Rule Change Adoption: Chapter 13, Qualifying Examinations for Teachers, Educational Specialists and Administrators

The revised Rule for Qualifying Examinations for Teachers, Educational Specialists and Administrators, Chapter 13, is now effective.

The changes to Chapter 13 stem from the regular regeneration (revision) process employed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Each Praxis exam undergoes regeneration every five years. ETS conducts a multi-state standard setting study designed to assemble two separate groups of current practitioners who work for two to three days to review the validity and reliability of the test being regenerated. Continue reading “Rule Change Adoption: Chapter 13, Qualifying Examinations for Teachers, Educational Specialists and Administrators” →

Rule Change Adoption: Chapter 61, Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects

The revised Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects, Chapter 61, have been filed with the Secretary of State and will go into effect on Aug. 17.

Chapter 61 governs the expenditure of millions of Maine taxpayers’ dollars in support of safe and effective schools that support the demands of 21^st century education. Extensive needs for improved education facilities across the State make it imperative that the rules be kept clear, current and supportive of the State’s education goals. Continue reading “Rule Change Adoption: Chapter 61, Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects” →

All districts and schools must train staff in Global Harmonization System

Department of Labor responds to federal mandate with free online training video

AUGUSTA – All employees in the state of Maine—in both the private and public sectors—must be trained in the federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) new Global Harmonization System Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by Dec. 1. As part of this federal mandate, schools and districts are responsible for training their staff on GHS and must be able to demonstrate compliance upon inspection.

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Restraint and Seclusion updates available

Non-regulatory guidance

The Department has posted non-regulatory guidance to help schools and other covered educational programs understand the requirements and limitations contained in Rule Chapter 33: Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion. The guidance document, which is available online, provides information about the rule, describes student behavior scenarios and analyzes potential responses to those scenarios, and provides links to additional resources including tools for managing student behavior.

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New pest management requirements for schools

The State of Maine has revised its integrated pest management (IPM) and pesticide regulations pertaining to all public and private schools serving any grades kindergarten through 12. These changes were made to improve communication and provide training and tools for IPM coordinators. There are three important changes. Continue reading “New pest management requirements for schools” →

Free webinar on school mold, moisture control

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency webinar on mold and moisture control in schools this Wednesday will be headlined by two Mainers.

Alyce Swann, facilities supervisor for RSU 21, and Steven Caulfield, senior vice president for Turner Building Science and Design and president of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, will be the featured speakers for the webinar Mold and Moisture Control in Schools: Potential Health Effects and Safe Clean-Up Practices. Jennifer Lemon, of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division, will facilitate the free webinar, which will be held Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Continue reading “Free webinar on school mold, moisture control” →

Commissioner Bowen to help honor inaugural grads of Maine’s first charter school

HINCKLEY – Less than two years after Governor Paul R. LePage’s landmark student choice legislation finally allowing public charter schools in Maine went into effect, his Education Commissioner will help celebrate the state’s first charter school graduation.

Commissioner Stephen Bowen will speak this evening at the ceremony for the 10 students in the first class to graduate from The Maine Academy of Natural Sciences at Good Will-Hinckley (MeANS). The event will be held at 5 p.m. at the Moody Chapel on the campus of Kennebec Valley Community College in Hinckley.

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Education Commissioner affirms commitment to accountability in wake of reformer’s resignation

AUGUSTA – Maine’s Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen released a statement today in response to the resignation of Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Tony Bennett, affirming his Department’s commitment to school reform and accountability.

Bennett, who like Commissioner Bowen is a member of the visionary Chiefs for Change education reformers group, headlined the Governor’s Education Conference: Putting Students First this past March.

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State Ed Board members complete national policy training

Arlington, VA — The newest members of the Maine State Board of Education are back from two days of intensive training from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) to help board members become highly effective state education policymakers.

William H. Beardsley, of Ellsworth, Nichi Farnham, of Bangor, Peter Geiger, of Lewiston, and Ande A. Smith, of North Yarmouth, joined state board members from 17 states and territories in sessions that covered basic boardsmanship issues such as the responsibilities of boards and their members, the sequence of policy development and using Robert’s Rules of Order, as well as more advanced subjects such as how to provide effective state leadership through board actions.

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