Biddeford and MSAD 54 bring coaches to the classroom

Biddeford Middle School student Breneg Howard listens as math lab coach Heidi Miller shows students how to measure the rebound of a bouncy ball.
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Last week I visited Biddeford Middle School as well as elementary schools in MSAD 54, where administrators and teachers are taking hands-on, customized learning to the next level with math labs, academic coaches and workshop-model classrooms.

These districts were the last stops on my Promising Practices Tour, which has taken me to all nine superintendent regions to see innovative practices schools are implementing that show promise and support the Maine DOE’s vision of an evolving education system.

While touring Biddeford Middle School, I was struck by the school’s highly effective use of a full-time math coach. Students attend Coach Heidi Miller’s math lab once a month with their core math teachers, receiving dual instruction as they solve experiential problems. Continue reading “Biddeford and MSAD 54 bring coaches to the classroom” →

Announcing our School Improvement Webinar Series

When we released the A-F report cards for the state’s schools as part of our new Maine School Performance Grading Syste m, we wanted to engage educators and the public in a positive, productive conversation about how we can work together to improve our schools.

That conversation is well under way. Continue reading “Announcing our School Improvement Webinar Series” →

Governor LePage, First Lady ask Legislature to support military service exploration for Maine students

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage and First Lady Ann M. LePage are calling on the Maine Legislature to vote not as divided Republicans and Democrats but as united Americans on two bills that ensure the state’s students have opportunity to explore military service.

The two Governor’s bills, go before the full Legislature with divided reports after being rejected on essentially party line votes in the Democrat-controlled Education Committee last month.

Continue reading “Governor LePage, First Lady ask Legislature to support military service exploration for Maine students” →

Governor and students celebrate Clean Water Week

Governor LePage with Clean Water poster contest winners

The following is a news release from the Governor’s Office.

AUGUSTA – To kick off Maine Clean Water Week, Governor Paul R. LePage, students, and members of the Maine Wastewater Control Association announced this year’s winners of the Maine Clean Water poster contest.

In recognition of Maine Clean Water Week, June 3-7, 2013, the Maine Wastewater Control Association sponsored the poster competition for students in Grade 3-8. The theme of the competition is “What Clean Water Means To Me.”

Continue reading “Governor and students celebrate Clean Water Week” →

Estimating MLTI next generation costs

Dear Schools,

Last week we reached out to you as part of our continued commitment to communicating the latest updates of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative next generation deployment. We’d hoped that Priority Notice would provide the clarity you needed to inform your district decision-making during this busy budgeting time. Continue reading “Estimating MLTI next generation costs” →

Free hazardous chemical management training June 3

The federal law on hazardous chemicals and training has changed. Please be aware that all workers must be trained in the new Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Global Harmonization System (GHS) by Dec. 1, 2013. Continue reading “Free hazardous chemical management training June 3” →

Commissioner Bowen to complete Promising Practices Tour with visits to MSAD 54 elementary schools

SKOWHEGAN – Maine Department of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will complete his Promising Practices Tour with visits to elementary schools in Skowhegan and Canaan on Friday.

Continue reading “Commissioner Bowen to complete Promising Practices Tour with visits to MSAD 54 elementary schools” →

Commissioner’s Update – May 30, 2013

From the Commissioner

Yesterday, Governor LePage and I celebrated our nationally competitive robotics teams and students who have received recognition at the national level for their accomplishments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – known as STEM.

Maine should be proud of these innovative student leaders who received the Governor’s Promising STEM Awards. Robotics teams from schools in Auburn, Brewer, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Mount Desert Island and Oakland were honored, as were Maine’s delegates to the 2013 National Youth Science Camp (Ryanne Daily – John Bapst Memorial High School and Keylsey Burke – Dirigo High School); the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Mary Butler – Bangor High School, and Meagan Currie and Harry Pershing – Greely High School); and the National Stockholm Junior Water Prize (Nathan Dee – Bangor High School).

Continue reading →

Notices and Reporting

The following end-of-year reports are due June 30:

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – May 30, 2013” →

STEM education-industry collaboration a model to look to

Maine should be proud of these innovative student leaders who received the Governor’s Promising STEM Awards. Continue reading “STEM education-industry collaboration a model to look to” →

Reminder: Regional school calendars due

A reminder that school administrative units and private schools approved for tuition purposes are now required to establish regional school calendars, in coordination with their local secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) school. Maine DOE has previously reminded districts that calendars must be submitted to us no later than June 1, 2013 so that we can ensure they are approved by the July 1, 2013 deadline. However, because June 1 falls on a Saturday, the Department will accept your submissions for review through Monday, June 3.

Continue reading “Reminder: Regional school calendars due” →