Maine educators, students and families are invited to attend the first annual Maine Science Festival in Bangor this March 20-22. Continue reading “Inaugural Maine Science Festival scheduled for March 20-22 in Bangor”
Maine DOE provides student roster guidance to ensure assessment administration success
Accurate student lists for this spring’s computer-based Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by Smarter Balanced will depend on ongoing collaboration between the Maine DOE and the local school districts.
Comprehensive School Health Education Spring Conference to focus on proficiency
The Maine DOE is inviting educators to its 2015 Comprehensive School Health Education Spring Conference, which will focus on transitioning health education curriculum to a proficiency-based system of learning.
Continue reading “Comprehensive School Health Education Spring Conference to focus on proficiency”
Maine DOE releases webinar on College, Career and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies
Maine DOE has released a short webinar to provide educators with information about the College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies. The C3 Framework will serve as one resource to help inform the next review of Maine’s social studies standards.
Department encourages recognition of school counselors during National School Counseling Week
The Department is reminding Mainers about the unique contributions of professional school counselors and how students are more prepared for success in college and career as a result of what school counselors do as the nation recognizes National School Counseling Week, which is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Maine DOE promotes financial literacy education resources
As part of its ongoing efforts to support financial literacy education, the Maine DOE is encouraging educators to save the date for the 6th Annual Fostering Financial Education in Maine Schools Conference on May 1 in Bangor.
Continue reading “Maine DOE promotes financial literacy education resources”
Feb. 11 deadline to sign up students for paper-pencil assessment
The following Priority Notice was sent on Feb. 4 to District/System Administrators and School Coordinators for the Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by Smarter Balanced, alerting them of the Feb. 11 deadline by which to request individual students be provided paper-pencil tests.
Continue reading “Feb. 11 deadline to sign up students for paper-pencil assessment”
Acting Education Commissioner to visit Auburn schools
AUBURN – Maine’s Acting Education Commissioner will return Wednesday to the Auburn schools he once attended to learn about their efforts to improve outcomes and to inspire students with his own story.
Continue reading “Acting Education Commissioner to visit Auburn schools”
Commissioner’s Update – January 29, 2015
From the Maine Department of Education
The Maine DOE will begin visits next month to provide targeted technical assistance to schools preparing to award proficiency-based diplomas.
Last May, the Department released six options by which districts could apply for extensions to fully implementing systems that support the awarding of proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018 as a 2012 Maine law requires. Extension options five and six were designed for districts early in their transition and thus in need of the most structured support from the Maine DOE. It is the 50 or so districts who applied under one of those options, which extend full implementation to 2021, that will be visited by teams of up to four Department staff.
The half-day visits are intended to positively support schools in progress toward their benchmarks; identify and validate progress since the application; inform the Maine DOE of district needs; and as needed, to clarify Maine DOE understanding of district work and benchmarks.
Notices and Reporting
- Annual Certification of Superintendent, due Jan. 31 (Reminder)
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Feb. 4 deadline for picking paper-pencil assessment administration
Maine schools wanting to give the upcoming Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy developed by Smarter Balanced as a paper-pencil test rather than online must let the Department know by Wednesday, Feb. 4. So far, only one school has indicated they will do so. | More
Department seeks feedback on ESEA waiver in advance of renewal
In preparation for Maine’s application for a renewal of its existing ESEA waiver, the Department is seeking feedback on how the State’s current accountability and improvement system is serving Maine’s students and schools. | More
Maine DOE posts video of assessment administration training
Maine educators who will be helping to administer the upcoming online State assessment but couldn’t attend one of the Department’s recent regional workshops can now see the entire training online. The Maine DOE has posted a four-hour video on its YouTube channel filmed at the southern Maine workshop session on Friday, Jan. 16. | More
iOS 8 compatible secure browser available for assessment administration
An iOS 8 compatible secure browser application that will be used for the upcoming administration of the Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy is now available. | More
Outstanding educators sought for Maine talent pool
The Maine DOE is seeking recommendations through May 1 for the 2015 Maine Educator Talent Pool. | More
Transition Career Exploration Workshop available
The Maine DOE’s State Personnel Development Grant and the Maine Department of Labor’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) have partnered to offer schools a free e-workshop that helps students discover employment possibilities. | More
ACCESS for ELLs® testing window closes, materials due to MetriTech
The ACCESS for ELLs® testing window is set to close Friday, Jan. 30 and districts are required to pack and return all testing material to MetriTech by Feb. 6. | More
Department, State Board reopens rules related to exams for educator credentialing
The Maine DOE and the State Board of Education have reopened for further public comments the rules regarding the qualifying examinations for credentialing purposes for teachers, educational specialists and administrators. | More
Department reschedules NEO facilities training sessions
A NEO facilities training has been rescheduled to Feb. 12 due a snowstorm this week. | More
Requirements change for bus driver physicals
The Maine DOE has updated its physical form for bus drivers, which can be found here on the Department’s website along with instructions. | More
Maine students invited to share vision in digital storytelling challenge
Maine schools are invited to enter a free digital storytelling competition that asks students to share their visions for the future. | More
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LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
iOS8 compatible secure mobile browser available for assessment administration
An iOS 8 compatible secure mobile browser application that will be used on Apple iPads for the upcoming administration of the Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy is now available. Continue reading “iOS8 compatible secure mobile browser available for assessment administration”
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