Volunteers Requested: Maine State Board of Education Review Panel
Sign-up Form Link (Hosted by Microsoft Forms)
Purpose
Pursuant to Maine State Board of Education Rule Chapter 114, the Maine Department of Education coordinates review panels related to the approval of educator preparation programs in the state (EPPs). This peer review process is critical to maintaining high standards set forth by the State Board of Education on behalf of Maine learners.
The Office of Higher Education & Educator Support Services is seeking volunteers to serve on an EPP review team. A signup form is available to indicate your interest in participating: https://forms.office.com/g/rj5XCfxRpn
Membership
Rule requires each review team member be an educator in Maine who can speak to the six standards established in Rule Chapter 114 for Educator Preparation Programs. In practice, this has typically meant a member of the faculty/staff in the education (or related) department of an approved EPP.
Commitment
Before the Review: Panel members will be given the opportunity to review the applying institution's self-reporting materials in advance of the formal review date. There may also be a (virtual) preparatory meeting to level-set regarding the review procedures and to answer any panelist questions about the process.
Review Process: Applications for approval of educator preparation programs have traditionally been conducted between a Sunday afternoon and Wednesday morning, with food and lodging provided for panel members. Each institution has the option of reducing the number of in-person days and opting for a hybrid, partially virtual review. In specific instances, some amount of flexibility can be worked into the schedule for individual team members.
After the Review: With the Department's support, review team members will take the lead in writing a brief section(s) of the review panel report of findings and will be asked to offer their support for the team's report as a whole. The chairperson of the panel will be asked to attend the meeting of the State Board of Education where a final vote is conducted.
Sign-up
Those willing to volunteer for a future review panel can fill out this signup form: https://forms.office.com/g/rj5XCfxRpn
Educator Preparation Programs
Maine higher education units that have approved educator preparation programs are expected to be dynamic, strive for continuous improvement and utilize the outcomes of new knowledge, practices and technologies. These schools are expected to be involved in a process in which faculty and administrators, in collaboration with practitioners, are thinking and talking about the preparation of teachers and other educators. Institutions are expected to be committed to assuring that teacher candidates are prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist Maine students. For this reason, program approval must be initially conducted and periodically revisited.
- Maine Approved Educator Preparation Programs (Contact Info)
- Maine Approved Educator Preparation Programs (Endorsements Information) [coming soon]
- Initial & Renewal Program Approval. Learn about requirements for the initial application and renewal of a teacher education program.
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation. How teacher prep programs can achieve national accreditation.
Contact
Michael T. Perry
Director
Office of Higher Education & Educator Support Services
Email: Michael.T.Perry@Maine.gov