Certification of superintendent election or reelection

The Maine DOE is reminding administrators and school board members of the approaching deadline for annual certification of employment of Superintendent of Schools and related forms to be completed and submitted to the Department.

School boards must meet by Dec. 31 to elect a superintendent if their superintendent’s contract expires in 2017 and then must submit a report on employment of their superintendent to the Maine DOE by Jan. 31.

Additional information including forms and instructions can be found here.

Please contact Danielle McKay at danielle.mckay@maine.gov or 207-624-6663 with questions.

MEA Alternate Science testing window opens December 1, 2016

The MEA Alternate Science assessment, the Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) assessment window opens December 1, 2016.  At this time teachers administering the alternate science assessment will be able to register and identify the students they will be assessing at: https://profile.measuredprogress.org/paap/login.aspx.

It is highly encouraged that teachers begin this process in December to view the Levels of Complexity available within the Alternate Grade Level Expectations (AGLES) and download tasks to incorporate into their instruction.

The 2016-17 PAAP Handbook, which includes the user guide and AGLES may be found at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/paap/administration/index.html.

For assistance with this task, please contact Maine DOE’s Alternate Assessment Coordinator, Sue Nay, at 622-6774 or sue.nay@maine.gov.

Reminder: annual audits due December 30, 2016

  • The Department requests all annual audits, requests, and correspondence be submitted electronically to DOE.Audit@maine.gov, or through the direct link on the audit website.
  • Municipalities are not required to submit, and are kindly requested to withhold from submitting, their municipal annual report/town report 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 Maine DOE.
  • 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 Maine DOE 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 Maine DOE 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 Maine DOE with the annual audit as this letter provides Maine DOE 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 Maine DOE on behalf of the school board.

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

  • 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.

Maine Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) To Meet Friday, Dec. 9

The next meeting of the Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children will be held on Friday, Dec. 9 at 9:00 a.m. in room 500 of the Cross Office Building, located at 111 Sewall Street in Augusta.

All 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, belong to the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). Each state appoints a council to oversee the implementation of the Compact at the state level.

States that sign on to the Compact commit to doing what it takes to:

  • Enroll children of military families at their new schools as quickly and seamlessly as possible, even in the absence of normally required official records and immunizations; and
  • Ensure that students with parents in the Armed Forces stay on track to graduate on time, even when such students’ academic records don’t comply perfectly with local graduation requirements.

More information about MIC3 is available at http://www.mic3.net/ or http://maine.gov/doe/special/military.html. Interested parties can request copies of the Dec. 9 meeting agenda by contacting Tyler Backus, Maine DOE’s Military Education Liaison, at tyler.backus@maine.gov.

Schools to offer CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) instruction

Schools to offer CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) instruction

The 127th Maine Legislature passed LD 556, “An Act to Require Public Schools to Offer Instruction Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).” Consequently, Maine Department of Education rule Chapter 41 has been adopted.

All students must now be offered training in how to perform CPR and understand how to use an AED prior to graduation.  This includes the current senior class.  Details of Chapter Rule 41 are available on the state website, but a few key points to note are:

  • This rule requires school districts to offer all students training in CPR and the use of AEDs some time prior to graduation. The instruction can happen for students at any time in middle or high school.
  • The requirement is NOT for certification in CPR or AED use; however a certification course would meet the requirement.
  • Hands only CPR with a psychomotor skills component will meet the CPR requirement and does not require a certified instructor. The American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross or other nationally-recognized programs offer the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular guidelines. They also incorporate psychomotor skills development into the instruction.  There are several online resources available for teachers or other instructors to utilize.
  • The standards for instruction in AED use may not require the use of an AED but must include an explanation of AED use.
  • All public schools, including charter schools, are required to comply with this rule.

To support implementation of this new law, the AHA Maine Founders Affiliate and the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance have secured a number of CPR in Schools Training Kits.  If you are interested in borrowing a kit, you can click here to download the form or contact kathymwilbur@gmail.com.

For more information on the new requirement contact Susan Berry, Maine DOE’s Health Education & Health Promotion Coordinator, at susan.berry@maine.gov.

Blue Ribbon Commission To Meet Monday, November 28

Augusta – The next meeting of the Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine will be held on Monday, Nov. 28 at 9:00 a.m. in room 103 of the Cross Office Building, located at 111 Sewall Street in Augusta.

A copy of the meeting agenda and documents relating to the Commission’s work will be posted here as they are made available.

Additionally, members of the public who wish to submit comments or ideas about public education issues for consideration by the Commission may do so here. Comments submitted through the website will be distributed to members of the Commission.

The Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine was created by LD 1641 which allocated an additional $15 million in education funding for local schools, bringing the State’s contribution to $1,000,961,515 for the 2016-17 school year. Based on the Commission’s work, a report to the Governor and the Legislature will be submitted by Jan. 10, 2017 that includes findings and recommendations for action to reform public education funding and improve student performance in the state.

________________

Contact:
Jamie Logan
Communications Director
624-6747
jamie.e.logan@maine.gov

SAT Content Workshops Presented by the College Board and Maine DOE

 

SAT Alignment to Standards and Instruction

Participants in this day-long workshop will learn about the SAT Suite of Assessments and the resources available to support student learning and teacher instructional strategies.  A close look into the question structure and critical alignment to standards will be led by the subject area specialists of the Maine Department of Education.

