Maine Department of Education awarded flexibility from Feds

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Education received a three-year waiver allowing flexibility regarding specific requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), formerly known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001(NCLB), whose reauthorization was recently debated and is being revised in our nation’s capital. While the revised ESEA shrinks the federal role yielding greater power to states to judge student achievement and school performance (from regulations outlined under NCLB), this recent waiver provides Maine educators and State and local leaders the opportunity for continued work toward rigorous and comprehensive State-developed plans designed to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.

“In 2013, Maine’s waiver application was approved by USDOE, but this renewal of the waiver

Maine DOE awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool access

The Department will pass a majority of the money to 13 school districts to create 33 new classrooms for 4-year-old students and expand 23 others

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Education has been awarded $14.8 million to expand public preschool opportunities in 10 counties.

Over the next four years, the Department will pass 95 percent of the funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to 13 school districts with high percentages of low-income students so they can establish or expand preschool programs in partnership with local early childhood program providers.

In total, 33 new classrooms will be created with the funding and most will open next September, adding to Maine’s existing 205 classrooms serving 4-year-old students. Another 23 classrooms already in operation will be expanded so students can attend five days a week for the full day.

With up to 16 students per preschool classroom, the award can potentially allow access to early

Maine DOE prepares to release school report cards, outlines changes

In an effort to expand the snapshot of a school the report card provides, the Department will add information about student poverty, teacher tenure and education levels, and funding

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Education has begun creating the 2014 school report cards that will be published in May.

For the second straight year, the Department will use existing school performance and progress data to provide the public a snapshot of how the state’s 600 schools are doing.

Earlier today, superintendents and principals received a reminder from the Department to review the math and reading proficiency and growth data as well as graduation and assessment participation rates that will be used to calculate their report card. For months, schools have had all of the data that will be used and have already certified it as being accurate. But in an effort to ensure data quality and grading system transparency, the Department is providing a final review and appeal period this year.

The Department developed the Maine School Performance Grading System in 2013 to bring more transparency and accountability to school performance across the state.

The report cards provide the public with Maine’s first true statewide accountability system. Previous systems required by the State and U.S. Department of Education relied on bureaucratic terminology to characterize school performance and only applied to Title I schools.

The roll-out of the report cards last May sparked a statewide conversation on school quality and drove thousands of Mainers to the Department’s website to learn more about their local school’s performance and

Maine Department of Education Opens Registration To All Maine High School Students For Free Online AP Classes

*The offering of free Advanced Placement courses through AP4ALL is another way the Maine Department of Education provides digital learning opportunities to all Maine students*

AUGUSTA, Maine - Student registration is now open for free online Advanced Placement courses that will start next September. As part of its commitment to providing digital learning opportunities to all Maine students, the Maine Department of Education's AP4ALL program allows all high school students who are educated at the public expense access to the year-long online Advanced Placement courses. The Department also covers the cost of books and materials. Since 2007 when the Department started the program, AP4ALL has grown from six courses to the 22 being offered for the 2014-15 academic year, which include AP Computer Science, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History. Students who participate in AP4ALL are taught by Maine certified teachers who receive extensive training not only in their specific AP content area, but also in effective online teaching.

"By offering online Advanced Placement courses at no charge, AP4ALL provides equity of access to demanding, college-level courses for all Maine high school students, regardless of where they live and the limits of resources available in their local school," said Maine DOE Commissioner Jim Rier. Facilitating multiple pathways for learner achievement -including expanded learning options- is a core priority of the Maine DOE's student-centered strategic plan for education in the state. Through AP4ALL, students have the flexibility to participate in course activities anytime and from anywhere they have an internet connection, though there are scheduled due dates and deadlines for completing assignments and activities. Students interested in enrolling should contact the AP4ALL mentor at their school, who will review with them and their parent/guardian the rigor of Advanced Placement coursework and online learning before moving forward with registration, which must be completed by the school.

Enrollment will be capped at 20 students per course. After the initial registration period has ended on March 31, if more than 20 students are registered for any course, a random drawing will be made to select those who will be enrolled. Students whose registrations are not selected will be placed on a waiting list, and depending on circumstances, the Maine DOE may consider adding additional sections in oversubscribed subject areas. If fewer than 20 students are enrolled in any course by March 31, registrations will continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis throughout the summer and up until Sept. 2, the first day that courses are scheduled to start.

