Maine DOE Update – April 5, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2024-2025 School Year

The U.S. Department of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting and would like to thank all those who submitted information during the comment period. The comments related to teacher shortage enabled the Maine DOE to add additional teaching endorsements to the U.S. DOE proposal. |  More

Reminder: National History Teacher of the Year Nominations Open Until April 30

Nominate an outstanding teacher in your community for the 2024 National History Teacher of the Year! Each year, Gilder Lehrman recognizes first-rate K-12 teachers who find creative ways to bring history to life in their classrooms. Winners are selected from each state and US territories and become finalists for the national award. State winners will receive $1,000 each. The national winner will receive a $10,000 prize and a ceremony in their honor in New York City. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

How Williams Elementary School is Teaching and Preparing Students for the Solar Eclipse

Two weeks before the solar eclipse on April 8th, Williams Elementary School in RSU 18 principal Melanie Smith visited all classrooms to read aloud the book A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox. During her visits, Principal Smith also shared a video with students that explained the difference between solar eclipses and lunar eclipses. |  More

Aroostook County Early College Summit Brings Together High Schools Across Northern Maine

On Tuesday, March 5th, Early College leaders Margaret Guimond from the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) and Teri St. Pierre from the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) hosted the first Aroostook County Early College Summit. |  More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Register Now for Maine DOE School Safety Specialist Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) offers training in several service areas, all at NO COST to schools and school administrative units (SAUs). MSSC’s flagship training opportunity is the School Safety Specialist (SSS) program, provided through Eastern Maine Community College (EMMC), which helps fulfill the statute Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §1001, sub-§16 (LD892), which states you must have a “designated employee having oversight regarding school safety.”The Math4ME Project is accepting applications for the newest cohort of schools. Math4ME is a free, three-year project that supports and lifts mathematics education for all students and focuses on grades PK-8. |  More

Math4ME Project Accepting Applications – Deadline Extended

The Math4ME Project is accepting applications for the newest cohort of schools. Math4ME is a free, three-year project that supports and lifts mathematics education for all students and focuses on grades PK-8. |  More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Aroostook County Early College Summit Brings Together High Schools Across Northern Maine

On Tuesday, March 5th, Early College leaders Margaret Guimond from the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) and Teri St. Pierre from the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) hosted the first Aroostook County Early College Summit.

The event had stakeholder representation from (almost) every high school in Aroostook County, representatives from Northern Maine Community College (NMCC), UMFK faculty, and early college staff members from the University of Maine System.

Topics included an overview of the application process and online application system, student support and resources, the accreditation process through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), and a historical overview of the program with program success data.

All stakeholders worked together to find areas of improvement and collaborated to brainstorm ways to help facilitate a seamless transition from secondary into post-secondary institutions for Maine students. High school and career and technical education stakeholders had an opportunity to provide input and feedback, and their responses to the event were overwhelmingly positive.

“Congratulations to Teri and Margaret for their hard work on this event!” said Amy Hubbard Executive Director of Early College for the University of Maine System.

“I’m really pleased that we were able to collaborate with so many schools, and pull this off up here,” said Guimond. “We are still hearing the buzz about it!”

 

Math4ME Project Accepting Applications – Deadline Extended

The Math4ME Project is accepting applications for the newest cohort of schools.  Math4ME is a free, three-year project that supports and lifts mathematics education for all students and focuses on grades PK-8.

Math4ME is not a curriculum, but rather a support to lift your current mathematics curriculum and make mathematics accessible to all learners.  Math4ME supports the inclusion of all learners in the general education setting through the use of effective, engaging, high-leverage routines, supportive, positive mathematics culture and communities, and the support and use of family engagement strategies.  Math4ME is not a replacement curriculum but rather a philosophy and way of utilizing your current mathematics curriculum to lift all learners.

The Math4ME Project has a focus on the joy and shift in mathematics mindset and pedagogy.  A few quotes from our current Teachers of Influence (TOI).

