Additional lunch reimbursements available

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) requires that an additional six-cents-per-lunch reimbursement be provided to School Food Authorities (SFAs) certified by the Maine Department of Education, in compliance with new meal pattern requirements. On October 1, 2012, this additional reimbursement becomes available to certified school food authorities. Certification procedures will require SFAs to submit documentation demonstrating compliance with the updated meal patterns consistent with the final meal pattern regulation.

Continue reading “Additional lunch reimbursements available” →

NAEP parents’ brochure, testing dates available

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” has set testing dates for the 2012-13 school year. In Maine, a sample of 2,500 to 3,000 randomly selected students in fourth and eighth grades will participate in mathematics or reading assessments between January 29 and March 9, 2013. NAEP has recently released a new parents’ brochure (PDF) to help families better understand the test. Participating districts may wish to share this brochure with their students’ families.

Continue reading “NAEP parents’ brochure, testing dates available” →

Districts invited to participate in Maine’s TIF 4 grant application

UPDATED: School districts that are interested but do not think they can make the Friday, July 13 deadline should contact Scott Harrison by Friday to give notice of their interest and discuss plans for submission.

As Commissioner Stephen Bowen announced last week at the annual Superintendents’ Conference, and based on the strong indication of interest by superintendents in attendance, the Department will work with school districts to apply for the current Teacher Incentive Fund 4 grant cycle.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education has placed an extremely short (July 27) deadline on applications. Despite the short window of opportunity, if the response from districts is as strong as it seemed it would be, we will proceed with the application.

Maine DOE encourages interested school districts to notify us by next Friday, July 13.

Continue reading “Districts invited to participate in Maine’s TIF 4 grant application” →

Superintendents learn strategies for student success

Participants in the 101st annual Maine Superintendents’ Conference last week attended five of nine possible workshop sessions addressing one overarching topic: strategies to help each individual learner meet proficiency. State educators, Maine DOE staff and outside program leaders conducted sessions on subjects such as student-centered data management and the Maine Schools for Excellence teacher evaluation initiative. Here is a closer look at three of the workshops offered:

Continue reading “Superintendents learn strategies for student success” →

Charter School Commission approves Academy of Natural Sciences

The following is a news release from the Maine Charter School Commission.

AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission voted Friday to approve the application from the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences to move to the contract phase that will result in becoming the first public charter school in Maine’s history.

Continue reading “Charter School Commission approves Academy of Natural Sciences” →

Commissioner’s Update – June 28, 2012

Commissioner's Update - June 28, 2012
Click the image to view the fully formatted Commissioner’s Update.
Educators from across the state gathered in Augusta for the 101st annual Maine Superintendents’ Conference earlier this week.

The 145 people in attendance listened to perspectives on student-centered learning, and participated in five of nine possible workshop sessions, ranging in topic from expanded learning opportunities to proficiency-based data management.

In the end, these two days were well spent. Most importantly, we had a chance to discuss the best ways for the Department of Education to collaborate with superintendents on our shared goal: preparing every Maine student for success.

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – June 28, 2012” →