Expand Maine’s Chinese language and culture programs

UPDATE: The application deadline has been extended to Aug. 23.

K–12 and higher education administrators, school leaders and other education decision-makers actively seeking to develop new and expanded Chinese programs are invited to attend the 2013 Chinese Bridge Delegation — a one-week trip to China hosted by Hanban. The trip, scheduled for Nov. 6-14, will focus on school visits, cultural activities and educational workshops with the aim of helping attendees start and expand their at-home Chinese language and culture programs.

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Register for Agriculture in the Classroom Institute

Participants from the 2012 Summer Teacher's Institute pose with a pony.
Participants from the 2012 Summer Teacher’s Institute.

UPDATE: Openings are still available for the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom’s “Summer Teacher’s Institute,” held July 29–Aug. 2.

PreK through grade 12 teachers interested in topics related to agriculture are invited to attend Maine Agriculture in the Classroom’s (MAITC’s) “Summer Teacher’s Institute” from July 29–Aug. 2 in Presque Isle.

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Data Warehouse proving valuable new resource

We continue to get positive feedback on the Data Warehouse we unveiled last month in conjunction with the Maine School Performance Grading System. Educators and administrators like having multiple years of their key data – including individual student growth models – in one place, and that they can export it to use and share. The also appreciate the ability to run comparisons of like schools and districts to determine best practices and opportunities for collaboration.

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Navigating the Data Warehouse

Screen shot of Data Warehouse home page
The Maine Department of Education’s Data Warehouse puts data about Maine’s schools in one place where it’s easy to find and easy to understand.

When the Maine DOE released the state’s School Performance Grading System last month, the agency also unveiled the Data Warehouse, a powerful tool that can help educators improve student achievement and the public learn more about Maine’s schools. In addition to hosting the state’s school report cards, the warehouse offers accessible, understandable data on test scores, school spending, student and staff populations, and much more. The Department wants to make using the Data Warehouse as easy as possible for educators, administrators, students, parents and the public.

When you enter the warehouse, you will be prompted to choose one of the following pathways: Snapshots, Data Tables or Growth Model. Continue reading “Navigating the Data Warehouse” →

Maine Charter School Commission seeks new member

AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission is seeking candidates interested in replacing outgoing member Dr. Richard Barnes. Barnes is not seeking reappointment to the Commission, which consists of seven members appointed by the Maine State Board of Education.

The Maine State Charter School Commission mission is to provide thoughtful stewardship in authorizing and monitoring public charter schools consistent with State statutes to create unique, high-quality learning options for Maine students.

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MLTI next generation upgrade updates

Dear Schools,

The opt-in deadline for the next generation of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative is just two days away and we know many of you have already made your solution selections, or are finalizing that choice. That said, we’re committed to bringing you the latest updates related to MLTI and the various solutions as they happen to inform your decision-making.

To that end, yesterday at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (commonly known as WWDC), the company released its new MacBook Air. Continue reading “MLTI next generation upgrade updates” →

Commissioner Bowen recognizes those who support at-risk youth

AUGUSTA – Maine education chief Stephen Bowen has presented his annual Commissioner’s Recognition Awards to those who have helped at-risk youth find success in school and beyond.

Commissioner Bowen was joined by Emanuel Pariser and Leslie Morrill, co-chairs of the State Advisory Committee on Truancy, Dropout and Alternative Education, in presenting the awards at a Blaine House ceremony last week. 

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Governor, Commissioner congratulate nationally-recognized School Resource Officer at Massabesic High School

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today congratulated Deputy Jason Solomon of the York County Sheriff’s Office on being selected as the 2013 National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.

Solomon is a 12-year veteran of the York County Sheriff’s Office who has been the school resource officer for Massabesic High School in Waterboro since 2010.

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Commissioner Bowen to address Rockland Kiwanis Monday

ROCKPORT – Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will speak to the Rockland Kiwanis Club Monday about his department’s commitment to seeing all Maine students leave school college and career ready.

In his remarks as the guest speaker at the June 10 lunchtime Kiwanis meeting at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Commissioner Bowen will share how the Maine Department of Education is increasingly a resource to districts in developing and deploying the best practices that ensure educator effectiveness and high student achievement.

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