Informational Letter #28, PUBLIC SCHOOL ANNUAL “SCHOOL APPROVAL REPORT” (THE SCHOOL APPROVAL “BLUE CHECK LIST”) EF-I-291 ANNUAL

INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO: 28

POLICY CODE: CM

TO: Superintendents of Schools

FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

DATE: September 7, 2005

SUBJECT: PUBLIC SCHOOL ANNUAL “SCHOOL APPROVAL REPORT” (THE SCHOOL APPROVAL “BLUE CHECK LIST”) EF-I-291 ANNUAL

Please complete the EF-I-291 for 2005-2006 that is located inside the MEDMS application. It will appear in the Application drop-down menu under ‘Forms’ and the Action drop–down menu under ‘School Approval.’ Please direct the person with permission to view the system to respond to each of the indicators, choosing either completed, incomplete, or the school was granted a waiver by the Department. Choosing incomplete as a response does not excuse the school from that requirement. It means that the school understands that the requirement must be met and is working to meet the regulations in the best interests of students. The form should be submitted on-line via the MEDMS system no later than September 23, 2005. PLEASE NOTE: It is no longer necessary to submit a paper copy to the Department.

This year we are attempting to use the information contained on the form to meet three significant goals: (1) to provide the Department with documentation of each school’s compliance with the statutes and regulations; (2) for administrators to have a more complete list of the requirements to use as a self assessment and (3) to permit the Department to collect school unit data in advance of the School Administrative Unit Reviews scheduled to take place in the fall of this coming school year, 2005-2006. The completed form will provide the DOE Review Teams with valuable background information that will support the overarching initiative of creating an opportunity to engage in targeted dialogue with the school administrative units regarding implementation of Maine’s system of Learning Results and the Local Assessment System (LAS).

Please note that a supplemental section (questions 105-110) has been added to the form. This new section includes questions pertaining to your SAU’s readiness to implement the Learning Results content areas of Visual and Performing Arts, Modern and Classical Languages, and Career Preparation. The section also includes space for indicating specific technical assistance needs in each of the three content areas. Please be sure to complete the supplemental section as this information will be useful for the SAU Reviews.

Please feel free to contact Edwin N. Kastuck, Ph.D., School Approval Services, by e-mail edwin.kastuck@maine.gov or phone 624-6776 if you have any questions. Questions regarding the MEDMS system should be directed to the MEDMS Help Desk at 624-6896.

Thank you.

To access the full text of Chapters cited:

Ch. 33 Use of Timeout Rooms, Therapeutic Restraints and Aversives in Public Schools and Approved Private Schools

Ch. 51 Child Nutrition Programs in Public Schools and Institutions

Ch. 81 Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine

Ch. 104 Education Programs for Gifted and Talented Children

Ch. 115 Certification, Authorization and Approval of Educational Personnel

Ch. 125 Basic Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units

Ch. 126 Immunization Requirements for Children

Ch. 127 Instructional Program, Assessment, and Diploma Standards

Ch. 161 Purchase and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals