Acting Commissioner Beardsley visits public preschool classroom

Last month, Acting Commissioner Bill Beardsley visited Brittany Kamenos’ four-year old classroom at the Chelsea Elementary School. RSU 12 Superintendent Howard Tuttle, Principal Andrew Doiron, Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation’s Executive Director Cristina Salois, Program Manager Penny Poolman, and Child Development Services Director Larry Schooley briefed the acting commissioner on the collaboration.

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USDOE seeking input regarding Elementary and Secondary Education Act-Title I

The United States Department of Education (USDOE) is asking for suggestions regarding the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, (ESEA) Title I. The Secretary is soliciting advice and recommendations from interested parties prior to publishing proposed regulations to implement programs under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title I). Continue reading “USDOE seeking input regarding Elementary and Secondary Education Act-Title I”

Commissioner visits Houlton Elementary School

Story courtesy of Karen Donato, former elementary teacher and current ed. tech III at Houlton Elementary School.

Acting Commissioner of Education Bill Beardsley was a guest at Houlton Elementary School this past month learning more about the successful K-to-3 literacy program in RSU 29. Beardsley participated in a round table discussion with a kindergarten teacher; first grade teachers; a literacy specialist; a literacy coach; University of Maine’s literacy coach; the principal, and RSU 29’s superintendent.

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Maine DOE Monthly – December 29, 2015

Welcome to the December issue of the Maine DOE Monthly, which provides a recap of some of the month’s most important updates from the Department.

December has been dominated with assessment news with a contract signing and subsequent support and guidance offered from the Maine Department of Education’s assessment and accountability team.

Continue reading “Maine DOE Monthly – December 29, 2015”

Commissioner’s Update – December 17, 2015

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine DOE introduces the first of three collections of articles for the 2015-16 school year in the “Content Corner,” resources designed to support teaching and learning in Maine classrooms and make connections to classroom applications and research.

This inaugural collection of articles focuses on instructional strategies to support educator understanding of effective practices in the content areas. The first installment includes:

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Notices and Reporting Items

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News & Views

Critical staff data correction for FY 17 EPS subsidy calculation

In reviewing the Staff Data download from Dec. 1, 2015 to be used in the FY 17 Essential Programs and Services (EPS) Funding calculations, the Department found a large number of possible errors. | More

Mathematics & ELA/literacy assessment information for 2015-16

The Department’s Maine Comprehensive Assessment System (MeCAS) website pages are updated to include information on the spring 2016  English Language Arts/Literacy and mathematics assessment. | More

2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey results available

Maine students reported fewer of them are engaged in sexual relations, one third of high school students report they have used vapor cigarettes, and 30-day alcohol use has decreased among high schoolers. These results and more can be found in the 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS). | More

Save the date: 2016 Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents

The 105th Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents will be held Sunday, June 26 through Tuesday, June 28. | More

A mathematics three-part series professional development update

This year, Maine DOE is bringing together approximately 200 teachers of mathematics to learn about and implement practices that support student engagement and learning. | More

CTE safety program grant

The Maine Career and Technical Education team is pleased to be able to offer secondary CTE schools an opportunity to update and renew their safety checklists and policies. | More

FFA opportunities brought to Foster Technology Center

Members of the Maine FFA Association had a chance to share more about their organization with students in the forestry program at the Foster Technology Center in Farmington. | More

Changes in oversight of educational program for State wards in out-of-state programs

Maine DOE will be assuming responsibility for overseeing the educational programming of children receiving special services who are in the legal custody of the State and placed in an out-of-state program. | More

Notice of new rule: Chapter 41

The following rule, Chapter 41: Offering Instruction Related to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Use of an Automated Defibrillator in Maine Public Schools, requires public schools to offer training. | More

Maine recognizes significance of education act

President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act saying this is a rare bipartisan agreement, which replaces the more rigid top-down statutory and regulatory structure of the old “No Child Left Behind Act.” | More

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