PRIORITY NOTICE: New certification system set to open for pilot schools and admins on 10/30

The Maine DOE’s new online certification system, Maine Certification Information System (MCIS), is scheduled for a soft release to staff and educators at pilot schools, and will be available to administrators, and local support system chair people statewide on Monday, October 30th. MCIS is targeted to be available to all educators and the general public by mid-November.

MCIS will completely replace the Maine DOE’s current paper certification application system. Highlights include a simple account creation process, electronic notifications about actionable items for both educators and administrators, and the ability to pay fees online.

The certification office will be closed to educators from 10/16/2017 – 10/27/2017. The office will re-open on Monday, October 30th with MCIS fully operational for all staff at pilot schools, and to administrators, and local support system chair people statewide.

As a reminder, once MCIS is in place, educators and administrators will need to create an account in order to use the system. The Maine DOE’s Certification team will be sending out individual notices to the email addresses that are on file in the NEO staff system to initiate this process. Additional training and guidance will be forthcoming.

For more information contact Ángel Martínez Loredo at 207-624-6603 or email cert.doe@maine.gov.

Additional support for regionalization now available

Earlier this week seven educators participated in the Maine DOE’s orientation and training session to become approved facilitators and consultants for the Department’s EMBRACE regionalization initiatives. The Department is providing regional groups of school administrative units (SAUs) with up to $7,500 in funding for facilitation services delivered by individuals who have met these training expectations.

The facilitators are available by request to provide technical assistance and guidance to regional groups of SAUs during the process of planning and developing regionalization project proposals under the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES) Request for Proposal (RFP # 201708145) or to plan the formation of a Regional Service Center, pursuant to MRSA Title 20-A, chapter 123: School Management and Leadership Centers.

The roster of approved facilitators can be found on the EMBRACE Regionalization Information Center. You may request a facilitator by contacting Maine DOE’s Regionalization Project Manager, Jennifer Pooler at jennifer.g.pooler@maine.gov.

Also in support of the EMBRACE initiatives, the Department hosted an online/telephone Informational Session on the FEDES RFP this week. More than 50 participants asked a wide range of questions during the 45-minute session. Those questions and our responses are being transcribed and will be available early next week on the State of Maine’s Division of Purchases website. You may also download the FEDES RFP (# 201708145) from that website.

The Department is anticipating the release of the Regional Service Center Application Part I, Application Part II, and the accompanying Guidance document by early next week. School district administrators will be notified by Priority Notice when these resources are available.

Maine DOE Update – September 28, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Notices and Reporting Items

Professional Development Opportunities

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Additional support for regionalization now available

Earlier this week seven retired educators participated in the Maine DOE’s orientation and training session to become approved facilitators and consultants for the Department’s EMBRACE regionalization initiatives. The Department is providing regional groups of school administrative units (SAUs) with up to $7,500 in funding for facilitation services delivered by individuals who have met these training expectations. | More

Information regarding special education teachers in NEO and certification

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services would like to request Directors of Special Education and other school personnel to check the information in the Department’s data system, NEO, to ensure that special education teachers are correctly coded in the system. Please check to see that: | More

Initial Audit Report to the Commissioner Due November 1st

Statements of assurance and the Maine Education Financial Systems (MEFS) Financial reconciliations, as required by Title 20-A MRSA 6051 §4, are due by November 1st.  Any adjustments identified by these reconciliations should be submitted to Maine Education Financial System by November 30th. | More

Maine students improve on state assessments

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to release the 2016-17 Maine Education Assessment (MEA) results in the content areas of mathematics, English language arts (ELA)/literacy, and science.  In all content areas, performance has improved or remained stable. | More

Fostering Artful Early Childhood Classrooms

The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of an exciting professional development opportunity, “Fostering Artful Early Childhood Classrooms”. Early Childhood Specialist, Sue Reed and Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Beth Lambert are looking for teachers who want to energize their teaching and learning through focusing on art in the public preschool classroom.  Applicants must apply in teams of two: one Public Preschool teacher and one Visual Art teacher from the same district. The Visual Arts teacher must currently teach at the elementary level.| More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Initial Audit Report to the Commissioner Due November 1st

Statements of assurance and the Maine Education Financial Systems (MEFS) Financial reconciliations, as required by Title 20-A MRSA 6051 §4, are due by November 1st.  Any adjustments identified by these reconciliations should be submitted to Maine Education Financial System by November 30th.

Annual audits are due December 30, 2017

The Department requests all annual audits, requests, and correspondence be submitted electronically by email to DOE.Audit@Maine.gov or by the direct link on the audit website www.maine.gov/education/audit.

20-A MRSA §6051 (6) states that annual audit reports are due within six months after the end of the audit period; e.g., reports for the fiscal year ending June 30 are due on or before December 30.

Per 20-A MRSA §6051 (1-K), Maine DOE must receive a SEFA (Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards), which includes federal award expenditures for all reporting entities, regardless if an A-133 audit is not required to be conducted. The SEFA provides information needed by MDOE to conduct sub-recipient monitoring as required by US DOE and is due at the time of the annual audit. In municipal school units where a combined audit is not conducted, this means that MDOE receives a SEFA for the School Department and the city/town.

If a management letter is prepared by the auditor, a copy should be submitted to MDOE with the annual audit as this letter provides MDOE with information needed to conduct sub-recipient monitoring as required by US DOE. Authority to request this is provided to MDOE under 20-A MRSA §6051 (1-F).

20-A MRSA §6051 (1) states that it is the school board’s responsibility to submit the audit unless it is included in the engagement letter that the audit firm will submit the audit to the Department on behalf of the school board.

The auditor shall review the audit with the school board as required under 20-A MRSA §6051 (3).

It is the Superintendents responsibility to request extensions/exceptions. The forms are available online at www.maine.gov/education/audit.

Town Reports from Municipalities are not required, and are kindly requested, to withhold from submitting to the Department. The municipal annual report cannot be accepted in lieu of the complete municipal annual audit. Municipal school units are required to submit either a combined annual audit or a school department audit and a municipal audit to the Department

State and Federal Requirements:

State Requirements

20-A MRSA §6051
Title 20-a: education, part 3: elementary and secondary education, Chapter 221: school records, audits and reports, Subchapter 2: audits

Federal Requirements

2 CFR 200.501 Audit Requirements

(a) Audit required. A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity’s fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of this Part.

For more information please contact Stephanie J. Clark Fiscal Compliance Associate School Finance & Operations for the Department of Education at 207-624-6807 or Stephanie.Clark@maine.gov.

 

Information regarding special education teachers in NEO and certification

The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services would like to request Directors of Special Education and other school personnel to check the information in the Department’s data system, NEO, to ensure that special education teachers are correctly coded in the system. Please check to see that:

  • There are no missing codes.
  • The coding for each teacher is correct.
  • Teachers who were granted a one-year extension for certificates expiring on July 1, 2017 per Commissioner Hasson’s priority notice dated May 5, 2017 should not be coded as having a waiver.
  • Special education teachers who teach children with a number of disabilities should not be coded as teachers of children with Multiple Disabilities unless the students are coded with that disability.
  • Educational technicians should not be coded as special education teachers or teachers.

This is an important correction for SAUs to make since we are trying to determine capacity needed to address the alternate pathways requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Maine’s newly revised certification rule, Chapter 115 which became effective on August 12, 2017.

Log in processes to NEO can be found at the following link: https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/NEO/Accounts/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fDOE%2fneo%2fAccounts%2fHome%2fHome.

For questions about logging into NEO, contact the Maine DOE Help Desk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.

Fostering Artful Early Childhood Classrooms

The Maine Department of Education invites you to be part of an exciting professional development opportunity, “Fostering Artful Early Childhood Classrooms”. Early Childhood Specialist, Sue Reed and Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Beth Lambert are looking for teachers who want to energize their teaching and learning through focusing on art in the public preschool classroom.  Applicants must apply in teams of two: one Public Preschool teacher and one Visual Art teacher from the same district. The Visual Arts teacher must currently teach at the elementary level.

Under the expertise of Early Childhood facilitator, Terri Petnov, and Early Childhood Arts facilitator, Judy Fricke, teams will work on building a collaborative partnership to ensure that preschool students receive an artful learning experience. Public preschool teachers will learn the research as to why art is important in a preschool classroom and how it encompasses Maine’s Early Learning and Development Standards and how to include art into their daily routines. Visual Art teachers will learn developmentally appropriate pedagogical approaches to teaching art to our youngest learners. As a culmination of their work, participants will create a presentation to share with their school community.

The training is free and each team selected will receive $500 worth of equipment and supplies for their classroom. These training will be offer in three regions of the state on the following dates:

  • Northern cohort at the University of Maine, Presque Isle campus (Nov. 17th, Feb. 15th, April 12th)
  • Central cohort at Educare in Waterville (Nov. 7th, Feb. 6th, April 3rd)
  • Southern cohort at Southern Maine Community College ( 3rd, February 9th, April 6th)

If you are interested in participating fill out an application using the links listed above. Only one application is necessary per team. If you have any questions contact Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Beth Lambert or Early Childhood Specialist, Sue Reed.

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine students improve on state assessments

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to release the 2016-17 Maine Education Assessment (MEA) results in the content areas of mathematics, English language arts (ELA)/literacy, and science.  In all content areas, performance has improved or remained stable.

“I am encouraged with how well our students are performing. In 2016-17, students were assessed for the third time on the rigorous standards Maine adopted in 2011 and while participation rates remained high, students showed consistent improvement,” said Robert G. Hasson, Jr., Maine Department of Education Commissioner. “This is a true testament to the hard work and determination of our students and their teachers.”

With two years of data from the same assessments, this is the first opportunity since 2013 that the State has been able to compare results over two years in mathematics and ELA/literacy. Results are very encouraging.

Highlights include:

  • In ELA/Literacy 52.58% of Maine students scored at or above state expectations – a notable improvement over 50.58% in 2015-16.
  • In Mathematics 38.54% of Maine students scored at or above state expectations – a slight improvement over 38.31% in 2015-16.
  • In Science 61.07% of Maine students scored at or above state expectations – a slight improvement over 60.97% in 2015-16.
  • The number of students exempted from the state assessment due to special considerations (e.g., serious medical condition) was reduced by about half from 2015-16 to 2016-17.
  • Participation rates in all subjects were greater than 95%.

The public results can be viewed by school or district and by subgroups, including grade level groups, in the MAARS Public Reports system.

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Maine DOE Update – September 21, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Notices and Reporting Items

Professional Development Opportunities

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

FEDES regional grant opportunity info session on 9/26

The Maine DOE is seeking proposals to fund eligible projects through the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES) – RFP # 201708145 and is reminding school district administrators and other interested stakeholders of an online/telephone Informational Session next Tuesday, September 26 at 3 p.m. The session will begin with a brief introduction and overview of the FEDES grant opportunity and then be opened up to questions and answers. Those planning to participate in the Informational Session are encouraged to review the RFP in advance and have questions prepared. The RFP can be downloaded from the Division of Purchases website. | More

Update about revisions to Rule Chapter 232, expansion of CTE to middle school

Public Law Chapter 171, “An Act To Enable Earlier Introduction of Career and Technical Education in Maine Schools,” was enacted in June to expand career and technical education opportunities by requiring Maine schools to provide access to developmentally-appropriate career and technical education for middle school students (grades 6-8). The expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to middle school builds on a long history of providing high-quality and industry-relevant CTE to students in high school grades 9-12. | More

Maine DOE to release 2016/17 ESEA Report Cards on 9/25

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires all states to provide an annual report card to inform stakeholders about the progress of students and schools on indicators of student achievement, graduation rates, status of ESEA accountability and information on fully certified teachers – information that is related to student success. | More

Maine DOE to release 2016-17 Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) results on 9/25

The Maine Department of Education will release the 2016-17 MEA results on Monday, September 25, 2017, within the Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS) Public Portal | More

Repeal and replacement of Chapter 81: Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine

The enacted new regulations that replaced Chapter 81: Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine and became effective on 9/16/17 can be found on the following link:  | More

Arts Education Participation and Access Data Needed

The Maine Department of Education is committed to supporting access to and participation in the arts as part of Maine students’ well-rounded education. In order to provide a view of trends, challenges, and successes in PreK-12th grade arts education, the department is asking school district to submit student participation and access data for the 2016-2017 school year. School level data that includes courses and enrollment numbers forms the basis of the data collection. Student names, personal information, and unique student identities are not included in this collection. | More

Proposal of a new model for Child Development Services (CDS)

Child Development Services (CDS) is currently responsible for the state-wide administration of special education services for children with disabilities who are ages 3 to 5 years (or in the school age range) under Part C and Part B 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Recently, the Department of Education has developed a new model for providing these services, the intent of which is to move the provision of children with disabilities ages 3 years to school age range (Part B 619) from current State run programming to the public schools systems. Under this model, all aspects of special education services for this age group would become the responsibility of the local district. This includes case management, child find, evaluation, eligibility determination, IEP development, and the provision of special education and related services. | More

Update on launch of Synergy State Edition Student System and access for school administrative units

Progress is continuing toward the full release of Synergy as Department staff have successfully uploaded and created thousands of student IDs. The next phase in the process will begin on Friday morning, September 22, when the Department will begin a “soft roll out”.  | More

Health update: mosquito-borne illnesses and schools

Maine Department of Education in collaboration with Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is sharing this important guidance with schools regarding mosquito-borne illnesses. Maine CDC developed the information and guidance in this letter. Two mosquito-borne illnesses are considered a local risk in Maine: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV).  Both are potentially serious viral infections transmitted to people from the bite of an infected mosquito.  The disease is especially severe in children (as well as adults over 50).  There is no vaccine or effective treatment for humans.  Therefore, prevention strategies are critical. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE to release 2016-17 Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) results on 9/25

The Maine Department of Education will release the 2016-17 MEA results on Monday, September 25, 2017, within the Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS) Public Portal

Users will be able to see both 2015-16 data and 2016-17 data in the content areas of:  (1) mathematics; (2) English language arts (ELA)/literacy; and (3) science.  In all content areas, the assessments have remained stable, and results can be compared across those two years.  This is the first opportunity since 2013 to compare results over two years in mathematics and ELA/literacy.

Mathematics and ELA/literacy results are based on the following assessments:

  • eMPowerME for most students in grades 3-8
  • SAT for most students in 3rd year high school
  • MSAA for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8, and 3rd year high school

Science results are based on the following assessments:

  • MEA Science for students in grades 5 and 8, and 3rd year high school
  • PAAP for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 5 and 8, and 3rd year high school

MAARS Public Reports of assessment results are presented in two ways:

  • QUICK REPORTS (default) show high level participation and performance data for schools, districts, and the state.
  • INTERACTIVE REPORTS (click Interactive in the upper left corner) allow users to make specific comparisons across years, subgroups, selected schools or districts.

For more information, please contact charlene.tucker@maine.gov or varun.motay@maine.gov.

Maine DOE to release 2016/17 ESEA Report Cards on 9/25

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires all states to provide an annual report card to inform stakeholders about the progress of students and schools on indicators of student achievement, graduation rates, status of ESEA accountability and information on fully certified teachers – information that is related to student success.

This report card also displays statewide academic achievement results in grades four and eight on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading and mathematics assessments, as well as the participation rates for students with disabilities and limited English proficiency on the NAEP exam.

The Department of Education continues to support school districts in providing this annual report card to its stakeholders. The 2016-17 ESEA report is for informational purposes only. It had no impact on school accountability status. Title I Accountability status for 2016-17 remained the same as determined based on the 2013-14 school year data. As part of Maine’s submitted ESSA plan approved U.S. Department of Education a new accountability system will be implemented beginning with school year 2018-19.

ESEA report cards will be available in the Maine Assessment and Accountability Reporting System (MAARS) on Monday, September 25, 2017.

In order to expeditiously retrieve pertinent school level ESEA Report Cards for 2016-17, the Maine DOE recommends using the “School” tab to select to download the excel spreadsheet. After locating the applicable school, the ESEA Report Card can be found in the final column. To access the district level ESEA Report Card, select the “District” tab to download the excel spreadsheet. After locating the applicable district, the ESEA Report Card can be found in the final column. Please note, spring 2016 assessment data is used to populate the 2016-17 ESEA Report Card.

Further questions regarding the 2016-2017 NCLB Report Cards should be directed to ESEA Federal Programs and Title I Director Janette Kirk at janette.kirk@maine.gov or call 624-6707 or connect with Director of Assessment and Accountability Charlene Tucker at charlene.tucker@maine.gov or call 624-6827.