The Maine DOE invites district-wide teams of educators from both general and special education to become leader teams for Supporting ALL Teachers for ALL Students. This professional development training includes a two-day eventin Brewer, Oct. 15-16 and ongoing coaching, consultation and technical assistance with a focus on preparing all students for college and career readiness and the post-secondary transition.
RFP issued for education-related services for homeless children and youth
The Maine DOE has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids to develop and implement programs providing educational and related services beyond those provided in the general education program to facilitate the enrollment, attendance and school success of homeless children and youth under the McKinney-Vento Act.
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Maine Commission for Community Service presents AmeriCorps webinar
Registration is now open for an informational webinar introducing AmeriCorps program basics and the various types of grants available during the major triennial AmeriCorps State program grant competition that will take place this Fall and Winter.
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Responsibility for FAPE for deaf or hard-of-hearing students
Under Public Law 2013, Chapter 552 (formerly LD 1769) An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Report Defining Cost Responsibility for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Students Receiving Services from the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, beginning July 1, 2015
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Notice of intent for 6 charter school proposals received
Six groups informed the Maine Charter School Commission (MCSC) that they plan to submit applications to open public charter schools in Maine. All of the groups hope to open a school in the fall of 2015.
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Governor LePage announces $11.3 million to support at-risk students
The Governor announced the awards from the Maine Department of Education at the Reiche School in Portland alongside the CEO of LearningWorks, one of 15 grantees who will establish or continue 32 community learning centers that provide students extended learning services
PORTLAND – Governor Paul R. LePage announced today that the Maine Department of Education is giving out $11.3 million over the next five years to support extended learning opportunities for at-risk students.
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Maine DOE announces Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program funding opportunity
The Maine DOE is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Office of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Program. The federal IAL grant is aligned with Maine’s Comprehensive Literacy Plan, Literacy for ME, by supporting high-quality initiatives to develop and improve literacy skills of children and students from birth through grade 12 in high-need educational agencies and schools. The Maine DOE is encouraging those eligible to apply to submit an application directly to the USDE by July 17.
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Maine DOE Monthly – June 24, 2014
Welcome to the June issue of the Maine DOE Monthly.
As you receive this, 125 district leaders from across the state are convening in Northport at our 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents. In developing the conference agenda, the Department wanted to provide superintendents with the information and practical tools they need to be effective leaders in addressing the important initiatives we know they will be most challenged by in the year ahead. Not surprisingly, much of our three days together is focused on the transition Maine districts are making to awarding proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018. That shift is perhaps the most significant one ever undertaken by Maine’s K-12 public education system, but if done right, there is no greater opportunity to ensure our students graduate college and career ready. That’s why this month, our Department released six options by which districts could apply for extensions that would give them more time to thoughtfully make this transition and announced we would again be distributing targeted funds to districts to support costs related to the shift not otherwise subsidized by the State.
The Maine DOE and our state’s K-12 schools aren’t the only ones committed to proficiency. This month, we also shared that all of the public institutions of higher education in five New England states including Maine have endorsed proficiency-based education and graduation.
As always, read on for a roundup of other recent updates from the Department, including about our $1.6 million School Improvement Grant recipient, and stay tuned to our Newsroom and weekly Commissioner’s Updates (publishing biweekly during the summer months) for the latest news you can use from the Maine DOE.
