INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO:  54

 

POLICY CODE:  GCFC

 

TO:                  Superintendents of Schools

 

FROM:            Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

 

DATE:             November 2, 2004

 

SUBJECT:       Chapter 115 – Certification, Authorization, and Approval of Educational Personnel

 

******** Please Forward to School Principals ********

 

The State Board of Education is proposing amendments to Chapter 115 – Certification, Authorization, and Approval of Educational Personnel.  This rule contains the requirements for certification, authorization, and approval of educational personnel who serve in the public and in certain approved private schools in the State of Maine.  Proposed amendments include:  a revision to the early childhood (Kindergarten – grade 3) endorsement specifying coursework for teaching the young child; the endorsements for teachers of art and teachers of music are revised to require studio and/or performance coursework as well as history and theory coursework; and a new native language endorsement has been created for teachers of Waponahki languages.  Chapter 115 Part I and Part II are revised to include a pathway for individuals who don’t hold a bachelor’s degree to attain the native language endorsement; and there are minor changes to language which clarify the intent of the rule, formatting has been adjusted, and spelling and typographical errors have been corrected.

 

A copy of the original rule is available at:  http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/chaps05.htm

 

A copy of the proposed rule is available at:  http://www.maine.gov/education/rulechanges.htm

 

A public hearing will be held on the proposed rule as follows:

 

Friday, November 19, 2004; 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. First Floor, Room 103, Burton M. Cross State Office Building, Augusta.

 

Individuals can participate in the hearing simultaneously using the Department’s Distance Learning Network from the following locations:  Calais High School, Calais; Greely High School, Cumberland Center; and Ashland High School, Ashland. 

 

Written comments on the proposed rule will be considered if received in the Department of Education by 12:00 p.m., noon, December 1, 2004.  This can be accomplished by: Delivering them to the receptionist on the 5^th Floor of the Burton M. Cross State Office Building; Mailing them to Judith Malcolm, Education Policy Director, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333-0023; Faxing them to Judith Malcolm at 207-624-6604; or E-mailing them to Judith.Malcolm@maine.gov

 

We encourage public participation in this rule-making process.