Reading to and or with a child is sometimes taken for granted. But are you aware, the simple act of reading aloud to a child 15 minutes a day for five years results in close to 3,000 minutes of language exposure. This alone can place children on the path to high literacy achievement.
Continue reading “February will be full of challenges to “Read to ME””
The Maine Legislative action of the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature, in the budget bill, Public Law 2015, Chapter 267 proposed that the Maine Department of Education be authorized to designate three community schools established in accordance with 20-A MRSA Chapter 333 as part of a five-year pilot project beginning in the 2016-17 school year.
Continue reading “Community Schools Pilots during the 2016-17 school year”
Every two years, the Maine DOE in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducts the School Health Profile (SHP) survey of middle and high school principals and lead health teachers.
Continue reading “Principals can expect School Health Profile (SHP) surveys soon”
Maine DOE has awarded $7.4 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 13 school districts. The loans will be used to complete 37 health, safety and compliance projects at 21 schools including structural roof repairs, ADA upgrades, and hazardous material removal. A portion of each loan is considered a grant and is forgiven while the remaining balance of the loan is paid back at a zero percent interest rate.
The Maine DOE is pleased to offer the 2016 PEPG Submittal Form to all school administrative districts. SAUs may start entering data into the form on Feb. 1 and attach their Performance Evaluation Professional Growth (PEPG) system plans directly to the online form.
Continue reading “PEPG Submittal Form available online Feb. 1”
The Maine DOE is seeking recommendations through April 28 for the 2016 Maine Educator Talent Pool. These distinguished educators may be considered for membership on local and state advisory boards and task forces, as well as be candidates for special recognition through the Department.
Continue reading “Outstanding educators sought for Maine talent pool”
The preliminary State subsidy printouts (ED 279s) that many have been asking about, will be coming out in a few days. The Department has been dedicated to completing the preliminary, estimated State subsidy printouts, and as soon as those are finalized, the information will be posted on our website at http://www.maine.gov/doe/eps/. Also at that time, superintendents and business managers will be alerted via a Priority Notice. It will be important for districts to remember that those initial printouts will reflect the currently enacted biennial budget, and will likely be adjusted as the Legislature responds to current and projected budget shortfalls.
Maine educators can feel confident that the 2016 assessment of mathematics and ELA/literacy will be compatible with the overwhelming majority of computers and tablets currently in our schools.
The new assessment will allow students using older MLTI laptops, which many schools purchased following the last MLTI laptop deployment, to access the tests.
Continue reading “2016 MEA Mathematics and ELA/Literacy (3-8): Technology Requirements”
Maine DOE is proud to offer Student Learning Objective (SLO) training to school administrative units (SAUs) to help support of the development of Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems. These regional trainings will be available in four locations throughout the state.
Continue reading “Student Learning Objective (SLO) training for districts”
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) requires all states to provide an annual report card to inform stakeholders about the progress of students and schools on indicators of student achievement, attendance and graduation rates, status of ESEA accountability and information on “highly qualified” 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.
As part of Maine’s current approved ESEA Flexibility waiver, Maine continues to provide this annual report card to its stakeholders. The 2015-16 NCLB report serves as a baseline and is for informational purposes only. It will have no impact on school accountability status. Title I Accountability status for 2015-16 will remain the same as determined based on the 2013-14 school year data. A new accountability system will be established for school year 2016-17.
NCLB report cards are available here in the Maine DOE Data Warehouse.
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
Looking back at last week’s technology and learning summit at Thomas College. | More
Commissioner Bill Beardsley joined Senator Roger Katz, Hannah Pingree, and Maine Education Association’s John Kosinksi for a taping of the “The Maine Event.” | More
Maine DOE is proud to offer Student Learning Objective (SLO) training to help support the development of Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) systems. | More
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) announced the 2016 Teachers of the Year at the 75th Annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show this month. | More
Under Maine’s approved ESEA flexibility waiver the Maine DOE has committed to the U.S. Department of Education to submit new lists of priority and focus schools. | More
A recent dispatch from Maine DOE’s Office of Special Services on parental consent for evaluation informs school administrative units of the rules when a parent does not consent to an initial evaluation of a student. | More
This is the last year that reporting for the EF-S-05 Part II will be completed in MEDMS. | More
The days are clicking away fast as Maine gears up for the statewide Read to ME Challenge kicking off Tuesday, Feb. 2. | More
The Maine DOE is pleased to share an opportunity for students to participate in the Maine Humanities Council’s Student Humanities Ambassador Program. | More
The Secretary of State’s Office is excited to continue the popular student program, the Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. | More
Maine 2016 teacher of the Year Talya Edlund recently shared some thoughts about teaching 21st century skills. | More
Donald Sanders, school bus driver from MSAD 75 likes to share the value and joy of reading on his daily route. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices
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