Science professional development opportunity

The Maine DOE is offering science professional development for teachers of grades 6 -12 throughout the spring of the 2015-16 academic year.  This professional development is intended to build a science teacher leader community that has a solid understanding of effective teaching practices including three-dimensional instruction as discussed in A Framework for K-12 Science Education.  Two regional cohorts will be formed. Cohort members will be selected from across the state with a priority given to district teams which include one 9-12 science teacher and one 6-8 science teacher.

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ESEA/NCLB Title I Comparability Report FY16

Section 1120A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), requires that school administrative units (SAUs) with multiple attendance areas maintain comparability of local/state resources between the Title I schools and the non-Title I schools; or if all the schools at a grade span are Title I schools, then comparability of local resources must be maintained among the Title I schools.

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Timeline for review of out-of-unit placement

When a child with a disability is placed by his or her Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Team in an out-of-unit placement, the Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty (MUSER) Section IX.3.H requires the IEP Team to reconvene 30 days subsequent to the date the child begins to attend school, where he child has been placed, to review the IEP and make any revisions required.

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Maine signs assessment contract with valued, proven partner

Maine-specific test will take less time away from classroom teaching

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education is pleased to be signing a contract today with Measured Progress, a nonprofit organization from Dover, New Hampshire. This contract is for the development and administration of the 2016 online, state summative assessment in English language arts (ELA)/literacy and mathematics for grades 3-8 and the third-year of high school. Maine has a long-standing history with Measured Progress and the Department is confident this spring’s assessment will take less time away from classroom instruction while adequately measuring students’ knowledge.

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Commissioner’s Update – December 3, 2015

From the Maine Department of Education

The Department is offering clarification regarding the use of the State assessment as a student growth measure as described in Maine DOE Regulation Chapter 180, section 7 part 6. This rule requires the use of the State assessment for mathematics and English language arts/literacy teachers in grades 4-8 as one measure of student learning and growth in teacher summative effectiveness rating.

Although the law does not require the use of the State assessment for teachers outside of these content areas and grade levels described above, local school administrative units (SAUs) may choose to apply the State assessment to teachers as a collective measure in their Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth (PEPG) plans.

The law requires that districts develop a process by which they determine the use of collective measures, such as a State assessment. In the development of any process related to collective measures, the Maine DOE recommends that districts make a comprehensive effort to communicate with the majority of stakeholders to gain consensus.

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Notices and Reporting Items

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Arts students honored

The Maine Department of Education and the Maine Arts Commission are holding a celebration of Excellence in Maine Visual and Performing Arts Education hosted by First Lady Ann M. LePage, December 4. | More

Clarification on certification approval and renewal

The following offers clarification on the status of approvals (criminal history records check) regarding Maine DOE’s certification process. | More

MEA Alternate Science (PAAP) Task Bank opens

The Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio (PAAP) task bank opened for teacher and student registration on Dec. 1. | More

Notice of annual audit requirements

Maine DOE is providing notice of a change to requirements as well as reminders about the annual audit requirements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and subsequent years. | More

Maine DOE to release “Content Corner” resources

Maine DOE is pleased to announce the upcoming release of its inaugural collection of articles focused on instructional strategies. | More

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) update

Maine’s ESEA Flexibility renewal waiver approved on Aug. 12, 2015 highlights Maine DOE’s continued efforts to provide additional supports to schools and the most at-risk students. | More

Maine DOE continues to provide support and announces 2015-16 Schoolwide Annual Review list

Following the continued success and additional support through scheduled fall schoolwide information sessions, the Maine DOE continues to provide guidance to Title I schools. | More

Maine DOE partners with the UMF Office of Graduate Studies

Title I Schools identified as Focus within Maine, and demonstrating within school achievement gaps in mathematics performance, have the opportunity to utilize program improvement funds to support participation in the Maine Mathematics Coaching Project. | More

School construction projects continue to progress

School construction projects in the state are continuing to progress as the Maine DOE School Facilities team works with the 12 highest-rated school systems. | More

League of Innovative Schools enters fifth year

The Maine DOE in collaboration with the New England Secondary Schools Consortium (NESSC), convened six districts in the League of Innovative Schools (LIS). | More

Mid-Maine CTE promotes new student video production

Career and Technical Education media programs allow student to learn how to produce communication videos. | More

FFA students hold leadership workshop in Presque Isle

Student State Officers of the Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) conducted an all-day leadership workshop for over 100. | More

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

FFA students hold leadership workshop in Presque Isle

On Nov. 20 student State Officers of the Maine FFA Association (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) conducted an all-day leadership workshop for over 100 enthusiastic middle and high school agriculture and natural resources students and teachers from six FFA chapters in Aroostook County. The workshop was held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and focused on defining leadership, understanding agricultural issues, teamwork, communication and goal setting.  Presentations and fun, hands-on activities were successfully used to help students learn new concepts.

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