Dear Schools,
In the month since we announced the next generation Maine Learning Technology Initiative solution, we’ve been busy working with the three vendors and your schools to ensure this initiative continues to best support your learning goals moving forward.
Continue reading “MLTI next generation transition updates”
Today I visited the Troy Howard Middle School in RSU 20 as one of the final stops this spring on my Promising Practices Tour. The Belfast school is undergoing a transformation, using data, strong leadership – most notably at the principal level – and customized learning to engage students and improve proficiency and progress.
Even after months on the road for this tour, I continue to be incredibly energized by the practices schools are implementing that show promise and move forward our shared vision of an evolving education system that puts students at its center.
The midpoint in the collection window for the FY13 Educator Quality and Effectiveness Survey has passed, and the survey has not yet been completed by well over half the School Administrative Units (SAUs) across the state. Please do so without delay to ensure timely collection of this ARRA-required education reform assurance compliance reporting.
Continue reading “SAUs must submit educator quality and effectiveness data by June 15”
The proposed changes to Chapter 13, Qualifying Examinations for Teachers, Educational Specialists and Administrators, 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 “Notice of Proposed Rule Changes to Chapter 13, Educator Testing”
Thanks to Portland Public Schools for sharing this release with the Maine DOE for publication.
A team of automotive technology students from Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) received first place in Maine’s Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition on May 11.
Twenty students representing 10 high schools across Maine put their automotive skills to the test by fixing mechanical problems on their assigned Ford cars. The team that fixed all of the problems on its car first won the competition.
Continue reading “Auto technology students win state championship, head for nationals”
The Department has been working on the Technical Assistance Plan (TAP) to help districts implement a proficiency-based diploma since the beginning of the year. Many of the elements of the plan will be unveiled at the Commissioner’s Conference (June 23-25) and will be officially released on July 1. The TAP is being developed as an interactive website stocked with resources, guidance documents and exemplars. Continue reading “Update on proficiency-based diploma Technical Assistance Plan”
Thanks to RSU 3 for sharing this information with the Maine DOE for publication.
The RSU 3 Adult & Community Education Program has been awarded the 2013 United States Conference in Adult Literacy Award for Program Innovation and Collaboration. This award will be presented to the program in October 2013 at the national conference.
Continue reading “RSU 3 adult education program wins national recognition”
In response to the call for a moratorium on accountability related to the Common Core State Standards by some in the education community, Chiefs for Change, a coalition of state school chiefs and leaders committed to education reform which Commissioner Bowen is a member of, released the following open letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan this week:
Continue reading “Chiefs for Change call for commitment to accountability”
USDA’s Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon and Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will present the award at a school assembly Friday
NORTHEAST HARBOR – The Mount Desert Elementary School will become the first in Maine honored with a Gold Medal of Distinction from the HealthierUS School Challenge.
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today performed a Ceremonial Signing of a bill that will ensure the staff of all Maine schools is trained in suicide education and awareness and additionally pledged $44,000 from his contingency fund to support that effort.
Maine DOE Newsroom 