Commissioner Bill Beardsley joined Senator Roger Katz, Hannah Pingree, and Maine Education Association’s John Kosinksi for a taping of the “The Maine Event” airing this Saturday night at 6 p.m. on Maine Public Broadcasting.
Commissioner’s Update – January 14, 2016
From the Maine Department of Education
Suzan Beaudoin (Cameron) has been appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner of Education at the Maine Department of Education effective Jan. 11, 2016. She previously served as the Department’s director of finance and operations.
As Acting Deputy Commissioner, Beaudoin will continue her broad administrative oversight of $900 million of State and general purpose aid to education. She will continue to provide financial and information systems coordination for an array of operation activities ranging from school construction, transportation and nutrition, to teacher certification and statistical data collection and analysis.
“Suzan will also be broadening her coordination and policy activities to other department divisions and will be expanding and improving the department’s working relationship with other public financing authorities, school districts and the Legislature. She is also a well-respected, trusted colleague of 30 years,” said Acting Commissioner Bill Beardsley in making the appointment.
Administrative Letters & Reporting Items
- Admin Letter: Use of federal funds to provide food or beverages
- Admin Letter: Correction to Administrative Letter #2 2015 – Special purpose private school tuition rates
- Annual Certification of Superintendent, due Jan. 31 (Reminder)
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Nominations sought for 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators. | More
Student data needed for alternate math and ELA/literacy assessment
Districts with students requiring an alternate assessment, those with the most significant cognitive disabilities, need to follow these instructions. | More
Upcoming workshops for 2016 math & ELA/literacy assessment
Maine DOE is informing districts of upcoming training workshops to prepare for the 2016 Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy. | More
Move the Needle Learning and Technology Summit
Moving the needle is the objective of the Maine’s Learning Through Technology Team which is partnering with the Thomas College Center for Innovation in Education and Educate Maine for a summit. | More
Get ready to be challenged
Maine DOE is gearing up for the Read to ME Challenge to promote reading to and/or with children for at least 15 minutes a day. | More
Programming for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia
Although dyslexia is not itself a category of disability under the federal IDEA or Maine’s special education regulations (MUSER), the definition of the disability category Specific Learning Disability (at both the federal and state level) expressly references dyslexia. | More
Next State of Learning for Maine
Maine is one of four states leading efforts to create innovative opportunities in public school classrooms around the country through the Next State of Learning project. | More
Meeting at the Crossroads: Identifying pathways to proficiency
Teachers from culinary arts, health occupations, and early childhood education programs worked with math and English language arts (ELA) teachers to find points of intersections. | More
Educators invited to annual winter wellness workshop
Educators are invited to the fourth annual winter wellness workshop “Building Partnerships for Wellness Success,” on Feb. 5 in Waterville. | More
Call for nominations: Maine’s History Teacher of the Year
The Maine DOE encourages teachers, administrators, students, and parents to nominate teachers for Maine’s History Teacher of the Year award. | More
Maine students selected for United States Senate Youth Program
Maine DOE is pleased to announce the selection of students for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). | More
Four 2015 Native American essay contest winners announced
The annual Maine Native American History and Culture Essay Contest saw four top essayists being recognized for learning about the rich history of the Wabanaki peoples of Maine. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
- Regional Education Representative – Proficiency-Based Education
- Education Specialist III – Title II Teacher Quality Specialist
- Education Specialist II – Career and Technical Education – Standards/Assessment
- Request for Proposals: Payroll Services
- Request for Proposals: Program Consultant
- View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here
Beaudoin appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner of Education
Suzan Beaudoin (Cameron) has been appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner of Education at the Maine Department of Education effective Jan. 11, 2016. She previously served as the Department’s director of finance and operations.
Continue reading “Beaudoin appointed Acting Deputy Commissioner of Education”
Educators invited to annual winter wellness workshop
Educators are invited to the fourth annual winter wellness workshop “Building Partnerships for Wellness Success,” hosted by the Maine DOE Schoolsite Health Promotion Program on Feb. 5 in Waterville.
Continue reading “Educators invited to annual winter wellness workshop”
Programming for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia
Although dyslexia is not itself a category of disability under the federal IDEA or Maine’s special education regulations (MUSER), the definition of the disability category Specific Learning Disability (at both the federal and state level) expressly references dyslexia as one example of a disorder in psychological processing involved in understanding or using language which can be the basis for special education eligibility under that category.
Continue reading “Programming for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia”
Maine students selected for United States Senate Youth Program
Maine DOE is pleased to announce the selection of students for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Maine’s delegates receive a $5,000 scholarship and will join other outstanding high school leaders in Washington, D.C. for an all-expenses paid week-long experience. Principals are encouraged each fall to nominate one student-leader for consideration.
Continue reading “Maine students selected for United States Senate Youth Program”
Meeting at the Crossroads: Identifying pathways to proficiency through technical programs, mathematics and English language arts
Teachers from culinary arts, health occupations, and early childhood education programs worked for two days with mathematics and English language arts (ELA) teachers to find points of intersections where students can demonstrate proficiency of Maine student learning standards. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have always been proficiency-based as students gain knowledge and skills that leads directly into post-secondary programs and professional licensing. Demonstrating proficiency in CTE programs often involves both an academic approach to gathering information and sharing knowledge, as well as performance assessment that reflects skill with various tools including a variety of technologies and human interaction.
Move the Needle Learning and Technology Summit
Moving the needle is the objective of the Maine’s Learning Through Technology Team which is partnering with the Thomas College Center for Innovation in Education and Educate Maine for a summit on technology and learning in classrooms on Friday, Jan. 15.
Continue reading “Move the Needle Learning and Technology Summit”
Student data needed for alternate math and ELA/literacy assessment
Accurate student lists for this spring’s computer-based Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy will depend on ongoing collaboration between the Maine DOE and the local school districts.
Continue reading “Student data needed for alternate math and ELA/literacy assessment”
Next State of Learning for Maine
Maine is one of four states leading efforts to create innovative opportunities in public school classrooms around the country through the Next State of Learning project. This showcases how states are transforming public education by scaling locally led innovations with a strong focus on student outcomes.
Maine DOE Newsroom 