To learn more about AP4ALL and view the complete list of available 2014-15 online Advanced Placement courses, visit http://www.ap4all.org

Maine Department of Education releases elementary student assessment results

In State assessments given this past October in grades 3-8, the majority of elementary school students are proficient in reading and math but are losing ground compared to performance in the previous year
Augusta, Maine - The majority of Maine’s elementary school students are still proficient in reading and math, but State Education Department officials say performance declines in all grade levels tested are a reminder of the importance of school-led improvement work continuing.
 
The performance of students in grades three through eight, as measured by the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) administered in October, comes just months after the Department announced proficiency in math and reading was on the rise again in Maine high schools, according to scores from the 2013 SAT.
 
Maine students in grades 3-8 continue to post their strongest results in reading, with nearly 70 percent of those tested performing at or above proficiency. Scores for students in grades three, five and seven were flat from 2012 to 2013, but declined slightly in the other grades tested.
 
While eighth-grade reading scores did drop, 71 percent of students are still proficient or better, and more students were deemed to be proficient with distinction in 2013, making this the grade-level and subject matter where Maine students continually perform their best. 
 
Meanwhile, students in fifth-grade had a slight increase in math proficiency, with 63 percent deemed proficient or above. Math scores were flat in grade seven and down in grades three, four, six and eight.
 
A student is deemed proficient when their work demonstrates grade-level appropriate skill. By way of comparison, high school proficiency is just under 50 percent in both reading and math.
 
2013 Maine Student New England Common Assessment Program Performance

Grade assessed	Subject	Percent proficient or above*	Subject	Percent proficient or above*	Subject	Percent proficient or above*
Grade 3	Reading	68 (=)	Math	59 (-2%)
Grade 4	Reading	66 (-3%)	Math	63 (-2%)
Grade 5	Reading	71 (=)	Math	63 (+1%)	Writing**	50 (+5%)
Grade 6	Reading	70 (-1%)	Math	61 (-3%)
Grade 7	Reading	69 (=)	Math	59 (=)
Grade 8	Reading	71 (-5%)	Math	56 (-5%)	Writing**	47 (-10%)

*Percentage in parenthesis reflects change from 2012. 
**Not used for State or federal accountability or Maine School Performance Grading System
 
Reading and math assessment results are the only ones used for State and federal accountability, as well as on the State's school grading system, but Maine’s fifth- and eighth-grade students are also tested in writing. Performance in writing was down dramatically for grade eight students, but for those in grade five was up to 50 percent proficient or above in 2013, compared to 45 percent in 2012 and 41 in 2011.
 
Education Commissioner Jim Rier said he’s concerned by the year-to-year drops in grade-level performance, but that it’s important to remember that reflects a different group of students. Working to understand and improve the performance of cohorts of students over time should be the priority of all Maine schools, he said.
 
“While I am encouraged to see elementary proficiency remains so high—especially in reading—we cannot accept these troubling declines,” said Commissioner Rier. “These latest testing results must renew the commitment of Maine schools to improving student outcomes through embracing innovative approaches, enhancing educator effectiveness, and engaging parents and the public in supporting schools and students. Our Department looks forward to being a resource to that locally led work and has already stepped up our efforts to do so including offering more professional development opportunities, helping schools better understand and use their performance data and providing more improvement-related technical assistance.”
 
2013 marked the last NECAP administration as Maine moves to a next generation assessment system aligned with its recently updated academic standards, known as the Maine Learning Results. The first administration of that assessment will be in the spring of 2015, measuring students where they are at the end of the academic year—rather than after summer vacation—and providing results in weeks, rather than months, to better inform instruction in real-time. 

Now that NECAP data is in, the Department can begin calculating the elementary school report cards that will be released this May. In the meantime, parents and the public are encouraged to become familiar with their local school’s performance across all content areas and to ask questions of their superintendents and schools boards about efforts underway to improve outcomes.

Elementary schools already have their 2013 NECAP results to share with their communities, and results are also available on the Maine Department of Education’s transparent public data warehouse at www.maine.gov/doe/dataresources.

Maine Department of Education bridges transition to college with $500,000 in grants

The funding will allow students to earn post-secondary credit while still in high school and develop technical and life skills for success in college, careers and civic life
Augusta, Maine - As many as 225 students will earn approximately two semesters of college credit before they even graduate from high school, thanks to $500,000 from the Maine Department of Education to support the innovative Bridge Year Program.

