Maine’s Guiding Principles describe the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that all students should develop to be successful in school, careers, and civic life. They reflect a shared vision of what it means to be an educated person in Maine and are embedded within the Maine Learning Results.
The five Guiding Principles are:
- Clear and Effective Communicator
- Self-Directed and Lifelong Learner
- Creative and Practical Problem Solver
- Responsible and Involved Citizen
- Integrative and Informed Thinker
Together, these principles emphasize communication, problem solving, civic responsibility, continuous learning, and thoughtful decision-making across disciplines and learning experiences. They are intended to be developed over time, in many contexts, and through both academic and real-world learning opportunities.
The Guiding Principles are formally defined in Maine Department of Education Rule Chapter 132 – Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction, which outlines the specific knowledge and skills students must demonstrate for each principle.
This document details how each principle is defined in rule, including expectations for communication, learning, problem solving, citizenship, and integrative thinking across content areas and learning contexts.
View The Guiding Principles