“At our staff meetings I share new activities teachers can do with their students after I attend the TOI trainings.  It’s great to see these new math routines/concepts being done across the whole school. Math4ME has been a positive addition to our math program at Lyman Elementary School.  It’s great to see all students participating and enjoying math!” -Jon Marines (TOI)

“The Math4ME coaches came to model how to use the multiple cards with kindergarten and first grade. In one classroom a non-verbal first grader was able to interact with peers and a Math4ME coach to play the game. Inclusion at its best.” -TOI

For more information about the Math4ME Project, please view this informational session. For further questions, please contact Jen Robitaille, jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov or Sue Hogan, susan.hogan@maine.gov.

If Math4ME would be great fit for your school, please use the application here to apply.  Applications are open until April 12, 2024.

Reminder: National History Teacher of the Year Nominations Open Until April 30

Nominate an outstanding teacher in your community for the 2024 National History Teacher of the Year!  Each year, Gilder Lehrman recognizes first-rate K-12 teachers who find creative ways to bring history to life in their classrooms.  Winners are selected from each state and US territories and become finalists for the national award.  State winners will receive $1,000 each.  The national winner will receive a $10,000 prize and a ceremony in their honor in New York City.

Go to www.gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy to submit your nomination. The deadline to submit a nominations is April 30, 2024.

For more information about the History Teacher of the Year award, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov

Register Now for Maine DOE School Safety Specialist Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) offers training in several service areas, all at NO COST to schools and school administrative units (SAUs). MSSC’s flagship training opportunity is the School Safety Specialist (SSS) program, provided through Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC), which helps fulfill the statute Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §1001, sub-§16 (LD892), which states you must have a “designated employee having oversight regarding school safety.”

School Safety Specialist Program

School Safety Specialists are prepared to:

  • Supports and assists administrators in coordinating the review, editing, and updating of Emergency Operations Plans for their district and/or school building each year as established under Maine Statute 20-A, 1001, chapter 101, sub-chapter 1, section 16 https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/20-A/title20- Asec1001.html
  • Involve appropriate stakeholders in the development of district/school level Emergency Operations Plans through the formation of a safety team to include the following: police and fire departments, emergency management agency, EMS, local medical facilities, community members, administrators, parents, and students.
  • Network with appropriate stakeholders to enhance school safety at the SAU and/or school level.
  • Act as a resource for other individuals in the SAU on issues related to school safety.
  • Work with the Maine School Safety Center to provide professional development for faculty and staff on school safety-related issues that encourage a safe school environment.

The details of the program:

  • Cohorts start at the beginning of every month and have 6 weeks to complete.
  • All work is done asynchronously through EMCC and takes approximately 20-25 hours to complete.
  • Work is divided into badges. Badges are outlined above. Each badge consists of interactive modules, a quiz, and reflection questions, except ICS courses which are accessed through FEMA.

Your motivation for enrolling: 

  • Become a safety leader in your school.
  • Earn Digital Badges through EMCC and contact hours for recertification.
  • Be a school safety liaison with the Maine School Safety Center.
  • Create a network of safety specialists in the state.

School Safety Specialist Badges

Introduction to the Maine School Safety Initiative  Fundamentals Safety Through Climate & Culture Emergency Planning Incident Command System
  • Introduction to Maine School Safety Center
  • Why the SSS program is important
  • School Emergency Management
  • Behavioral Threat Assessment Management
  • Restorative Practices
  • Through Food Security
  • What Makes School Climate & Culture?
  • Emergency Operations Plans
  • Planning Process
  • Important Themes in Emergency Planning
  • ICS 100
  • ICS 200
  • ICS 700
  • ICS 800

(FEMA Training)

If you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity, fill out the School Safety Specialist interest form.

The Maine School Safety Center has a School Emergency Management Coordinator who can help with resources, training, and guidance on anything involving emergency management in schools.  The areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Emergency Operations Plans 
  • Emergency Exercises and Drills
  • Implementation of Multi-Disciplinary Teams
  • Implementation of Safety Teams

For further support or information regarding School Emergency Management, reach out to School Emergency Management Coordinator, Bridgette Gilbert Bridgette.Gilbert@maine.gov.

The Maine School Safety Center is not a regulatory agency. All of their services are 100% free to you and your school. MSSC does not enforce any rules or laws, they  provide assistance to SAU’s to help make schools a safer place for all students, staff, and visitors. For further information visit Maine School Safety Center website.