We will provide an overview of the format of the SAT and the SAT benchmarks and go into greater detail regarding the reports that can be created through the K12 Assessment Reporting Portal.  Specifically, we will focus on the Question Analysis Reports and Instructional Planning, which can be used by educators to monitor growth and target instruction.

Participants will also learn about the College Board’s partnership with Khan Academy, in which students can engage in individualized practice.

Because we will be using live data in the K12 Assessment Reporting Portal, all participants must bring a laptop to individually manipulate the data.  Participants will also need to ensure that they are authorized data users and can access the K12 Assessment Reporting Portal prior to attending this workshop.

Teachers, Department Chairs, and Content Specialists in ELA and Mathematics should register to attend.

CAMPUS LOCATION DATE TIME REGISTRATION
Hilton Garden Inn Bangor Bangor 12/13/2016 8:30AM-3:00PM HERE
University of Maine at Farmington Farmington 12/14/16 8:30AM-3:00PM HERE
University of Maine at Presque Isle Presque Isle 12/16/16 8:30AM-3:00PM HERE
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Standish 1/13/17 8:30AM-3:00PM HERE

Maine DOE Update – November 17, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Professional development opportunity for Education Technicians working with students with challenging behaviors

The Maine Department of Education’s Special Services Division will be providing a professional development opportunity for special education related Education Technicians.  There is no cost to the registrant for these opportunities.

Continue reading →

Notices and Reporting Items

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Resources to support Alcohol Awareness Day in December

On Monday, December 5, schools across Maine will raise awareness about alcohol use and abuse for Alcohol Awareness Day.| More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Resources to support Alcohol Awareness Day in December

On Monday, December 5, schools across Maine will raise awareness about alcohol use and abuse for Alcohol Awareness Day.

Maine statute recognizes the need for schools to address alcohol issues. The statute reads, in part, “Alcohol Awareness Day shall be observed by studying for at least 45 minutes, the use of alcohol and the problems and dangers of alcohol abuse upon the individual, the family, and society.”

This Alcohol Awareness Day, consider using one or more of the following resources to prepare a message or activity to enhance your health education curriculum. Click on the titles to learn more.
When You Say No To Alcohol, What Are You Saying Yes To? (Maine Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHS) This video profiles five Maine students who discuss their interests and reasons for choosing not to drink.  The message is that despite assumptions, not all students drink. The video discussion guide can be found by clicking here.

Too Smart to Start (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Too Smart to Start helps prevent underage alcohol use by offering strategies & materials for youth, teens, families, educators, community leaders, professionals and volunteers.

Brain Power (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Brain Power takes students on an age-appropriate exploration of the science behind drug abuse, explaining the effects of drugs on the brain and body.  This curriculum program has modules spanning grades K-9.

Heads Up: Real News about Drugs and Your Body (Scholastic)

A collection of articles and teacher lesson plans designed to teach students the facts about timely and practical topics in drug education, including alcohol.

SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices Learning Center

Beyond observing Alcohol Awareness Day, it is important that Maine students be provided with education and awareness about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. This should be part of an SAU’s pre-K through high school health education curriculum and aligned to the Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction, Health Education Standards.  Ongoing curriculum programs are a vital piece of alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention education.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program also offers an online guide to assist Maine schools in creating, updating, and enforcing a substance use policy.  The 2014 revised guide, Substance Use Policy: A Comprehensive Guide for School Policy Development, is available on the Maine CDC website.  It provides recommendations and practical suggestions for a complete policy, based on the latest available research and best practices.

Schools seeking assistance or ideas for planning an Alcohol Awareness Day activity can contact the Maine CDC Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program at (207) 287-8901 or tsup.cdc@maine.gov.

Professional development opportunity for Education Technicians working with students with challenging behaviors

Please note – a third and fourth opportunity have been added to those originally held in October in order to accommodate all interested in attending

The Maine Department of Education’s Special Services Division will be providing a professional development opportunity for special education related Education Technicians.  There is no cost to the registrant for these opportunities. Registration is now open for these two one-day training modules for both the Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 venue: 

  • November 30, 2016 at the Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330

Registration has been re-opened for registration to attend the Nov. 30th event only.   Please use this link to register:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ET_PD_Nov2016

  • December 7 (snow date December 8th) at the University of Maine Presque Isle, 181 Main Street, Presque Isle, ME  04769

Please use the following link to register to attend the Dec. 7th event only:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ET_PD_2016

Registration will begin at 8:00 and the agenda runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a working lunch provided at 11:30.

The day’s agenda will include guest speakers’ input on the following discussions:

  • What is my responsibility in implementing an Individualized Education Program (IEP);
  • Core characteristics of ASD, ED and OHI;
  • Implementing educational and behavioral accommodations;
  • Using prompting, chaining, task analysis reinforcement and visual supports;
  • What is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP); and,
  • Where do you go from here?

This professional development opportunity is funded via the Maine State Personnel Development Grant.  Please direct questions regarding this opportunity to Sheryl Banden at 624-6658 or sheryl.banden@maine.gov.