Governor Paul R. LePage and Education Commissioner Jim Rier announced today the 12 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Centers receiving State support to help cohorts of up to 15 high school juniors and seniors get a head start on their college coursework through the University of Maine.

Program participants will be able to earn up to 30 college credits, which would allow them to complete an Associate’s Degree within 12 months of high school graduation. Courses are taught by high school instructors who have been approved by the university and will cost students just $45 per credit hour – considerably less than UMaine’s going rate.

Students will concurrently receive a technical skills-based education through their CTE Center that will put them on a career track in occupations including those related to automotive, business, electrical, equipment maintenance and repair, health and public safety.

“I applaud these CTE Centers and their local high schools for partnering to provide new opportunities for students and for our state,” said Governor LePage. “It’s all about doing what is best for kids.  Bridge Year puts students first by saving them time and money while supporting the development of skills they’ll need to be competitive in the workforce.”

Supporters of the Bridge Year Program like Governor LePage and Commissioner Rier see it as a meaningful approach to removing barriers to higher education and reversing Maine’s persistent low degree attainment rates and skills gap.

The most recent data from Maine DOE shows that 64 percent of Maine students enroll in college following their high school graduation, with around a third of those needing remedial courses in reading or math.  Beyond the rigorous college coursework, the program includes summer academies on the UMaine college campus and financial planning sessions that additionally prepare students for college experiences.

By building confidence and lowering costs, Bridge Year makes an often daunting transition to post-secondary studies possible for participating students, says Education Commissioner Rier.

“This is the model for how the public K-12 system, higher education and the workforce could be aligned in a way that engages kids early on and truly ensures their college and career readiness,” said Rier. “We feel confident these students will go on to be very successful in college, because they already have proven they can be.”

This spring, a pilot class of the Bridge Year Program will graduate from Hermon High School. Early indications of success with that class led the LePage Administration to propose $2 million in the current biennium budget to bring opportunities to students statewide, but the Legislature reduced that request to $500,000 last summer.

The Governor has recently proposed $1 million to maintain the program in FY15. Until then, Maine DOE is working to stretch the existing $500,000 as far as possible. Those funds have been divided by the Department between programs that are ready to be operational with students this fall and will receive $60,000. Those that are in the planning phase and will start in the fall of 2015 will each receive $20,000.

Recipients of $60,000 grants include Region 2/Southern Aroostook County in partnership with Houlton High School, Ellsworth-Hancock County Technical Center in partnership with Ellsworth High School, Mid-Coast School of Technology in partnership with Medomak Valley High School, Mid-Maine Technical Center in partnership with Waterville High School and Bangor-United Technologies, which will get a total of $120,000 to fund four cohorts of students in partnership with Bangor and Hermon high schools and two first-year cohorts with Brewer High School and Hampden Academy.

Recipients of $20,000 grants include Sanford Regional Technical Center in partnership with Sanford High School, Lewiston Regional Technical Center in partnership with Edward Little High School, Tri-County Technical Center in partnership with Nokomis Regional High, Somerset Career and Technical Center in partnership with Skowhegan High School, Foster Technology Center in partnership with Mt. Blue High School, Region 3/Northern Penobscot Tech in partnership with Schenck High School and Portland Arts and Technology High School in partnership with Portland High School.

The funds provided by Maine DOE to the 12 CTE Centers will support professional development for staff, summer academies for students, stipends for college professors and contracted services with Bridge Year Educational Services, the nonprofit that will be managing the programs at all locations.

For more information about Career and Technical Education in Maine, visit www.maine.gov/doe/cte.

Governor LePage, Maine Department of Education and schools recognize Digital Learning Day

Maine is an international leader in advancing digital learning opportunities for its students, and schools across the state will celebrate that innovation Wednesday
Maine - Governor Paul R. LePage has proclaimed Wednesday as Digital Learning Day throughout Maine and his Administration will be joined by the state’s students and schools in recognizing the important opportunities digital learning provides.

Organized by the Alliance for Excellence Education, the third annual national Digital Learning Day spotlights innovative teaching and effective applications of education technology that improve learning and support teachers.

