Human resources most integral to school improvement

This week, the Department had the honor of announcing it was awarding $1.6 million in School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding to James Otis Kaler Elementary.

The South Portland school intends to use this State support to raise student proficiency in math and reading by 10 percent annually over the next three years by better supporting students, enhancing educator effectiveness and increasing parent/community engagement.

The commitment to school improvement is not new to Kaler. In 2011, a school-based renewal effort was launched, but meaningful headway has yet to be made. The school received an “F” on its State report card the last two years, and just 38.5 percent of its students are proficient in math and 44.4 percent in reading.

Continue reading “Human resources most integral to school improvement” →

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.

In a request for proposals (RFP) published Wednesday, the Commission seeks detailed applications from capable school developers who are committed to educating their students well in a successful, sustainable, high quality charter school.  Continue reading “Charter commission seeks proposals for 2015 school opening” →

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, as calculated under the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) school funding formula. Under Maine law, the funds are to be spent “in the manner determined by the school administrative unit to fund the costs of the transition (to proficiency-based graduation) not otherwise subsidized by the State.”

Continue reading “Maine DOE to distribute funds to support proficiency-based diploma transition” →

Department honors top math, science teachers

The Maine DOE recently honored the four state finalists for the 2013 Presidential Award in Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST) with a dinner held at the Maple Hill Farm  Inn located in Hallowell. Maine DOE Science and Technology Specialist Shari Templeton and Mathematics Specialist Michele Mailhot planned the evening event honoring Robin Kennedy (Sebasticook Valley Middle School), Lisa McLellan (Windham High School) and Amy Toiano (Westbrook High School) for high school science and William O’Brien (Camden Hills Regional High School) for high school  mathematics.

Continue reading “Department honors top math, science teachers” →

Maine Department of Labor offers students summer employment tips

AUGUSTA – As school gets out for the summer, the Maine Department of Labor is reminding students looking for summer jobs that the work-permit application is available online. All minors under the age of 16 must have a work permit before they start a job, whether or not they attend school. Continue reading “Maine Department of Labor offers students summer employment tips” →

State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement

The funding from the Maine Department of Education will help transform the struggling school and increase student achievement, teacher effectiveness and community engagement

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. Continue reading “State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement” →

Commissioner’s Update – June 5, 2014

From the Maine DOE

It’s high school graduation season and while the commitment of Maine K-12 public education system to proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018 is clear, one of the questions I’m most frequently asked is whether colleges share that belief in the great value of this approach.

Actions like the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s transition to proficiency-based learning and college acceptances of graduates from Maine schools that have already gone to proficiency-based education reflect higher education’s support, which is not surprising given this shift ensures greater college and career readiness. But Maine students and their families rightfully want more guarantees that post-secondary institutions will understand and embrace their proficiency-based diplomas.  

That’s why I am pleased to share that earlier this week, 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.

Notices and Reporting

More Notices Administrative Letters Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Maine DOE announces preview period for Smarter Balanced digital educator resources

The Smarter Balanced Digital Library preview launched on June 3.These on-demand materials are aligned to the Smarter Balanced assessment targets and will be an important resource for Maine teachers to understand progress in student learning.  | More

Downeast students earn passing grade from Marine Resources Commissioner for Winter flounder project

More than 50 students from coastal high schools presented their preliminary findings on their winter flounder project to Maine Commissioner of Marine Resources Patrick Keliher last week. | More

Nominations open for Maine technology educator awards

The Association for Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) is accepting nominations for the Maine Educator of the Year and the Maine Leader of the Year awards to be announced at their 2014 Conference held in Augusta in October. | More

New toll-free fax number for MEDMS helpdesk

The Maine DOE is pleased to share that the Maine Education Data Management System (MEDMS) Helpdesk has a new toll-free fax number: 866-219-8344. | More

Maine DOE to implement new school staff survey

Maine school administrative units (SAUs) have been completing the Educator Quality and Effectiveness Survey initiated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) annually since 2010. The survey data has been collected through the Maine Education Data Management System (MEDMS). | More

Maine mathematics educators honored

The Portland Sea Dogs recently recognized the current and several past recipients of the Jacqueline Mitchell Mathematics Educator Award. | More

Maine music teachers hold conference

Maine music teachers and students gathered at the University of Maine in Orono for the Maine Music Educators Association’s (MMEA) In-Service Conference last month. The conference offered performances from chorus, band, strings and jazz, and also provided professional development opportunities on proficiency and student assessment methods specific to each area of instruction. | More

Youth health survey to be administered next February

The Maine DOE, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is pleased to announce the fourth administration of the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) will be next February. | More

Maine FFA student officers receive leadership training

Trainers from the National FFA Organization (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) traveled to Aroostook County last week to prepare the new team of Maine FFA State Officers for their responsibilities in overseeing the duties of the student-run leadership organization for secondary and middle school students enrolled in agriculture and natural resource classes. | More

LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities

More

Dispatches Press Releases From the Commissioner

Maine higher ed institutions endorse proficiency

It’s high school graduation season and while the commitment of Maine K-12 public education system to proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018 is clear, one of the questions I’m most frequently asked is whether colleges share that belief in the great value of this approach.

Actions like the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s transition to proficiency-based learning and college acceptances of graduates from Maine schools that have already gone to proficiency-based education reflect higher education’s support, which is not surprising given this shift ensures greater college and career readiness.

But Maine students and their families rightfully want more guarantees that post-secondary institutions will understand and embrace their proficiency-based diplomas.  

Continue reading “Maine higher ed institutions endorse proficiency” →