 

How Williams Elementary School is Teaching and Preparing Students for the Solar Eclipse

Two weeks before the solar eclipse on April 8th, Williams Elementary School in RSU 18 principal Melanie Smith visited all classrooms to read aloud the book A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox. During her visits, Principal Smith also shared a video with students that explained the difference between solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox
A Few Beautiful Minutes Experiencing a Solar Eclipse, written by Kate Allen Fox

Maps of the path of totality across the United States and our state of Maine were also shown and discussed with students.

In addition to the academic presentations and discussions happening at school, the Williams Elementary School community collected cardboard tubes during the month of March in preparation for a special solar eclipse project. The week before the solar eclipse, art teacher David Clark and 3rd-grade teacher Brynn Charest helped students create their own eclipse viewers out of the collected recycled materials. The self-created handheld eclipse viewers will allow students to view the solar eclipse indirectly. All students in RSU 18 were also provided solar glasses to be distributed to students on Monday, April 8th.

Students working on their solar eclipse viewers:

In addition, Williams Elementary teachers used eclipse resources provided by the Maine Department of Education to educate students about the upcoming solar eclipse.

“We wanted to ensure that our children had background knowledge about a total solar eclipse so that they would understand what was happening on April 8th and know how to view the solar eclipse safely,” said Principal Smith.

For more information, resources, and safety advice for schools regarding the 2024 Social Eclipse, please visit the Maine DOE Eclipse Resource page.

This story was submitted to the Maine DOE by Williams Elementary School. To submit a story about your school, please fill out our Good News Submission form.

Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2024-2025 School Year 

The U.S. Department of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the purposes of deferment of loan repayments or reductions of teaching obligation. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting and would like to thank all those who submitted information during the comment period. The comments related to teacher shortage enabled the Maine DOE to add additional teaching endorsements to the U.S. DOE proposal.  

In Maine, the annual teacher shortage list is utilized by the Maine DOE to determine which endorsements are eligible for emergency certification and for reciprocity from other states, per 20-A MRS §13012-B.   

The following are PreK-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2024-2025 school year: 

  • General Elementary   
  • Computer Technology 
  • Early Childhood   
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages  
  • English/Language Arts (Middle and Secondary Level)   
  • Gifted/Talented 
  • Health and Physical Education (Combined Endorsement) 
  • Mathematics (Middle and Secondary Level)  
  • Music 
  • Science-Physical (Secondary Level)  
  • Science-Life (Secondary Level)  
  • Science (Middle Level) 
  • Social Studies (Middle and Secondary Level) 
  • World Languages 
  • Visual Arts  
  • Deaf-Hearing Impaired* 
  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities*  

* On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released a memorandum to clarify the requirements of IDEA Part B, which outlines the expectations for the preparation and training of all special education teachers nationwide and  that special education certification or licensure requirements may not be waived.  This includes the prohibition on issuance of emergency certificates. 

The benefits to student financial aid recipients, such as loan cancellations, are indicated in the following regulatory provisions: 

  • 34 CFR 682.210(b)(5)(ii), (b)(7), (q), and (s) enable a borrower who had no outstanding Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loan on July 1, 1987,  but who had an outstanding FFEL Program loan on July 1, 1993, to qualify for deferment of loan repayment under the Stafford Loan Program anytime within the life of the borrower’s loan(s) for up to three years of service as a full-time teacher in a private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area designated by the Department, and as certified by the chief administrative officer of the particular school in which the borrower is teaching; 
  • 34 CFR 674.53(c) enables Federal Perkins Loan borrowers who are full-time teachers of mathematics, science, foreign languages, bilingual education, or any other field of expertise where the State educational agency determined there is a shortage of qualified teachers to qualify for cancellation of up to 100 percent of the outstanding balance on the borrower’s Federal Perkins loans; and 
  • 34 CFR 686.12(d) enables grant recipients to fulfill their teaching obligation under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (regarding the requirement to serve at least four academic years, within eight years of graduation) by teaching in a “high-need field,” which includes academic disciplines/subject areas identified as teacher shortage areas at the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field. 

