department looks forward to serving you in 2014, we also wanted to reflect back on our work from a very busy past 12 months.

Of the nearly 600 items posted in our Maine DOE Newsroom in 2013, not surprisingly our release about Maine’s first school report cards was the most viewed item, with related posts taking up several of the other top traffic spots. Continue reading “Grading system top DOE news of 2013” →

Regional school calendars due by May 1

School administrative units and private schools approved for tuition purposes are expected to establish regional school calendars, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education school, by May 1. Continue reading “Regional school calendars due by May 1” →