Last week, I encouraged readers of this update to take a look at remarks I delivered recently at gatherings of Maine school curriculum leaders, superintendents and school board members that lay out the challenges we face in improving our schools and the core priorities we must have in mind when building a new and modern model of schooling.

This week, I was pleased to be reminded again that schools throughout our state are already putting such ideas into action.

Just two of multiple examples:

• In this week’s update, we bring you a dispatch on the RSU 3 Virtual Learning Center serving young families in rural Waldo County. The Virtual Learning Center combines adult education, GED preparation and community college courses with job search assistance provided by the Maine Department of Labor — all accessible to students anytime, anywhere. It’s an impressive application of virtual learning theory that could very well grow to provide more options for students in kindergarten through high school.
• Kittery residents made the news this week as they began discussing a bold vision for the future of Traip Academy that transforms the school into a learning hub that opens early, closes late and helps students make wise use of online and community resources to broaden their learning.

It’s just further proof that as more of our schools look to move to the next level, they’ll have a growing number of examples to learn from right here in Maine.

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – Nov. 10, 2011” →

Last week, I spoke with Maine school curriculum leaders, superintendents and school board members at their respective conferences. I shared with them the latest thinking that’s gone into our evolving strategic plan for education in Maine.

The vision for moving forward is based on what it takes to overcome the major challenges that have stood in the way of our ability to make significant progress in improving student achievement in recent years.

The vision is defined by a handful of priorities that should form the basis for a new model of schooling for the 21st century. That new model, as I’ve said before, should meet the needs of all students. It should put students — rather than administrative convenience — at the center of all structures, from bus schedules to where and how students learn.

Take a look at the remarks I delivered last week.

The vision and the plan are still evolving. Please use the comments feature in our Newsroom to participate in the discussion, or use the Contact Us link to send us your thoughts directly.

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – Nov. 3, 2011” →