Maine Application Receives Final Approval

Major infusion of funds for seven schools

AUGUSTA – The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that Maine will receive the $13.3 million it was pledged for School Improvement Grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds will go to seven schools that meet specific federal criteria and have low levels of proficiency in reading and math and a low level of improvement. Any unused funds will be carried over for more schools identified next year.

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Students Receive Maine HS Diplomas in Blaine House Ceremony

Despite “disrupted” education, students graduate from high school

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education awarded seven high school diplomas in a Blaine House ceremony on Thursday to students whose education was interrupted for various reasons. It was the largest group of students to receive state diplomas since the Legislature established it in 2007.

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Student Artwork to Appear on Laptop Screen Savers

AUGUSTA – Digital artwork by 19 Maine middle and high school students was chosen as the screensavers for 70,000 laptops used in Maine schools. The students were recognized last month at the annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative student conference at UMaine in Orono.

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Statement from Acting Commissioner Angela Faherty regarding the release of the final Common Core State Standards

The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers released a set of state-led Common Core State Standards in Atlanta today. Acting Commissioner Angela Faherty issued the following statement:

Maine already has some of the most rigorous educational standards in the country, and was one of the first states in 1997 to adopt state standards. Two years ago, we joined with three other New England states to participate in common, rigorous standards. Because of our experience and our intent not to lower our standards in any way, our staff and many Maine teachers and other educators have been actively engaged in the development of the Common Core State Standards. I want to thank the dozens of Maine teachers, curriculum leaders and others who participated in reviewing the standards, either at our request or on their own. We are proud to have been part of this work developing clear and rigorous expectations for students.

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Maine Submits Race to the Top Application

State in running for up to $75m in education reform funds

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education’s Race to the Top application arrived at the U.S. Department of Education Tuesday morning.

The application represents months of work collecting data and organizing the Department’s work to demonstrate its vision for education and education reform in Maine. The state hopes to win a share of the $4 billion available through the federal initiative aimed at reform; if Maine wins, it could receive up to $75 million over four years for efforts to improve data systems, improve teaching and learning, turn around low achieving schools, and further improve the state’s already-strong standards and assessments.

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Maine on Track in Education Race

A stakeholder group removes the last barrier in the Race to the Top application

AUGUSTA – A stakeholder group representing teachers, principals and other educators took action on Wednesday making it possible for Maine to complete its application for up to $75 million in federal education reform funds.

Dozens of school districts have already agreed to participate in Maine’s Race to the Top application with more expected by Friday’s deadline. The stakeholder group’s action – approving the first of several teacher and principal evaluation systems – removes the last barrier to Maine’s application. Gov. John Baldacci established the group by executive order to expedite the work.

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Faherty Sworn in as Acting Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner Angela Faherty takes helm at Department of Education

Photos can be downloaded from www.maine.gov/education/news/images/

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today swore in Angela Faherty as the Acting Commissioner for the Maine Department of Education.

“Angela has the experience and the expertise to lead the Department of Education as we continue to implement important reforms,” Governor Baldacci said. “She shares my vision for better schools that provide the greatest opportunity for success to Maine’s students.”

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