Maine Department of Education seeks summer food site sponsors

In 2013, summer meals were served in all Maine counties for the first time, and the Maine DOE hopes to expand the program even further this year

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education is seeking organizations to help provide low-income children healthy meals when school in not in session this summer.

Last summer, the Summer Food Service Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Maine DOE, served 567,000 meals to children at more than 300 sites. Thanks to 97 sponsors, 2013 marked the first year the program was able to offer meals in all 16 Maine counties, and the Department hopes to expand to even more sites this summer.

The summer program may be offered statewide in areas or at sites in which more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program, or in which census track data supports the need. Organizations that provide services in rural communities or near migrant farm workers and American Indian populations are urged to participate.

Eligible sponsoring organizations include public or private schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies such as recreation programs and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations. Potential sites where children can come to receive nutritious meals and snacks include schools, parks, playgrounds, housing projects, day camps, recreation centers, migrant centers, community centers and churches.

The Maine DOE is currently accepting applications for sponsors, with a major need for more meal sites in Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Washington and Hancock Counties. Approved sponsors will be reimbursed at established federal rates for all meals served to children.

Interested organizations should begin planning now as sponsors are required to participate in trainings, with current workshops scheduled Feb. 27 for experienced sponsors and April 17 for new sponsors.

“Schools may take a summer vacation, but hunger does not,” said Acting Education Commissioner Jim Rier. “Our Department is committed to ensuring Maine children continue to receive nutritious meals even after school closes for summer so they can grow, learn and play, and we’re able to do thanks to the support of generous organizations willing to serve as site sponsors.”

For more information on the Summer Food Service Program or to become a sponsor, contact Gail Lombardi at 207-624-6876 or gail.lombardi@maine.gov or visit www.maine.gov/education/sfs/.

State of Maine Grants Schools More Flexibility in Choosing Technology

Governor LePage emphasizes importance of using technology that enables students to easily transition to the workforce
Augusta, Maine - Thousands of Maine students will be firing up Hewlett Packard laptop computers next school year. On Friday, the Maine Department of Education announced HP as its preferred contractor in the Maine Learning Technology Initiative’s latest bid process.

The Hewlett Packard ProBook 4440 running Windows 8 software will be made available as the primary technology and learning solution as part of the Initiative.

“It is important that our students are using technology that they will see and use in the workplace,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “This is the lowest-priced proposal, and the laptops use an operating system that is commonly used in the workplace in Maine. These laptops will provide students with the opportunity to enhance their learning and give them experience on the same technology and software they will see in their future careers.”

The MLTI is an integral part of the Department’s strategy to achieve the new Common Core State Standards, as well as implement new proficiency-based learning systems.

“It’s about how we use technology to enhance student learning by giving students access to tools that will be used for creativity, to access content and to allow them to communicate and collaborate with peers around the world,” said Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen said. “MLTI devices are as good as the teaching that goes with them. Laptops and the tremendous resources they allow students to access are a part of how we engage students in their learning and make that learning relevant.”

While the Hewlett Packard laptop proposal is the state’s primary solution, Governor LePage said Friday that middle schools would be able to choose any of the five proposals awarded through a competitive bidding process and the state would cover the cost up to the amount of the HP proposal. At the high school level, where districts pay for the devices themselves with the support of state targeted technology funds, the state will leverage its buying power to get the lowest price possible on any of the solutions.

The five proposals come from three vendors: Hewlett Packard, which also was awarded for a tablet solution; Apple, which proposed both an iPad and a MacBook Air laptop solution; and CTL, with a Windows laptop solution.

Three Maine schools nominated for national distinction

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Education nominated three schools – Longfellow Elementary School in Portland, Williams-Cone Elementary School in Topsham and Yarmouth Elementary School – to be 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The U.S. Department of Education program honors public and private schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and closed gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students.

Since 1982, the federal Education department has annually sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds. In its 31-

Maine releases latest ed accountability results

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Education released its annual report Thursday on the progress of schools under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The results show a majority of schools not attaining the targets set under the federal rules.

The results were expected, according to the Department – a result of the system’s reliance on a single test and ever-rising targets. Nonetheless, they point to a slow rate of progress among many Maine schools.

“Our schools are not doing worse this year than last year, but you wouldn’t know that from the way the federal AYP lists are calculated,” Bowen said. “This is why we, like most other states, have requested flexibility to do accountability differently. We expect to hear back shortly, and we think positively, from the U.S. Department of Education.”