Governor LePage announces Dr. William Beardsley will lead Department

Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that Dr. William Beardsley will serve as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education. Dr. Beardsley is former president of Husson University and served as commissioner of the Department of Conservation.

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Commissioner’s Update – October 15, 2015

From the Maine Department of Education

The Maine Charter School Commission announces two charter school applications are moving forward.

AUGUSTA – On Oct. 26, the public will have the opportunity to weigh-in on two public charter schools proposed to open in Maine the fall of 2016.

Earlier today, review team members presented their recommendations on the four applications to the Maine Charter School Commission which voted to advance applications from Acadia Academy of the Lewiston-Auburn area and Snow Pond Arts Academy in Sidney.

The entire seven member Commission will now consider the proposed public schools and hold in-person interviews and public hearings on each application later this month before voting on Nov. 17. At this meeting, the Commission will decide whether to enter into contract negotiations with each applicant or deny the application. All proceedings are open to the public.

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Notices and Reporting

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News & Views

Department reintroduces Administrative Letters

To better serve districts the Maine DOE is reintroducing Administrative Letters as an official form of communication. | More

Notice of proposed rule changes: Chapters 40 and 45

The Maine DOE is undertaking two rulemakings related to health with public hearings scheduled for Nov. 2. | More

Continued federal funding for preschool expansion grant

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce 12 school districts have joined the Department to open or expand high-quality public preschool programs in their communities. | More

MaineCare Seed payment adjustments made and more

The 2015-16 subsidy checks for General Purpose Aid for local schools will reflect adjustments for MaineCare Seed payments paid by the Maine DOE on behalf of school administrative units (SAUs). | More

Office of Special Services offers math opportunity

The Maine DOE Office of Special Services is offering a training opportunity for elementary school math teachers focusing on improving math proficiency for students with disabilities. | More

NCSC Student Reports available to Test Coordinators

On Oct. 12 the National Center for State Collaborative (NCSC), Maine’s 2015 alternate assessment for math and English language arts/literacy, made Student Reports available to all registered Test Coordinators. | More

Newsweek lists four Maine schools as “beating the odds”

Four Maine schools have been recognized as “beating the odds” by Newsweek magazine. | More

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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Department reintroduces Administrative Letters

To better serve districts the Maine DOE is reintroducing Administrative Letters as an official form of communication. Administrative Letters represent the view or position of the Department and provide guidance and interpretation of new or existing laws and regulations and policies.

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Beating the odds

Four Maine schools have been recognized as “beating the odds” by Newsweek magazine.  The schools are Cape Elizabeth High School, Madawaska Middle/High School, Falmouth High School, and Upper Kennebec Valley High School. These schools were chosen based on National Center for Educational Statistics showing student participation in advanced classes, student retention rates, graduation rates, college readiness, and how many students are college-bound.

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Continued federal funding for preschool expansion grant

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce 12 school districts have joined the Department to open or expand high-quality public preschool programs in their communities. Over $4.2 million will be distributed to the districts during the 2016-17 school year as part of the continued funding of the U.S. Department of Education’s Preschool Expansion Grant. The funds are in addition to $6.5 million that are being distributed during 2015-16 to Preschool Expansion Grant subgrantees.

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Office of Special Services offers math opportunity

The Maine DOE Office of Special Services is offering a training opportunity for elementary school math teachers focusing on improving math proficiency for students with disabilities. The application and specifics on the training project that will begin the summer of 2016 can be found here.

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NCSC Student Reports available to Test Coordinators

On Monday, Oct. 12 the National Center for State Collaborative (NCSC), Maine’s 2015 alternate assessment for math and English language arts/literacy, made Student Reports available to all registered Test Coordinators and notifications were sent via email. Test Coordinators are advised to download these student reports and make copies for schools, parents, and sending school districts, if applicable. Access to the reports will remain open until Nov. 6.

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MaineCare Seed payment adjustments made and more

The 2015-16 subsidy checks for General Purpose Aid for local schools will reflect adjustments for MaineCare Seed payments paid by the Maine DOE on behalf of school administrative units (SAUs) for the following:

  • 2015 Quarter 4 MaineCare payment adjustments
  • 2015 Quarter 3 corrections

Continue reading “MaineCare Seed payment adjustments made and more”