reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 127 - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, ASSESSMENT, AND DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS › Section 071-127-7 - Secondary School Course of Study and Diploma Requirements

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
7.01 Secondary School Standards and
				Expectations for Learning
A. Curriculum
				Aligned with the Content Standards of the System of Learning Results
1). Each school board operating a secondary
				school shall adopt a curriculum aligned with the content standards of the
				system of Learning Results. Each school administrative unit shall determine the
				instructional methods and educational materials needed to give each student the
				opportunity to meet the content standards of the system of Learning Results.
				This may include an extended school day or school year for students who need
				more than the minimum time established in Me. Dept of Ed. Reg. 125 to meet the
				content standards of the system of Learning Results.
2). The required content areas for each
				secondary school shall include five content areas of the system of Learning
				Results as follows: English Language Arts, Health and Physical Education,
				Mathematics, Science and Technology, and Social Studies.
3). The Comprehensive Education Plan
				developed in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 125 by the school
				administrative unit shall address the implementation of Career Preparation,
				Modern and Classical Languages, and Visual and Performing Arts. Effective
				September 2006 the local curriculum shall include these content areas for all
				students, contingent upon funding of Essential Programs and Services or its
				equivalent.
4). Each content area
				of the system of Learning Results is defined by standards and performance
				indicators in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131.
NOTE: Until such time as the content list for Health
				  Education is included in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131, health education shall
				  continue to include instruction in community health, consumer health,
				  environmental health, family life, growth and development, nutritional health,
				  personal health including mental and emotional health, prevention and control
				  of disease and disorders, safety and accident prevention, and substance use and
				  abuse, including the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 127 - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, ASSESSMENT, AND DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS › Section 071-127-8 - Review Cycle for the System of Learning Results

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
8.01 The Commissioner shall conduct a review
				of Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131 by content area on a four-year cycle beginning in
				the 2003-2004 school year. Each year one content area from each of the
				following categories will be reviewed:
A.
				English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies;
				and
B. Career Preparation, Modern
				and Classical Languages, Health and Physical Education, Visual and Performing
				Arts.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 127 - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, ASSESSMENT, AND DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS › Section 071-127-9 - School Assistance

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
9.01 When student
				performance in a school indicates that assistance is needed, the Commissioner
				shall provide assistance to the school administrative unit pursuant to section
				4.02 A.1 ). of this rule.
A. The Commissioner
				shall annually review Maine Education Assessment results in reading, writing,
				and mathematics for each school in the state. The Commissioner shall establish
				thresholds for percentages of students in the lowest MEA performance category
				that shall result in further analysis of the unit's performance.
B. If warranted based on this review, the
				Commissioner shall analyze the unit's Comprehensive Education Plan developed in
				accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 125, student performance on the local
				assessment system adopted in accordance with section
				4 of this rule. Subjects reviewed will
				include student performance on other indicators specified in the unit's
				Comprehensive Education Plan, school approval requirements specified in Me.
				Dept. of Ed. Reg. 125, and the unit's programs and services compared to those
				identified as Essential Programs and Services for students to meet the content
				standards of the system of Learning Results.
C. If warranted based on this analysis, the
				Commissioner will assign a team with expertise in the areas of need identified
				in the analysis of the unit to assist the unit in planning for improved student
				performance, for a period of not less than one year.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 127 - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, ASSESSMENT, AND DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS › Section 071-127-10 - WAIVERS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A school administrative unit may apply for a waiver from
				  compliance with any provision of this rule.
10.01 Application for a waiver shall contain:
A. Documentation of actions taken to meet the
				requirements prior to applying for the waiver;
B. A description of the unforeseeable
				circumstances or undue hardships which led to the application;
C. A statement of financial hardship if
				applicable; and
D. The plan that
				the school administrative unit will implement to come into compliance with the
				regulations.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-1 - Intent

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Generally, the intent of L.D. 1851 is to require school
				  officials to give increased attention to those pupils who are habitual truants
				  and dropouts. Such attention will include record keeping relative to the actual
				  numbers of pupils who are, by definition, habitual truants and dropouts;
				  determining the reasons for each occurrence; providing appropriate alternative
				  programs designed to promote these pupils' return to school; and providing
				  appropriate alternative programs designed to prevent pupils from becoming
				  habitual truants and dropouts.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-2 - Recording Pupil Attendance

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Although the recording of pupil attendance on a daily basis,
				  as required by school approval standards, has been done in all schools, closer
				  attention must now be given to pupil absence for each half-day session of a
				  complete school day. Appropriate notations of absence must be made in the
				  attendance register or other device which is used for recording daily
				  attendance.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-3 - Excusable Absences Defined

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
In the past, it has been the responsibility of local school
				  boards and their school administrators to determine what action would
				  constitute an excused absence and, in turn, what action would constitute an
				  unexcused absence. This legislation now provides specific delineation of
				  excusable absences; absences for reasons other than those specified would be
				  considered unexcused. Excusable absences are defined as follows:
A. Personal illness;
B. Appointments with health professionals
				that cannot be made outside of the regular school day;
C. Observance of recognized religious
				holidays when the observance is required during a regular school day;
D. Emergency family situations; or
E. Planned absences for personal or
				educational purposes which have been approved.
Questions have been posed about excusable absences. This does
				  give flexibility to local school officials to decide what is acceptable as a
				  "planned absence for personal or educational purposes."
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-4 - Recording Unexcused Absences

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
It will be necessary to give attention to more specific
				  documentation of pupils' unexcused absences. Pertinent items relative to this
				  are as follows:
A. The record keeping
				process must begin immediately following the first unexcused absence.
B. The date of the unexcused absence is to be
				recorded,
C. Information is to be
				documented indicating what steps were taken to determine the reason(s) for the
				unexcused absence.
All public and private schools shall obtain and maintain this
				  information on all truants whether they are educated at public or private
				  expense.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-5 - Documentation Relating to Habitual Truants

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Once a child has become habitually truant as defined in
				  20
				  MRSA914
									2, procedures adopted in
				  20
				  MRSA911, sub-section
				  5, shall be adhered to. Attention-must
				  be given to regulations concerning confidentiality.
_______________________________
1 A truant is a child who has an
				  unexcused absence of one-half day or more.
2 A child is determined to be an
				  habitual truant if he is absent from school the equivalent of 10 full days or
				  for one-half of a day on 7 consecutive school days within any 6-month period
				  for other than an excusable absence as referred to in Section 911.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-6 - Tuition Students

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Local school administrative units are responsible for
				  providing education for all children of compulsory school age who legally
				  reside within the geographical area-of the units. If any child attends school
				  outside the unit of legal residence and becomes truant in the receiving school,
				  the superintendent or principal of the receiving school unit must notify the
				  superintendent of the sending school unit and it becomes the responsibility of
				  the sending unit to locate the truant child.
Once a child becomes an habitual truant, the principal of the
				  public or private school of attendance shall forward to the superintendent of
				  the sending unit all information relative to the unexcused absences of the
				  habitual truant and which has been maintained on file. It then becomes the
				  responsibility of the superintendent and school board to follow the procedures
				  as outlined in the legislation.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-7 - Eighty-five Percent (85%) Attendance and Subsidy

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
It will be necessary that accurate record keeping devices be
				  developed to obtain the 85 percent attendance data that is required. The total
				  number of actual pupil days between, and including, October I and April 1 of
				  the school year must be determined. The attendance of each pupil must be
				  accurately maintained on a daily basis and then this will be computed to
				  determine whether or not each individual pupil has met the requirement. These
				  figures must be maintained beginning October 24, 1977 (October 1 in subsequent
				  years) and will serve as the basis for determining subsidy distribution for the
				  1979-80 school year. Data collection forms currently in use for determining
				  subsidy distribution will be appropriately revised to allow reporting of
				  enrollment figures which reflect the 85 percent requirement. Please note that
				  students must maintain a minimum attendance of 85 percent, exclusive of
				  sickness or other excused absence, between October 1 and April 1 inclusive to
				  be counted for subsidy purposes.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-8 - Recording Attendance for Students in Alternative Programs

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Please note the provision for the counting of .1 of a pupil
				  for enrollment in a semester course or its equivalent in alternative programs.
				  It will be necessary that local record keeping procedures be designed to record
				  the required information. Data collection forms currently in use by the
				  Department will be revised to-minimize confusion in reporting such data. In
				  order to facilitate this data collection process, it is requested that the
				  attendance of students enrolled in alternative programs be maintained in a
				  separate register. This will allow local school officials to distinguish these
				  pupils from others not in alternative programs and make-easier the subsidy
				  distribution on the basis of the .1 pupil provision.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-9 - Authority to Excuse 14 Year Olds

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A question was raised as to the exact meaning of the-word any
				  in "the principal with the approval of the local school committee or board of
				  directors is authorized to excuse any pupil who is 14 years of age or older
				  from regular school programs for the purpose of participating in a suitable
				  program of work, work study or training," which is found on page 3, sub-section
				  10 of
				  20
				  MRSA911 of the legislation. Does this mean
				  any pupil 14 years of age or older who is an habitual truant or dropout, or
				  does it mean all pupils 14 years of age or older" An opinion from our Assistant
				  Attorney General indicates that this applies to all pupils 14 years of age or
				  older. It is pointed out that authorization to excuse pupils is given but there
				  is no requirement that the pupil must be excused. The Department is of the
				  opinion that this option should be used as a last resort.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-10 - Register Entries for Unexcused Absences

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Previously it has been pointed out that increased attention
				  must be given to accurate record keeping by local school officials. One aspect
				  of this procedure involves pupil attendance records which must be maintained in
				  registers supplied to schools by this Department or on a comparable, locally
				  designed record. If it is not already a common practice, excused and unexcused
				  absences must be marked on the basis of each half-day the absence occurs. It is
				  suggested that the following indicators be-used in order to easily identify the
				  absence:
1 - excused
1 - unexcused (circle in red)
As an example, a pupil who had an excused absence in the AM
				  and an unexcused absence in the PM, would be marked in a register as follows:
1
1
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-11 - Annual Report to Commissioner

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
L. D. 1851 requires superintendents to submit an annual
				  report to the Commissioner prior to October 1 giving attention to the
				  following:
A. The number of habitual
				truants during the previous school year.
B. A description of local efforts made on
				behalf of habitual truants.
C. The
				number and disposition of action taken against parents under sub-section
				8 on page 3 of the
				legislation.
D. Other information
				the Commissioner may deem necessary. Because current data collection forms are
				not designed to collect this information, a new form has been
				developed.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-12 - School Board Policies Required

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
You will note on the first page of Section 911, sub-section
				  5, the statement requiring local
				  boards to promulgate rules and regulations and to file a copy of these with the
				  Commissioner. Such rules and regulations will be included in school board
				  policies on the subjects identified in the legislation. It is expected that
				  many of the needed policies are already in existence, but it may be necessary
				  to adopt additional policies. Once all appropriate local policies have been
				  adopted, these would become the rules and regulations required. The set of
				  policies must then be submitted to the Commissioner prior to October l, 1978.
				  Any subsequent policy changes must be submitted upon adoption.
From a review of this legislation, it is apparent that
				  policies are needed in the following areas:
A. Excused absences - Although excused
				absences are specifically identified In the legislation, policies are needed to
				provide guidance to local administrators.
B. Unexcused absences - All absences that are
				not included in #1 above are unexcused absences.
C. Information required to be maintained on
				truant pupils:
1. What to collect
2. How to maintain
3. Adherence to confidentiality
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-14 - Units Unable to Provide Alternative Programs

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
In the legislation, provision is made for schools unable to
				  provide an alternative program for chronic (habitual) truants and dropouts. In
				  this instance, schools may tuition pupils to neighboring administrative units
				  or to private schools; it is necessary that policies and procedures be
				  developed to accommodate this practice. All receiving schools must be approved
				  by this office under the basic school approval program. Record keeping
				  procedures should be locally developed for maintaining records of pupils
				  enrolled in alternative programs on the basis of .1 pupil for each semester
				  credit course or its equivalent leading toward a high school graduation. Such
				  records will also be necessary for pupils tuitioned to neighboring units or
				  private schools. Any pupil enrolled in an alternative program shall be counted
				  on the rolls of the sending unit for subsidy purposes. No pupil shall be
				  counted in the aggregate as more than 1.0.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-15 - Graduation Requirements for Pupils Enrolled in Alternative Programs

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Any pupil participating in an alternative program who expects
				  to graduate from the local high school must meet statutory requirements and
				  other local requirements necessary to receive a diploma. It is possible that a
				  pupil could be enrolled in a type of alternative program outside the school
				  which could result in the pupil being eligible for graduation provided that the
				  program content meets statutory requirements and has been approved by the local
				  school committee. Current policies of this Department which limit the number of
				  credits obtainable outside of school to one-quarter of the total number of
				  graduation credits do not apply to alternative programs approved under this
				  legislation.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-16 - Parental Approval of Alternative Programs

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Regardless of what type of alternative program arrangement-is
				  determined for each individual pupil, local school officials should prepare a
				  form for parents to sign to approve the alternative arrangement. Parents should
				  be included in the total process and should provide evidence to the school
				  officials that they understand what has taken place.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 128 - TRUANTS AND DROPOUTS GUIDELINES › Section 071-128-17 - Reporting Pupils in Alternate Programs for Subsidy Purposes. (20 MRSA, Section 934)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Pupils enrolled in alternate programs as per
				  20 MRSA,
				  Section934 will be reported on a separate
				  data collection form for subsidy purposes in June and in January. They should
				  not be reported as regular resident pupils in the April 1st and October 1st
				  enrollment count. It is suggested that attendance of pupils in alternate
				  programs be recorded in a separate register or pupil accounting system. Subsidy
				  calculations will be at the rate of .1 of a pupil per semester credit course or
				  its equivalent.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 132 - LEARNING RESULTS: PARAMETERS FOR ESSENTIAL INSTRUCTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
SUMMARY: The Maine Department of Education Regulation 132 - The
				Maine
Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction
establishes parameters for essential teaching and learning in grades
				Pre-Kindergarten through Diploma across eight content areas and supports the
				goals outlined in the Guiding Principles. The Maine
Learning Results:
				Parameters for Essential Instruction
will inform the blueprint for
				item development of the large-scale State assessments aligned to the federal
				accountability standards found in Maine Department of Education Regulation 131
				- The Federal, State, and Local Accountability Standards. High school, middle
				school, and elementary school programming in Maine's publicly supported schools
				must be aligned to the knowledge and skills described in the Maine
Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction
.
The Maine Department of Education Regulation 132 - The Maine
Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction
augments and expands upon the content standards for federal accountability
				(Maine Department of Education Regulation 131: The Maine Federal, State, and
				Local Accountability Standards) by describing details for essential teaching
				and learning for eight content areas. These learning goals identify the
				knowledge and skills required for college, career and citizenship in the 21st
				century.
THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- The knowledge and skills
				described in the Maine Department of Education Regulation 132 support Maine
				students in achieving the goals established in Maine's Guiding Principles. The
				Guiding Principles state that each Maine student must leave school as:
A. A clear and effective communicator who:
1. Demonstrates organized and purposeful
			 communication in English and at least one other language;
2. Uses evidence and logic appropriately in
			 communication
3. Adjusts
			 communication based on the audience; and
4. Uses a variety of modes of expression
			 (spoken, written, and visual and performing including the use of technology to
			 create and share the expressions);
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-01 - General Objectives

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Accreditation standards are intended to encourage
					 excellence in school programs. The rule includes such components as the quality
					 and variety of instructional programs; the credentials, experience and general
					 performance of staff; and the adequacy of school facilities. The rule also
					 includes the five correlates of effective schools on which the standards are
					 based. These correlates are school climate, instructional leadership, high
					 expectations, clear and focused goals, and measuring results.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-02 - Definitions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Approved School. "Approved School" means any school that is
					 fully or provisionally approved by the Department.
Accreditation council. "Accreditation Council" means a
					 council appointed by the Commissioner composed of equal membership from the
					 Department and the field as well as the chairperson of the visiting committee
					 as a nonpermanent member. Permanent members are appointed for three year terms
					 on a staggered basis.
Commissioner, "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of
					 Education.
Department, "Department" means the Department of
					 Education.
Elementary School, "Elementary School" means that portion
					 of a school that provides instruction in any combination of kindergarten
					 through grade 8.
Middle/Junior Rio School. "Middle/Junior High School" means
					 that portion of a school that provides instruction in at least two consecutive
					 grades 5 - 9.
Secondary School. "Secondary School" means that portion of
					 a school that provides instruction in at least two consecutive grades 9 through
					 12.
School Improvement, Plan(SIP). "SIP" means the School
					 Improvement Plan required under Department regulation, Chapter 125, Section
					 125.23.
Vocational Region/Center. "Vocational Region/Center" means
					 any public institution that provides vocational education to secondary
					 students.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-03 - Accreditation Process Mandate

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
All school administrative units operating a secondary
					 school shall undergo the Department accreditation process on a five-year cycle
					 as established by the commissioner starting in the 1989-90 school year.
Any approved elementary, middle/junior high, secondary
					 school or vocational region/center may through its board, make application to
					 participate in the Department accreditation process. The Department will have
					 the responsibility for establishing the schedule and scheduling accreditation
					 visits.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-06 - Accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Secondary schools may go through the NEASC accreditation
					 process to meet the requirements of
					 20-A MRSA
					 section4512(5) provided
					 that:
A. A Department member may serve
				  as a member of the NEASC visiting team;
B. A copy of the final NEASC team report is
				  sent to the Department by the principal upon receipt by the school;
C. A copy of all follow-up reports is sent to
				  the Department.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-07 - Accreditation through the Department of Education

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
				  The department accreditation process includes six phases:
1. self-study;
2. visitation / validation;
3. action planning / school improvement
				  plan;
4. implementation /
				  monitoring;
5. re-accreditation
				  visit; and
6. implementation /
				  monitoring.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-08 - Awarding of Accreditation

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A determination of the accreditation status of a school
					 will be made by the Commissioner after review and consideration of the
					 following criteria:
A. The
				  recommendation of the visiting committee.
The performance level of the school, as determined by the
					 visiting committee, in relationship to the Department standards, must be found
					 acceptable. This performance level will be determined by a vote of the visiting
					 committee at the conclusion of the visitation and after review and discussion
					 of the self-study. The committee shall maintain high standards and expectations
					 in determining the performance level of the school.
B. The recommendation of the Accreditation
				  Council.
The responsibility of the Accreditation Council, after
					 reviewing the report of the visiting committee along with the action plan of
					 the school, will be to recommend an accreditation status for the school to the
					 Commissioner.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-09 - Cost of Accreditation

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The costs of the visiting team for housing, meals and
					 travel will be paid by the host school for all nondepartment personnel. Also
					 the cost of self-study materials and the printing and distribution of the final
					 report will be the responsibility of the host school.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-10 - Appeal Procedure

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Schools may appeal a decision of non-accreditation to the
					 commissioner, in writing, within 60 days of the official notification of
					 non-accreditation. The decision of the Commissioner shall be
					 final.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 138 - STATE ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND PROCESSES › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 071-138-1-11 - Waivers

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Secondary schools may request that the Commissioner waive
					 the requirement to undergo the accreditation process in extenuating
					 circumstances. Each request will be judged by the Commissioner on its merits.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 140 - PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS › Section 071-140-1 - PURPOSE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This rule provides standards and procedures for
				  implementation of Title 20-A, chapter 112, relating to the authorizing,
				  oversight and operation of public charter schools in Maine. The rule must be
				  read as an accompaniment to the statute, not in place of the statute because
				  the rule does not restate all statutory provisions.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 140 - PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS › Section 071-140-2 - AUTHORIZERS AND AUTHORIZING OF CHARTER SCHOOLS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Practices and procedures
An authorizer must develop and maintain policies and
				  practices consistent with nationally-recognized principles and professional
				  standards for authorizing public charter schools.
For purposes of determining whether an authorizer's policies
				  and practices conform to nationally-recognized principles and professional
				  standards, the Department of Education will evaluate the authorizer's policies
				  and practices on the basis of the principles and standards set forth in the
				  publication,
Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School
				  Authorizing
, published by the National Association of Charter School
				  Authorizers, copyrighted 2010. This publication is available on the
				  Department's Website on the Internet.
2.
Maintaining list of interested
				parties
An authorizer shall maintain a list of persons interested in
				  the activities of the authorizer and any charter schools that it may authorize.
				  The authorizer shall notify persons on that list when the authorizer issues a
				  request for proposals (RFP) or accepts a charter school application, and when a
				  charter school it authorizes begins accepting applications for enrollment.
				  Notice may be provided by e-mail, except that it must be provided by regular
				  mail for people who do not have e-mail at their homes.
3.
Solicitation of charter school
				applications
A. In order to invite,
				solicit, encourage and guide the development of high-quality public charter
				school applications, an authorizer shall develop a request for proposals (RFP)
				that meets the standards of Title 20-A section 2406. The RFP must require the
				applicant to include detailed plans for the provision of special education
				services in compliance with state and federal law.
B. An RFP must be issued not fewer than 60
				days from the deadline date for submission of applications.
C. An RFP must be published as broadly as
				possible to ensure that all entities interested in applying for a charter have
				notice of the opportunity to submit an application. At a minimum, notice of the
				RFP must be published on two consecutive weekends in the State Paper designated
				in Title 1, section 551 and must be provided to interested parties as described
				in subsection
				2. The RFP must also be submitted to
				the department, and the department shall include the RFP, on the Department of
				Education charter school Website on the Internet.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 140 - PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS › Section 071-140-4 - SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
SAU as
				authorizer.
A school administrative unit board that intends to develop
				  and issue an RFP for a charter school within the boundaries of the SAU must
				  notify the department of its intent as soon as the board begins developing an
				  RFP. The department will post notice of the SAU's intent on the department's
				  charter school Website on the Internet.
2.
Transfer of records to charter
				school
A school administrative unit shall comply with Title 20-A
				  section 6001-B, subsections
				  1 and
				  2, for the purpose of providing timely
				  transfer of education records regarding a resident student who is enrolling in
				  a charter school.
3.
Transfer of funds to charter school
If a resident student of the SAU enrolls in a public charter
				  school, the SAU must transfer funding as provided in Title 20-A section 2413
				  and SECTION
				  3, subsection
				  3 and
				  4 of this rule. A local school board
				  may ask for assistance from the department in determining the amounts to be
				  transferred.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 140 - PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS › Section 071-140-5 - OTHER; GENERAL

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Petition
				for conversion of a non-charter public school
A person or entity that intends to seek conversion of a
				  non-charter public school to a public charter school must collect the required
				  number of signatures on petitions to support the conversion, as provided in
				  Title 20-A section 2406, subsection
				  2, paragraph G. A school
				  administrative unit must provide a reasonable opportunity for the person or
				  entity to communicate with each teacher and parent about the petition, and to
				  seek signatures, without disclosing confidential information about teachers,
				  students or their families. For example, an SAU may allow a person seeking
				  petition signatures to send notice home to parents in the same manner that the
				  school sends information home to parents about other school matters.
A school administrative unit shall determine whether
				  sufficient signatures have been collected on the petition as follows.
A. The number of signatures required to meet
				the standard for a majority of teachers in the existing non-charter school is
				determined by the number of teachers employed full-time on the date 45 days
				before the petition is submitted to the authorizer.
B. To meet the standard for obtaining
				signatures from a majority of parents of students in the existing non-charter
				school, the petition must contain signatures from all parents and legal
				guardians of record of a majority of the students in the school. The number of
				students in the school is determined as of the date 45 days before the petition
				is submitted to the authorizer. If a student has more than one parent or legal
				guardian of record, the petition must be signed by each parent and legal
				guardian to be considered valid; signatures from more than one parent or
				guardian of a single student are counted as one signature.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-1 - Definitions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of
				the Department of Education.
B.
				"Person" includes a person, partnership, association or corporation, but does
				not include any public agency, offering a program or course of instruction in
				Maine.
C. Proprietary school" means
				(1) any private postsecondary school in this State offering a program or course
				of instruction conducted for the purpose of teaching any trade or any
				industrial, occupational, vocational, business or technical skill except those
				that are exempt under section
				2, and (2) any private postsecondary
				school as described in paragraph (1) located out of State which hires or
				authorizes solicitors or agents to recruit students or to promote the school or
				its program within this State.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-2 - Exemptions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
All proprietary schools as defined in 1, B shall be licensed
				  except the following:
A. Educational
				programs offered by any non-profit corporation;
B. Institutions whose course(s) are
				avocational, cultural, or recreational in nature and do not advertise the
				instruction as conveying employable or marketable skills;
C. Commercial driver schools which are
				licensed by the Board of Commercial Driver Education under 32 MRSA c.
				95;
D. Educational programs related
				to the real estate professions which are subject to approval by the Maine Real
				Estate Commission under 32 MRSA c. 59;
E. Educational programs offered by any
				professional or trade association primarily for the benefit of its own
				members;
F. Any institution
				authorized by the laws of this State to grant a degree;
G. Any course of instruction or training
				sponsored by a company for the education and training of its own employees, and
				the training or instruction is not the primary activity of the
				company;
H. Schools of cosmetology
				and barbering licensed under
				20-A
				MRSA §9505.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-3 - Initial Licensing

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. The application
				for a license shall be made on forms provided by the Commissioner and shall be
				accompanied by a fee of $100, except as provided in 20-A MRSA89505 for schools
				of barbering and cosmetology, and a surety bond in the penal sum of $10,000.
				The application shall be submitted at least 45 days prior to the expected date
				of licensing.
1. The following supporting
				documents shall accompany the application:
a.
				Certification from the state fire marshal, and state health department that the
				school plant adheres to the regulations as established by these
				agencies;
b. Statements relative to
				the financial stability of the school;
c. Evidence of any accreditation or approval
				granted the school by any recognized agency or association;
d. A copy of the school's calendar for a
				complete year, showing school semesters or terms and normal enrollment
				dates;
e. A copy of the school's
				curriculum showing the content of the subjects taught, the type of work or
				skills to be learned, equipment and instructional materials and library
				resources,
f. A copy of each form
				used for record maintenance purposes;
g. A copy of all catalogs, print,
				advertisements, promotional material, circulars, enrollment or application
				blanks and contract forms;
h. A
				list of all solicitors authorized by the school to recruit in Maine (if an
				out-of-state school);
i. A copy of
				the school's refund policy.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-4 - License Renewal

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. The application
				for a license renewal shall be made on forms furnished by the Commissioner and
				shall be accompanied by a fee of $50, except as provided in
				20-A
				MRSA §9505 for schools of barbering and
				cosmetology.
1. Information pertaining to
				changes in courses, publications, financial stability, accreditation, refund
				policies and solicitors since the date of last approval shall be submitted with
				the renewal application. The renewal licensing process may include an on-site
				evaluation when appropriate.
2.
				Certification from the state fire marshal, and the state health department that
				the school continues to meet the regulations as established by these agencies
				shall be submitted every fourth year from the date of initial
				approval.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-5 - License Expiration

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A license is valid for the calendar year in which it is
				  issued. All licenses shall expire on December 31.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-6 - Standards for Initial License

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. School Name
The private business, vocational, and technical school shall
				  not use the words "Maine" or "State of Maine" or any title or name commonly
				  accepted as descriptive of collegiate or university institutions.
B. Personnel
1. Each school shall be supervised by an
				administrative employee or officer of the school. If the school is a branch of
				a school that has its principal location outside of Maine, there shall be an
				agent, director or solicitor whose designation, responsibilities, and extent of
				authority shall be clearly stated in the application for a license.
2. Instructor qualifications will depend upon
				the kind of instruction offered. This item will be considered on an individual
				basis for each school. However, all instructors shall meet one of the following
				two requirements as applicable:
a. an
				instructor shall hold all licenses, certificates and ratings which shall be
				necessary for the instructor to instruct in the field in which he/she is
				employed;
b. an instructor shall
				have completed an extensive training program or have adequate experience
				commensurate with the area in which he/she offers instruction.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-7 - Action on Application: Suspension or Revocation

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The Commissioner may deny an initial or renewal application
				  for a license if the standards set forth in sections
				  3,
				  4 and
				  6 are not met. The licensee shall also
				  comply with these standards on a continuing basis during the term of the annual
				  license. The licensee's failure to at all times comply with these standards
				  shall constitute grounds for suspension or revocation of the license. In
				  addition, an application may be denied and an existing license may be revoked
				  or suspended if for financial or other reasons it appears unlikely that the
				  applicant or licensee will be able to deliver instruction as described in its
				  catalogs, promotional materials, circulars, enrollment or application blanks
				  and contract forms.
(Note: The issuance, renewal, nonrenewal, suspension and
				  revocation of licenses are addressed in
				  4 M.R.S.A
				  §1151 et seq. and
				  5 M.R.S.A. §8001
				  et seq.)
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-8 - Change in Accreditation Status

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A school shall promptly notify the Commissioner of any change
				  in its accreditation status.
Code of Maine Rules › 05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL › Chapter 147 - LICENSING OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESS, TRADE AND TECHNICAL PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS › Section 071-147-9 - Complaints: Processing of Complaints

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
				Investigations
The Department shall cause to be investigated all complaints
				  of noncompliance with the rules. Complaints shall be addressed to the
				  Department in writing with specific facts and allegations and signed by the
				  complainant. The school shall be notified of any complaints which are to be
				  investigated.
B. Dismissal
If, upon investigation, the Department concludes that there
				  is no reasonable evidence of non-compliance with the requirements of this rule,
				  it shall dismiss that complaint and notify both the school and the complainant
				  of its action.
C. Further
				Action
If upon preliminary investigation, the Department determines
				  that there is reasonable evidence of non-compliance with the rule, the
				  Department shall take further action. This may include but is not limited
				  to:
1. Further investigation by staff
				or agents of the Department;
2.
				Referral of investigation to other authorities;
3. Holding a fact-finding hearing which shall
				not be an adjudicatory hearing;
4.
				Holding a meeting with school officials.