Dispatches & Press Releases
State supports proficiency-based diplomas, offers districts implementation flexibility
AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education affirmed its commitment to the state’s students being awarded diplomas based on proficiency but announced today it would give school districts more flexibility in meeting a requirement to do so by 2018. | More
Commissioner Rier: Extension options ensure proficiency-based diplomas done right
There is perhaps no greater opportunity to ensure Maine students graduate college and career ready than the transition to proficiency-based diplomas now underway in our state. That’s why earlier this month, the Department previewed the options it was offering Maine school administrative units (SAUs) who need more time in meeting this requirement. | More
State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement
SOUTH PORTLAND – A South Portland elementary school will use $1.6 million awarded today by the Maine Department of Education to raise student proficiency in math and reading by 10 percent annually over the next three years. | More
Commissioner Rier: Adult Education graduation truly a new beginning
Though they don’t make the front pages like their traditional high school or collegiate counterparts, the stories of the graduates I have seen receive their high school diploma or its equivalent through adult education have been especially humbling and serve as a reminder of adult education’s critical role in our communities. | More
Maine higher ed institutions endorse proficiency-based learning
The New England Secondary School Consortium (NESSC) announced that all of the public institutions of higher education in five New England states including Maine have endorsed proficiency-based education and graduation. | More
Maine DOE to distribute funds to support proficiency-based diploma transition
Maine school administrative units (SAUs) will receive targeted funds to support the transition to a proficiency-based diploma again this year. Beginning in the fall, the Maine DOE will distribute to each SAU a grant in the amount of 1/10th of 1 percent of that SAU’s total cost of education. | More
Charter commission seeks proposals for 2015 school opening
The Maine Charter School Commission is currently soliciting proposals for new public charter schools that would begin serving students in the fall of 2015. | More
Maine DOE’s legislative summary posted
Maine DOE has prepared a summary of major laws related to education enacted by the Second Regular Session of the 126th Maine Legislature. This information may prove helpful to educators when planning for the 2014-15 school year. | More
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Materials released in advance of Commissioner’s Conference
The following Priority Notice was distributed to school superintendents today in advance of the 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents:
Dear Superintendents,
We look forward to working with you next week during the 103rd Annual Commissioner’s Conference for Superintendents, scheduled to begin at noon on Monday, June 23 at Point Lookout in Northport.
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Commissioner’s Update – June 19, 2014
From the Maine DOE
Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at not one, but three, adult education graduations. Having a small part in the celebration of the huge accomplishments of these unique students has been one of the greatest honors I’ve had as your Commissioner of Education.
Earning a high school diploma requires incredible hard work and perseverance, even under the best of circumstances. But the best of circumstances isn’t something many adult education students have known when it comes to their schooling.
Though they don’t make the front pages like their traditional high school or collegiate counterparts, the stories of the graduates I have seen receive their high school diploma or its equivalent through adult education have been especially humbling and serve as a reminder of adult education’s critical role in our communities.
Notices and Reporting
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Maine robotics teams excel at world championships
Robotics teams from eight schools represented Maine well at three recent world championships: FIRST Robotics, VEX Robotics and FIRST Lego League. | More
Maine DOE offers Infinite Campus, State reporting & school nutrition training sessions
The Department’s Maine Education Data Management System (MEDMS) Helpdesk Team is partnering with the School Nutrition Team to provide joint training sessions throughout the state in August for Maine schools. Both Infinite Campus District Edition users and non-Infinite Campus system users are encouraged to attend. | More
Maine DOE announces Positive Youth Development Institute
The Maine DOE’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers and the Maine After School Network invite educators, administrators, community members, juvenile justice workers, and after school and youth development program staff to attend the annual Positive Youth Development Institute (PYDI) at the University of New England in Biddeford on July 21-22. | More
Maine DOE’s legislative summary posted
Maine DOE has prepared a summary of major laws related to education enacted by the Second Regular Session of the 126th Maine Legislature. This information may prove helpful to educators when planning for the 2014-15 school year. | More
Department provides additional guidance on FERPA amendments
Last year, the Department posted a dispatch on amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) resulting from the Uninterrupted Scholars Act. These amendments to FERPA included an Additional Exception to Parental Consent Requirements for Students in Foster Care and an Exemption to Notice Requirement When Records Released Under Court Order. | More
Student lunch prices set for 2015 school year
The maximum price students can be charged for school lunch in School Year 2015 is $3 per lunch. Districts who wish to exceed this amount must complete a price waiver request form and submit it on behalf of their legal agent/superintendent to Maine DOE’s Office of Child Nutrition. | More
Brewer School and Police Departments announce school and workplace violence training
The Brewer Police Department in partnership with the Brewer School Department are inviting members of the community, law enforcement, public safety staff, educators and administrators to a two-day training on August 18-19 at the Brewer Community School. | More
National Core Arts Standards released
The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) has released the final version of its voluntary national standards in dance, media arts, music, theater and visual arts. | More
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
- Education Specialist II: Long Creek Youth Development Center Transition Coordinator
- ConnectME Broadband Technical Assistance Initiative Adult Education Technology Grant
- ConnectME Broadband Technical Assistance Initiative Volunteer Literacy Service Technology Grant
Maine DOE Newsroom 