Trying to determine whether a lesson plan, textbook or other item aligns with Maine’s updated math and English language arts (ELA) standards? A free comprehensive toolkit for evaluating alignment to the Expectation of those standards is now available.
Continue reading “New toolkit measures alignment of materials to standards”
A new three-year project at the University of Maine will empower female and minority high school students, their teachers and communities to create innovative solutions to the environmental problems related to stormwater management.
Continue reading “UMaine offers study to students underrepresented in STEM fields”
The Maine DOE is recruiting schools to serve as field testing sites to administer the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) Science Inquiry Tasks in grades 5, 8 and 11. These field tests give students the opportunity to engage with science content in a different way than traditional assessments and provide feedback about their experience.
Continue reading “Participate in NECAP science inquiry task field test”
The Kennebec Valley Superintendents Association (KVSA) will be hosting its “Great Things Happen in Public Schools” event to share with the public the various positive enterprises occurring in area schools. The event will take place Friday, Nov. 1, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Thomas College in Waterville.
Continue reading “See “great things” happening in central Maine public schools”
GARDINER – Department of Education Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome announced today that four of Maine’s top teachers are finalists for the nation’s highest honor for mathematics and science educators.
Tome was joined Friday by Anita Bernhardt, Maine DOE’s standards and assessment coordinator, and Michele Mailhot, the Department’s mathematics specialist, in congratulating the state’s finalists for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching during a ceremony at the Maine Science Teachers Association conference in Gardiner.
Continue reading “Mainers finalists for top teaching award in math, science”
In 2012, the Maine Legislature passed into law LD 1422, An Act to Prepare Maine People for the Future Economy (Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722-A). The cornerstone of this law was the requirement that Maine transition to a proficiency-based system in which graduation from a Maine high school after Jan. 1, 2018 would be based on students demonstrating proficiency in meeting Maine’s learning standards in all eight content areas and their guiding principles. Maine DOE was charged with assisting school administrative units (SAUs) with this transition by developing standards-based system tools and by providing technical assistance and targeted funding. Continue reading “Resources available for transition to proficiency-based diploma”
Earlier this week, Governor Paul R. LePage appointed me as Acting Education Commissioner. It is an honor to be called upon to serve the people of Maine in this new role, especially our students and educators. While the Department’s Commissioner has changed, our commitments have not.
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage has issued the following proclamation declaring October Dyslexia Awareness Month:
Continue reading “Governor LePage proclaims October Dyslexia Awareness Month”
Earlier this week, Governor Paul R. LePage appointed me as Acting Education Commissioner. It is an honor to be called upon to serve the people of Maine in this new role, especially our students and educators. While the Department’s Commissioner has changed, our commitments have not.
I look forward to working with the Governor and the talented team at Maine DOE to continue the work begun under former Commissioner Bowen to transform our education system so that it truly serves all Maine students and prepares them for success after they leave our schools. Central to that is the Department focusing on supporting schools in their improvement efforts, and I will be in touch later this month with more specifics on what Maine DOE’s system of supports will look like and how it will help you.
Continue reading “New Commissioner, same commitment to supporting schools”
SACO – University of Maine College of Engineering’s Dean Dana Humphrey recently announced that the University had agreed to a first-in-the-state partnership with the Saco-based Thornton Academy.
Continue reading “University of Maine partners with Thornton Academy to enhance STEM education”