Stafford Loan and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) borrowers who have questions concerning their loans, including the teacher shortage area deferment, can contact the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FED-AID. 

Federal Perkins Loan borrowers should contact the school where they received the loan.  

Please contact Erin Reinhard at Cert.DOE@maine.gov with any questions or concerns.  

Maine DOE Update – March 29, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY23 ESEA funds and FY24 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to apply for a Tydings Amendment waiver and a Title I Carryover of Excess waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). As required, the Maine DOE is seeking 15 days of public comment from March 22, 2024 – April 6, 2024, on the request to waive the period of availability for Elementary & Secondary Education Act funds. and Title I, Part A carryover limitations. |  More

Celebrating Early Childhood Education Day at the State House

Staff from Maine’s Department of Education’s (DOE) Early Learning Team and Child Development Services gathered with several other Early Childhood agencies, organizations, and programs in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House in Augusta on Thursday, March 21st for the annual Early Childhood Day at the Hall of Flags. |  More

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for Current Social Studies Standards

As part of the scheduled periodic review of the Maine Learning Results, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking public comments regarding the current social studies standards. These comments will inform the work of the standards revision teams. |  More

Public Pre-K Partnership Pilot Grant Request for Applications (RFA)

Maine’s Preschool Development Renewal Grant is supporting the Maine Department of Education in offering grant funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to increase the number of eligible 4-year-olds attending high-quality public Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programming through partnerships with licensed community providers (center-based and family child care) during the 24-25 school year. |  More

Information for Celebrating The Week of the Young Child April 6th – 12th

We hope that you will join us in celebrating the Week of the Young Child! To help elevate the importance of high-quality early learning and care for the great community, please share photos through this form to show how your early learning program/classroom celebrates the Week of the Young Child by utilizing high-quality practices and strategies to build positive relationships and a sense of community in your early care and education setting. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

21st Annual MLTI Student Conference Registration Closes Soon; Calling for Session Proposals

There’s still time to register to attend the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference! Join us for a fun-filled day of technology learning with #CampMLTI, the in-person student conference. Registration to attend the in-person MLTI student conference on May 23rd at the University of Maine in Orono is open until April 5th. |  More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

 

Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for a Tydings Amendment Waiver of FY23 ESEA funds and FY24 Carryover of Excess Title I, Part A Funds

Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to apply for a Tydings Amendment waiver and a Title I Carryover of Excess waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).  As required, the Maine DOE is seeking 15 days of public comment from March 22, 2024 – April 6, 2024, on the request to waive the period of availability for Elementary & Secondary Education Act funds. and Title I, Part A carryover limitations.

Requirements from which Maine will be seeking a waiver include:

  • A Tydings amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Tydings amendment waiver seeks an extension to the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2022/State Fiscal Year 2023 Elementary and Secondary Education funds. Programs affected by this waiver:
    • Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs), including the portions of the SEA’s Title I, Part A award used to carry out section 1003 school improvement, section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
    • Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants)
    • Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children)
    • Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk)
    • Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction)
    • Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement)
    • Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
    • Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
    • Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program)
    • McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
  • A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2023/State Fiscal Year 2024 Title I, Part A funds. The carryover limitation waiver seeks to waive the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its local educational agencies (LEAs) a waiver of the 15 percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.

The Maine DOE must solicit and respond to public comment on its waiver request as well as provide evidence of the available comment period.  As the Maine DOE moves forward to provide as much flexibility as possible and continued support for expending ESEA federal funds, comments can be submitted to:  Janette.Kirk@maine.gov

Celebrating Early Childhood Education Day at the State House

Staff from Maine’s Department of Education’s (DOE) Early Learning Team and Child Development Services gathered with several other Early Childhood agencies, organizations, and programs in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House in Augusta on Thursday, March 21st for the annual Early Childhood Day at the Hall of Flags.

The event allowed early childhood educators, families, and advocates to unite to celebrate and elevate the need for high-quality early care and education (ECE) opportunities and the importance of a strong ECE workforce in Maine.

Maine DOE Early Learning Team and members of Child Development Services (pictured above) took part in the event by sharing resources and facilitating a session related to public pre-k partnerships.

For more information and resources on early learning in Maine, visit: