Standards

Standards define what students are expected to know and be able to do at each level of education in order to, ultimately, be prepared for the rigors of college, careers and civic life.

Maine law outlines a specific set of standards for each of the eight subject areas defined in state statute. Maine is currently in transition with standards in some subject areas, as schools work to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics in time for the 2012-13 school year.

Eight Subject Areas

Maine statute requires that schools provide instruction in eight content areas: Career and Education Development, English Language Arts, Health Education and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts and World Languages.

The standards for those eight content areas are included in the Maine Learning Results. For math and English language arts, Maine has incorporated the Common Core State Standards -- shared by 45 states -- into its Learning Results. In science, Maine is one of 26 states participating in the development of Next Generation Science Standards.

  • Common Core State Standards. Maine is one of 45 states to adopt these internationally benchmarked expectations for student learning in math and English language arts. Maine fully adopted the Common Core standards in April 2011, and the state's schools are working to fully implement them in time for the 2012-13 school year.
  • Maine Learning Results. Initially adopted in 1997 and revised in 2007, the Maine Learning Results outline what students should know and be able to do in all eight subject areas defined by Maine statute. Starting in the 2012-13 academic year, the Maine Learning Results will incorporate the Common Core State Standards for math and English language arts.
  • Next Generation Science Standards. Maine is one of 26 states leading the charge to develop shared standards for science learning that focus more on inquiry and investigation than fact memorization.

Career & Technical Education

  • Career & Technical Education Industry-Related Standards. Maine's career and technical educators use the skills in demand by industry as the basis for determining what's expected of students studying career paths ranging from automobile collision to horticulture to welding.

Early Childhood

  • Maine Early Childhood Learning Guidelines. The Maine Early Childhood Learning Guidelines serve as a framework for the operation of early learning programs funded through public and private sources. A special panel is at work revising these guidelines so they align with the Common Core State Standards.