The National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) Reporting Portal permanently closes this Friday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. All Student Reports for the MEA Alternate Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy must be downloaded by that time. All registered test coordinators are required to make copies for schools, parents and sending districts, if applicable.
Alcohol Awareness Day December 7
The following is a joint notice from Acting Commissioner of Education William H. Beardsley and Director of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services in the Department of Health and Human Services Sheldon Wheeler. Please share this with school principals and classroom teachers.
Community groups and schools across the state will be conducting activities to raise awareness about alcohol use and abuse on Monday, Dec. 7, Alcohol Awareness Day and throughout Maine’s Alcohol Awareness Week.
Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Auvi-Q®
The following notice was sent to Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents from Executive Director of Maine School Management Association Robert G. Hasson, Jr. regarding nationwide recall of Auvi-Q®
Sanofi US is voluntarily recalling all Auvi-Q® (epinephrine injection, USP). The recall involves all Auvi-Q currently on the market and includes both the 0.15 mg and 0.3 mg strengths for hospitals, retailers and consumers. This includes lot number 2299596 through 3037230, which expire March 2016 through December 2016.The products have been found to potentially have inaccurate dosage delivery.
Maine DOE provides complimentary 2015-16 law books to superintendents
The Maine DOE acquired enough copies of the Maine Education and School Statutes 2015-2016 edition law book from the publisher, Swan Island Press, to distribute one at no charge to each superintendent of schools in Maine.
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Commissioner’s Update – October 29, 2015
From the Maine Department of Education
Test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were released Wednesday, Oct. 28.
AUGUSTA – Test scores from the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), in grades 4 and 8, show Maine remains above the national average even as mathematics scores slightly declined and reading scores saw no statistical change.
The NAEP assessment is a 90 minute paper and pencil test providing a national yard stick of student achievement since 1969. This test is administered in grades 4 and 8 in randomly selected schools every other year. In Maine, about 2,500 students participated in each subject area, at each grade level. This assessment is consistent in all states including Department of Defense schools.
Acting Education Commissioner Bill Beardsley said, “The greatest value of NAEP is it is a consistent, basic measurement that is designed to provide teachers, school administrators, parents, and business and community members a look at how Maine is doing compared to other states, and can be used for general comparison with other countries as well.”
Notices and Reporting
- Report of Services to Students with Disabilities Part I (EF-S-05), due Oct. 31 (Reminder)
- Private School Oct 1 Enrollment Reporting (EF-M-13), due Oct. 31 (Reminder)
- EPS October 1 Enrollment Reporting, due Oct. 31 (Reminder)
- CTE Early College Grants, due Nov. 22
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
EPS funding calculation data needed now
It is imperative that you ensure your staff data is complete and accurate prior to the Nov. 13, 2015 deadline for the superintendent to certify your staff data. | More
A Guiding Principles resource for educators
The Maine DOE is offering support for educators (in understanding the spirit and intent of the Maine Learning Results Guiding Principles) by releasing a research-based set of descriptions titled, Understanding the Guiding Principles. | More
Notice of proposed rule and rule changes: Chapters 176 and 23
The Maine DOE is proposing a repeal and replace of Chapter 23, a regulation related to the collection of staff information and Chapter 176, a new rule related to Child Development Services (CDS). | More
Maine DOE provides complimentary 2015-16 law books to superintendents
The Maine DOE acquired enough copies of the Maine Education and School Statutes 2015-2016 edition law book to distribute one at no charge to each superintendent of schools in Maine. | More
2015 Maine Native American history and culture essay contest
Maine DOE is pleased to notify schools of a contest sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of State. | More
Walking School Bus Program application deadline
The Maine Walking School Bus Program continues to provide support to local schools on many fronts aimed to help Maine school children stay safe, keep physically active, increase learning, and promote good behavior. | More
A new way to teach
Maine’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Dorman, offered reflection on her teaching from attending the Maine DOE 2014 Summer Literacy Institute. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
- Secretary Specialist – Special Services
- Public Services Manager II – Special Projects Manager – Special Services
- Education Specialist II – Specialist for Children with Disabilities
- Management Analyst II – Fiscal Compliance Consultant
- Regional Education Representative – Elementary Mathematics
- Education Specialist II – Student Assistance Coordinator (School Climate)
- Education Specialist II – Early Childhood Monitor (Limited Period Position)
- Request for Proposals: NASPO COOP – Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Achievement Standards
- Request for Proposals: State Level Student Information and Reporting System
- View current Child Development Services employment opportunities here
EPS funding calculation data needed now
The following Priority Notice was sent to district administrators on Monday, Oct. 26.
It is imperative that you ensure your staff data is complete and accurate prior to the Nov. 13, 2015 deadline for the superintendent to certify your staff data. Between Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Nov. 13, all school administrative units and required private schools must certify the staff data.
A Guiding Principles resource for educators
The Maine DOE is offering support for educators (in understanding the spirit and intent of the Maine Learning Results Guiding Principles) by releasing a research-based set of descriptions titled, Understanding the Guiding Principles. This resource was developed in collaboration with the Education Policy Improvement Center (EPIC) and Maine DOE staff and was vetted by Maine educators in August.
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A new way to teach
Maine’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Dorman, offered reflection on her teaching from attending the Maine DOE 2014 Summer Literacy Institute. I wasn’t satisfied with my students’ writing. So I learned a new way to teach it. The article appeared in the October 24-25 edition of the Bangor Daily News.
Notice of proposed rule and rule changes: Chapters 176 and 23
The Maine DOE is proposing a repeal and replace of Chapter 23, a regulation related to the collection of staff information and Chapter 176, a new rule related to Child Development Services (CDS).
Chapter 23: The Department is repealing the original regulation of 1979. This proposal replaces the original regulation and reflects that the collection of staff information is to be done within the data collection systems rather than via forms, and will include authorized and approved personnel (in addition to certified) paid by local school systems and private schools.
Chapter 176: This rule sets forth the process whereby the Child Development Services (CDS) State Intermediate Educational Unit (SIEU) establishes a roster of independent contractors for the provision of evaluations for children with disabilities from birth to age five, early intervention services for children with disabilities from birth to age two, and special education and related services for children with disabilities age three to five; and ensures the provision of services in accordance with the contracts developed with independent contractors selected from the roster. A public hearing for this proposed rule is scheduled for Nov. 9 at 1 – 2:30 p.m. in room 600 of the Cross State Office Building in Augusta.
Proposed rules and rule changes can be found here on the Department’s website. Any questions about these rulemakings can be addressed by the Department’s Jaci Holmes at 624-6669.
Aspire Higher Maine events kick off in November
Twenty-five Maine high schools and career and technical centers will participate in Aspire Higher Maine to build excitement and awareness surrounding the college exploration and application process next month.
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