Portland’s Karen MacDonald named 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year

Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced the King Middle School sixth-and seventh-grade teacher as Maine’s top educator in a surprise all-school assembly Tuesday

2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald, of King Middle School in Portland, and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen
2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen

PORTLAND – A 24-year veteran teacher at the state’s most diverse middle school is the 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year.

In a surprise assembly at King Middle School (KMS) in Portland Tuesday morning, Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced Karen MacDonald, who has served students in Portland Public Schools since 1979, as Maine’s top teacher.

Continue reading “Portland’s Karen MacDonald named 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year” →

Commission receives notice of 7 charter school proposals

AUGUSTA – Seven 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 2014.

The deadline for delivery of the letters to the Maine Charter School Commission or having them postmarked was this past Tuesday.

Continue reading “Commission receives notice of 7 charter school proposals” →

Commissioner’s Update – September 5, 2013

From the Commissioner

As you may have seen in the press, some concerns and questions have been raised recently about the Common Core standards in math and ELA, which the State incorporated into its Learning Results standards in 2011. Many of those concerns seem to stem from suspicions that the Common Core is an attempt by the federal government to influence education policy in the states and, as a consequence, that the adoption of these standards will diminish Maine’s longstanding tradition of local control. Continue reading →

Notices and Reporting

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – September 5, 2013” →

Affirming Maine’s commitment to high standards, implemented locally

As you may have seen in the press, some concerns and questions have been raised recently about the Common Core standards in math and ELA, which the State incorporated into its Learning Results standards in 2011. Many of those concerns seem to stem from suspicions that the Common Core is an attempt by the federal government to influence education policy in the states and, as a consequence, that the adoption of these standards will diminish Maine’s longstanding tradition of local control as it regards things like curricula and instructional approaches. Continue reading “Affirming Maine’s commitment to high standards, implemented locally” →

Reminder: Smarter Balanced practice test available

Teachers and administrators are reminded that Smarter Balanced practice tests are available all grade levels from 3 to 8 and at grade 11. These practice tests are an excellent way for teachers to preview what to expect in spring 2015, for students to get practice in online testing and for parents to begin to understand how the new tests will better assess student achievement and understanding of both content and concepts. Continue reading “Reminder: Smarter Balanced practice test available” →

Unorganized Territories educators prepare for new school year

To prepare for its upcoming school year, the Education in the Unorganized Territories (EUT) principals and teachers in conjunction with the EUT Special Education Director, Barb Pineau, and Director of State Schools, Shelley Lane, focused on three important areas during its annual August training.

Continue reading “Unorganized Territories educators prepare for new school year” →

Annual notification of eligibility for schoolwide programs

Schools that receive federal Title I funds, have poverty rates of at least 40 percent and have approved Title IA Schoolwide Plans are eligible to use their Title I funds – and funds from other sources – to develop “schoolwide programs.”

Schoolwide programs are comprehensive reform strategies aimed at raising the achievement levels of all students. Continue reading “Annual notification of eligibility for schoolwide programs” →

9/11 Day pledge, resources available to students and teachers

The “I Will” service project initiative calls on each citizen to pay tribute to September 11th, 2001 victims and first responders by performing a “good deed,” meaning a personal act of service or an act of “neighboring,” on the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. School districts, schools, classrooms, service clubs and individual students can all be involved in developing civic knowledge and an ethic of service in their community. Continue reading “9/11 Day pledge, resources available to students and teachers” →

New Maine law requires suicide prevention training for all school personnel

A new law, signed by Governor Paul R. LePage in April, requires all school personnel to complete Suicide Prevention Awareness Training beginning in the 2014-15 academic year. In addition, all school administrative units (SAUs) must have at least two staff members trained as suicide prevention “gatekeepers.” SAUs with more than 1,000 students will need to add (at least) one gatekeeper for every additional 500 students. Continue reading “New Maine law requires suicide prevention training for all school personnel” →