INFORMATIONAL LETTER # 33

 

POLICY CODE:  IHCD/IJNDB

 

TO:                 Superintendents, High School Principals, Middle School Principals, High School Guidance Directors, and Advanced Placement Coordinators

 

FROM:           Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

 

RE:                 Using Technology to Increase Access to Advanced Placement and Pre-AP Courses (2 hour ATM Session)

 

DATE:            September 13, 2004

 

The Maine Department of Education and the Advanced Placement Incentive Program will be offering three      ATM sessions to discuss the use of technology to increase access to Advanced Placement and Pre-AP courses.  The Distance Learning Project (ATM) and The Virtual High School will be the main focus of this session.  The following ATM sites and dates are listed:

 

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 – Live broadcast from Yarmouth High School

                        Receiving sites: Lawrence HS, Morse HS, and Sacopee Valley HS

 

Wednesday, September 22, 2004- Live broadcast from Bangor High School

                        Receiving sites:  Jonesport Beals HS, Greenville HS, and Telstar HS

 

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 – Live broadcast from Presque Isle High School

                        Receiving sites:  Madawaska HS, Houlton HS, and Fort Fairfield HS

 

The sessions will run from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

 

University of Maine (UNET) AP4ALL Grant

 

As part of the Maine Distance Learning Project, this grant is seeking to identify Maine teachers/schools that are interested in offering Advanced Placement programming to be delivered over distance to students in Maine via the statewide ATM network. “AP4ALL” is a joint venture between DOE, UNET, the Great Maine Schools Project, and participating Distance Learning (ATM) sites. Our primary goal is to join with selected Distance Learning (ATM) high schools and support their efforts to offer high-quality and interactive Advanced Placement course content over the state’s distance learning (ATM) system.

 

We are offering competitive incentive grants to teachers/schools interested in delivering Advanced Placement programming by appropriately trained teachers via the Maine Distance Learning Project network. The goal is to offer high quality; in-demand AP programming that will be delivered in a way that ensures that the full interactive capabilities of the system are utilized effectively. This is a competitive grant application process, with proposals from trained and certified Advanced Placement teachers being selected.

 

Participants will be responsible for:

            1. Teaching one course of AP study (as outlined in project application).

            2. Participating in hour-long monthly “round table” feedback/support forums via ATM.

            3. Participating/presenting in annual two-day MDLP Summer Institute (dates in ‘05 TBA).

            4. Completing all evaluation and review exercises.

            5. Cooperating with project promotional efforts and professional sharing of ideas.

 

Participants will receive training in areas of: (total of approximately two days training)

            1. Mastering the touch-screen interface - technical training.

            2. Advanced distance learning techniques - making sessions truly interactive.

            3. Development of materials appropriate for on-screen presentation.

            4. Creating an “after-class” teacher/student communication mechanism.

            5. Additional year long, on-site as requested support from “AP4ALL” staff is available.

 

Anticipated outcomes:

            1. Increased AP educational opportunities offered via ATM to Maine students in need.

            2. Increased quality of distance learning experience of both teachers and students.

            3. Increased exposure and positive publicity for Maine Distance Learning Project.

            4. Increased likelihood that project alumni will continue teaching over distance.

            5. Increased availability of models of excellence in DL teaching to be shared.

 

Virtual High School

 

Virtual High School (VHS) and the Maine Department of Education are offering Maine High School and Middle School students’ free access to online AP, Pre-AP and Gateway (pre, pre-AP) courses not typically offered in their brick and mortar curriculums.  In addition, as part of the three-year project, a vertical team of faculty members from the participating schools will be trained to teach online core academic AP and Pre-AP courses that have already been developed to meet national standards.  Teacher training, course materials, and full membership costs during the grant period are provided through the joint grant partnership.                  

 

Qualification for Participation

v      Low-income schools that have 40% or more of their students on free or reduced lunch programs.

v      Funds also exist to cover individual student tuitions for high needs students.

 

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To register, please fax, email, or mail to the following:  Nancy Lamontagne, Maine Dept. of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Fax: 207-624-6821. Email:  nancy.a.lamontagne@maine.gov

 

Name______________________________________District____________________________________

 

School_____________________________________Address____________________________________

 

City, State, Zip______________________________email_______________________________________

 

Please check appropriate site:

 

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004

                                     Yarmouth HS           Lawrence HS            Morse HS     Sacopee Valley HS

Wednesday, Sept. 22,2004

                                     Bangor HS        Jonesport/Beals HS          Greenville HS            Telstar HS

Tuesday, Oct. 19,2004

                                     Presque Isle             Madawaska HS         Houlton HS   Ft. Fairfield