Reporting for Special Education EF-S-05 Part II now open

The reporting period for the EF-S-05 Part 2 (Special Education Personnel) is from Jan 21 – Feb 29, 2016.

This is the last year that reporting for the EF-S-05 Part 2 will be completed in MEDMS. Please read the detailed instructions that can be found by going to the Maine DOE Reporting Calendar at www.maine.gov/doe/reporting/calendar.shtml and, under Reporting Item, selecting “Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part II (EF-S-05).”

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Dream with us following the Move the Needle Summit

Over 25 educators including County and State Teachers of the Year and Apple Distinguished Educators, six middle school students, a handful of Thomas College education students, and more joined the Maine Department of Education, Educate Maine and Thomas College for last week’s Move the Needle Learning and Technology Summit.

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Constitution essay contest for all grades

The Secretary of State’s Office is excited to continue the popular student program, the Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. This program is designed to promote the history of Maine, an understanding of the Maine Constitution, and the importance of democracy and voting.

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Maine Agricultural Teachers of the Year announced

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) announced the 2016 Teachers of the Year at the 75th Annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show this month. Governor Paul R. LePage was on hand to congratulate Morgan Kerr and Stephanie Enaire from Gray-New Gloucester Middle School.

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Read to ME Challenge fast approaching

The days are clicking away fast as Maine gears up for the statewide Read to ME Challenge kicking off Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Blaine House with the Governor and First Lady. But before then, you are being asked to consider participating in the challenge and think about whom you would like to challenge as well.

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Humanities opportunity for Maine students

The Maine DOE is pleased to share an opportunity for students to participate in the Maine Humanities Council’s Student Humanities Ambassador Program. The council is seeking committed, passionate and excited students who would benefit from an alternative learning environment or who flourish in an environment of structured autonomy to participate.

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Department releases 2015-16 NCLB Report Cards

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.

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More information regarding exit from current school identifications

On December 10, 2015 President Obama signed into law the Every Student Success Act (ESSA) which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Maine’s current flexibility waiver will expire on August 1, 2016. However, ESSA is clear that during the transition period priority and focus schools shall implement the interventions as described in State flexibility plans.

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Parental consent for evaluation, Part II

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. In these cases, the SAU may, but is not required to, request a due process hearing in an effort to obtain the authorization for the evaluation from a hearing officer, but otherwise may not proceed with the evaluation. (Note: an initial evaluation encompasses all types of evaluations that may be administered at the point where a student is being considered for eligibility).

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